Overview
This lecture covers the six main characteristics that define living things: organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, maintaining internal conditions, and use of energy.
The Six Characteristics of Life
- Living things share six traits: organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and use of energy.
- These characteristics help organisms survive, adapt, and reproduce in their environments.
Organization in Living Things
- Organization refers to how parts of an organism work together to keep it alive.
- Unicellular organisms perform all life functions within one cell.
- Multicellular organisms have specialized cells with specific functions, increasing complexity.
Growth and Development
- Growth is increasing in size and mass by adding new cells or materials.
- Development involves changes in structure and function, such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
Reproduction
- Reproduction creates new life and ensures continuation of species.
- Sexual reproduction involves two parents and creates genetically diverse offspring.
- Asexual reproduction involves one parent and produces genetically identical offspring.
Response to Stimuli
- Organisms respond to internal stimuli (like hunger or thirst) and external stimuli (like light or temperature).
- These responses help maintain health and adapt to the environment.
Maintaining Internal Conditions (Homeostasis)
- Homeostasis is maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.
- Examples include regulating body temperature, fluid balance, and blood sugar levels.
Use of Energy
- Living things need energy for growth, movement, and all life processes.
- Plants use sunlight through photosynthesis, while animals get energy by eating plants or other animals.
- Energy flows through food chains, supporting life and ecosystem function.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Organization — Arrangement of parts within an organism for carrying out life processes.
- Unicellular — Organism made of one cell.
- Multicellular — Organism made of many specialized cells.
- Growth — Increase in size and mass.
- Development — Structural and functional changes as an organism matures.
- Reproduction — Process of creating new organisms.
- Sexual Reproduction — Offspring produced from two parents, increasing genetic diversity.
- Asexual Reproduction — Offspring produced from one parent, genetically identical to parent.
- Stimulus — Change in environment causing a response.
- Homeostasis — Maintaining stable internal conditions.
- Photosynthesis — Process plants use to make food from sunlight.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the six characteristics of living things and be able to give examples of each.
- Complete any assigned reading on the characteristics of life for further understanding.