1. THE STUDY AND SCIENCE OF LIFE
pp. 5-14

2. I. LIFE
Need energy for life processes
Have the ability to reproduce
Are composed of cell(s)

3. II. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
A. Cells: smallest unit that can perform life processes
1. Basic building blocks of
organisms.
2. Can be unicellular (one-
celled) like bacteria or
multicellular (many-celled)
like humans

4. B. Organization (UNIT: Cells)
1. Highly organized at the
cellular and/or molecular
level.
2. Specific cell structures carry
out specific functions
3. In multicellular organisms,
cell types group together
based on function
(specialization)

5. C. Metabolism (UNIT: Cell Energy)
1. Organisms require and use energy to maintain their organization.
autotrophs- produce own nutrients and energy (i.e. photosynthesis)
heterotrophs- obtains nutrients and energy from eating other organisms
2. metabolism: sum of all the chemical processes in the body

6. D. Homeostasis: maintenance of a stable internal environment
E. Response to the environment
1. Stimulus
2. Response

7. F. Growth and development (UNIT: Cell Cycle)
1. Materials are converted by
the organism to make more
cells.
2. Cell division produces two
new cells.
G. Reproduction: Organisms produce like organisms.

8. H. Groups of organisms can change through time by adapting or evolving (UNITS: Genetics and Evolution)

9. III. THEMES OF BIOLOGY
Organisms grouped by common characteristics