Download Characteristics of Living Things

Characteristics of Living
Things
Anything that is classifed as living
(biotic/organic) has or once had all
the following characteristics!
1. All living things are made of one
or more cells

Unicellular vs. Multicellular

The cell is the basic unit of structure and
function in living things.
2. Living things are organized

Structure dictates function

Hierarchy/ Levels of Organization in living
things

Atoms (made of subatomic particles)
molecules cells tissues organs organ
systems complex organisms
3. All living things grow
and develop
Growth = increase in mass
Development = different abilities
4. All Living Things Reproduce


Asexual reproduction

Budding- offspring develops as a growth on the body of the parent

Binary fission- cell divides into two genetically identical cells
 Ex. Bacteria 
Sexual Reproduction


External fertilization
Internal fertilization
5. All living things respond to stimuli

Organisms react to light, temperature, odor,
sound, gravity, water, pressure, predators
through:

Fight response

Flight response
6. All living things obtain and use
energy



Food
Water
If an organism can’t make it’s own food they
must get energy by eating other organisms
7. All living things maintain
homeostasis

Homeostasis means to maintain balance

Examples



Body temperature
pH
Water levels
8. Adaptations evolve over time


Adaptation: inherited changes that occur over
time that help the species survive
Ex. Polar bears

What adaptations have they inherited that allow
them to survive?
Let’s Play a Game!!

It’s called:

Living, Nonliving, or DEAD
Living
Potted Plant
Baker’s Yeast
Glass of Water
Fresh Cut Flowers
Pumpkin Seeds
Cut Hair
Cut Fingernails
Chicken Sandwich
Rubber-band
Tree with no leaves
during winter
Book
Rock
Nonliving
Dead
Potted Plant
Baker’s Yeast
Living
X
X
Glass of Water
Fresh Cut Flowers
Pumpkin Seeds
Nonliving
X
X
X
Cut Hair
X
X
X
X
Cut Fingernails
Chicken Sandwich
Rubber-band
Tree with no leaves
during winter
X
Book
Rock
Dead
X
X