1. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
What makes something “living”??

2. What are the characteristics of life?
There are 8 characteristics that all living things have in common.

3. 1. Living things are made up of cells
Unicellular
A cell is a collection of living material enclosed within a barrier
Cells are the basic unit of life
Unicellular: made up of one cell
Multicellular: made up of many cells
Multicellular
Unicellular is a Uglena

4. 2. Living Things Reproduce
Asexual
2. Living Things Reproduce
produce offspring which resemble parents
asexual reproduction: has only one parent
sexual reproduction: requires two parents
Sexual
Asexual is a hydra

5. Inheritance of traits is carried on through DNA
3. Living Things are based on a genetic code.
Inheritance of traits is carried on through DNA

6. 4. Living things Grow and Develop
GROWTH: increase in size & shape
DEVELOPMENT: mature over time
Living things have a lifespan

7. 5. Living Things Use & Need Energy
energy comes from food, used to maintain body
PRODUCER: create own food
CONSUMER: must take in (eat) food
DECOMPOSER: breaks down dead material for food

8. 6. Living things respond to their surroundings
They react to a stimulus which causes a reaction
The reaction is called a response

9. 7. Living things maintain a stable internal environment
HOMEOSTASIS: internal balance
Examples: sweating, panting, shivering, etc.

10. 8. Living things Evolve
Adapt to long-range changes in environment to better survive in their environment
These changes take place over a long period of time & involve the entire species