1. The Characteristics of Life
What makes something living?

2. Biotic vs. Abiotic Alive or Not
Biotic can also mean something found in a living thing.
e.g. If you eat an apple you are eating biotic sugar.

3. All life exhibits the same characteristics.
Characteristics of Life
Must have ALL the characteristics to
be alive.

4. The Characteristics of Life
Made of cells that have DNA.
Cell Theory =
All living things are made of one or more cells.
Cells are the basic unit of life.
Present day cells come from other cells.
Unicellular vs. Multicellular
All living things carry life’s information in DNA.

5. The Characteristics of Life
Maintains homeostasis.
Internal Balance
Temperature
Sugar
Energy
Water pH

6. The Characteristics of Life
Does Work: Responds to stimuli to maintain homeostasis.
Voluntary or Involuntary

7. The Characteristics of Life
Has a metabolism or chemical reactions.
To get energy for work.
To get materials.
ATP

8. The Characteristics of Life
digestion & synthesis
breaking down or building up

9. The Characteristics of Life
Needs energy for work.
Found in food.
ATP

10. The Characteristics of Life
Needs nutrients for materials.
To build the body or cells.

11. The Characteristics of Life
Has adaptations through evolution.
Helps maintain homeostasis.

12. The Characteristics of Life
It grows.
To get bigger.

13. The Characteristics of Life
Develops into reproductive adults.

14. The Characteristics of Life
Do organisms need to reproduce to be alive?
For what?