Characteristics of Living Things

Objective:

I can understand the 7 Characteristics of Living Things by completing a Characteristics of Living Organism Table

Characteristics of Living Things

All living things exhibit several characteristics in combination.

Living Things are called Organisms

Characteristics of Living ThingsBiologists use seven characteristics to classify

something as a living thing.1. Made of Cells2. Maintain Homeostasis3. Respond to External Changes4. Reproduce5. Have DNA6. Use Energy7. Grow and Develop

1. Living Things have cells

Organisms are made up of one or more cells.

A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.

Cells = the BUILDING BLOCK of Life

2. Maintain HomeostasisHomeostasis: the

maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment.

How do some animals maintain homeostasis?Control their body

temperature

3. Respond to external changesStimulus: anything

that causes a reaction or change in an organism or any part of an organism.

Organisms react to change in their surroundings.

Any reaction to change is called a response.For example: A

bright light may cause you to blink.

4. ReproduceOrganisms make other organisms similar to

themselves. Reproduction allows organisms to continue

living on the earth.They do so in one of two ways:

Sexual Reproduction: Two parents produce offspring that will share

characteristics of both parents. Asexual Reproduction:

A single parent produces offspring that are identical to the parent.

5. Have DNADNA:

Deoxyribonicleic Acid

DNA passes on genetic information from one generation to the next.

Heredity: the passing of genetic traits from both parents.

6. Use EnergyAll organisms

need and use energy to live.

Energy is the ability to do work.

Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things.

Plants use the energy in sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants.

7. Grow and DevelopExamples:

Single-celled organisms: the cell gets larger and divides.

Multi-celled organisms: the number of cells gets larger and the organism gets bigger.

• Living things change, or develop, during their lifetimes.

One way organisms change is by growing.

Living things may also change in appearance.

Name one organism without one of these seven characteristics

NONE!!!!!

Anything without one of these six characteristics is

nonliving.