1. Studying Life
 Biology is the study of living
things
– “Bio” – life; “ology” – study

2. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 Nonliving things share some
characteristics with living things, but not
all
 5 characteristics of living things
– Made up of cells
– Reproduce
– Based on genetic code
– Metabolism
– Homeostasis
 To be considered living, an object MUST
have ALL 5 characteristics

3. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 1. Made up of cells
– Smallest unit of life
– Enclosed by a barrier
that separates cell from
surroundings-membrane
– Bacteria: unicellular
– Humans: multicellular

4. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 2. Reproduction
– All organisms can produce new
organisms
– Passing on of genetic
information
– Two types of reproduction
 Sexual
 Asexual

5. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
Reproduction
 Sexual reproduction
– Two cells from different
parents unite to form
the 1st cell of the new
organism (egg and
sperm)
– Humans, dogs, apes

6. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
Reproduction
 Asexual reproduction
– New organism has only single
parent and buds off that
parent
– Hydra and plants

7. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 3. Based on genetic code
– DNA or RNA
– Changes (evolves) with time
– Housed in body cells/passed in sex
cells
– Sexual reproduction-offspring have
some traits from BOTH their
parents
– Asexual reproduction-offspring
have exact same traits as SINGLE
parent

8. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 4. Metabolism- process of building
up or breaking down materials
– i.e. bone growth and digestion
– Use energy and constant supply of
materials
– Produce waste products

9. Studying Life
Characteristics of Living Things
 5. Homeostasis- maintain
stable internal conditions--body
temp
– Can respond to the
environment
– Plant-leans to get light
– Animal-body temperature