1. Lower fitness for natural selection; no/low genetic variety.
Asexual
Sexual
Offspring
genetically
identical to
parent and each other.
unique to
parent and
each other.
Lower fitness for natural selection;
no/low genetic variety.
Higher fitness
for natural selection;
higher genetic variety.
No fertilization.
Binary fission,
Budding, and
Fragmentation
are examples.
Fertilization of sperm and egg (gametes).
Rapid reproduction rate;
doesn’t require a partner.
Slower reproduction
rate; requires a partner.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

2. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#3: All living things acquire & use energy.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

3. Characteristics of Life
Organisms can acquire energy in one of two ways.
Some organisms can MAKE their own energy. They are called autotrophs.
Some have pigments called chlorophyll that can absorb energy from the sun in a process called photosynthesis. Others can convert organic chemicals into useable energy in a process called chemosynthesis.
FOOD = GLUCOSE = ENERGY
Some organisms CANNOT MAKE their own energy. They are called heterotrophs.
They must consume other organisms for their food.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

4. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#4: All living things grow and develop.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

5. Characteristics of Life
For a unicellular organism to grow, it must increase its volume of cytoplasm – increase in amount of cytosol (the liquid) and number of organelles (the machinery)
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

6. Characteristics of Life
For a multicellular organism to grow, it must undergo cell division and specialization/differentiation.
Body Cells undergo Mitosis
Germ Cells undergo Meiosis
Possessing a certain job.
Ex: heart cell vs. brain cell
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

7. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#5: All living things are organized.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

8. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#6: All living things exhibit movement.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

9. Characteristics of Life
Organisms that CAN move on their own exhibit movement called locomotion.
Organisms that CAN NOT move on their own exhibit movement called growth movement.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

10. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#7: All living things respond to their environment.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

11. Characteristics of Life
All living things respond to changes, stimuli, in their environment.
This stimuli can either be in their external environment or their
internal environment.
This response to stimuli brings the organism back to equilibrium or homeostasis, which is a constant internal environment.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

12. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#8: All living things contain genetic information.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

13. Characteristics of Life
This genetic information is in the form of DNA.
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
Viruses also contain genetic information. They either have DNA or RNA (in retroviruses). However, viruses are considered non-living because they do not exhibit some of the other characteristics of living things.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

14. Characteristics of Life
All Living Things….
#9: All living things
evolve through adaptation.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

15. Characteristics of Life
The British naturalist, Charles Darwin, is considered the Father of Biological Evolution. His theory is based on the mechanism of natural selection.
Due to mutations in the DNA, organisms will differ in genetically determined traits, thus slowly becoming different species.
Those with favorable traits are better adapted to their environment therefor LIVE LONGER and REPRODUCE more often. They have a higher fitness.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

16. Unifying Themes There are unifying themes in biology:
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

17. Unifying Themes Cellular Structure and Function
Structure Determines Function
In order to understand all the levels of life, we must first learn the basics. This includes learning how a cell is arranged and how it functions. The theme of structure and function will be found throughout many topics in biology.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

18. Unifying Themes Reproduction
Reproduction is important for the continuation of a species.
In order for life to continue on earth, organisms MUST reproduce. All living things biologically have the ability to reproduce. Some reproduce more often than others.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology