The 8 Characteristics of Life

~ Shared by all living organisms ~

1. Universal Genetic Code

All organisms store information for life in their genetic code.

This molecular structure is called DNA.

DNA is used for storage and heredity.

2. Growth and Development

A. Growth – an increase in size (more cells)The amount of growth varies:

A small acorn grows into a towering oak tree

Can you give an example of an organism that demonstrates growth?

B. Development – organisms change in form as they develop

A caterpillar morphs into a butterfly

Can you think of an example of development?

Which of these demonstrates growth and which demonstrates development?

3. Response and Adaptation

Living things can respond to a stimulus Seeds sprout in response to watering. Birds migrate in response to seasonal change.

Adaptation – how a population responds to long-term changes in their surroundings

Ex: webbed feet

Can you think of an example of an adaptation?

4. Reproduction

Living things come from

other living things

Reproduction is not essential

to the survival of an organism,

but for the continuation of

a species

5. Maintain a Stable Internal Environment

Living things are highly organized with specialized structures

Ex. Heart (organ), mitochondria (cell organelle)

Organisms need to maintain internal stability.

Ex. Sweating when you are hot

This internal balance is called homeostasis.

6. Use Energy

Living things use energy

for life processes

All organisms take in energy

from the environment Ex. Light energy

enables plants to

make food

7. Cells

All organisms are made of cells

Unicellular - made of one cellEx: bacterium, paramecium

Multicellular – made of many cellsEx. tiger

8. Evolution

As a species, living things evolve, or change over time.

Evidence which supports this change over time:a. Fossils

b. Similarities in organism features

c. Sequence of information stored in DNA

Review of the 8 Characteristics

All living things…

Are based on a universal genetic code

Grow and Develop

Respond and Adapt to their environment

Reproduce

Maintain a stable internal environment

Obtain and use material and energy

Are made up of cells

Evolve