1. Characteristics of Life CHARGER
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Characteristics of Life CHARGER
Johnson 2017 1

2. What is Biology? The study of living things
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What is Biology?
The study of living things
There are seven characteristics that help classify biotic organisms 2

3. Taxonomy
Taxonomy: the classification of living things created by scientists
Domains
Kingdoms

4. CHARGER Made up of 1 or more Cells Unicellular (one cell)
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CHARGER
Made up of 1 or more Cells
Unicellular (one cell)
- ex. ALL Bacteria & SOME Fungi and Protists
Multicellular (many cells)
- ex. ALL Animals & Plants & SOME Fungi and Protists 4

5. Have a universal genetic code (DNA)
CHARGER
Have a universal genetic code (DNA)
All living things have DNA
DNA passes on genetic information from one generation to the next

6. CHARGER Maintain homeostasis
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CHARGER
Maintain homeostasis
Homeostasis – a relatively stable internal environment (within a certain range)
- (ex. Human body temperature (approximately degrees F)) 6

7. Adapt and evolve over time
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CHARGER
Adapt and evolve over time
Evolution - gradual change in a population of organisms over time
Individuals DO NOT evolve 7

8. Respond to stimuli in their environment
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CHARGER
Respond to stimuli in their environment
Stimuli - factors in the environment that living things react to
(ex. Light, temperature, sound, etc.) 8

9. Grow and develop/Specialization
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CHARGER
Grow and develop/Specialization
Each cell divides to make new cells (cell division) – results in growth
Some cells become specialized and perform different jobs than others (differentiation)
Ex. Neurons vs. muscular cells 9

10. 1. Dehydration Synthesis
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Energy to survive
CHARGER
Uses materials for metabolism
2 Types of Reactions
1. Dehydration Synthesis
= building up
Ex: Putting amino acids together to make proteins
2. Hydrolysis
= breaking down
Ex: Breaking down starch into usable sugars 10

11. CHARGER Energy to survive Autotrophic - use energy from sun
Heterotrophic – make energy by consuming nutrients from their environment

12. 4. All living things reproduce
CHARGER
4. All living things reproduce
Asexual - only one parent cell is needed
No genetic variability
Sexual - two sex cells required (sperm and egg)
genetic variability; preferred by nature