Characteristics of Life Living, Non-living, Dead

Biology is the study of life. What is Biology? Biology is the study of life.

How do we decide if something is living?

Do all living things have the same characteristics?

Do living things and non-living things share some characteristics?

Do living things and dead things share some characteristics?

1. Living things are based on a universal genetic code. All organisms store the info they need to live, grow and reproduce in their DNA. This genetic material is passed from one generation to the next. While the genetic code is copied, there may be slight variation.

2. Living things grow and develop Every organism has a particular pattern of growth and development.

3. Living things respond to their environment Organisms detect and respond to stimuli from their environment.

4. Living things reproduce All organisms reproduce (they produce new, similar organisms). Some organisms reproduce sexually (genetic info from two parents resulting in possible genetic variation from the parents). Some organisms reproduce asexually (single parent, no exchange of genetic material and therefore an identical offspring to the parent).

5. Living things maintain a stable internal environment An organism’s internal environment must be relatively stable (even if the external environment is not). This balance is referred to as homeostasis.

6. Living things obtain and use material and energy All organisms must take in materials and energy to grow, develop and reproduce. The use of this energy to drive these processes is referred to as metabolism.

7. Living things are made up of cells All organisms are made up of one or more cells. All cells are highly organized and posses the the characteristics of life

8. Living things evolve (as a group) Organisms change with their environment over time.