1. Video
Characteristics of Life Intro- F. Georgio
On the resources page

2. Characteristics of Life
All of life has 7 characteristics:
Order/Organization
Evolutionary adaptation
Response to the environment
Reproduction
Maintains homeostasis
Energy processing
Growth and development

3. 1. Order and Organization
Living things are highly ordered and structured.
Cells are the building block of plants and animals.
Information is also organized in the genetic material.

4. 2. Evolutionary Adaptation
Over generations, adaptations evolve that are beneficial for the organism.
These traits must be heritable and raise the reproductive success.

5. 3. Response to the Environment
All living things can respond to stimuli in their environment.
Ex. Venus Fly Trap closing when insect is inside.
Short term responses, not always long term change.

6. 4. Reproduction Organisms have some way to reproduce their own kind.
Bacteria reproduce asexually
Giraffes and other mammals reproduce sexually.
Information to do this is stored in their genetic material: DNA or RNA.
The genetic code is universal, it is the same for all of life.

7. 5. Maintains Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the regulation of the body’s internal “balance”
Constant body temperature
Number of cells pH

8. 6. Energy Processing
All living organisms use energy and must obtain that energy by either eating food or photosynthesis.
Energy is used to carry out life processes.
Ex. Walking, breathing, growing, hunting

9. 7. Growth and Development
Information in genes controls how organisms grow and develop from birth to adulthood.

10. Are Viruses Alive?
There has been a scientific debate for a long time if viruses are living or nonliving.
Are Viruses Alive- D News (Resources page)

11. Discussion Are viruses living or nonliving?
What characteristics of living things to they have?
What characteristics of living things are they missing?
Must something have all of the characteristics before they are considered living?