“Characteristics of Life and
Energy”
“Characteristics of Life #2”
Growth & Development
• Growth is represented by an irreversible
increase in dry mass of an organism.
• Development can be in the form of the
following:
a) Increase in cell number (through cell division)
b) Increase in cell complexity (through
differentiation)
c) Increase in cell size (through taking up of
water)
The following examples of extreme old age have been
chosen from the reliable records of zoos and aquariums all
over the world.
MAMMALS
•
Elephant
•
Horse
•
Hippopotamus
•
Chimpanzee
•
Grizzly Bear
•
Bison
•
Lion
•
Tiger
•
Elk
•
Mountain Lion
•
Beaver
•
Wolf
•
Squirrel
•
Chipmunk
•
Cottontail
•
House Mouse
BIRDS
•
Turkey Buzzard
•
Swan
•
Parrot
•
Great Horned Owl
•
Eagle
•
English Sparrow
•
Canary
•
Humming Bird
YEARS
69
50
49
40
32
30
30
25
22
20
19
16
16
12
10
4
YEARS
118
102
80
68
55
23
22
8
REPTILES
•
Giant Tortoise
•
Box Turtle
•
Alligator
•
Snapping Turtle
•
Cobra
•
Cottonmouth
AMPHIBIANS
•
Giant Salamander
•
Toad
•
Bullfrog
•
Mud Puppy
•
Green Frog
•
Newt
FISH
•
Catfish
•
Eel
•
Carp
•
Mosquito fish
INSECTS
•
Cicada
•
Ant (queen)
YEARS
152
123
68
57
28
21
YEARS
55
36
30
23
10
7
YEARS
60
55
47
2
YEARS
17
1
Metabolism
• Total metabolism is all of a living organism's chemical
processes.
• 2 Types of Metabolism:
– anabolism = the synthesis of organic molecules
– catabolism = the breakdown of organic molecules
• Cell metabolism is the process of metabolism occurring
within a single cell.
• NO metabolism = death
• Some organisms can reduce their metabolism to almost
zero for certain periods of time. Spores of fungi can
survive thousands of years in that state.
Adaptation
• A biological adaptation is an anatomical structure,
physiological process or behavioral trait of an organism
that has evolved over a period of time.
• Organisms that are adapted to their environment are
able to:
1. get air, water, food and nutrients.
2. cope with physical conditions such as temperature,
light and heat.
3. defend themselves from their natural enemies.
4. reproduce.
5. respond to changes around them.
Homeostasis
• Homeostasis is the ability of a living organism
to regulate its internal environment to maintain a
stable, constant condition.
• Homeostasis in mammals:
1. Kidneys help regulate the amount water and
minerals.
2. Kidneys and lungs help excrete wastes.
3. Skin helps regulate body temperature.
4. Liver and pancreas regulate blood glucose
levels.
Asexual & Sexual Reproduction
• Asexual reproduction is the simplest form of
reproduction.
• There is only one "parent" involved.
• This form of reproduction is common among simple
organisms such as amoeba and other single-celled
organisms.
• Most plants produce asexually as well.
• Occurs faster than sexual reproduction and requires less
energy.
• Asexual reproduction produces an exact replica of the
parent.
• From an evolutionary standpoint, one could thus argue
that asexual reproduction is inferior.
Asexual & Sexual Reproduction
• Advantages and Disadvantages:
• If new factors in the environment are introduced that do not
favor the species in question, none of the individual members
possess adaptive traits (which they then would've passed on
to offspring). Thus, it will be harder for the species as a whole
to survive.
• Sexual reproduction is a process of reproduction involving the
merging of two sex cells from the same species to produce a
new organism.
• One clear advantage of this form of reproduction over asexual
reproduction is that the DNA or genetic makeup of the
offspring produced can be significantly different from that of
either of the parents.
• Organisms that reproduce sexually yield a smaller amount of
offspring, but the large amount of variation in their genes
makes them less susceptible to disease.