Characteristics of Living Things Biology is a branch

Characteristics of Living Things

• Biology is a branch of science that focuses on the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.

• “Bio” is a prefix that means Life Ex: Biohazard, Biological, Biomolecule • “logy” is a suffix that means study of Ex: Geology, Meteorology, Astrology

1. Cell • Made up of units called cells. – A cell is called the basic building block of life. It is the smallest thing that can be considered living.

Although ALL living things are made of cells, organisms may be: • Unicellular – composed of one cell • Multicellular- composed of many cells that may organize into tissues, etc. copyright cmassengale 5

2. Possess DNA • Deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material that carries genetic information from parent to new organisms (offspring)

Two Basic Cell Types:

Prokaryotes – The first Cells • Cells that lack a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles • Includes bacteria • Simplest type of cell • Single, circular chromosome copyright cmassengale 8

Eukaryotes • Cells that HAVE a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles • Includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals • More complex type of cells copyright cmassengale 9

3. Homeostasis • Maintain a stable internal environment – Homeostasis - the process by which organisms keep their internal conditions relatively stable

4. Offspring • Reproduce – produce offspring – Reproduction is the process in which organisms produce new organisms.

• 2 types: – Sexual reproduction – two cell from different parents unite to produce the first cell of a new offspring – Asexual reproduction: the new organism has a single parent. The parent organism divides, creating two genetically identical organisms

5. Need energy • Obtain and use materials and energy. – Metabolism - the rate of chemical reactions through which and organism breaks down materials and carries out life processes (i. e. , how fast your body uses nutrients)

6. Evolve and adapt • As a population (group of same species), change over time. – Evolution is the change in living things over time. – Adaptations are beneficial inherited traits that are passed to future generations = survival.