Nature of Life – 8 CharacteristicsOverview

Made of Cells

Response to Environ.

Homeostasis

Ability to reproduce

There are 8 characteristics of all living things. You must have all 8 to be considered alive

Basic unit of any organism considered to still be alive

Unicellular organisms- only made of 1 cell- Ex. Bacteria

Multicellular organisms- 2 or more cells- Ex. Humans

All organisms respond physically to environmental changes

Ex. Sweating, shivering

Regulation of one's internal environment through either internal or external mechanisms

Ex. temperature, heart rate, blood sugar, fluid levels

Passing down of traits from generation to generation

Asexual reproduction- produces clones

Sexual reproduction- produces genetically unique offspring

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Nature of Life – 8 CharacteristicsGrow and

(Develop)

Metabolism

Adapt/

Evolve

Genetic Code

Growth- a physical increase in size-done by all organisms

Ex. a bacteria cell growing before it divides,

Development- a change in physical appearance- done by most organisms

Ex. Puberty, Tadpole to frog, etc.

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism

Ex. Digestion, making muscle, etc.

Organisms well suited to their environment survive and reproduce, passing traits down to their offspring, who will ultimately be better adapted to that same environment

As a species, this leads to evolution, which is defined as change in a species over time. Individuals CANNOT evolve-we are born as we are. But over time generations of better adapted offspring will lead to a population that looks different than it did 50 years ago.

All organisms are controlled by the same Universal Genetic Code

The DNA that gives you your traits is made of the exact same pieces that give an elephant its traits, just in a different order

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Nature of Life – Levels of OrganizationCells

Tissues

Organs

Organ Systems

Organism

Basic living unit. Anything smaller is not considered alive.

Ex. Schwann Cell (found in Nervous system)

Groups of cells working together to preform a function

Ex. Nervous tissue- includes Scwhann cells and others but all work to help receive stimuli and send out responses

Groups of tissues working together to preform a function

Ex. Brain- works to turn sensation of hand on hot pan into action of removing hand from hot pan

Groups of organs working together to preform a function

Ex. Brain, spinal cord, and nerves all work to make the pain lead to an action

Sum of all the organ systems in an individual, which work together to achieve life

Ex. Humans, but technically any living thing.

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Nature of Life – 8 CharacteristicsOverview

Made of Cells

Response to Environ.

Homeostasis

Ability to reproduce

Grow and (Develop)

Metabolism

Adapt/Evolve

Genetic Code

8 COL's- must have all 8 to be alive

Basic living unit

Unicellular- only 1

Multicellular- >/= 2

Respond physically to 's- Stimulus/Response

Regulation of internal environment

Internal or external mechanisms

Passing down traits gen. to gen.

Asexual=clones

Sexual=unique

Physical increase in size-done by all vs. Change in appearance-done by most

Chemical reactions w/in an organism

Well suited to environment = survive and reproduce = passing traits to offspring

Leads to evolution (change in a species over time).

DNA pieces same for all but diff order

GT

Nature of Life – Levels of OrganizationAtoms

Molecules

Compounds

Macro-molecule

Organelle

Cells

Tissues

Organs

Organ Systems

Organism

Basic unit of matter

>/= 2 of same atom

>/= 2 of diff atom

Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, DNA/RNA

Parts of cell

Basic living unit

Groups of cells that together preform a function

Groups of tissues that together to preform a function

Groups of organs that together preform a function

Sum of all organ systems-work together to achieve life

Any living thing.

GT