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Published byTeresa Perkins Modified over 9 years ago
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What are the requirements of life?
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Nutrient and energy source Water Physical conditions which can sustain life
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I. Introduction A. How do we tell what life is? 1. Dictionary a. “the quality that distinguishes a vital functioning being from a dead body” b. but what is that “quality” What Is Life?
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2. Intuitive knowledge a. living things have complexity and ordered interaction among those complex parts b. much more difficult to describe or define life c. develop criteria for identifying life
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B. Characteristics of life 1. Orderly structure or organization a. complex structure b. organic (carbon-based) molecules A
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2. Acquire and use materials/energy a. maintain complexity b. maintain organization c. require energy - directly i. photosynthesis - indirectly i. energy stored in materials C
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3. Maintain Internal Environment - Homeostasis a. organisms keep conditions in their bodies fairly constant to live b. metabolism in organisms is almost always constant c. conditions include temperature, water levels, salt levels A
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4. Change during Lifetime a. development occurs during organisms lifetime - organized, replicated pattern of changes b. Growth - at sometime in lifecycle, all organisms become larger - conversion of acquired materials for increased size D
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5. Reproduction a. Living things reproduce themselves b. Transmittal of genetic material (e.g. DNA) to new generation C
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6. Respond to stimuli & Adjust to surroundings a. react to physical or chemical changes in their environment b. short term response - within single lifetime 7. Populations are modified & adapt to environment a. long-term response - requires multiple generations (usually many generations) b. requires modification due to genetic mutations c. Adaptation
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Does it: 1) have orderly structure? 2) consume energy? 3) maintain internal environment? 4) develop or grow? 5) reproduce passing on heritable traits? 6) respond to stimuli 7) as a population, evolve to better “fit” the environment? IS IT ALIVE? Criteria for life
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