biology and the characteristics of living things

BIOLOGY AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF

LIVING THINGS

Bell Ringer Part 1• On the next open page in your journal

write the title Characteristics of Life.

• Write the following statement and bullet point at least 8 things that you think could accurately fill in the blank.

• In order for something to be alive, it must:_________________

Bell Ringer Part 2• Now make a table using the following list

to fill the left side column. Using your ideas for what is living, determine if the items on the list are living or non living:

tree, rock, boy, fire, wind, rabbit, cloud, feather, grass, seed, egg, bacteria, cell, molecule, sun, mushroom, potato,

detached leaf, butterfly, pupae, fossil, hibernating bear, mitochondria, river

What is Biology ?

• Study of life

• Helps us understand the living world

How do we know if something is living?

ALL LIVING THINGS :ALL LIVING THINGS :

1. Are made of cells1. Are made of cells

2. Can reproduce2. Can reproduce

3. Have a genetic code3. Have a genetic code

4.4. Grow and developGrow and develop

5.5. Obtain/use materials and energyObtain/use materials and energy

6.6. Respond to environmentRespond to environment

7.7. Maintain homeostasisMaintain homeostasis

8.8. Change over timeChange over time

1. Made of cells

• A cell is a collection of living matter enclosed by a membrane

• Smallest living unit of a living organism

• Sexual reproduction– Formation of an organism

from the union of gametes

from two parent organisms.

• Asexual reproduction– Formation of an

organism genetically

identical to the parent

that does not involve

the union of a sperm and an egg.

2. Can Reproduce

3. Have a genetic Code

• The genetic code with minor variations determines the inherited traits– DNA– RNA

4. Grow and Develop

• Grow and/or develop during part of their lives– Increase in size– Develop over time in different physical stages

5. Obtain/Use Materials and Energy

• Metabolism– Build up and break down of materials as it

carries out life processes– i.e. photosynthesis, cellular respiration

• Store and use energy

6. Respond to Environment• Stimulus

– Signal to which an organism responds• External--Outside of the organism (i.e.

temperature, light)• Internal--Within the organism (i.e. blood sugar

level)

7. Maintaining Homeostasis

• Homeostasis — balance within an organism

Example:

* sweating in

to cool down

* your body can regulate

blood sugar.

8. Evolve

• Change over long periods of time

• Organisms evolve in order to adjust to the

environment.