7 Characteristics of Living Things- Biology

5) Growth and Development

-all living things grow and increase in size using cell division

Biological molecule

-chemical compounds that provide physical structure and that bring about movement

Cell Division

-formation of two new cells from an existing cell Unicellular- new identical offspring Multicellular- replacing cells/ development

Tissue

-group of cells that have similar abilities and that allow the organ to function

Organ system

-group of organs that carries out a more generalized set of functions

Asexual reproduction

-hereditary info from different organisms is not combined (offspring are genetically identical)

Sexual reproduction

-hereditary info is recombined from two organisms of the same species (offspring is not identical)

Unicellular

-organisms that are made up of one cell (ex: bacteria)

Multicellular

-organisms that are made up of one or more cells (ex: humans)

7) Change Through Time (Evolution)

-populations of living organisms evolve over time

Development

-process by which an organism becomes a mature adult

Genes

-short segment of DNA that contains the instructions for a single trait of an organism

Atom

-simple particle of an element that retains all the properties of a certain element

Cell

-smallest unit that can perform all of life's processes

Organ

-structure that carries out specialized jobs within an organ system

Organelle

-tiny structure that carries out functions necessary for the cell to stay alive

3) Homeostasis

Homeostasis- the maintenance of stable internal conditions even though environmental conditions are constantly changing.

4) Metabolism

Metabolism- sum of all the chemical reactions that take in and transform energy and materials from the environment. ex: Photosynthesis- plants use sun's energy to produce glucose

1) Organization and Cells

Organization- the high degree of order within an organism's internal and external parts and in its interactions with the living world. Cell- the smallest unit that can perform all of life's processes. *atom-biological molecule-organelle-cell-tissue-organ-organ system

6) Reproduction

Reproduction- organisms transmit hereditary info to their offspring 2 types- Asexual and Sexual

2) Response to Stimuli

Stimulus- physical/chemical change in the internal/external environment. ex: When you touch a hot stove, your brain sends a signal to your nerves, causing you to respond.