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Characteristics of Life
Directions: Answer the questions provided as you read and highlight key concepts throughout the article.

Biology is defined as the study of life. . . but what makes something 1. Atoms are the smallest unit
alive? Is it the ability to move? Having a heartbeat? Breathing? These into which matter can be
are all qualities that you possess and you are definitely alive. But what divided. They can be joined
together to form molecules,
about plants? Plants can’t get up and move across the room as you which in turn form most of
can. . . they don’t have a heartbeat. . . but plants are also alive. the objects around you. In
Biologists have focused on this tricky question and assembled a list of what ways are cells similar
various traits common to all living organisms. Some non-living things may possess some to atoms?
of these characteristics, however, only living organisms will show ALL of them. These are
the 8 characteristics of life!
Atoms make up
objects whereas cells
All living things are made of cells​. Cells are the most basic unit of life. make up living
The simplest living organisms are unicellular, made of only one cell. All organisms
bacteria are unicellular and some fungi and protists fall into this
category as well. All other organisms, including you, are multicellular,
meaning they are made up of many cells. The human body is made up of
trillions of cells! In multicellular organisms, cells are often specialized for
specific jobs. For example, you have brain cells, skin cells, and muscle cells 2. Do you think it is more
advantageous to reproduce
each carrying out unique and specific jobs to keep your body running. asexually or sexually?
I think asexual
All living things can reproduce.​ Reproduction can
occur in two ways: sexually or asexually. Asexual
reproduction is more
reproduction requires only one parent and that parent advantageous from a
produces a nearly identical copy of themselves. All growing the population
bacteria reproduce asexually but you may be standpoint however there
surprised that some more complex organisms do this is less variation in the
too, such as worms, starfish, and strawberries! Sexual
population.
reproduction requires two cells (a sperm and an egg) from different parents to combine 3. How is DNA related to
and produce the first cell of a new organism. reproduction?

All living things grow and develop. ​Growth refers to an increase DNA carries genetic
in the size and shape of an organism. Development refers to an code which is
organism’s structures, functions, and abilities. For example, a dog
passed to offspring
starts as a small puppy and then grows into a larger dog, this is
growth. As your puppy grows in size it also learns to sit, run, or
during reproduction
fetch. This is cognitive and physiological development.

All living things are based on a

universal genetic code. D ​ eoxyribonucleic acid, commonly 4. The term ​metabolism
referred to as DNA, is the blueprint of life for all living things. Your comes from the Greek word
genetic information was inherited from your parents. Half of your metabolismos​ meaning
“change.” How is this
DNA comes from your mother and the other half from your meaning related to the
father. And one day you may pass your DNA on to your children. meaning of metabolism?

All living things obtain and use energy.​ Life depends on an

Metabolism refers to the
organism’s metabolism, the chemical reactions that make energy
sum of all chemical changes
available for cellular processes. Living organisms must take in within a living organism
energy from food, nutrients, or sunlight and transform it so that
new molecules can be built for an organism to do work, such as
grow and reproduce, maintain their structure, and respond to their
environment.

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 All living things respond to their surroundings. 5. You respond automatically
Organisms react to stimuli, a change in their internal or to many different stimuli,
external environment. Stimuli evoke a functional such as a car honking. Why
might a quick response to a
response by an organism. For example, if you touch a sound be important?
hot pan (stimulus) you react by pulling your hand away
very quickly (response). Interestingly, many people don’t
think plants move. However, plants experience
something called phototropism where they move to face
the sun throughout the day. Other plants, like the species
Mimosa pudica​, have an extreme response to touch and
immediately fold their leaves inward.

All living things maintain homeostasis.​ Homeostasis is the process by which organisms 6. In the reading, it discusses
homeostasis at the level of
maintain a relatively stable internal environment. The human body functions optimally at
an organism. Do you think
a body temperature of around 98.7°F. If you get too hot, homeostasis is necessary at
perhaps from working out, you begin to sweat. The the level of a single cell?
evaporation of sweat from your body helps to cool it down. Explain.
Conversely, if you get too cold you start to shiver. When you
shiver your muscles contract quickly which generates heat
to help warm your body. Both of these are common
examples where you can observe how your body maintains
homeostasis.

All living things evolve and adapt.​ To be clear, a single individual cannot evolve. You will
not become an entirely different organism within your lifetime. Evolution refers to 7. DNA evidence shows that
changes that take place over a period of time and involve an entire species. Evolution whales and hippos are
occurs within populations as organisms adapt to changes in their environments. closely related organisms.
Favorable adaptations will be passed on from parents to offspring and unfavorable traits How might evolution and
will disappear from the gene pool. adaptation account for the
similarities and differences
between them?

There are some living organisms that do not meet all 8

8. All organisms share certain
characteristics, yet they are undoubtedly living. Let us consider the characteristics. Circle the
“Mule Problem.” A mule is the offspring of a horse and a donkey characteristics that are
and is sterile because it is unable to reproduce. Although a mule shared by all living things
cannot produce offspring, it is still a living organism because it has and cross out the
self-sustaining actions meaning it will seek out food and behave in characteristics that are not.
self-preserving ways to stay alive. Needs sunlight

Made up of one or more cells

Some non-living organisms share some of the characteristics of
living things, like viruses. Viruses have their own genetic material, Needs energy
they can reproduce within a host, and they adapt and evolve.
Needs sleep
However, viruses are not made up of cells, they are unable to
reproduce on their own (without a host cell), and it is not clear that Can reproduce
they maintain homeostasis or have their own metabolism. Therefore,
Feels pain
in the scientific community, viruses are considered to be non-living
particles. In order to be considered living, an organism must possess Reacts to the environment
ALL eight characteristics of life. Has DNA

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