All living things share some basic properties.

üCellular Organization
üReproduction
üMetabolism (Obtain and Use Energy)
üHomeostasis
üHeredity
üResponsiveness
üGrowth and Development
üAdapt Through Evolution
ü

Smallest unit capable of all life functions

Unicellular Organisms
üEntire organism is made up of one single cell
üBacteria and protists
Multicellular Organisms
üThe organism is made up of many
cells
üCells have specialized functions
within the organism
ü

Reproduction is the process of producing new

organisms of the same type

Asexual Reproduction
üA single parent organism reproducing by itself
Sexual Reproduction
üTwo different parent organisms contribute genetic
information
üInvolves the combination of male and female sex
cells
ü

Living organisms need energy to

grow, develop, repair damage, and
reproduce
 Anabolism
The process of building up complex substances
from simpler substances
ü Building up cells and cellular components
ü Photosynthesis
 Catabolism
The process of breaking down complex
substances into simpler substances to release
energy
ü Digestion

ü Cellular Respiration
ü
Metabolism
The total of all chemical reactions in an
organism
ü Anabolism + Catabolism = Metabolism
ü

A stable state of conditions in the body that

are necessary for life

üBody temperature
üBlood volume
üpH balance
üWater balance
ü

Genes carry hereditary information

Genes are composed of DNA
Heredity is the reason children resemble their parents

Mutations change
DNA code and can be
passed from
generation to
generation
ü

An example is a plant’s
Organisms react to stimuli: leaves and stems growing
üLight toward light

üTemperature
üOdor
üSound
üGravity
üHeat
üWater
üPressure
ü

Growth means to get bigger in size

ü

Development involves a change in the

physical form or physiological make-up of
an organism
ü

Adaptation
üA process that enables
organisms to become better
suited to their environment
ü Species obtain adaptations
through evolution over great
periods of time
 An Example of Adaptation

Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and

stems to store water and reduce water loss