1. 1.3 Studying Life

2. Characteristics of
Living Things

3. Biology The Greek word bios means “life,” and -logy means “study of.”
Biology is the study of life!!

4. Characteristics of Living Things
No single characteristic is enough to describe a living thing.
Some nonliving things posses the traits of living organisms.
There are 8 traits that most living things have in common.

5. 1. Living things are based on a “universal genetic code”
Information about the organism is stored in DNA
All living things have DNA

6. 2. Living things grow and develop
Cells divide leading to growth
Cells specialize leading to body parts, organs, etc.

7. 3. Living things respond to their environment
Detect stimuli with senses and respond
Example: hot outside- body sweats

8. 4. Living things are made up of cells
Cells are the smallest units considered fully alive
Individual cells can grow, respond to stimuli, and reproduce!

9. 5. Living things reproduce
Produce new, similar organisms
Sexual or asexual reproduction

10. 6. Living things maintain a stable internal environment
Inside the organism stays the same even when the environment changes- homeostasis.
Example: body temp is 98.6°F even when it is freezing outside.

11. 7. Living things maintain and use material and energy
Food provides energy and nutrients to grow, develop, and reproduce.

12. 8. Living things, taken as a group, evolve
Groups of organisms change over time based on survival needs.