Chapter 2.1

1. Living things have cells Multi-cellular (many cells) Uni-cellular (one cell) A cell is a membrane- covered structure containing materials necessary for life All living things have one or more cells.

2. Living things sense and respond to change Stimulus - something that affects the activity of the organism Organisms respond to changes in the environment in order to maintain homeostasis Homeostasis – maintaining a stable internal environment Stimulus = length of daylight

3. Living Things Reproduce Two methods of reproduction –Sexual two parents offspring share characteristics of both parents –Asexual one parent offspring identical to parent

4. Living Things Have DNA DNA (deoxyribo- nucleic acid) controls the structure and function of cells Heredity – passing of traits from one generation to the next

5. Living Things Use Energy Energy must be used to carry out the activities of life Metabolism – the total of all chemical processes that occur in an organism

6. Living Things Grow and Develop Growth = getting bigger Development = life stages/changing while growing

What are the 6 characteristics of living things? Living things have cells Living things sense and respond to change Living things reproduce Living things have DNA Living things use energy Living things grow and develop