Transcript Characteristics of Living Things Organism

Characteristics of
Living Things
Organism – any living thing
Animal,
Plant,
Fungus,
Bacteria or Protist
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All organisms are made of one or more cells
Cells are the basic unit of structure and function
To survive, need everything to work together.
Levels of organization:
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Systems
Organism
Population
Community
Biome
• All organisms have a method of making more of
their own kind.
• Some organisms need a partner some can
reproduce by themselves.
• Reproduction is
necessary for the
continuation of the
species.
• All organisms
increase in size
and/or weight.
• Some living
things have a
period of growth,
some grow for
their entire life.
• Development
means to mature
or to become
more complex.
• Metamorphosis
and puberty are
examples of
development.
• Organisms attempt to maintain
a steady internal operating
condition.
• Temperature, water content,
salt concentration, pH,
pressure and chemical
balance are all conditions
monitored to maintain
homeostasis.
• Populations of living things
change over time to survive in
their environment.
• The “best” organisms are the
ones that survive to reproduce.
• Natural Selection
• “Survival of the fittest”
• Events or conditions in the
environment cause living things to
react.
• The events and changes in the
environment are called Stimuli.
• The reactions and adjustments
are called responses.
• All forms of life require energy to remain
alive.
• Stored energy is constantly used-up and
must be replaced.
• Autotrophs can make their own food
through photosynthesis.
• Heterotrophs must hunt and gather
energy in the form of food.
• Living things are either unicellular
(one cell) or multicellular (more
than one cell)
• Living things can either make
their own food/energy (autotroph)
or need other sources to obtain
food/energy (heterotroph.)