Name_________________________ Period_____
Bio I H - Characteristics of Life
VIDEO: The Basics of Biology: What Is Life?
See and hear about the characteristics of all living things and how they contrast to characteristics of nonliving things. Learn how all living organisms are
made up of cells.
1. DEFINE THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY:
The study of life
2. THE PROPERTIES OF LIFE:
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Life is not a thing at all… life is what?
Biologists call living things an
All organisms are made up of simple
A special force found in living creatures.
organisms
cells, the basic unit of life
3. ALL LIVING THINGS CAN GROW AND USE FOOD FOR ENERGY (METABOLISM-RESPIRATION):
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Is water and carbon dioxide living?
NO
Plants has stored energy that came from where?
Water, sun and carbon dioxide
What is the process called that makes food in plants?
photosynthesis
What is metabolism?
Food used as energy
4. ALL LIVING THINGS ARE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINANCE AND REPAIR:
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Why do living things take in food?
To grow from the inside out
What did the crab do that was different than a non-living thing?
Growing a new arm
5. ALL LIVING THINGS CAN REPRODUCE AND UNDERGO CHANGE:
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What does reproduction mean? Make nearly exact copies of itself
How is the world today filled with so many strange and exciting creatures?
They change and adapt to surrounding
6. ALL LIVING THINGS CAN MOVE AND RESPOND TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT:
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What does it mean that life is active?
Living things respond to change
What are different types of movement?
Slow, fast, dipping down, running, walking, etc
What is the main difference between living and non-living things when it comes to responding to their environment?
Living things can control their responses
7. ALL LIVING THINGS WILL DIE:
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Explain how new life is nourished by dead & living things. (at least 3 sentences)
Tree weakens – converted into soil and decomposed by fungi and other microbes – soil contains nutrients
which will help to nourish new seeds and grow more trees – RECYCLING of natures material
8. REVIEW:
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Name 4 living things:
Name 4 non-living things:
7 Characteristics of Life
1. Organized (contains cells – tissues – organs, etc)
2. Reproduce (DNA)
3. Grow & Develop (Protein Synthesis)
4. Energy (Metabolism)
5. Respond to Simuli
6. Homeostatsis (maintains internal balance)
7. Evolve and Adapt
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