The Characteristics of Life Living Things Living things

The Characteristics of Life

Living Things • Living things are called organisms. • • They are scientifically referred to as biotic factors. (“bio” means life) • They include bacteria, protists, fungi, plants and animals.

Nonliving Things • Nonliving things are scientifically called abiotic factors. • • They have an effect on biotic organisms. • They include air, water, temperature, rocks, etc…

What makes something living? • Living things are classified by 5 main characteristics: 1. ) Energy Utilization 2. ) Growth & Development 3. ) Adjustment/Adaptation (Homeostasis) 4. ) Reproduction & Evolution 5. ) Cells (Order)

1. ) ENERGY • • Living things have the ability to use energy for different processes. • These include reproduction, cell division, photosynthesis, respiration, growth, etc. • Metabolism – series of processes that converts food to energy to sustain life *Catabolism – breaking down complex substances (cell respiration, digestion) *Anabolism – building up complex substances (photsynthesis)

2. ) GROWTH • Living things grow. • • They grow by mitosis (cell division), which also helps in repair and maintenance of the organism.

3. )ADJUSTMENT/ADAPTATION • • Living things use senses to adjust and respond to stimuli in their surroundings to maintain homeostasis. • Examples: When it’s cold, humans shiver.

4. ) REPRODUCTION AND EVOLUTION • Living things have the ability to make • offspring similar or identical to themselves. • They can also change over time.

5. ) CELLULAR ORGANIZATION • All living things are composed of cells. • • These cells are organized into specialized parts.

**DEATH** • DEAD is different than NONLIVING • All living things will eventually die. • If something is dead, it must have been living at some time. If something is nonliving, it never showed the characteristics of life!!