Characteristics Characteristics of Lifeof Life

Characteristics of LifeCharacteristics of Life

There is no one definition of life that There is no one definition of life that is accepted by scientists.is accepted by scientists.

However, life is defined by the However, life is defined by the properties and functions properties and functions characteristic of living thingscharacteristic of living things

Life Functions {Properties of Life} Life Functions {Properties of Life} are the various activities carried on are the various activities carried on by living things.by living things.

Properties of LifeProperties of Life

OrderOrder ReproductionReproduction Growth and DevelopmentGrowth and Development

NutritionNutrition Energy UtilizationEnergy Utilization

RespirationRespiration Response to StimuliResponse to Stimuli

OrderOrder

All other characteristics of life All other characteristics of life emerge from an organism’s complex emerge from an organism’s complex organizationorganization Made up of cellsMade up of cells

A single cell can be an organismA single cell can be an organism BacteriaBacteria UnicellularUnicellular

Most organisms are multicellularMost organisms are multicellular

Energy UtilizationEnergy Utilization

Energy is used to grow, develop and Energy is used to grow, develop and reproducereproduce

AnabolismAnabolism Process in a living thing that involves Process in a living thing that involves

putting things together, or synthesizing putting things together, or synthesizing complex substances from simpler complex substances from simpler substancessubstances PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis

Photo = LightPhoto = Light Synthesis = put togetherSynthesis = put together

Energy Utilization #2Energy Utilization #2

CatabolismCatabolism Changing complex substances into Changing complex substances into

simpler onessimpler ones Results in a release of energyResults in a release of energy Can animals perform photosynthesis?Can animals perform photosynthesis?

MetabolismMetabolism The total sum of all chemical reactions The total sum of all chemical reactions

in the bodyin the body The balance of anabolism and catabolismThe balance of anabolism and catabolism

Growth and DevelopmentGrowth and Development Growth involves the increase in cell number Growth involves the increase in cell number

and cell sizeand cell size What growth spurt are you going through What growth spurt are you going through

right now?right now? When does an organism stop When does an organism stop

growing/developing?growing/developing? What tells our body that it is time for a cell to die?What tells our body that it is time for a cell to die? How often do humans replace every cell in their How often do humans replace every cell in their

body?body? Growth-->Aging-->DeathGrowth-->Aging-->Death

How can you tell when a tree has died?`How can you tell when a tree has died?`

ReproductionReproduction

New cells arising from preexisting New cells arising from preexisting cellscells

Organisms can reproduce their own Organisms can reproduce their own kindkind

Produce organisms of the same “type”Produce organisms of the same “type” SpeciesSpecies

Sexual ReproductionSexual Reproduction Asexual ReproductionAsexual Reproduction

PlantsPlants

DicotsDicots Plants contain both sperm and eggsPlants contain both sperm and eggs

Located in the flower of the plantLocated in the flower of the plant FertilizationFertilization

Self PollinationSelf Pollination The sperm fertilizes the egg of the same plantThe sperm fertilizes the egg of the same plant

Cross PollinationCross Pollination The sperm of Plant A fertilizes the sperm of Plant The sperm of Plant A fertilizes the sperm of Plant

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Response to Response to Stimuli/EnvironmentStimuli/Environment

Involves behaviors, metabolism and Involves behaviors, metabolism and growthgrowth

What are some environmental What are some environmental pressures that you, as a human, pressures that you, as a human, respond to?respond to?

Response to Response to Stimuli/Environment IIStimuli/Environment II

Is it always hot in Florida?Is it always hot in Florida? What does your body do to cool off?What does your body do to cool off?

Response to Response to Stimuli/Environment IIIStimuli/Environment III

HomeostasisHomeostasis Process by which organisms respond to stimuli Process by which organisms respond to stimuli

in ways that keep their body suitable for lifein ways that keep their body suitable for life Refers to an organism’s ability to maintain a Refers to an organism’s ability to maintain a

constant or stable conditionconstant or stable condition Regulation mechanism to maintain an Regulation mechanism to maintain an

organisms internal environmentorganisms internal environment Provides capacity to evolve--”micro-evolution”Provides capacity to evolve--”micro-evolution”

What household appliance provides a What household appliance provides a great example of homeostasis?great example of homeostasis?