Characteristics of Living Things

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Characteristics of Living Things IN
Headings Vocabulary Important Info
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What is Biology?
1. The study of living things (organisms) 2. The
study of interactions of living things 3.
bio-life ology-study of
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8 Characteristics of Life
Unicellular

• Living Things are
• 1. Made up of Cells
• CELL Collection of living material enclosed
  within a barrier
• Cells are basic unit of life
• Unicellular made up of one cell
• Multicellular made up of many cells

Multicellular
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Levels of Organization
Stomach
Muscle cell
Smooth muscle tissue
Digestive system
Cells have an orderly structure Ex cells make
up tissues, tissues make up organs, and organs
make up systems
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Asexual
2. Reproduce a.) produce offspring which
resemble parents b.) Asexual Reproduction has
only one parent c.) Sexual Reproduction
requires two parents
Sexual
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3. Grow and Develop a.) GROWTH increase in
size and shape b.) DEVELOPMENT mature over
time c.) living things have a lifespan
Growth
Growth
Development
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4. Livings things are based on a universal
genetic code A. DNA- DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
B. RNA- RiboNucleic Acid C. determines
inherited traits from parents
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5. Use/Need Energy a. Energy comes from food,
used to maintain body b. Autotrophs produce
their own food c. Heterotrophs must consume
food d. Decomposers break down dead material
for food
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6. Respond to their surroundings a.) they
react to a stimulus b.) an action
causes a reaction c.) reaction
is called a response d.) this
involves one individual
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7. Maintain a stable internal environment A.
Homeostasis- process by which organisms maintain
a relatively stable internal environment EX
sweating, panting, shivering, etc
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8. Evolve a.) Adapt to long-range changes in
environment b.) Change to better survive in
environment c.) these changes take place over a
long period of time involving the entire species
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Characteristics of Living Things
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So, lets see if you learned anything
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The following are all examples of the
characteristics of life. Identify each one.

1. Adapt D. genetic code G.
   Respond to stimulus
2. Made of cells E. Grow and develop H.
   Homeostasis
3. Reproduce F. Use/need energy

1. You eat a hamburger for lunch.
2. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to
   recognize voices.
3. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the
   snow.
4. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the
   doctors office.
5. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside.