Characteristics of life

2. Today’s objective:
Describe how unifying themes (e.g.,
structure and function, evolution, and
ecosystems) in the study of life show
the connections among living things
and how they interact with each other
and with their environment

3. All living things share some basic properties.
Cellular Organization
Reproduction
Metabolism (Obtain and Use Energy)
Homeostasis
Heredity
Responsiveness
Growth and Development
Adapt Through Evolution

5. Unicellular Organisms
Entire organism is made up of one single cell
Bacteria and protists
Smallest unit capable of all life functions

6. Multicellular Organisms
The organism is made up of many
cells
Cells have specialized functions
within the organism

8. Reproduction is the process of producing new
organisms of the same type
Asexual Reproduction
A single parent organism reproducing by itself

9. Sexual Reproduction
Two different parent organisms contribute genetic
information
Involves the combination of male and female sex
cells

11. Living organisms need energy to
grow, develop, repair damage, and
reproduce

12. Anabolism
The process of building up complex substances
from simpler substances
 Building up cells and cellular components
 Photosynthesis

13. Catabolism
The process of breaking down complex
substances into simpler substances to release
energy
 Digestion
 Cellular Respiration

14. Metabolism
The total of all chemical reactions in an
organism
 Anabolism + Catabolism = Metabolism

16. A stable state of conditions in the body that
are necessary for life
Body temperature
Blood volume
pH balance
Water balance

18. 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

20. Organisms react to stimuli:
Light
Temperature
Odor
Sound
Gravity
Heat
Water
Pressure
An example is a plant’s
leaves and stems growing
toward light

22. Growth means to get bigger in size

24. Development involves a change in the
physical form or physiological make-up of
an organism

26. Adaptation
A process that enables
organisms to become better
suited to their environment
 Species obtain adaptations
through evolution over great
periods of time

27. An Example of Adaptation
Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and
stems to store water and reduce water loss

28. END OF SLIDES FOR
CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE

29. Objectives
• explain how cells carry out functions required for life
(Parts and function of the cell: mitochondria,
transcription and translation)
• explain how photosynthetic organisms use light energy
to combine carbon dioxide and water to form energy-
rich compounds (Chloroplasts & photosynthesis)
• trace the energy flow from the environment to the cells
(Food chain and energy pyramid)
• describe how organisms obtain and utilize energy
(metabolism)
• recognize that organisms require energy to carry out
functions required for life (processes in the body)

30. Parts and Functions of the cell

31. Cell Structure
& Function
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html

32. Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of cells.
• Cells are the smallest working units of all
living things.
• All cells come from preexisting cells
through cell division.

33. Definition of Cell
A cell is the smallest unit that is
capable of performing life functions.

34. Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus
Plant Stem
Red Blood Cell
Nerve Cell
Bacteria

35. Two Types of Cells
•Prokaryotic
•Eukaryotic

36. Prokaryotic
• Do not have
structures surrounded
by membranes
• Few internal
structures
• One-celled
organisms, Bacteria
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/prokaryotic_cells.html

37. Eukaryotic
• Contain organelles surrounded by membranes
• Most living organisms
Plant Animal
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/eukaryotic_cells.html

38. “Typical” Animal Cell
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif

39. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
“Typical” Plant Cell

40. Cell Parts
Organelles

41. Surrounding the Cell

42. Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls movement in
and out of the cell
• Double layer
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

43. Cell Wall
• Most commonly found
in plant cells & bacteria
• Supports & protects
cells
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

44. Inside the Cell

45. Nucleus
• Directs cell activities
• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear
membrane
• Contains genetic material - DNA

46. Nuclear Membrane
• Surrounds nucleus
• Made of two layers
• Openings allow material
to enter and leave
nucleus
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

47. Chromosomes
• In nucleus
• Made of DNA
• Contain instructions for
traits & characteristics
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

48. Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to build
proteins
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

49. Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• Contains hereditary material

50. Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Moves materials around in
cell
• Smooth type: lacks
ribosomes
• Rough type (pictured):
ribosomes embedded in
surface
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

51. Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on ribosomes &
floating throughout the
cell
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

52. Mitochondria
• Produces energy through
chemical reactions – breaking
down fats & carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and
other materials in cell
• Recycles and decomposes
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

53. Golgi Bodies
• Protein 'packaging
plant'
• Move materials within
the cell
• Move materials out of
the cell
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

54. Lysosome
• Digestive 'plant' for
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
• Transports undigested
material to cell membrane
for removal
• Cell breaks down if
lysosome explodes
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

55. Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound sacs
for storage, digestion,
and waste removal
• Contains water solution
• Help plants maintain
shape
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

56. Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant
cells
• Contains green
chlorophyll
• Where photosynthesis
takes place
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html