Characteristics of Living Things What 8 things do

Characteristics of Living Things What 8 things do all living organisms have in common?

1. Organization All living things are made of cells. Unicellular – only one cell Multicellular – two or more cells

2. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant (yet also dynamic) internal environment in terms of temperature, p. H, water concentrations, etc.

3. Reproduction All organisms produce new organisms through reproduction. Sexual reproduction – two cells from different parents unite to produce the new organism. Asexual reproduction – new organism has a single parent.

4. Based on a Genetic Code Offspring inherit their traits from their parents. These traits are passed on using DNA.

5. Growth and Development Most unicellular organism only grow, or increase in size. Multicellular organisms grow and develop (cells continue to divide in order to mature).

6. Energy Acquisition and Release One view of life is that it is a struggle to acquire energy (from sunlight, inorganic chemicals, or another organism), and release it.

7. Response to Stimuli Detection and response to stimuli (both internal and external).

8. Adaptation/Interaction The characteristics of populations change over time, usually in response to their environment. Charles Darwin began the recognition of the adaptations all life has that allow those organisms to exist in their environment.