Exploring LIFE Biology The study of Life l

Exploring LIFE Ø Biology – The study of Life l What does it mean to be ALIVE? l How do you know if something is ALIVE?

Is Fire ALIVE?

All living things share some basic properties Nine Characteristics of Life ü F Obtain Food Metabolism ü R Respond to Stimuli ü E Energy ü D Develop and Grow ü H Homeostasis ü G Genetic code (DNA/RNA) ü A ADAPT ü R Reproduction üC Composed of cells (+1)

All living organisms obtain & use energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce

1. PRODUCERS: - Plants and other photosynthetic organisms - Produce their own food (from CO 2, H 2 O, & the sun) upon which the entire ecosystem depends 2. CONSUMERS: - Animals: Obtain nutrients and energy from consuming the food made by producers

Metabolism All chemical reactions occurring within an organism ü Anabolism + Catabolism = Metabolism

Organisms react to stimuli: üLight üTemperature üOdor üSound üGravity üHeat üWater üPressure Example: A plant’s leaves and stems grow toward light

ALL ORGANISMS GROW & DEVELOP

Growth means to get bigger in size

Development involves a change in the physical form or physiological make-up of an organism

Reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type Asexual Reproduction üA single parent organism reproducing by itself

Sexual Reproduction üTwo different parent organisms contribute genetic information üInvolves the combination of male and female sex cells

Genes carry hereditary information Genes are composed of DNA Heredity is the reason children resemble their parents Mutations change DNA code and can be passed from generation to generation

Ø While looking for the unity of life processes Recognize the great diversity of appearance and behavior of species on this Earth l l Species differ greatly in their adaptations to the many distinct environments on Earth Both the unity and diversity of organisms can be explained by the mechanisms of evolution

Adaptation üA process that enables organisms to become better suited to their environment ü Species obtain adaptations through evolution, which occurs over great periods of time

An Example of Adaptation Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and stems to store water and reduce water loss

Ø Living organisms l Consist of organic molecules organized to form cells • Cells Life’s basic units of structure and function l Composed of one or more cells

Smallest unit capable of all life functions Unicellular Organisms ü Entire organism is made up of one single cell ü Bacteria and protists

Multicellular Organisms ü The organism is made up of many cells ü Cells have specialized functions within the organism

A stable state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life ü Body temperature ü Blood volume ü p. H balance ü Water balance

Homeostasis: Ability of an organism to maintain relatively constant internal conditions * Example: Temperature regulation in the human body All organ systems contribute to homeostasis

All living things share some basic properties Nine Characteristics of Life ü F Obtain Food Metabolism ü R Respond to Stimuli ü E Energy ü D Develop and Grow ü H Homeostasis ü G Genetic Code ü R Reproduction üC Composed of cells (+1)