What is Biology? Biology A

Biology Biology is the study of life. “bio” = life “logy” = study It includes all living organisms such as: plants, animals, bacteria, protists, fungi

How do we know if something is living? Life How do we know if something is living? Scientists have determined that all living organisms share several characteristics (traits). If a “thing” has all of the characteristics of life then we can say it is living.

The 7 Characteristics of Life Cellular Organization Reproduction Metabolism Homeostasis Heredity Responsiveness Growth and Development

1. Cellular Organization All living things are made of one or more cells. A cell is the smallest unit of life. Cells are highly organized.

2. Reproduction All living things produce offspring. Since nothing can live forever, reproduction is essential to life.

3. Metabolism All living things use energy to grow, to move, and to process information. the sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism

the term given to keeping a balanced internal environment. 4. Homeostasis the term given to keeping a balanced internal environment. All living things must maintain a stable internal environment

Heredity is the passing of traits from parent to offspring.

6. Responsiveness All living things are responsive. Responsiveness is detecting changes in the internal or external environments and reacting to that change.

7. Growth and Development All living things grow and develop May be a simple increase in size or a complex change of structures and their functions.

Some Misconceptions Sometimes we mistakenly think that living things can be defined by the following traits as well: 1. Movement - (plants are alive but do not move about) 2. Complexity - (a computer is not alive but it is complex) 3. Death - (a car breaks down but cannot die)

Any Questions? “May you live all the days of your life.” --Jonathan Swift “Life is short; live it up.” --Khrushchev