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Studying Life
Photo Credit: © Andrew Syred/Science Photo Library/Photo Researchers, Inc.
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2. Characteristics of Living Things
What are some characteristics of living things?
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3. Characteristics of Living Things
Living things share the following characteristics:
made up of units called cells
reproduce
based on a universal genetic code
grow and develop
obtain energy
respond to their environment
maintains homeostasis
evolve over time
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Big Ideas in Biology
Information and Heredity
Genetic code is common, with minor variations, to every organism on Earth.
That information, carried in DNA, is copied and passed from parents to offspring.
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Big Ideas in Biology
Evolution
In biology, evolution, or the change in living things through time, explains inherited similarities as well as the diversity of life.
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Big Ideas in Biology
Homeostasis
An organism’s ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment.
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Branches of Biology
How can life be studied at different levels?
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Branches of Biology
Some of the levels at which life can be studied include:
molecules
cells
organs
organisms
populations
communities
ecosystems
biomes
the biosphere
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Branches of Biology
Molecules
Groups of atoms; smallest unit of most chemical compounds
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Water DNA
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Branches of Biology
Cells
Smallest functional unit of life
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Nerve cell
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Branches of Biology
Groups of Cells
Tissues, organs, and organ systems
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Nervous tissue Brain Nervous system
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Branches of Biology
Organism
Individual living thing
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Bison
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Branches of Biology
Population
Group of the SAME organisms in the same area
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Bison herd
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Branches of Biology
Community
Multiple populations that live together in a defined area
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass
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Branches of Biology
Ecosystem
Community and its nonliving surroundings
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
Hawk, snake, bison, prairie dog, grass, stream, rocks, air
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Biome
A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities
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Branches of Biology
Biosphere
The part of Earth that contains all ecosystems
Living things may be studied on many different levels. The largest and most complex level is the biosphere. The smallest level is the molecules that make up living things.
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1-3
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1-3
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living things?
use of energy
made of cells
stable internal environment
need for oxygen
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1-3
Which of the following are branches in the study of biology?
cells, tissues, organs, and organisms
botany, cell biology, ecology, and zoology
populations, communities, and ecosystems
the genetic code, evolution, and the biosphere
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1-3
The genetic code is carried in
Water.
DNA.
proteins.
soil.
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1-3
Which of the following shows the levels of organization in correct order from the simplest to the most complex?
organisms, cells, populations, molecules, ecosystems
ecosystems, populations, organisms, cells, molecules
molecules, cells, organisms, populations, ecosystems
molecules, organisms, cells, populations, ecosystems
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23. END OF SECTION