1. The Characteristics of Living Things
Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing.
1. Made of Cells
2. Use and Need Energy
3. DNA that allows adaption to environment
4. React to Changes/Stimulus
5. Reproduce
6. Grow and Develop

2. The Characteristics of Living Things
All living things have these six characteristics.
Anything without one of these six characteristics is nonliving.
Living things are called organisms.
Living
Non Living

3. 1. Made of Cells Organisms are made up of one or more cells.
A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
Cells = the
“Building Blocks"
of life.

4. 2. DNA allows for Adaptations
All living organisms have DNA
Organisms are adapted, or suited, to their surroundings.
All organisms have features that help them survive in their surroundings.
For example: fish have gills

5. 3. React to Stimulus Organisms react to change in their surroundings.
Homeostasis – maintaining a stable environment is a response to external stimulus
Any reaction to stimulus is called a response.
For example: A bright light may
cause you to blink.

6. 4. Reproduce Organisms produce more organisms of their own kind.
Reproduction allows organisms to continue living on the earth.
Asexual Reproduction
1 parent with identical DNA offspring
Sexual Reproduction
2 parents shared DNA offspring

7. 5. Grow and Develop All organisms grow and develop.
Living things change, or develop, during their lifetimes.
One way organisms change is by growing.
Living things may also change in appearance.
For example: tadpoles and frogs

8. 6. Use and Need Energy
Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things.
Plants use the energy in sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants.
Consumers eat proteins, carbohydrates and lipids to create cellular energy like ATP and Nucleic Acid
All organisms need and use energy to live.
Energy is the ability to do work.
Metabolism is all the chemical reactions carried out in the organism to make energy and heat

9. All Living Organisms Require
4 Needs
Air - facilitates chemical reaction
Water – facilitates chemical reactions
Food to provide energy
Shelter – to help maintain homeostasis

10. Cells’ Building Blocks
You Eat
Proteins- made of
Amino Acids - Meat
Carbohydrates- Sugars
Simple – small molecule -Bread
Complex – large molecule- Broccoli
Lipids – fats & oils
For Cells to make
ATP – cell energy
Nucleic Acids – Make DNA