Download The 7 Characteristics of Life

Cell Part
Cell Wall
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
Ribosome
Golgi Apparatus
Lysosome
Vaculoe
Function
To provide structure and support to plant cells and
some single celled organisms
A phospholipid double layer that functions in the
movement of materials in and out of the cell. It is
selective about what passes the membrane.
The jelly-like substance that function to hold all
intercellular materials in place. It often refers to
everything inside the cell except the nucleus.
The nucleus is the membrane bound organelle
that houses the genetic material of a Eukaryotic
cell. The genetic material dictates the function
and reproduction of cellular processes.
The membrane bound organelle in Eukayotic cells
where Respiration takes place. This means it is
the location where energy is released for cellular
activities. (looks like a bean with ribbons inside)
Found only in photosynthetic organisms such as
green plants, this structure is where
photosynthesis is used for the production of
glucose. (looks like a bean filled with pancakes)
Often attached to the nucleus and is covered with
dots (ribosomes), the ER functions as
transportation hallways to more material around
the cell. (smooth- no ribosomes, Rough- with
Ribosomes)
Manufacture proteins. They are found througout
the cytoplasm and attached to the Rough ER.
A structure that looks like a large stack of
pancakes (no ribosomes). Its function is to
package materials for cellular use.
A digestive organnelle that processes waste.
A storage unit in the cell. The cells function
dictates what the vaculoe will hold. In plants it is
usually water or starch. In human fat cells, the
vaculoe would be filled with fat.
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic:
Prokaryotes are organisms without a cell nucleus, or any other
membrane-bound organelles. Most are unicellular, but some prokaryotes
are multicellular).
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells are organized into complex
structures by internal membranes and a cytoskeleton. The most
characteristic membrane bound structure is the nucleus. Animals, plants,
fungi, and protists are eukaryotes.
Adapted from: 9-24-2013
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Eukaryotic_Cell_vs_Prokaryotic_Cell
The 7 Characteristics of Life:
1. Living Things are Composed of Cells:
 Single-cell organisms have everything they need to be
self-sufficient.
 In multicellular organisms, specialization increases until
some cells do only certain things.
2. Living Things Have Different Levels of Organization:
 Both molecular and cellular organization.
 Living things must be able to organize simple
substances into complex ones.
 Living things organize cells at several levels:
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Tissue - a group of cells that perform a common
function.
Organ - a group of tissues that perform a
common function.
Organ system - a group of organs that perform
a common function.
Organism - any complete living thing.
3. Living Things Use Energy:
 Living things take in energy and use it for maintenance
and growth.
4. Living Things Respond To Their Environment:
 Living things will make changes in response to a
stimulus in their environment.
 A behavior is a complex set of responses.
5. Living Things Grow:
 Cell division - the orderly formation of new cells.
 Cell enlargement - the increase in size of a cell. Cells
grow to a certain size and then divide.
 An organism gets larger as the number of its cells
increases.
6. Living Things Reproduce:
 Reproduction is not essential for the survival of
individual organisms, but must occur for a species to
survive.
 All living things reproduce in one of the following ways:
 Asexual repoduction - Producing offspring
without the use of gametes.
 Sexual reproduction - Producing offspring by the
joining of sex cells.
7. Living Things Adapt To Their Environment:
 Adaptations are traits giving an organism an advantage
in a certain environment.
 Variation of individuals is important for a healthy
species.
Questions:
1. Do all living things have all of the characteristics
of life? If your answer is no, give an example.
2. Name some non-living thing that uses energy.
3. Name some non-living thing that grows.