The document discusses the difference between biotic and abiotic factors. It provides definitions for biotic as "of or related to life/living things" and examples like humans, birds, and plants. Abiotic is defined as the nonliving part of the environment with examples like water, temperature, rocks, and soil. Students then brainstorm characteristics of life and identify specimens as biotic or abiotic. The key characteristics of life identified are: sensing and responding to change, reproduction, using energy, growth and development, and being made of one or more cells containing DNA.

1. Mind Stretcher (copy table & complete)
**You may use the textbook!
Key Term Definition Example
Biotic
Abiotic
“Of or related to
life/living things”
Humans, bird,
grass, dead plant
Nonliving part of
the environment
Water, temperature,
rocks, soil, sunlight,
fire

2. Characteristics of Life
What are the characteristics of life? How can you tell
the difference between living things and non-living
things? With your group table, BRAINSTORM 5
characteristics of living things and WRITE them on
your WHITEBOARD!
vs

3. Biotic or Abiotic?
• Rotate around the room silently and
observe the 10 specimens.
• Write the specimen name then circle
whether you think they are biotic or
abiotic.
• Leave 3rd column blank for now…

4. Biotic or Abiotic Lab-
(List of specimens)
1. Flame
2. Plant
3. Scorpion
4. Tree Trunk
5. Rock
6. Corn
7. Shells
8. H2O
9. Salt
10. Beans

5. Biotic or Abiotic Lab
(with answers!)
1. Flame
2. Plant
3. Scorpion
4. Tree Trunk
5. Rock
6. Corn
7. Shells
8. H2O
9. Salt
10. Beans
Abiotic
Abiotic
Abiotic
Abiotic
Biotic
Biotic
Biotic
Biotic
Biotic
Biotic

6. 5 Characteristics of Life
1. Living things sense and respond to
change.
2. Living things reproduce.
3. Living things use energy.
4. Living things grow and develop.
5. Living things are made of one or
more cells and contain DNA.

7. THE BIOLOGY SONG…
Listen and read along with the lyrics…are
there any “characteristics” that are incorrect?

8. NEXT STEP:
 Flip your paper over and complete the back
side
 Use colored pencils to draw examples for
each abiotic factor on the bottom half