1. Characteristics of Life
How do we know if something is alive or not?
If the following characteristics are present then the thing is alive.

2. The Title for your notes should include the subject and the date
The Characteristics of Life - 9/12/13
If something has all 8 of these characteristics
of life it is alive.
If it is missing 1 it is not alive
For the rest of this presentation you will write
the information in the green areas (usually a
circle) and think about the rest of the material.
This is a quick overview of the whole semester!

3. Made of Cells
THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF CELLS 1.Prokaryotic cells: Primitive simple cells without a membrane bound nucleus. Genetic material just floats in the cytoplasm. Example: bacteria
NO NUCLEUS

4. 2.Eukaryotic Cells: Complex cells
with membrane bound organelles.
You are made of eukaryotic cells.
Nucleus

5. The smallest living things are just made of
just 1 cell.
Bacteria cultured
on agar
paramecium

6. Each of us is made of about
100 trillion cells.

7. of life is 1 cell (unicellular)
made of cells
Smallest unit
of life is 1 cell (unicellular)
We are multi-cellular
(many cells) 1.

8. Reproduction ( 2 types) 1.
Sexual Reproduction: Genetic material from male and female are mixed to create a new unique living organism.

9. 2.
Asexual : No genetic material is mixed.
The babies (offspring) are genetically identical.

10. There are 2 types of sexual reproduction
1. Internal fertilization: egg and sperm
unite inside of one of the parents.

11. 2. External fertilization: egg and sperm unite
outside of the parents bodies.

12. mix genetic material of 2 parents to create a new and
REPRODUCE
Sexual Reproduction:
mix genetic material of
2 parents to create a new and
unique individual.
Asexual Reproduction:
No mixing of genetic
material = a copy
of 1 individual 2.

13. Genetic Code All life is based on a genetic code.
The DNA Double Helix is the molecule that carries your genetic information.

14. Sex cells , egg, sperm, pollen, ova, all carry
DNA (genetic code) from the parent to child.
That is why offspring look similar to the
parent(s).

15. DNA is the recipe for how to make you and your offspring (children).
Genetic Code 3.
DNA is the recipe for how
to make you and your offspring
(children).
Offspring are similar to
their parents.

16. Living things grow and Develop
Size is going to change during a lifetime.
Grow

17. Develop = characteristics change as they mature.
Example: facial hair, voice, extra padding
Charles Darwin

18. JUST KIDDING

19. Grow = increase in size and Number of cells. Develop = Cells or body’s
Grow and Develop
Grow = increase in size and
Number of cells.
Develop = Cells or body’s
characteristics change with
maturity by turning on
different sections of DNA. 4.

20. Obtain Materials and Energy
Living things need nutrients (food) or energy.

21. Once nutrients (food) are taken in, our digestive
system breaks it down and recycles it to grow
and provide energy.
When our cells release this energy it is called
cellular respiration.

22. Metabolism is how fast your body breaks
down food and releases the energy to be
used for activities, growth of new cells, or
stored as fat in existing cells.

23. You are what you eat…Organisms are classified By what they eat.
Producers – make food = plants
Primary consumers – eat plants herbivores
Secondary consumers – eat plant eaters carnivores
Decomposers – break down organism to be recycled

24. Materials may be used for shelter, or attracting
a mate.
Male Bower Birds
place blue object
in front of their bower
to attract females.

25. Obtain Materials & Energy Nutrients and energy are used
To grow and provide energy for
movement and cell activities.
Metabolism is how fast your
body breaks down food and
releases the energy to be
used. Materials can be used for
shelter or attracting a mate 5.

26. Responds to the Environment
notes 6.
What changes in the environment do organisms respond to?
Temperature
Amount of sunlight
Humidity
Soil Moisture
Predators
Potential Mates

27. Maintain Internal Conditions (homeostasis)
During activities we use up energy, increase
our temperature, as well as lose water and
salts.
sweating
Breathing
Eat
Drink

28. Hydration – water balance
Temperature – temperature balance
PH – balance
Salt balance

29. Your cells need to keep the right amount of food, water
Maintain Internal Balance
HOMEOSTASIS
Your cells need to keep the
right amount of food, water
waste, and oxygen to
stay healthy. 7.

30. Change over time (Evolution)
Over time species change.
All dogs that are alive today had an ancestor who was a wolf.

31. As the environment changes those that survive and have
Evolution
As the environment changes
those that survive and have
successful offspring will shape
what the future generations
look like.
(Offspring are similar to
parents) 8