CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE What makes something “living”??

What are the characteristics of life? There are 8 characteristics that all living things have in common.

1. Living things are made up of cells Unicellular A cell is a collection of living material enclosed within a barrier Cells are the basic unit of life Unicellular: made up of one cell Multicellular: made up of many cells Multicellular Unicellular is a Uglena

2. Living Things Reproduce Asexual 2. Living Things Reproduce produce offspring which resemble parents asexual reproduction: has only one parent sexual reproduction: requires two parents Sexual Asexual is a hydra

Inheritance of traits is carried on through DNA 3. Living Things are based on a genetic code. Inheritance of traits is carried on through DNA

4. Living things Grow and Develop GROWTH: increase in size & shape DEVELOPMENT: mature over time Living things have a lifespan

5. Living Things Use & Need Energy energy comes from food, used to maintain body PRODUCER: create own food CONSUMER: must take in (eat) food DECOMPOSER: breaks down dead material for food

6. Living things respond to their surroundings They react to a stimulus which causes a reaction The reaction is called a response

7. Living things maintain a stable internal environment HOMEOSTASIS: internal balance Examples: sweating, panting, shivering, etc.

8. Living things Evolve Adapt to long-range changes in environment to better survive in their environment These changes take place over a long period of time & involve the entire species