What makes something alive??DO NOW:

Write down what characteristics you think something must have to be

considered “living.”Microscopic Organism Tree

Humans

8 Characteristics of Living Things

What makes an “organism”

1. Living things are made of cells

• A cell is the smallest unit of life

• All living things are made of 1 or more cells

• Organisms made of just 1 cell are called single-celled organisms

Unit- partOrganism- living thing

2. Living things grow

• All living things start as a single cell

• Every organism grows in it’s own way

Organism- a living thing

3. Living things respond to their environment

• Organisms detect and respond to their environment

• A stimulus is signal which an organism responds to

Detect- notice, become aware

4. Living things reproduce

• All organisms reproduce, or make new similar organisms.–Sexual reproduction- 2 parents, similar

offspring –Asexual reproduction- single organism

makes identical offspring

Offspring- childrenIdentical- exactly the sameSingle- just 1

5. Living things need energy

• All living things must take in energy.

• Living things need energy to grow and reproduce.

• Some organisms can make their own food, some organisms must get food from their environment

Environment- world around you

6. Living things must maintain a stable internal environment

• Living things must maintain a stable internal environment.–Example- Body Temperature

Maintain- keepStable- doesn’t change, stays the sameInternal- inside

External Environment- 20° F

Internal Environment- 98.6° F

External Environment- 120° FInternal Environment- 98.6° F

7. Living things are based on a universal genetic code

• Living things are based on DNA• DNA provides the code for life• DNA is passed from parent to offspring

in reproduction

• Universal- the same everywhere

8. Living things evolve

• Over many generations, organisms evolve, or change over time.

• Organisms evolve to become better at what they do

Generation- a life timeEvolve- change over many years

Sewer Lice