Understanding Life's Fundamental Properties

Aug 30, 2024

Lecture Notes: Properties of Life

Distinguishing Biotic from Abiotic

  • Biotic: Refers to things that are or were alive.
  • Abiotic: Refers to things that were never alive.

Characteristics of Living Organisms

These are properties shared among all living organisms, referred to as the properties of life. While they may manifest differently, these traits are universally present.

1. High Organization

  • Living organisms exhibit a high level of organization from the atomic level to the organism level.
    • Atoms: Basic units like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen.
    • Molecules: Formed from atoms; examples include carbon dioxide, water, and proteins.
    • Organelles & Cells: Organelles like mitochondria and nuclei form cells.
    • Tissues & Organs: Cells form tissues, tissues form organs (e.g., heart, lungs).
    • Organ Systems & Organisms: Organs form organ systems, which constitute individual organisms.

2. Response to Stimuli

  • All living things respond to environmental stimuli.
    • Example: Plants exhibit phototropism by growing towards light.

3. Reproduction

  • Essential for passing genes to the next generation.
    • Methods include sexual reproduction, binary fission, spores, etc.

4. Evolution and Adaptation

  • All organisms undergo evolution and adapt over time, leading to diversity in life forms.

5. Growth and Development

  • Organisms consume nutrients to grow and develop.

6. Regulation and Homeostasis

  • Maintaining internal balance (homeostasis) is critical for survival.
    • Example: Humans sweat to cool off; kangaroos lick their forearms to achieve a similar effect.

7. Acquisition and Processing of Energy

  • Organisms must acquire and process energy.
    • Example: Plants use photosynthesis; animals consume plants or other animals.

8. Emergent Properties

  • The whole organism exhibits properties greater than the sum of its parts.
    • Example: Consciousness arises from the complex network of neurons in the brain.

Recap

  • Properties of Life: Order, response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, regulation and homeostasis, energy processing.
  • Understand these traits to differentiate between biotic and abiotic entities.