1. 7 Characteristics of Life
Seven
Characteristics
of Life

2. Relate the 7 characteristics of life to living organisms.
Objectives:
Relate the 7 characteristics of life to living organisms.
Describe the importance of cells, reproduction, interdependence, homeostasis, evolution, metabolism and heredity in all living things.

3. What is living? X Object___ yes no Mouse Kleenex Cactus Coral Dust pan
Bacteria in petri dish X

4. What are the characteristics that make them alive?
Individual Brainstorm…
List 3 characteristics of living things
Partner Brainstorm….
Share lists & come up with 3 more.
Group of 4… read lists
Create your own Top 5 List!
Top 5 characteristics that all living things share.

5. 1. Cellular Structure and Function
All living things are made of one or more cells.
CELLS are highly organized tiny structures with thin coverings called membranes.
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Simple Complex
(Bacteria) (Animal)
*your body is made of about 100 trillion cells!

6. All living things can reproduce.
2. Reproduction
All living things can reproduce.
It is the process by which organisms make more of their kind from one generation to the next.
Humans = 9 months, bacteria = 15 minutes
Asexual = Identical copy of parent Ex. Bacteria
Sexual = 2 separate cells combine to form one cell, develops into an organism. Ex. Animals

7. They are dependent on one another and their environment.
3. Interdependence
Organisms in a biological community interact with and affect each other.
They are dependent on one another and their environment.
Ex. Deer in Rosemount – What are they dependent upon?
They grow and survive as a result of finding their niche in the community in which they exist.

8. It is the sum of all chemical reactions carried out by the organism.
4. Metabolism
Living organisms perform chemical reactions in order to obtain energy to run the processes of life.
It is the sum of all chemical reactions carried out by the organism.
hummingbird vs. sloth
Some organisms have the ability to regulate through hibernation/dormancy

9. This adaptation can result in changes to the species genes over time.
6. Evolution
Populations of living organisms respond to the environment they exist in.
This adaptation can result in changes to the species genes over time.
Change in inherited traits of species over time is evolution.
Ex. Peppered Moths

10. Stasis = state/condition Homeo/homo = same/steady
6. Homeostasis
All living organisms must maintain a stable internal environment in order to function properly.
Stasis = state/condition
Homeo/homo = same/steady
Homo sapiens (Humans) regulate…
Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, digestive function, muscle contraction, balance, state of consciousness, etc.

11. 7. Heredity
All living things are able to pass on their characteristics (traits) to their offspring through genes that are passed from parent to offspring each generation.
Genes = sets of inherited instructions found on DNA.
Mutations = change in the genes (DNA) which may alter the instructions
Some are bad, but may be good…

12. Is this organism alive? X X X X X Cells Reproduce Interdependent
Mouse Tree Virus
Cells
Reproduce
Interdependent
Metabolism
Evolve
Homeostasis
Heredity
X X X
X X