What Does it Mean to Be Alive? What Are The Characteristics of Life?

Exploring LIFE Biology – The study of Life What does it mean to be ALIVE? How do you know if something is ALIVE?

Is Fire ALIVE?

Characteristics of Life! All living things share some basic properties  Seven Characteristics of Life E Energy R  Respond to Stimuli G  Grow & Develop R  Reproduction C  Composed of cells H  Homeostasis

Energy: All living organisms obtain & use energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce

Living Organisms 1. PRODUCERS: 2. CONSUMERS: - Plants and other photosynthetic organisms - Produce their own food (from CO2, H2O, & the sun) upon which the entire ecosystem depends 2. CONSUMERS: - Animals: Obtain nutrients and energy from consuming the food made by producers

All Living Things Respond to Their Environment Example: A plant’s leaves and stems grow toward light Organisms react to stimuli: Light Temperature Odor Sound Gravity Heat Water Pressure

ALL ORGANISMS GROW & DEVELOP Growth & Development ALL ORGANISMS GROW & DEVELOP

All Living Things Grow Growth means to get bigger in size

All Living Things Develop Development involves a change in the physical form or physiological make-up of an organism

All Living Things Reproduce Reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type Asexual Reproduction A single parent organism reproducing by itself

Sexual Reproduction Two different parent organisms contribute genetic information Involves the combination of male and female sex cells

Cellular Organization Living organisms Consist of organic molecules  organized to form cells Cells  Life’s basic units of structure and function Composed of one or more cells

All Living Things are Made Up of Cells Smallest unit capable of all life functions Unicellular Organisms Entire organism is made up of one single cell Bacteria and protists

Multicellular Organisms The organism is made up of many cells Cells have specialized functions within the organism

All Organisms Maintain Homeostasis A stable state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life Body temperature Blood volume pH balance Water balance

Living Organisms are Homeostatic Homeostasis: Ability of an organism to maintain relatively constant internal conditions * Example: Temperature regulation in the human body All organ systems contribute to homeostasis

Characteristics of Life! All living things share 7 basic properties  Seven Characteristics of Life E Energy R  Respond to Stimuli G  Grow & Develop R  Reproduction C  Composed of cells H  Homeostasis * Discla