The Characteristics of LifeLecture 2

Cornell Notes

Questions Notes

What’s the difference between living and non-living things?

• All living things share 8 things in common.

http://askabiologist.asu.edu/research/ecosystems/images/ecosystem_movement.jpg

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2)

johnfriedmann.com/biogloss/fission.gif

(2 parents)

(1 parent)

3) All living things have a universal genetic code.

http://wmworia.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/23chromosomes.jpg

Offspring generally resemble their parents. The directions for inheritance are carried by deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.

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4)

• Growth means that cells increase in size and/or number. In multicellular organisms, they differentiate to form specialized structures. Growth and development are determined by the genetic code (DNA).

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5)

6) All living things respond to their environment.

Irritability

Stimulus: a signal to which an organism responds.

Irritability - immediate response to a stimulus.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/c/ce/20070829094824!Meal_worm_in_venus_fly_trap.jpg

Adaptation - an inherited behavior or characteristic that enables an organism to survive & reproduce.

• Over time, populations (groups of organisms) characteristics change, or evolve.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mmBw3uzPnJI/SWIxYwCvgKI/AAAAAAAAfD4/Te9JS3FSvZs/s400/animal-camouflage-01.jpg

7) All living things change over time.

Homeostasis - the ability of an organism to maintain its internal environment despite conditions in the external environment.

Human body temperature is………

if body temperature rises, you sweat.

if body temperature lowers, you shiver.

8) All living things maintain an internal balance.

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4853542/141441-main_Full.jpg

http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/JapanProj/FLClipart/Medical/sweat.gif

In order for something to be considered a living thing, it must have all eight of these characteristics, not just some of them!

Quiz: Is a computer living? Why or why not?

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Summary: Write a 4-5 sentence paragraph summarizing what you learned today from the lecture. Be sure to include the most important details and key vocabulary in your summary.

Questions: Write at least 8 study questions in the margin of your Cornell notes.