What are the characteristics of life?

What do you need to do in order to be called alive?

The 8 Characteristics of Living things

All living things perform the following life functions in one way or another...you need all 8 to survive

Learning Target

I can describe the characteristics of life shared by all living things.

1. Grow and Develop animals grow from birth plants grow from seeds Develop over lifetime growth requires nutrients Even though they may live a long time…..All living things

eventually die

2. Use Energy

food, oxygen as fuel sources for animals sunlight, carbon dioxide from air for plants

Same processes, different methods

Fish GillsHuman Lungs

Roach Spiracles

3. Reproduce

Organisms produce more of their own kind by passing down DNA to their offspring through reproduction.

◦ Animals have babies ◦ Bacteria clone selves◦ Plants make seeds

4. Has DNA (Heredity) *something to pass on*

1. Each cell contains a copy of the genetic code

2. Genetic code determines:a. Body Structure and Functionsb. Some personality traits

3. Two types of genetic codes:DNA & RNA

5. Respond/React to changes in the environment – responding to something external:

animal shivering tree losing leaves in fall flower closing at night

6. Maintains homeostasis (internal balance)

Ex: Body temperature tries to stay at 98.6oC:1. What does your body automatically do if it gets

too cold?2. What does your body automatically do if it gets

too hot?Ex: How do you feel when your body needs water?Ex: How do you feel when your body needs

energy/fuel?

7. Evolves (Adapts over multiple generations)

Ex: All species of dogs today were bred from the same species of wild wolves just within the last 30,000 years

8. Made of Cells

-Cells are the building blocks of life!Cells are like little factories that help you move,

think, breathe, and generally keep you alive.

So… Is FIRE alive?

It consumes and uses energy, requires oxygen, and moves through the environment….But it IS NOT made of cells.

Fire is non-living because it does not have ALL OF the characteristics of life.

A non-living thing can show SOME OF the

characteristics of living things and not be alive.

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Grass in the soil

Living! Has all 8

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Hair

Non-Living!

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Boiling water

Non-living

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Vase of flowers

Dying/Dead

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Grocery store eggs

Non-living

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Bacteria

Living! All 8

Is it alive? Which characteristic(s) is it missing?

Viruses

Non-Living! Can’t

reproduce without a

host