The Life Processes Characteristics common to all living things.

What does it mean to be alive? As we have seen, defining life hasn’t always been the easiest thing to do. As we have seen, defining life hasn’t always been the easiest thing to do. For example, things like viruses appear to be alive, but they DO NOT carry out all 8 life processes. For example, things like viruses appear to be alive, but they DO NOT carry out all 8 life processes. For something to be classified as living it must be able to carry out all 8 life processes. For something to be classified as living it must be able to carry out all 8 life processes. In no particular order, here are the life processes. In no particular order, here are the life processes.

Nutrition The obtaining and processing of food materials. The obtaining and processing of food materials. Some organisms are heterotrophs, and need to eat other organisms for energy. Some organisms are heterotrophs, and need to eat other organisms for energy. Others are autotrophs and are able to make their own food. Others are autotrophs and are able to make their own food.

Those amazing autotrophs Most of you know that plants use light energy to create sugars through the process of photosynthesis. Most of you know that plants use light energy to create sugars through the process of photosynthesis. However, photosynthesis is not the only type of autotrophic nutrition on earth. However, photosynthesis is not the only type of autotrophic nutrition on earth. Some types of bacteria carry out chemosynthesis. Some types of bacteria carry out chemosynthesis. They convert chemicals with would be poisonous to us in to usable energy. They convert chemicals with would be poisonous to us in to usable energy. Life at deep ocean hydrothermal vents is only possible because of chemosynthetic bacteria.

Transport The intake and distribution of materials throughout an organism. The intake and distribution of materials throughout an organism. Complex animals, such as humans, use organ systems to carry out this life process. Complex animals, such as humans, use organ systems to carry out this life process. Single-celled organisms carry out transport using their organelles and a type of cytoplasmic streaming called cyclosis. Single-celled organisms carry out transport using their organelles and a type of cytoplasmic streaming called cyclosis. cyclosis animation cyclosis animation cyclosis animation cyclosis animation

Respiration The release of energy from food by oxidation. The release of energy from food by oxidation. We need both food and oxygen to get the energy we need to carry out all of the life processes. We need both food and oxygen to get the energy we need to carry out all of the life processes. All living things, all of them must carry out respiration 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. All living things, all of them must carry out respiration 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Riddle…what do you call an organism that does not respire? Riddle…what do you call an organism that does not respire? DEAD!! DEAD!!

Excretion The removal of metabolic wastes from an organism. The removal of metabolic wastes from an organism. Metabolic wastes are waste products that are created within your cells. Metabolic wastes are waste products that are created within your cells. The life processes all have two things in common. The life processes all have two things in common. They all require energy, and they all produce wastes. They all require energy, and they all produce wastes. Urine, sweat and CO 2 are all examples of metabolic wastes removed from our bodies by excretion. Urine, sweat and CO 2 are all examples of metabolic wastes removed from our bodies by excretion.

Synthesis The combining of simple molecules to form a more complex molecule. The combining of simple molecules to form a more complex molecule. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants create sugar (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) by combining CO 2 and H 2 O in the presence of light. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants create sugar (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) by combining CO 2 and H 2 O in the presence of light. Protein synthesis occurs when amino acids and bonded together to form proteins, such as hormones and antibodies. Protein synthesis occurs when amino acids and bonded together to form proteins, such as hormones and antibodies. protein synthesis animation protein synthesis animation protein synthesis animation protein synthesis animation

Regulation The coordinated response by a living organism to a changing environment. The coordinated response by a living organism to a changing environment. Shivering when you are cold, or sweating when you are hot are both examples of regulation. Shivering when you are cold, or sweating when you are hot are both examples of regulation. In the video, they referred to regulation as “sensitivity”. In the video, they referred to regulation as “sensitivity”. Simple organisms, like amoebas will move away from areas which are too hot or too cold. Simple organisms, like amoebas will move away from areas which are too hot or too cold.

Growth The increase in the size of an organism. The increase in the size of an organism. In humans, we reach our adult size and stop growing. In humans, we reach our adult size and stop growing. In other organisms, such as trees and crocodiles, individuals will continue to grow throughout their lives. In other organisms, such as trees and crocodiles, individuals will continue to grow throughout their lives. The bigger the tree (or crocodile) the older it is. The bigger the tree (or crocodile) the older it is.

Reproduction The ability of living things to create more on their own kind. Reproduction is necessary for the species, but not the individual organism. The ability of living things to create more on their own kind. Reproduction is necessary for the species, but not the individual organism. Reproduction can be asexual (one parent) or sexual (two parents). Reproduction can be asexual (one parent) or sexual (two parents). We will learn more about this in future units. We will learn more about this in future units.

2 more vocabulary words. While these are not technically life processes they are related. While these are not technically life processes they are related. Metabolism: The sum total of all the life processes. Metabolism: The sum total of all the life processes. Homeostasis: The ability of an organims to maintain a stable internal environment. Homeostasis: The ability of an organims to maintain a stable internal environment. An organism that does not maintain homeostasis will become sick. If it remains out of homeostasis for an extended period of time, it will die. An organism that does not maintain homeostasis will become sick. If it remains out of homeostasis for an extended period of time, it will die.