Studying Life

Biology

The study of life.

Characteristics of Life

1. Made of Cells

2. Displays Organization

3. Grows and Develops

4. Reproduces

5. Responds to Stimuli

6. Requires Energy

7. Maintains Homeostasis

8. Adaptations evolve over time

MADE OF CELLS

All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Organisms made of only one cell are called

unicellular.

Organisms made of more than one cell are

multicellular.

Each part is made to have a specific

function!

Displays Organization

Arranged in an orderly way.

Specialized cells are organized into groups that work together

called tissues.

Tissues are organized into organs.

Organ systems work together to support an organism.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Growth means adding mass (usually by

dividing and adding more cells)

Development is adding abilities

Ex. A child learning to talk or walk

REPRODUCes

All living things make new living things.

Responds to Environment

Anything that is part of the internal or external

envrionments and causes a reaction is called a stimulus.

The reaction is called the response.

Requires energy

Producers make their own food.

Consumers eat producers or other consumers to get energy.

Metabolism includes all the chemical reactions that break down or build up materials in a

living thing.

The ultimate source of energy for all organisms is the sun.

All living things are connected into a biosphere.

Maintain stable environment

Living things keep internal conditions

constant, or the same, through homeostasis.

If anything happens within or to an

organism that affects its normal state,

processes to restore the normal state begin.

Adaptations Evolve Over Time

An adaptation is any inherited

characteristic that results from changes

to a species over time.

Allows the organism to survive in a changing

environment.