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)
