BIOLOGY AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF

LIVING THINGS

Bell Ringer Part 1• On the next open page in your journal

write the title Characteristics of Life.

• Write the following statement and bullet point at least 8 things that you think could accurately fill in the blank.

• In order for something to be alive, it must:_________________

Bell Ringer Part 2• Now make a table using the following list

to fill the left side column. Using your ideas for what is living, determine if the items on the list are living or non living:

tree, rock, boy, fire, wind, rabbit, cloud, feather, grass, seed, egg, bacteria, cell, molecule, sun, mushroom, potato,

detached leaf, butterfly, pupae, fossil, hibernating bear, mitochondria, river

What is Biology ?

• Study of life

• Helps us understand the living world

How do we know if something is living?

ALL LIVING THINGS :ALL LIVING THINGS :

1. Are made of cells1. Are made of cells

2. Can reproduce2. Can reproduce

3. Have a genetic code3. Have a genetic code

4.4. Grow and developGrow and develop

5.5. Obtain/use materials and energyObtain/use materials and energy

6.6. Respond to environmentRespond to environment

7.7. Maintain homeostasisMaintain homeostasis

8.8. Change over timeChange over time

1. Made of cells

• A cell is a collection of living matter enclosed by a membrane

• Smallest living unit of a living organism

• Sexual reproduction– Formation of an organism

from the union of gametes

from two parent organisms.

• Asexual reproduction– Formation of an

organism genetically

identical to the parent

that does not involve

the union of a sperm and an egg.

2. Can Reproduce

3. Have a genetic Code

• The genetic code with minor variations determines the inherited traits– DNA– RNA

4. Grow and Develop

• Grow and/or develop during part of their lives– Increase in size– Develop over time in different physical stages

5. Obtain/Use Materials and Energy

• Metabolism– Build up and break down of materials as it

carries out life processes– i.e. photosynthesis, cellular respiration

• Store and use energy

6. Respond to Environment• Stimulus

– Signal to which an organism responds• External--Outside of the organism (i.e.

temperature, light)• Internal--Within the organism (i.e. blood sugar

level)

7. Maintaining Homeostasis

• Homeostasis — balance within an organism

Example:

* sweating in

to cool down

* your body can regulate

blood sugar.

8. Evolve

• Change over long periods of time

• Organisms evolve in order to adjust to the

environment.