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Midterm Review Sheet: What is Biology?
Honors Biology
Name: ___________________
Date: __________
Biology Objective #5: Characteristics of Life
Characteristics of Life:
It takes five to be alive! All living things have five characteristics in common. Each
characteristic is listed below:
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I.
Cellular Organization: All living things are composed of at least one cell. The cell is the basic
unit of life for all organisms. Essential chemical reactions take place in and around the cells that
make up life. In larger/complex organisms cells work together to form tissues. Different types of
tissues can work together to form organs. Organs to work together to form organ systems. These
organ systems work together to form an organism.
Reproduction: Organisms must be able to reproduce to insure the survival of their species. If a
species fails to reproduce, they will become extinct.
Heredity: The transmission of genetic information (DNA) from parent to offspring is referred to
as heredity. Heredity explains why you might look like your brother, sister, mother and/or father.
Homeostasis: All living things must be able to maintain balance/stability inside of their cells to
stay alive. The ability to regulate the cellular environment is called homeostasis. If an organism is
unable to maintain stability within their cells, the organism will become sick and die.
Metabolism: All living things must participate in chemical reactions to stay alive. These
chemical reactions are collectively referred to as metabolism. These chemical reactions are
responsible for growth, reproduction, and breaking down food for energy. Metabolism helps to
ensure homeostasis in an organism.
Five Characteristics of Life
Directions: Match the characteristics below with their correct definitions. The characteristics of life can be
used more than once!
A. Reproduction
C. Metabolism
B. Homeostasis
E. Heredity
D. Cellular Organization
1. The passing of traits from parents to offspring. _____
2. The process involving a set of chemical reactions that modifies a molecule into another for storage, or for
immediate use in another reaction or as a by-product. _____
3.The passing of genetic factors from parent to offspring (or from one generation to the next). _____
4. Physical and chemical changes in an organism in which energy is released or used. _____
5. The ability to use energy. _____
6. The tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback
controls, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions. _____
7. The ability to participate in growth and repair of cells, tissues and organs. _____
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8. The ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its
internal environment when dealing with external change. _____
9. The production of offspring by organized bodies. _____
10. The process by which organisms make more of their own kind. _____
Directions: Fill in the chart below by deciding if the following items have each of the characteristics of life. Put
a + if it has that characteristic. Put a - if it does not have that characteristic. In the last column, decide if the
item is alive. The first one is done for you as an example.
Item
1. Boy
Metabolism? Homeostasis?
+
+
Cellular
Reproduction?
Organization?
+
+
Heredity?
Is it Alive?
+
yes
2. Tree
3. Child
4. Hibernating
Bear
5. Fire
6. Mushroom
7. River
8. Egg
9. Cell
10. Atom
II. Definitions of Key Terms
1. What is the difference between reproduction and heredity?
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2. What is the difference between evolution and natural selection?
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3. Define ecology.
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4. Define genetic engineering.
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Biology Objective #1: The Nature of Science:
At the beginning of the school year, we discussed that science is a way of knowing. In order to know, a search for information and
explanation is necessary. This search is called inquiry. There are two types of scientific inquiry. Discovery Science and HypothesisBased Science. Discovery science describes nature and hypothesis-based science explains nature. Both types of scientific inquiry
require scientists to make observations.
Observations require scientists to use their five senses to gather information. The information that is gathered is called data. There
are two types of data (observations) that a scientist can gather:
*Qualitative Data: Descriptions (colors, textures, smells) *Quantitative Data: Measurements (quantities)
An Inference is an assumption, or guess, that a scientist makes based on observations (both quantitative and qualitative).
III. Observation versus Inference
Directions: Classify the following as Observations (“O”) or Inferences (“I”).
4. _____ The fence is four meters high.
5. _____ The dog has long ears.
6. _____ The grass was wet because the sprinkler was on.
7. _____ The fire alarm went off because Ms. Cook was probably cooking again.
8. _____ Ms. Cook is a teacher because she likes working with children.
IV. Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
Directions: Classify the following observations as either Quantitative (“QN”) or Qualitative (“QL”).
1. _____ The dog weighed fifty-seven pounds when he was last weighed.
2. _____ Our next door neighbor, Ms. Cook is wearing a red laboratory coat.
3. _____ There was one book on each desk.
4. _____ Our biology class has completed over 5 laboratories so far this year.
5. _____ Goldfish live an average of 15 years when given a varied diet and are housed in exceptional conditions.
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V. Extra Credit Opportunity:
Imagine a younger sibling or cousin looking at a toy car racing around the living room and shouting, “It’s alive!”
Explain to your younger sibling or cousin why the toy car is not alive. Include all five characteristics of life in
your answer:
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