Get out your spirals!
Characteristics of
Life
Essential Questions:
What are the major (7/8) characteristics of life?
Complete an Arcostic to remember the characteristics
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.
• Unicellular – you cant see with the eye
• Multicellular – you can see
• Organism – Displays all characteristics
of life and considered by biologists to
be alive.
2. Require Energy
• Living organisms require energy
– Heterotrophs
• Obtained through the breakdown of
food and nutrients.
– Autotrophs
• Obtained through sunlight or chemical
compounds
• (Photosynthesis, Chemosynthesis)
3. Reproduce and Grow
• All living things reproduce to
carry on their species.
• asexual reproduction- Some
plants and bacteria reproduce
individually
• sexual reproduction- some plants
and animals reproduce with
another member of their species
4. Have DNA (Display Heredity)
• DNA & RNA are the
codes or sequences that
get translated into all
types of proteins.
5. Respond to Stimuli
• living things respond to changes
in light, heat, sound, and
chemical and mechanical
contact.
• Once a stimulus has been
received by the organism, that
triggers a response.
6. Adapt (Evolves) to their
Environment
• Organisms and Species adapt to
their environment in order to
survive.
– 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.
Example
1.
2.
3.
4.
You workout
Your cell temp increases
You sweat
Your cell temp decreases
8. Evolve (over time)
• All organisms in a population
evolve to the changing
environment over time.
Example: The loss or no use for
wisdom teeth
Humans have grown in height
over time
Horses used to be the size of a
dog!
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!
…We’ll start of easy…
Create an acrostic to remember
the 7/8 characteristics
D
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Dog Races
Mrs. Gren
Create an acrostic to remember
the 7/8 characteristics
D NA
Dog Races
O rganized of cells
G rows and develops
R eproduces
A dapts
C onsistent (homeostasis)
E nergy (eats!)
S timuli
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.