1. The Characteristics of Living Things
Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing.
1. Made of Cells
2. Adapted to Their Environment
3. Use and Need Energy
4. Reproduce
5. Growth and Develop
6. Produce waste

2. The Characteristics of Living Things
All living things have these six characteristics.
Anything without one of these six characteristics is nonliving.
Living things are called organisms.

3. 1. Made of Cells Organisms are made up of one or more cells.
A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
Cells = the
“Building Blocks"
of life.

4. Cell video
Video

5. 2. Adapted to Their Environment
Organisms are adapted, or suited, to their surroundings.
All organisms have features that help them survive in their surroundings.
For example: fish have gills, plants moving to light source

6. Fish out of water

7. 3. Use and Need Energy All organisms need and use energy to live.
Energy is the ability to do work.
Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things.
Plants use the energy in sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants. 8H

8. 4. Reproduce Organisms produce more organisms of their own kind.
Reproduction allows organisms to continue living on the earth.

9. 5. Growth and Develop All organisms grow and develop.
Living things change, or develop, during their lifetimes.
One way organisms change is by growing.
Living things may also change in appearance.
For example: tadpoles and frogs

10. Pea Shoot

11. 6. Produce waste
Get rid of waste – C02, urine, feces, oxygen.

12. Summary
Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing.
1. Made of Cells
2. Use and Need Energy
3. Adapted to Their Environment
4. Reproduce
5. Growth and Develop
6. Produce waste
All living things display all of the above characteristics.

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