Chapter 1 What is Biology? –The study of life What kind of things would a Biologist study? –Characteristics of known and new living things –Interactions between living things –Interactions between living things and the environment –Problems living things face and possible solutions

Organisms possess all characteristics of life. Which of these is not alive?

What do all living things have in common?

5 Characteristics of Living Things #1 Living things are Organized –Levels of Organization

Characteristics of Living Things: #2 Living things Reproduce –organisms produce offspring (reproduction) for the survival of the species –species: group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in the future

Characteristics of Living Things : #3 Living things Change during their lives –Growth: increase in the amount of living material and the formation of new structures –Development: changes throughout life

Characteristics of Living Things : #4 Living things Respond to their surroundings –Organisms are affected by their environment (such as air, water, weather, temperature, other organisms) –Conditions in the environment can cause a reaction by the organism. Stimulus  Response –Homeostasis: regulating internal conditions suitable for survival Water, temperature, nutrients

Characteristics of Living Things: #4 cont. Response… –Responding to surroundings requires Energy! –Energy: the ability to do work

Characteristics of Living Things: #5 Living things Adapt and Evolve Adaptations: organisms develop structures, behaviors, and internal processes to help them respond to their environment Evolution: the gradual accumulation of these adaptations

5 Characteristics of Living Things What kind of adaptations have these organisms developed?

Which characteristics of life are represented? uk.org.uk/mag/artsep01/amoeba.html

Bilby Where do they live? What do they eat? How do they hunt for their food? How might they avoid predators? In what other ways might they have adapted themselves or their senses for survival?

Frilled Lizard Where do they live? What do they eat? How do they hunt for their food? How might they avoid predators? In what other ways might they have adapted themselves or their senses for survival?

Kinkajou Where do they live? What do they eat? How do they hunt for their food? How might they avoid predators? In what other ways might they have adapted themselves or their senses for survival?

Bilby These cute little animals are an endangered species. Bilby's don't drink water, they get enough from the food they eat. They sleep during the day in deep burrows and forage at night and are found mostly throughout the arid, dry areas of Australia. Source: Amazing AnimalsAmazing Animals

Frilled Lizard Frilled lizards, or "frillnecks," are members of the dragon family that live in the tropical and warm temperate forests and savanna woodlands of northern Australia. They spend most of their lives in the trees, but descend occasionally to feed on ants and small lizards. Besides defense, this lizard's colorful frill may be used to help regulate body temperature

Kinkajou Kinkajous live in the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they spend most of their time in the trees. They are able to turn their feet backwards to run easily in either direction along branches or up and down trunks. The kinkajou also has a prehensile (gripping) tail that it uses much like another arm. Kinkajous often hang from this incredible tail, which also aids their balance and serves as a cozy blanket while the animal sleeps high in the canopy. Though many of its features and traits sound like those of a primate, the kinkajou is actually related to the raccoon. Kinkajous are sometimes called honey bears because they raid bees' nests. They use their long, skinny tongues to slurp honey from a hive, and also to remove insects like termites from their nests. Kinkajous also eat fruit and small mammals, which they snare with their nimble front paws and sharp claws. They roam and eat at night, and return each morning to sleep in previously used tree holes.