Characteristics of Living Things Chapter 1-3

There are 8 characteristics that apply to all living things. If one or more doesn’t apply, it’s not truly ‘living’ ◦ Organism – individual living thing

1. Living things are based on the universal genetic code Organisms use DNA to store and transmit information DNA is passed on to offspring

2. Living things grow and develop Organisms start as a single cell and develop into adults in a particular way

3. Living things respond to their environment Organisms detect and respond to stimuli ◦ Stimulus – Signal an organism responds to, like temperature, chemicals, sunlight, etc.

4. Living things are made up of cells Cells are the basic unit of all living things ◦ Unicellular – organisms made up of only one cell ◦ Multicellular – organisms made up of two or more cells We are made up of trillions of cells

5. Living things evolve Over time, a species may change in response to their environment

6. Living things obtain and use materials and energy All organism need energy and nutrients to survive ◦ Metabolism – all of the chemical reactions occurring in an organism at one time

7. Living things maintain a stable internal environment Conditions, like temperature and water content, must stay within certain levels for all organisms ◦ Homeostasis – the stable internal conditions of an organism  Our body temperature should be around 98.6oF (37oC)

8. Living things reproduce All organisms must have the potential to produce offspring on their own

Asexual reproduction – a single organism produces an offspring identical to itself

Sexual reproduction – cells from 2 organisms join to form an offspring genetically different from either parent