1. Characteristics of Life
Unifying themes in Biology

2. What is Biology?
The study of living organisms.

3. All Living Things have the following in common:
Made of cells
Homeostasis
Response to environment
Growth & Development
Consumption of materials
Reproduction
Genetic Code
Evolution

4. Made of cells

5. 1. Made of cells Organisms are composed of cells Unicellular-
Consist of only a single cell
Carries out all functions necessary for life
Multi-cellular-
Variety of number and types of cells
Most cells are specialized
Humans have about 85 different types of cells

6. Internal Balance

7. 2. MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS
Changes in response to the environment around an individual
HOMEOSTASIS
Internal equilibrium
Constantly being challenged by external environment
Major disturbance in homeostasis can cause death to organism

8. Response to Environment

9. 3. Response to Environment
Many variables influence the environment an organism lives in
Light, temperature, presence of new living/nonliving item, water availability

10. Growth and Development

11. 4. Growth and Development
No living organisms is born in the exact form that it will live its entire life
There is typically some differentiation that occurs in an individual’s body
Physical development
Cells multiply in number and specialize

12. Consumption of Materials & Energy

13. 5. Consumption of Materials and Energy
Active or passive consumption of materials for energy
What are some ways to obtain energy for life processes?

14. Reproduction

15. 6. Able to reproduce Sexual reproduction Asexual reproduction
Most multi-celled organisms reproduce sexually
A cell from each parent is united to produce a new cell
Asexual reproduction
Typical of unicellular organisms and smaller multi-celled organisms
Single parent

16. Genetic Code

17. 7. Genetic Code
Inheritance of genetic material from parent to offspring
Regardless of species, many of the genetic codes that we have are similar
Controls what organism is produced

18. Evolution

19. 8. Evolution Adaptations that enhance a populations
ability to survive.
Evolution does NOT occur in an individual
Adaptive trait usually introduced into population through mutation or new genetic material introduced into population

20. Metric Conversions Ladder Method

21. How many jumps does it take?
Ladder Method 1 3
How do you use the “ladder” method?
1st – Determine your starting point.
2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.
3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.
4 km = _________ m
Starting Point
Ending Point
How many jumps does it take? 4. 1
__. 2
__. 3
__.
= 4000 m

22. Conversion Practice 1000 mg = _______ g 1 L = _______ mL
Try these conversions using the ladder method.
1000 mg = _______ g
1 L = _______ mL
160 cm = _______ mm
14 km = _______ m
109 g = _______ kg
250 m = _______ km

23. Metric Conversion Challenge
Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.
1) Kilogram _____ 4) Milliliter _____ 7) Kilometer _____
2) Meter _____ 5) Millimeter _____ 8) Centimeter _____
3) Gram _____ 6) Liter _____ 9) Milligram _____
Try these conversions, using the ladder method.
10) 2000 mg = _______ g 15) 5 L = _______ mL 20) 16 cm = _______ mm
11) 104 km = _______ m 16) 198 g = _______ kg 21) 2500 m = _______ km
12) 480 cm = _____ m 17) 75 mL = _____ L 22) 65 g = _____ mg
13) 5.6 kg = _____ g 18) 50 cm = _____ m 23) 6.3 cm = _____ mm
14) 8 mm = _____ cm 19) 5.6 m = _____ cm 24) 120 mg = _____ g

24. Metric Conversion Challenge- KEY
Write the correct abbreviation for each metric unit.
1) Kilogram _kg____ 4) Milliliter __ml___ 7) Kilometer ___km__
2) Meter __m___ 5) Millimeter __mm___ 8) Centimeter _cm____
3) Gram __g___ 6) Liter _l____ 9) Milligram __mg___
Try these conversions, using the ladder method.
10) 2000 mg = __2_____ g 15) 5 L = __5,000___ mL 20) 16 cm = __160___ mm
11) 104 km = __104,000_ m 16) 198 g = _.198__ kg 21) 2500 m = __2.5__ km
12) 480 cm = _4.8__ m 17) 75 mL = _.075__ L 22) 65 g = _65,000__ mg
13) 5.6 kg = __5,600___ g 18) 50 cm = _.5__ m 23) 6.3 cm = _63__ mm
14) 8 mm = _80__ cm 19) 5.6 m = _560__ cm 24) 120 mg = _.12__ g