CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS - WordPress.com · Characteristics of Life There are 8 characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living things When all 8 characteristics
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CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS and the Cell Theory
Characteristics of LifeThere are 8 characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living things
When all 8 characteristics are present = organism
Composed of CellsSingle-celled organisms have everything they need to be
self-sufficient
Multicellular organisms have specialized cells (do one job)
Organized StructureLiving things are organized from simple to complex
Use Energy and Excrete WasteLiving things take in energy for maintenance and growth,
and get rid of waste products
Respond to EnvironmentLiving things respond to stimuli detected in their surroundings
GrowIn living things cells grow to a certain size and then divide
ReproduceLiving things reproduce sexually or asexually to
produce offspring
Adapt to EnvironmentLiving things develop traits that give them advantage in
certain environments
Maintain HomeostasisLiving things can regulate their body in order to
maintain internal balance
Building Blocks of Cells✴Atoms are smallest units of elements (C, H, O, N)✴Molecules are made from atoms (H2O, protein, lipid)✴Molecules combine to form organelles (nucleus, golgi body)✴A cell is made of organelles