1. 5.5 Living Systems – Characteristics of Organisms

2. 5.5a Basic Cell Structures and Functions
Living things are made of cells.
Cells carry out all life processes.
New cells come from existing cells.
Cells are too small to be seen with the eye alone. By using a microscope, many parts of a cell can be seen.

3. 5.5a Basic Cell Structures and Functions
Plant Cells
Cell Wall – Provides support and protection to the cell membrane
Rectangular shape
Chloroplasts – Traps energy from the sun to produce food, contains chlorophyll (makes the plant green)
Cell Membrane – holds in cytoplasm, lets some materials go through
Cytoplasm – The jelly-like substance
Nucleus – The control center, holds the DNA
Vacuole – Stores water

4. 5.5a Basic Cell Structures and Functions
Animal Cells
Vacuole – Storage area
Round Shape
Nucleus – The control center, holds the DNA
Cell Membrane – holds in cytoplasm, lets some materials go through
Cytoplasm – The jelly-like substance

5. 5.5b Classification Five Kingdoms
Organisms that share similar characteristics can be organized into groups in order to help understand similarities and differences.
Five Kingdoms
Monerans
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
One-celled
No nucleus
Some make food, some don’t
Example: bacteria
Most are one-celled, but some are many-celled
Have nucleus
Example: algae
One-celled or many-celled
Decomposer
Examples: mold, mushroom
Many-celled
Make own food
Has nucleus
Examples: trees, roses
Very complex
Obtain food from others
Examples:
Human, fish, bird

6. 5.5b Classification Vascular Nonvascular
Plants can be categorized as vascular or nonvascular
Vascular
Nonvascular
Has special tissues to transport food and water
Most plants are vascular
Examples:
Trees, flowering plants
Does not have tissues to transport food and water
Examples: Mosses, liverwort, hornwort

7. 5.5b Classification Vertebrates Invertebrates Have backbones Examples:
Animals can be categorized as vertebrates or invertebrates
Vertebrates
Invertebrates
Have backbones
Examples:
Fish, amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles
Do not have backbones
Sponges, jellyfish, worms, insects, crustaceans,

8. 5.5c Survival Traits
Organisms have many traits that allow them to survive in their environment.
These include physical and behavioral characteristics, such as:
A thick coat of fur to survive in cold climates
A curved beak to catch prey
Thick bark to protect against the cold winters
Migration to avoid a cold winter
Hibernation to survive a cold winter
Becoming dormant during dry periods
AND MANY MORE…