What is Life? BIO 100

Energy

All living things acquire and use energy.

Cells

All living things are composed of one or more cells that contain a blueprint of their characteristics, a genetic code.

Organization

All living things are highly organized.

Metabolism

All living things carry out and control numerous chemical reactions.

Growth/Development

All living things grow in size and change in appearance and abilities.

Internal environment

All living things maintain a fairly constant internal environment.

Evolve

All living things may evolve into new types of organisms.

All or None!?!?!

All living things possess all of these characteristics simultaneously. Inanimate systems may possess some of them. (Viruses).

Offspring

All living things produce offspring similar to themselves. Term used for the young of living things

Environment

All living things respond to changes in their environment.

Organisms

An organism is any living thing from bacteria to humans.

Biotic

Living portion of an environment. (Fungus, bacteria, animals, plants & Protista).

Abiotic

nonliving portion of an environment. (rocks, water, gases).