8 characteristics of all living things

Made of cells

1. A characteristic of life that all living things are made of one or more cells. 2. A cell is the smallest unit of an organism that is alive

Sense and Respond to Change

1. A characteristic of life that all living things can respond and detect a change in their environment. 2. A *stimulus* is a signal to which the organism responds

Grow and Develop

1. A characteristic of life that all living things go through stages during life and develop. 2. Cells divide, increasing in number and size 3. *Differentiation*: as cells divide, they become different in order to perform different functions

DNA

1. A characteristic of life that all living things have DNA. 2. All living things contain DNA, a molecule that stores genetic info

Use Energy

1. All living things obtain and use materials and energy 2. Organisms use energy to function, grow, develop, and reproduce 3. *Autotrophs*: produce their own energy 4. *Heterotrophs*: cannot produce their own energy and must eat autotrophs to obtain energy

Maintains a stable internal environment

1. Organisms keep their internal conditions the same even if their surroundings change 2. The process of keeping things constant is called *homeostasis*

Evolve

1. Taken as a group, living things evolve 2. *Evolve*: to change over a period of time

Reproduction

A characteristic of life that all living things reproduce either asexually (with one parent) or sexually (two parents)