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Characteristics of Life

Characteristics of Life. Essential Questions : What are the major characteristics of life? How do we determine if something is living or non-living? How can we organize this data to help us in our study of biology?. Explore: The Biology Song!.

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Characteristics of Life

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  1. Characteristics of Life Essential Questions: What are the major characteristics of life? How do we determine if something is living or non-living? How can we organize this data to help us in our study of biology?

  2. Explore: The Biology Song! • Watch the short YouTube video called “The Biology Song.” (Why is it called the biology song?) • Record any descriptions you see/hear about what makes something living or a living organism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynclw6TXeE Write your ideas in The box on your Notes sheet.

  3. 1. Composed of Cells • All living things are composed of one (unicellular) or more (multicellular) cells. • This leads to levels of organization in more complex living things… • Cells are organized into tissues. • Tissues are organized into organs. • Organs are organized into organ systems. • Organ systems comprise an Organism! • Organism – Displays all characteristics of life and considered by biologists to be alive.

  4. 2. Require Energy • Living organisms require energy; in the most basic form of ATP. • Obtained through the breakdown of food and nutrients. (Heterotrophs) • Obtained through inorganic sources (Photosynthesis, Chemosynthesis) • Obtained through “stealing” ATP from other organisms. (Microorganisms) • This energy is used to carry out cell/life functions: metabolism, locomotion, growth/development or cell division, etc.

  5. 3. Reproduce • All living things reproduce to carry on their species. • Some plants and bacteria reproduce individually via asexual reproduction. • Upon maturity split into two organisms (budding). • Offspring are genetically identical to parent. • Some plants and animals reproduce through another member of their species via sexual reproduction. • Upon maturity exchange eggs and sperm (externally or internally) to create 1 or more offspring. • Offspring are not genetically identical to parent/s: a unique blend of recombined DNA. • May or may not have parental care depending on reproductive strategy.

  6. 4. Display Heredity • Living organisms inherit traits from their parent(s) via DNA and/or RNA. • DNA/RNA are the codes or sequences that get translated into all types of proteins. • These are found in the nucleus of eukaryotic organisms.

  7. 5. Respond to Stimuli • living things respond to changes in light, heat, sound, and chemical and mechanical contact. • To detect stimuli, many organisms have means for receiving information, such as skin, eyes, ears, and taste buds (the sensory organs) • Once a stimulus has been received by the organism, that triggers a response. • Lower organisms (lacking complex sensory organs) undergo types of taxis. • Phototaxis, Hydrotaxis, Chemotaxis, Geotaxis, Thigmotaxis, Magnetotaxis, etc. • Higher organisms (with complex sensory organs) undergo behaviors often using chemical messengers (called hormones.) • Conditioning, Imprinting, Insight learning, etc.

  8. 6. Adapt to their Environment • Organisms and Species adapt to their environment in order to survive. • Adaptation occurs to best suit the habitat, and may or may not be reversible. • Add fat/fur in the wintertime. • Changing coat colors to elude predators. • Learned behaviors to avoid harm.

  9. 7. Maintain Homeostasis • All organisms maintain a stable internal balance, also known as homeostasis. • This ensures that body systems work at their best levels. • Temperature, pH, Water/Osmotic Pressure, Salt balance • This is accomplished by various types of feedback loops. • Positive Feedback loop: accelerates or enhances the output created by a stimulus that has already been activated. • Blood clotting, Oxytocin release during birth • Negative Feedback loop: reducing the output or activity of any organ or system back to its normal range of functioning • Shivering/Sweating, Blood Pressure

  10. 8. Evolve (over time) • All organisms as a population (not individually) evolve to the changing environment over time. • Occurs via changes in DNA sequences (mutations) that code for proteins (known as traits) • Those with beneficial mutations will survive and reproduce in the changing environment and pass them on to future offspring. • Those without beneficial mutations will not survive and not reproduce in the changing environment. Example: Antibiotic resistant bacteria!

  11. Reflect: The Biology Song! • Re-watch the short YouTube video called “The Biology Song.” • Did you hear anything different this time? • Why is it called the Biology song? • The Biology Song

  12. What am I? Living or Non-Living? • In the following slides, you will see a picture of an object. • Observe the object. (Quantitative and Qualitative) • Feel free to ask questions about the object. • Identify the aspect of living things it represents. • (Remember, it must meet all criteria to be considered a living organism!) • Determine if it is Living or Non-Living! …We’ll start of easy…

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