What Makes Something

Alive?

The 8 characteristics of living things

1. Cells

   All living things contain cells Organisms can be:  Unicellular – 1 cell  Multicellular – many cells Living things are highly organized:  Cells  Tissue  Organ system  Organ  Organism

2. Reproduction

  All living things can reproduce to make more of their species Two types of reproduction:  Sexual reproduction – 2 parents  Asexual reproduction – 1 parent

3. DNA

  All living things contain genetic material that they pass on to their offspring This is why children often look like their parents!

4. Growth

 All living things grow and develop throughout their life

5. Energy

  All living things need energy in order to survive Two ways to get energy:  Plants make it themselves (autotrophic)  Animals get it from the food they eat (heterotrophic)

6. Response to Environment/Stimuli

   Living things respond to changes in their environment Unlike adaptations, these changes are immediate and take place in an individual organism Examples:  Blinking, flinching  Plants growing towards sunlight

7. Homeostasis

  Living things must maintain an internal balance in order to survive Some examples are:  Shivering to heat up  Increasing heart rate when running  Thirst response when dehydrated

8. Adaptation to Change

    Living things change over time This usually takes many generations Adaptations take place in groups of organisms, not individuals Examples:  Plants that are adapted to live in the desert  Drug resistant bacteria