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The 8 Characteristics of Life

The 8 Characteristics of Life. ~ Shared by all living organisms ~. 1. Universal Genetic Code. All organisms store information for life in their genetic code. This molecular structure is called DNA. DNA is used for storage and heredity. 2. Growth and Development.

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The 8 Characteristics of Life

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  1. The 8 Characteristics of Life ~ Shared by all living organisms ~

  2. 1. Universal Genetic Code • All organisms store information for life in their genetic code. • This molecular structure is called DNA. • DNA is used for storage and heredity.

  3. 2. Growth and Development • A. Growth – an increase in size (more cells) • The amount of growth varies: • A small acorn grows into a towering oak tree • Can you give an example of an organism that demonstrates growth? • B. Development – organisms change in form as they develop • A caterpillar morphs into a butterfly • Can you think of an example of development?

  4. Which of these demonstrates growth and which demonstrates development?

  5. 3. Response and Adaptation • Living things can respond to a stimulus • Seeds sprout in response to watering. • Birds migrate in response to seasonal change. • Adaptation – how a population responds to long-term changes in their surroundings • Ex: webbed feet • Can you think of an example of an adaptation?

  6. 4. Reproduction • Living things come from other living things • Reproduction is not essential to the survival of an organism, but for the continuation of a species

  7. 5. Maintain a Stable Internal Environment • Living things are highly organized with specialized structures • Ex. Heart (organ), mitochondria (cell organelle) • Organisms need to maintain internal stability. • Ex. Sweating when you are hot • This internal balance is called homeostasis.

  8. 6. Use Energy • Living things use energy for life processes • All organisms take in energy from the environment • Ex. Light energy enables plants to make food

  9. 7. Cells • All organisms are made of cells • Unicellular - made of one cell • Ex: bacterium, paramecium • Multicellular – made of many cells • Ex. tiger

  10. 8. Evolution • As a species, living things evolve, or change over time. • Evidence which supports this change over time: • Fossils • Similarities in organism features • Sequence of information stored in DNA

  11. Review of the 8 Characteristics • All living things… • Are based on a universal genetic code • Grow and Develop • Respond and Adapt to their environment • Reproduce • Maintain a stable internal environment • Obtain and use material and energy • Are made up of cells • Evolve

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