8/20/13

There will be a short quiz this Friday on the seven properties of life, this is what you need to know

 

Chpt.1-4: Properties of Life Notes

 

What is biology?

Biology is…………………

 

The study of life

 

There are many branches of biology that scientists study because life is so diverse!

 

 

Properties of Life

1. CELLULAR ORGANIZATION

Living things are made up of units called cells

The basic structure of cells is the same in all organisms

Examples: People, plants, animals

 

2. HOMEOSTASIS

 Living things maintain a stable internal environment. A stable internal environment is needed or organisms to function.

 

3. METABOLISM

Living things obtain and use materials and energy.

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions carried out in an organism.

 

4. RESPONSIVENESS

Living things respond to their external environment

Example: Plants bend toward sunlight

 

5. REPRODUCTION

Living things reproduce. Reproduction is when organism make more of their own kind from one generation to the next.

 

6. HEREDITY

Heredity is the passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring.

This explains why children look like their parents

 

7. GROWTH

All living things grow and develop

As organisms grow, they change. This is called development.