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!
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.

The Biology Song

Write your ideas in
The box on your
Notes sheet.
 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.
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.
 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.
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.
 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.
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.
 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
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!
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

 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!
Well start of easy
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I? (Super Tricky)

Protocell Circus - Video

Your Turn! Mind Mapping
To conclude today,
you will create a
bubble map on the
back of your notes.
Flip over and look
at the diagram.
Describe the 8
major
characteristics of
life.