Characteristics of Living Things Levels of Organization CELLS

Characteristics of Living Things

Levels of Organization: CELLS → TISSUE → ORGAN SYSTEM → ORGANISM

Characteristics of Living Things 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Made of at least one cell Reproduce Universal genetic code (DNA) Grow and develop Obtain and use materials and energy (metabolism) Respond to the environment Maintain stable internal environment (homeostasis) Change over time (evolve)

Living things are made of cells • Cell…collection of matter enclosed by a membrane barrier. • Organisms can be unicellular or multicellular.

Costa’s • Level 1 – List the levels of organization. • Level 2 • What would be the benefit of sexual reproduction? What would be a detriment? • Level 3 – Hypothesize the possible result if an organism had cellular break down at the tissue level.

Living things are able to reproduce • Asexual… requires only one parent and does not require exchange of DNA • Sexual… requires two parents to result in new offspring

Living things contain a universal genetic code • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)… is the code for making of proteins used for structure and function. DNA determines the inherited traits of every organism.

Living things Grow and develop • Growth = Cell reproduction… produces new cells (increases in number) making the organism larger. • Development = Cell differentiation… cells change shape & structure to become different and serve different functions (physical change). Stages of Life - Beginning, growth, maturity, decline, death

Living things Obtain & use materials & energy • Metabolism…the sum of all chemical reactions that either build up or break down materials, while using and supplying energy for the organism.

Living things Respond to their environment • Stimulus cause responses in living things • Stimulus → Response

Living things Maintain a stable internal environment • Homeostasis… the process by which organisms keep balanced, fairly constant internal environments to survive

Living things Change over time • Evolution… process by which modern organisms descended from ancient organisms over millions of years. • Individual organisms do NOT evolve

What do ALL organisms need to survive? • • • Habitat Space Food Water Warmth Elimination of waste

It’s Alive! (1) Click on image to play video.

It’s Alive! (2) Click on image to play video.

LAB • Characteristics of Living Things