1. What is life?
Characteristics

2. Characteristics of Life
There are eight characteristics of life.
Made up of cells
Reproduces
Organized
Grows and Develops
Uses Energy
Responds to Stimuli
Adapts to Changes
Homeostasis

3. 1. Life is Made Up of Cells There are two types of cellular organisms
Unicellular – made up of one cell. This cell performs all jobs for the microorganism.
Examples: Prokaryotes, bacteria, protozoa, some algae
Multicellular – made up of many cells. Each cell has a specific job.
Examples: all animals, all plants

4. 2. Life Reproduces There are two forms of reproduction
Sexual Reproduction – two cells from different parents come together to from the first cell of the new organism.
Examples: most multicellular organisms
Asexual Reproduction – New organism comes from a single parent cell. The original cell will divide and split into two
Examples: most unicellular organisms

5. Largest 3. Life Is Organized
Atom
Molecule
Organelle
Cell
Tissue
Organ
Organ System
Organism
Population
Community
Biome
Biosphere
Planet Earth
Smallest
Largest
3. Life Is Organized
Life is made up of simple and small building blocks to build large and complex organisms

6. 4. Life Grows and Develops
Every organism has a pattern of growth and development
Cells multiply and become specialized to perform specific tasks

7. 5. Life Uses Energy All organisms take in materials for energy.
Example: Light (producers), consuming plants and/or animals (carnivores, herbivores, omnivores), consuming dead things (decomposers).
These materials will go through a combination of chemical reactions that help an organism build or break down materials as it carries out life processes such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, protein synthesis
This process is done through a metabolism.

8. 6. Life Responds to Stimuli (Short – Term)
Environments change regularly based on water, light, temperature, effects of other living and nonliving things.
This causes organisms to react immediately to their environment
Example: We put a coat on when it is cold outside

9. 7. Life Adapts to Changes (Long- Term)
Many changes occur throughout life – but this particular change is the same life cycle their parents went through.
Evolution: a group of the same organism experiences the same change over time
Organisms respond over time to their environment rather than react
Example: Trees that can survive a long period without water

10. 8. Life Maintains Homeostasis
All organisms keep internal conditions stable by a process called homeostasis.
This is similar to a thermostat in a house
Example: Humans sweat to prevent their body temperature from rising too high.