Characteristics of Living Things

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Characteristics of Living Things
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All living things share these 6 characteristics

• 1. Cells (at least one)
• 2. Ability to respond to the environment
• 3. Reproduce
• 4. DNA
• 5. Use energy
• 6. Grow and develop

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Biotic vs. Abiotic

• Biotic living
• Abiotic - nonliving

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1. Living things have cells

• A cell is a membrane-covered structure that
  contains all the material necessary for life.
• Organisms can be made up of only one cell
  (unicellular) or many cells (multicellular).
• In an organism with many cells, cells perform
  specialized functions. Ex. Nerve cells, muscle
  cells

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Cell Theory

• 1- Every living thing is made of one or more
  cells.
• 2- Cells carry out the functions needed to
  support life.
• 3- Cells come only from other living cells.

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2. Ability to respond to the environment.

• A change in an organisms environment that
  affects the activity of the organism is called a
  stimulus.
• Ex. When your pupils are exposed to light
• Homeostasis- The maintenance of a stable internal
  environment.
• Ex. When you sweat or shiver
• BrainPOP Homeostasis

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3. Living things Reproduce

• Organisms make other organisms like themselves.
• Asexual reproduction a single parent produces
  offspring that are identical to the parent
• Most single-celled organisms
• Sexual reproduction Two parents produce
  offspring that share characteristics of both
  parents

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4. Living things have DNA

• The cells of all living things contain a special
  molecule called DNA
• The transmission of DNA from one generation to
  the next is called heredity.
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) the genetic
  material found in all living cells that contains
  the information needed for an organism to grow,
  maintain itself, and reproduce

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5. Living things use energy

• Organisms use energy (food) to carry out the
  activities of life.
• The sun is the original source of energy for all
  living things.

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6. Living things grow and develop

• Growth in single-celled organisms occurs as the
  cell gets larger.
• Growth is an increase in size.
• Organisms made of many cells grow mainly by
  increasing their number of cells.
• Development is the change of form of an organism.

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Needs of Life

• Food
• Water
• Air
• Living Space

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Biology

• Biology study of living things

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Debate

• Nature Versus Nurture
• Scientists have proven that we inherit our
  physical characteristics from our parents
  (nature). They continue to research whether we
  inherit our personalities from our parents. Some
  scientists say that where we live and how we are
  raised are more important (nurture). What do you
  think is the critical factor, nurture (care) or
  nature (heredity)? Why?