Characteristics of Living Things
Many characteristics constitute livingAre cars living because the
move?Is a fire alive because it is
giving off energy?
8 Characteristics Made up of cells Reproduce Universal genetic code Grow and develop Obtain and use materials and energy Respond to environment Maintain a stable internal environment Change over time (as a group) - evolution
Made Up of CellsSmallest living unit
Can grow, respond, and reproduce Highly complex
Unicellular – one cellMulticellular- many-celled
Different types of cells
Growth and DevelopmentAll organisms grow during at least
part of their livesEggs –> maggots –> flies =
developmentCells become different from one
another Skin, WBC, RBC
Need materials to stay aliveMetabolism
Combination of chemical reactions through which a organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries on with life
Energy sources Light, chemicals, animals, plants
Obtain and Use Materials and Energy
Response to the EnvironmentOrganisms make changes to adjust to
environment Too cold? What does your body do? What does a cold-blooded animal do? Light comes from one direction –
What does a plant do?
Maintaining Internal BalanceHomeostasis
Process by which organisms keep stable internal conditions
What do you do when you are thirsty?
What happens when you have a fever?
EvolutionBasic traits inherited from
parents usually do not change• As a group, over time, any kind
of organism can changeTakes Hundreds or thousands of
years
Are Viruses Alive?Viruses: Has genetic material Can evolve in response to immune system. Need a host cell to reproduce. Acquire energy from their host cell.