1. Get out your spirals! Characteristics of Life
Essential Questions:
What are the major (7/8) characteristics of life?
Complete an Arcostic to remember the characteristics
DNA
Organized

2. Explore: The Biology Song!
Watch the short YouTube video called “The Biology Song.” (Why is it called the biology song?)
Record any descriptions you see/hear about what makes something living or a living organism.
The Biology Song
Write your ideas in
The box on your
Notes sheet.

3. 1. Composed of Cells
All living things are composed of one (unicellular) or more (multicellular) cells.
Unicellular – you cant see with the eye
Multicellular – you can see
Organism – Displays all characteristics of life and considered by biologists to be alive.

4. 2. Require Energy Living organisms require energy Heterotrophs
Obtained through the breakdown of food and nutrients.
Autotrophs
Obtained through sunlight or chemical compounds
(Photosynthesis, Chemosynthesis)

5. 3. Reproduce and Grow
All living things reproduce to carry on their species.
asexual reproduction- Some plants and bacteria reproduce individually
sexual reproduction- some plants and animals reproduce with another member of their species

6. 4. Have DNA (Display Heredity)
DNA & RNA are the codes or sequences that get translated into all types of proteins.

7. 5. Respond to Stimuli
living things respond to changes in light, heat, sound, and chemical and mechanical contact.
Once a stimulus has been received by the organism, that triggers a response.

8. 6. Adapt (Evolves) to their Environment
Organisms and Species adapt to their environment in order to survive.
Add fat/fur in the wintertime.
Changing coat colors to elude predators.
Learned behaviors to avoid harm.

9. 7. Maintain Homeostasis
All organisms maintain a stable internal balance, also known as homeostasis. Example
You workout
Your cell temp increases
You sweat
Your cell temp decreases

10. 8. Evolve (over time)
All organisms in a population evolve to the changing environment over time.
Example: The loss or no use for wisdom teeth
Humans have grown in height over time
Horses used to be the size of a dog!

11. Reflect: The Biology Song!
Re-watch the short YouTube video called “The Biology Song.”
Did you hear anything different this time?
Why is it called the Biology song?
The Biology Song

12. What am I? Living or Non-Living?
In the following slides, you will see a picture of an object.
Observe the object. (Quantitative and Qualitative)
Feel free to ask questions about the object.
Identify the aspect of living things it represents.
(Remember, it must meet all criteria to be considered a living organism!)
Determine if it is Living or Non-Living!
…We’ll start of easy…

13. Create an acrostic to remember the 7/8 characteristics
D M Dog Races O R Mrs. Gren G S R A G C R E E S N

14. Create an acrostic to remember the 7/8 characteristics
D NA Dog Races O rganized of cells G rows and develops R eproduces A dapts C onsistent (homeostasis) E nergy (eats!) S timuli

15. What am I?

16. What am I?

17. What am I?

18. What am I?

19. What am I?

20. What am I?

21. What am I? (Super Tricky)
Protocell Circus - Video

22. Your Turn! Mind Mapping
To conclude today, you will create a bubble map on the back of your notes.
Flip over and look at the diagram. Describe the 8 major characteristics of life.