1. “I like to define biology as the history of the earth, and all of its life: past, present, and future”
--Rachel Carson

2. BIOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF LIFE AND LIVING ORGANISMS
So– what is life?
Take 3 minutes to brainstorm what you think makes something ALIVE!
When the countdown finishes, summarize your thoughts into 1 or 2 sentences!

3. NOW--SHARE
Take 5 minutes and discuss with at least 3 classmates your idea of what you think life is. When the timer goes off, return to your desk and be prepared to share ONE classmates idea.
(HINT: Get the name of each classmate you speak with)

4. SHARE!
Please listen carefully and write these down.

5. All organisms (living things) share certain general CHARACTERISTICS that classify them as ALIVE!

6. Cells are the smallest unit of life
Every organism is made up of at least 1 cell
Cells can be very simple
No nucleus
No membrane bound organelles
PROKARYOTES
OR Complex
Nucleus containing DNA
Many organelles
EUKARYOTES

7. Deoxyribonucleic Acid
All organisms contain genetic information
Either RNA or DNA
What does DNA stand for?
All genetic material acts like a CODE that tells each cell how to function
Your DNA serves as your blueprint of life
All DNA is made up of the same 4 bases:
Adenine
Thymine
Guanine
Cytosine
Each species contains this SAME genetic base.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid

8. Even single celled organisms reproduce certain aspects of their being
All living things can continue life through reproduction
Asexual reproduction: The organism copies its own DNA and creates a new being out of an exact copy of itself
Example: Bacteria
Sexual Reproduction: Gametes (sex cells- 1 male and 1 female) combine genetic material to create an offspring of the same species
Example: Flowers

9. Energy is required for an organism to complete life’s processes
All organisms must be able to obtain and use energy
How do you obtain energy?
Organisms are either—
Autotrophs: self feeding (think plants)
Heterotrophs: consumers (herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers)
Ultimately, all energy for organisms, whether for producer or consumer, originate from the SUN

10. Homeostasis literally means the same status or same state
Homeo/homo = same
Stasis = status/state
All living things must maintain an internal environment that is stable and adaptable to changes.
Organisms encounter MANY different outside influences that cause their beings to react and control their internal structures.

11. All living things must be able to adapt to their external environment
Some species have a better ability to adapt than others
Some adaptations become advantages and a species
changes to rely on that advantage

12. Organisms must interact with other factors in their environment
Abiotic: Means NON-Living
Examples:
Water
Soil
Climate
Biotic: LIVING
Other plants, animals, decomposers, bacteria
All of these are a part of an organisms Ecosystem