Levels of Life Worksheet
Associate Program Material
Levels of Life Worksheet
Complete all three parts of this worksheet.
Part I: Atomic Structure – Fill in the missing information on atomic structure and organic
compounds.
Atomic Structure
Subatomic ParticleChargeLocation in an Atom
ProtonPositiveNucleus
NeutronNeutralNucleus
ElectronNegativeOuter-shell
Organic Compounds
Large Biological MoleculeAtoms it ContainsMonomer(s) Function(s) in Living Organisms
CarbohydratesC, H, and OMonosaccharidesSource of energy
LipidC,H, and OGlycerol and fatty acidsCushion and insulate organs; builds cell membranes
ProteinC, H, O, N, and SLactase
Is an enzyme and
hemoglobin
is a transport proteinHelps chemical reactions, provides support and structure, provides
transport within bodies and provides movement of body Nucleic acidsC, H, O, N, and PDNA and
RNAStores and transmits genetic information
Part II: Characteristics of Living Organisms – Seven characteristics distinguish an object or thing
from an actual living organism. All seven characteristics must be present simultaneously for
something to be considered living. Fill in the remaining characteristics in the following table.
Characteristics of a Living Organism
1. Order – exhibit complex but ordered organization. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey, (2010), p. 4). 2.
Regulation- the environment outside of an organism can change but the organism is able to
internally adjust to maintain or regulate appropriate levels for survival. (Simon, Reece, &
Dickey, (2010), p. 4). 3. Growth and development- the information provided by genetics which
determines the growth and development patterns of an organism. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey,
(2010), p. 4). 4. Energy utilization- the energy an organism takes in to use in preforming life
activities. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey, (2010), p. 4). 5. Response to the environment- the response
of a living organism to its environment. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey, (2010), p. 4). 6. Reproductionreproducing an organism of its own kind. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey, (2010), p. 4). 7. Evolutionthe capacity of an organism to change over time. (Simon, Reece, & Dickey, (2010), p. 4).
Part III: Write a 200- to 300-word explanation of how atoms make up organic compounds,
which make up all living organisms, addressing all three domains.
Simon, E. J., Reece, J. B., & Dickey, J. L. ((2010)). Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology (3rd
ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.