Characteristics of

Living Things

Biology

so... what IS Biology????

BIO- = LIVING

-OLOGY = STUDY OF

BUT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVING & NON-

LIVING?

SCIENTISTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AGREE ON A SINGLE

DEFINITION THAT CHARACTERIZES LIFE!!!

LIVING VS. NON-LIVING:

(ORGANIC VS. INORGANIC)

Living things: carry out almost all of the LIFE FUNCTIONS Nutrition, transport, respiration, excretion,

regulation, synthesis, growth, reproduction, metabolism, immunity, locomotion,

Non-living things: cannot carry out at least one or more of these functions

Characteristics of Living Things:

1. Cells ◼ Cells are the small

pieces that make up

all living things.

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

DNA➔RNA➔PROTEIN➔CELL PARTS

Every living thing has different DNA sequences!!

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Living things use energy

Animals and humans eat food

to obtain their energy.

Plants use the sunlight to

obtain their energy.

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis ◼ This is maintaining

internal conditions.

◼ Ex: sweating and

shivering to maintain

body temperature

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis

5. Grow and develop

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis

5. Grow and develop

6. Populations

change over time

(evolution)

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis

5. Grow and develop

6. Populations change over time

7. Respond to environmentInfluencing Factor Color Change

Emotional State - Anger - Excitement or Fear

Skin becomes darkerSkin becomes paler and gets yellow spots

Sunlight - Bright light- No light (darkness)

Cells become dark, nearly blackSkin becomes creamish with yellow spots

Temperature- High (without sunlight)- Low

Skin turns greenSkin turns pale green

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis

5. Grow and develop

6. Populations change over time

7. Response to environment

8. Reproduction

◼ All living things

need to

reproduce to

survive.

Characteristics of Living Things:6. Populations change over time

7. Response to environment

8.Reproduction

2 Types of Reproduction:

Sexual: cells from 2 parents

unite to produce a new organism

Asexual: a single parent produces

offspring identical to itself

Characteristics of Living Things:1. Cells

2. Based on genetic code (DNA)

3. Use energy

4. Homeostasis

5. Grow and develop

6. Populations change over time

7. Response to environment

8. Reproduction

2 Types:

Sexual

Asexual