1. Characteristics of Living Things

2. Characteristics of Living Things

3. Biology
Biology is the study of life, so we are only interested in things that are living.
It sounds silly, but we must define what characteristics are needed to determine if something is living or nonliving
Living things must contain ALL of the characteristics, if they are missing one or more, they are considered nonliving

4. Living Things must…
Be able to maintain their internal conditions which is called Homeostasis.

5. Living things must…
2) Have complex Organization

6. 13 Levels of Organization
Atom (Smallest)
Molecule (Biomolecule)
Organelle
Cell (1st Level that is LIVING)
Tissue
Organ
Organ System
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
Biosphere (Largest)

7. Living things must…
3) Be able to Metabolize Metabolism – a sum of all chemical reactions in the body that maintain life; Building up or breaking down of molecules.

8. Living things must…
4) Be made of Cells – Smallest level that is living

9. Living things must…
5) Be able to Reproduce Two Types: Asexual (Clones) – Only one parent Sexual – Two parents

10. Living things must…
6) Adapt to their environment and develop adaptations Adaptation – Any characteristic (structure, function, behavior) that increases the chance for survival; it must be encoded in the DNA

11. Living things must…
Be able to 7)Grow and 8)Develop

12. Living things must…. Growth - To increase in number and/or size
Development - Dramatic change in form (i.e. metamorphosis - caterpillarbutterfly; tadpole  frog)

13. Living things must…
9) Obtain and use Energy - Energy is conserved; it can be transformed. Examples: solar energy, chemical energy, cellular energy (ATP)

14. Living things must…
10) Be able to Respond to Stimuli or the Environment (to maintain homeostasis) - Reacting to internal signals or signals from the environment

15. Living Things Must….
11) Contain Genetic Material – DNA and RNA.

16. Remember:
In order for something to be considered living, it must exhibit all 11 of the characteristics.
Now, discuss with your partner whether or not you think that zombies are living things