1. Determining the Characteristics of Life
What is Life?
Determining the Characteristics of Life

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
Basic unit of structure and function
2 types
Prokaryotic: no nucleus
Eukaryotic: nucleus
To make more of the species
2 types
Asexual: mitosis/binary fission
Sexual: meiosis
CELLS
REPRODUCTION

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
To increase in size, add mass
Multicelled organisms add cells via mitosis
Growth has limits
Changes that occur throughout life; maturing
Metamorphosis
Ripening
Puberty
GROWTH
DEVELOPMENT

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
Organisms convert energy to run cells and systems(metabolism);
to maintain organization (homeostasis)
Autotrophs: convert light energy to chemical energy
Heterotrophs: convert chemical energy(carbs) to chemical(ATP)
Nutrients provide the elements necessary to build the molecules of life
Carbohydrates- Lipids
Proteins – Nucleic Acids
REQUIRE NUTRIENT
CONVERT ENERGY

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
Reactions to changes in the environment to increase chances of survival
Sweating, shivering
Leaves changing color
Fight or flight
Structures organisms possess that enable responses; adaptations
Polar bear’s white fur
Sweat glands
Camouflage
Mimicry
RESPOND TO STIMULI
ADAPT TO CHANGE

6. HOMEOSTASIS
All of the characteristics of life enable organisms maintain homeostasis; or a stable ‘internal’ environment
Internal can mean cellular environment or systemic environment.
Homeostasis is never completely stable; internal and external environments are constantly changing
Homeostatic mechanisms maintain: water balance, body temperature, O2/CO2, sugar and hormone levels
TEMPERATURE REGULATION

7. Is it organic or inorganic?
Food items can be grown or raised “organically” without pesticides, herbicides, or hormones… However, in actuality all of the above are organic based upon the chemical definition of the word. ORGANIC refers to materials composed of organic molecules, those that contain carbons bonded to hydrogens. Since anything that is alive or once was alive, is composed of these kinds molecules they are considered to be organic. Which of these molecules is organic? H2O water, inorganic C6H12O6 glucose, organic CO2 carbon dioxide, inorganic CH4 methane, organic
The chemistry of life is the
chemistry of organic molecules!

8. ITEM
LIVING
NONLIVING
ONCE LIVING
ORGANIC
INORGANIC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
PINECONE X X
ROCK X X X X
SAND X X
PLANT X X
BUG X X
YEAST
PEANUT X X
FOAM
PEANUT X X X X
TREE X X
POTATO X
CORAL X
SEA
SPONGE X X X X
SPONGE X X
LICHEN X X
LOOFA