CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE What makes something living What

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE What makes something “living”? ?

What are the characteristics of life? There are 8 characteristics that all living things have in common.

1. Living things are made up of cells v A cell is a collection of living material enclosed within a barrier v Cells are the basic unit of life v Unicellular: made up of one cell v Multicellular: made up of many cells Unicellular Multicellular

Asexual 2. Living Things Reproduce v produce offspring which resemble parents Sexual v asexual reproduction: has only one parent v sexual reproduction: requires two parents

3. Living Things are based on a genetic code. v Inheritance of traits is carried on through DNA

4. Living things Grow and Develop v GROWTH: increase in size & shape v DEVELOPMENT: mature over time v Living things have a lifespan

5. Living Things Use & Need Energy v energy comes from food, used to maintain body v PRODUCER: create own food v CONSUMER: must take in (eat) food v DECOMPOSER: breaks down dead material for food

6. Living things respond to their surroundings v They react to a stimulus which causes a reaction v The reaction is called a response

7. Living things maintain a stable internal environment v HOMEOSTASIS: internal balance v Examples: sweating, panting, shivering, etc.

8. Living things Evolve v Adapt to long-range changes in environment to better survive in their environment v These changes take place over a long period of time & involve the entire species