Characteristics of Living Things

Cues Characteristics of Living organisms Organization Growth and Development Respond to Environment Reproduce Needs Energy Materials Living Space

Is it living?

How do you know? As a group discuss what separates living from non-living things. Create a list of these characteristics.

Characteristics of the Living There are four major characteristics of living things: – Organization – Ability to develop and grow – Ability to respond to environment – Ability to reproduce

Organization An organism's body must be organized in such a way that enables it to meet its needs. – Some organisms are very simple and requires little organization. While more complex organisms require considerably more organization to function.

Growth and Development Organisms grow, and in most cases, develop into adult forms. Some change a great deal in size and appearance while others change very little.

Respond to Environment Organisms respond to the world outside them.

Reproduce Organisms are able to reproduce offspring.

Needs In order to carry out their activities they have a few necessities: – Energy – Materials – Living Space

Energy All organisms require a steady supply of energy to stay alive (Even to sleep and breath). Where does the energy come from? – The Sun Some, like bacteria and plants, capture this energy directly. Others, like us, use food as a source of energy which we get from other organisms.

Materials Food also provides the materials necessary for growth and reproduction. These materials include substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water.

Living Space All organisms need space to live and grow. If any one of these requirements is missing, an organism will die.

Assignment Go home and think of three living organisms. List these organisms and describe how they fulfill all their needs. – Ex. Cat Needs – Energy » Eats other organisms for energy – Materials » Oxygen, Water, and Minerals – Living Space » Needs sufficient space to hunt.