1. It’s Alive!! Or is it?

2. What is this thing we call life?

3. Characteristics of living things What does a dog have in common with a bacterium? –There are six characteristics that all organisms share.

4. 1. Living things have Cells All living things are made up of cells. Cell: the smallest unit that can carry out all the activities of life. –All cells are surrounded by a cell membrane that separates it from the outside environment

5. 2. They respond to stimuli All organisms sense a change in the environment. Stimulus: a change that affects the activity of an organism (plural-stimuli) What are some examples of a stimulus?

6. What happens when the outside environment changes? Conditions in the body must stay the same. Homeostasis: the act of keeping a constant environment inside an organism

7. Homeostasis What happens in your body if it is hot outside? –Sweating to cool down What happens if it is cold? –Body starts to shiver Predict what would happen if your body couldn’t maintain homeostasis.

8. 3. Living things Reproduce Every type of organism has offspring. Sexual reproduction: when two parents make offspring Asexual reproduction: one parent makes offspring that is identical to the parent

9. 4. Living things have DNA All organisms have DNA in their cells DNA: (deoxyribonucleic acid) carries instructions for the organism’s traits Offspring get copies of parts of their parent’s DNA

10. 5. Living things use Energy All organisms need energy –Break down food –Move materials in and out of cells –Build cells Metabolism: all of the chemical reactions that take place in an organism’s body

11. 6. Living things Grow and Develop All living things grow during some part of their lives As they grow they also develop and change

12. Is it Alive? Lab You are a biologist and you have never been to Earth, in front of you are two objects/things you have never seen before. You are asked to describe them and determine if they are alive. –How would you do this?

13. Name: Partner Name: Period: Is it Alive?

14. Remember the 6 characteristics Cells Respond to stimuli ReproduceDNAEnergy Grow and Develop

15. Science Fact of the Day Super-worms undergo metamorphosis into a beetle!!! Beetles are found on every continent except Antarctica.