Life Processes Let’s look at living things

Diversity of Living things

Living Things There are many different types of living things and they all look very different when compared to each other. But all living things have seven things in common. We call these life processes. You need all seven to be alive. There are many different types of living things and they all look very different when compared to each other. But all living things have seven things in common. We call these life processes. You need all seven to be alive.

The seven life processes are…… movement reproduction sensitivity nutrition excretion respiration growth movement reproduction sensitivity nutrition excretion respiration growth Let’s look at these in more detail

1. Movement - The ability to go from one place to another, o r change positions Animals move around using their whole bodies to get from one place to another. Plants move by turning towards the sun. Their roots move deeper into the soil

2. Reproduction - The production of new organisms similar to the parent, either sexually or asexually. Most animals bear live young (babies) or offspring. Some animals lay eggs and the young hatch out of these. Most animals bear live young (babies) or offspring. Some animals lay eggs and the young hatch out of these. Most plants produce seeds and new plants grow from them

3. Sensitivity – The ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in the environment or respond to stimuli. All living things respond to changes in their environment and react to them. People react to changes in the weather and temperature and make changes to their behavior. Flowers react to the light and close when it is dark.

4. Nutrition – The process by which organisms obtain energy in the form of food for growth, maintenance and repair. (ingestion, digestion,egestion) Food is used by living things to give them the energy to do their usual things. Green plants use sunlight to make their energy. (autotrophs) Animals eat plants; like leaves, fruits and vegetables; or other animals. (heterotrophs)

5. Excretion – the process of getting rid of wastes to include water, carbon dioxide and other compounds. Waste substances must be removed from the body. Both plants and animals need to get rid of water and other waste products. In animals, sweating is an example of excretion. Plants excrete water through a process called transpiration

6. Respiration – the taking in of food and oxygen and changing these to useable energy. All living things use the oxygen in the air to convert food into energy. Plants also conduct respiration. All living things use the oxygen in the air to convert food into energy. Plants also conduct respiration.

Growth and Development Growth – getting larger in size Development – All the changes that organisms undergo as they grow. Growth – getting larger in size Development – All the changes that organisms undergo as they grow.

7. Growth and Development All living things grow or get bigger in size, even if it is just a small amount. Babies and young animals get taller & become adults. Seeds grow into plants. *All living things DEVELOP or become more complex. *Babies learn to walk & talk *Plants get more leaves.

Can you remember all seven life processes? 1. movement 2. reproduction 3. sensitivity 4. nutrition 5. excretion 6. respiration 7. growth

HOMESTASIS – the condition in which an organism’s internal environment is kept stable despite changes in the external environment. To stay healthy an organism must keep certain conditions in its internal environment constant. HOMESTASIS – the condition in which an organism’s internal environment is kept stable despite changes in the external environment. To stay healthy an organism must keep certain conditions in its internal environment constant. Other Important Facts about Living Things

We have “sensors” that monitor conditions and signal when changes are needed. Our body maintains a steady temperature of 37 o C. When water is out of balance we get thirsty. Insulin, a hormone regulates level of glucose in our bloodstream We have “sensors” that monitor conditions and signal when changes are needed. Our body maintains a steady temperature of 37 o C. When water is out of balance we get thirsty. Insulin, a hormone regulates level of glucose in our bloodstream

METABOLISM – The combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials. All the chemical processes in an organism that helps it survive. Ingestion, digestion, egestion Digestion – breaking down of food Protein synthesis – building up to build and repair cells Respiration Photosynthesis in plants METABOLISM – The combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials. All the chemical processes in an organism that helps it survive. Ingestion, digestion, egestion Digestion – breaking down of food Protein synthesis – building up to build and repair cells Respiration Photosynthesis in plants

ADAPTATION: An inherited behavior or physical characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. All organisms have special adaptations that help them get food and escape predators..

Behavioral adaptations: Possums play “dead” Penguins “huddle” together to stay warm

Eagles have sharp, grasping talons to catch prey. Anteaters have long tongues for getting ants from the ground. Cactus have sharp spines to deter animals. Physical adaptations

RESPOND TO STIMULI STIMULI – Any change in the environment that makes an organism react RESPONSE – an action of change in an organism that occurs as a result of a stimuli. STIMULI – Any change in the environment that makes an organism react RESPONSE – an action of change in an organism that occurs as a result of a stimuli.

EXAMPLES: Stimulus Response Cold weather *You put on warm clothes Cold weather*Animals hibernate or stay in their shelter, birds migrate Predator approaches*Prey runs away Stomach growls*You eat EXAMPLES: Stimulus Response Cold weather *You put on warm clothes Cold weather*Animals hibernate or stay in their shelter, birds migrate Predator approaches*Prey runs away Stomach growls*You eat

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