Characteris*cs of Living Things
• Different living things do lots of different things.
• But ALL living things share 7 characteris*cs.
1. Made of Cells
• All organisms are made up of one or more cells.
• A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
• Yes! Cells are alive!
2. Need and Use Energy
• All organisms need and use energy to live.
• Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things. – Plants use the energy in
sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants.
4. Respond to the Environment
• Organisms react to changes in their surroundings.
• Any reaction to change is called a response.
5. Grow, Develop, & Repair
• All organisms grow and develop (life cycles)
• Some change appearance.
• Organisms can repair injuries to their bodies
Characteristics of
Living Things
Made of Cells
Need & Use Energy
Respond to the Environment
Move Grow, develop, and repair
6. Produce waste
• Plants give off oxygen as a waste product.
• Our kidneys filter waste and produce urine
• Even sweat is a waste product
Characteristics of
Living Things
Made of Cells
Need & Use Energy
Respond to the Environment
Move Grow, develop, and repair
Produce waste
7. Reproduce • Organisms produce more organisms of
their own kind. • Reproduction allows organisms to continue
living on the earth.
Characteristics of
Living Things
Made of Cells
Need & Use Energy
Respond to the Environment
Move Grow, develop, and repair
Produce waste
Reproduce