1. Characteristics of Living Things

2. Living things are made up of cells.

3. A cell is the basic unit of life.
Plant cell
Animal cell

4. Living things contain DNA.
DNA contains the genetic information that is needed for a cell to function.

5. All living things reproduce or have offspring.
Reproduction is essential for the continuation of the species.

6. Living things grow and develop.

7. Living things obtain and use matter and energy
Living things obtain and use matter and energy. All organisms must take in matter and energy to move, grow, develop and reproduce Metabolism is all the chemical reactions that build up or break down materials.

8. Some organisms, such as animals, get energy by eating other organisms.

9. Some organisms, such as plants, absorb energy from sunlight and store it in compounds for later use.

10. Living things respond to their environment.
Organisms detect and respond to stimuli
from their environment.
A stimulus is a physical or chemical change in the environment.

11. Living things maintain a stable internal
environment. This is called homeostasis.