1. - Start a New Page - Add it to your TOC 1

2. I can list and describe the characteristics of ALL living things. 2

3. All living things must have ALL SIX of the characteristics that we will learn. If even one is missing it CANNOT be considered alive! 3

4. Vocabulary Organism Organism : a living thing Organism is simply a science word we use to describe a living thing. An organism could be a plant, animal or bacteria—ANYTHING that is a living thing. 4

5. MADE OF CELLS 1. All living things are made of one or more CELLS. Cells are the smallest unit that can carry on all of the activities of life. Some organisms are single-celled and others contain trillions of cells. ( We will learn even more about very soon!) 5

6. RESPOND 2. All living things sense and respond to change. A change that affects how an organism acts is called a stimulus. Stimuli (plural for stimulus) can be things like touch, light, sounds, or hunger – anything that causes a reaction. 6

7. OFFSPRING 3. All living things reproduce. Every type of organism has offspring (Yes, that’s right, even plants have “babies”). Without offspring the species would become extinct. 7

8. DNA 4. All living things contain DNA. DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is found inside every cell! DNA carries instructions for the organism’s traits. (We will learn much more about this during our genetics unit!) 8

9. USE ENERGY 5. All living things need and use energy Energy is the “gas” for life. Every cell needs energy to continue living. Most organisms get their energy from food. Question : Where do plants get their energy? 9

10. GROW 6. All living things grow and change All organisms grow at some point in their life. - Sometimes they simply get larger. - Other times they change (for example, a tadpole turns into a frog). 10

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE (requirements for something to be considered living) 1. Made of Cells 2. Sense and Respond to Change 3. Reproduce 4. Contain DNA (code of life – gives traits) 5. Need and Use Energy 6. Grow and Change 11

12. Examples 12

13. My Living Thing Start a New Page Add it to your TOC 13

14. My Living Thing On this page you will draw an example of a living thing.  You may use more than one page if you want to do a rough draft.  You may also turn in your Final Draft on separate paper if you prefer. Your living thing should be creative!  It can be made up by you!  It can be a real thing  It can be one or more things 14

15. My Living Thing Your living thing and justifications MUST:  Fill most of one page  Be colored  Fulfill ALL 6 characteristics of living things*. - Number and Label all 6 on your drawing. ** Be sure to EXPLAIN each one. (Use PAGES 38-41 in your book for help)  THIS WILL BE GRADED! 15

16. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE See pages 38-41 in textbook for details. 1. Made of Cells 2. Sense and Respond to Change 3. Reproduce 4. Contain DNA (code of life – gives traits) 5. Need and Use Energy 6. Grow and Change 16