Characteristics of living things Organism anything that possesses

Characteristics of living things �Organism: anything that possesses all of the characteristics of life

Living things are organized �Organization: �All an orderly structure living things are made of cells.

Living things make more living things �Reproduction: �Species: the production of offspring a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature

All living things change during their lives �Organisms start as a single cell and grow to take on characteristics of species �Growth: an increase in the amount of living material and the formation of new structure

All living things adjust to their surroundings �Environment: air, water, temperature, other organisms in which an organism lives with

All living things adjust to their surroundings �Stimulus: any condition in the environment that causes an organism to adjust �Response: a reaction to a stimulus

All living things adjust to their surroundings �Homeostasis: regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for its survival

All living things adjust to their surroundings �Energy: ability to do work

All living things adapt and evolve �Adaptation: any structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to stimuli and better survive in an environment

All living things adapt and evolve �Evolution: the gradual accumulation of adaptations over time