What Makes Something Alive The 8 characteristics of

What Makes Something Alive? The 8 characteristics of living things

1. Cells n n n All living things contain cells Organisms can be: n Unicellular – 1 cell n Multicellular – many cells Living things are highly organized: n Cells Tissue Organ system Organism

2. Reproduction n n All living things can reproduce to make more of their species Two types of reproduction: n Sexual reproduction – 2 parents n Asexual reproduction – 1 parent

3. DNA n n All living things contain genetic material that they pass on to their offspring This is why children often look like their parents!

4. Growth n All living things grow and develop throughout their life

5. Energy n n All living things need energy in order to survive Two ways to get energy: n Plants make it themselves (autotrophic) n Animals get it from the food they eat (heterotrophic)

6. Response to Environment/Stimuli n n n Living things respond to changes in their environment Unlike adaptations, these changes are immediate and take place in an individual organism Examples: n Blinking, flinching n Plants growing towards sunlight

7. Homeostasis n n Living things must maintain an internal balance in order to survive Some examples are: n Shivering to heat up n Increasing heart rate when running n Thirst response when dehydrated

8. Adaptation to Change n n Living things change over time This usually takes many generations Adaptations take place in groups of organisms, not individuals Examples: n Plants that are adapted to live in the desert n Drug resistant bacteria