You are an astronaut and you have just

You are an astronaut and you have just landed on Mars. Your mission is to determine if life exists on this planet. You come across an interesting “thing. ” You need to determine if it should be classified as living or non-living. What are you going to be looking for to help you make your decision?

Characteristics of Life Biology is the study of living things Organism = a living thing There are 9 characteristics of living organisms. These characteristics include:

1. Highly Organized Able to support all life functions at same time 2. Made up of 1 or more cells Cell = smallest unit of life 3. Use energy Energy is required carry out life processes

4. Definite shape and size range Ex. cloud – there one minute and not next (not living) Life span Ex. human 5. 6. Grow Increase in size and number of cells

7. Respond to changes in environment Stimulus Response 8. Reproduce Necessary for species to continue – not the individual 9. Evolve Organisms change over time

Can non-living things have some of these characteristics? Yes, however, in order for an organism to be alive it needs ALL 9 characteristics. If you have trouble remembering all 9 characteristics, think of: GEL CORRES G E L C (Growth, Energy, Life Span) O R R E S (Cell, Organized, Respond, Reproduce, Evolve, Size/Shape)

Comparing Living and Nonliving Things Specimen Fish Complex and Organized Yes Made of Cells Yes Grows Yes Uses Energy Yes Responds to Environment Reproduce Yes Life Span Yes Definite Size and Shape Yes Changes over Time (Evolve) Yes

Specimen Fish Living Thing (Y/N) Y Explanation (Why or Why Not? ) A fish has all 9 life characteristics