CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

1. Made up of Cells Unicellular – made of one cell (ex. Ameba) Multicellular – made of many cells (more than one – ex. Human)

2. Can Reproduce Asexual reproduction – new organism forms from a single parent Sexual reproduction – 2 cells from different parents unite to produce a new organism

3. Based on a Genetic Code Mostly DNA (Double Helix)

4. Grow and Develop Metamorphosis

5. Obtain and use Materials and Energy Food & Oxygen Metabolism – chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries out its life processes

6. Respond to their Environment Fight or Flight Stimulus – signal to which an organism responds Stimulus is produced as a function of the nervous system An organism reacts to stimuli following a pathway (neuron) through the nervous system to produce a response

7. Maintaining Internal Balance Homeostasis – process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment (ex. Body temperature – hot/cold)

8. Evolution Taken as a group, living things change over time

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS 1. Made up of Cells 2. Can Reproduce 3. Based on a Genetic Code 4. Grow and Develop 5.Obtain and use Materials and Energy 6. Respond to their Environment 7. Maintaining Internal Balance 8. Evolution

Examples – Alive, Dead or Nonliving Bacteria  Alive Water  Nonliving Wooden Door  Dead Fire  Nonliving

RELATING HUMAN SYSTEMS TO CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE

Characteristics vs. Human of life Systems Obtain Materials Transport Use Materials and energy Reproduce Digestive & Respiratory Circulatory Muscular, Digestive, Respiratory & Circulatory Reproductive & Endocrine

Characteristics vs. Human of life Systems Grow and develop Maintain a stable environment (Homeostasis) Skeletal, Muscular & Integumentary Nervous, Endocrine, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, Integumentary, Immune & Lymphatic

Characteristics vs. Human of life Systems Respond to stimuli Change over time Possess genetic material based on a universal code Nervous Reproductive