Characteristics of Life

All living things share some basic properties

Cells Organization Energy Use Homeostasis Growth and Development Reproduction

Cells

Basic unit of life Carry out the functions of life All organisms have 1 or more cells.

Human skin Plant leaf Bacteria

Cells Unicellular organisms

Made of 1 cell Each cell has everything necessary for

life Include bacteria and protists

Cells

Multicellular Organisms Made up of many cells Cells have specialized functions within

the organism

Organization

Living things are much more complex than anything non-living. More complex molecules, structures organized

into groups.

Non-living: composed of atoms and/or molecules

Living: macromolecules, organelles, cells

Protein

Cell with many organelles

Other levels of Organization

TISSUE ORGAN ORGAN-SYSTEM

Energy Use

Living things need energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce

Known as metabolism

Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs

Autotrophs, like plants, can make their own food using the sun’s energy and Earth’s inorganic molecules.

Heterotrophs, like the bird that eats fish, consume other organisms.

Homeostasis Maintain stable internal conditions.

Response to the environment. Includes body temperature, blood volume,

removal of waste, pH balance, and water balance

Growth and Development

Growth Cells divide to

make more cells and the organism gets bigger

Growth and Development

Development Cells take on specific roles (differentiation). Physiological change or change in form may

occur.

Reproduction

Pass genetic information (DNA) along to produce more members of a species.

Reproduction

Asexual reproduction A single organism reproduces by

itself

Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction 2 different parent organisms contribute

genetic information to an offspring

From what you learned about the characteristics of life:

Look at the 2 items at the front of the room. What observations can you make about each item. They will be passed around for you to make these observations.

With your partner decide if they have been alive, if they are currently alive, and how we would know based on the characteristics of life.

Could we set up an experiment with each to find out?