Characteristics of Life

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Great Complexity and Organization

Living things are made of the same materials as everything else in the universe
Atoms are assembled into molecules

Living things are more organized , more complex

Living things require energy to carry out life processes

Atoms Molecules Organelles Cells Tissues Organs Organ Systems Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems Biosphere

Atoms

proton neutron

electron

hydrogen atom
1p, 0n, 1e-

helium atom
2p, 2n, 2e-

carbon atom
6p, 6n, 6e-

Some Elements

Simple Inorganic Molecules

Water (H2O)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Molecular Oxygen (O2)

Ammonium (NH3)

Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Biological Compounds
Categories:

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Proteins

Nucleic Acids

Combining the Organic Building Block Molecules

+ OH H
CH2OH

o
CH2OH

Glucose

Fructose

Glucose

Fructose

H2O

Sucrose

Macromolecules
(usually polymers)

Polysaccharides Proteins Nucleic Acids Fats

Cell Organelles

Cell

Tissues

Stomach Wall

Organ Systems

Organisms

Populations

Communities

Ecosystems

The Biosphere

carbon atom

DNA molecule

organelle

cell

tissue

biosphere ecosystem

organ

organ system community

population

organism

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Prokaryotic Cell

Eukaryotic Animal Cell

Eukaryotic Plant Cell

Classification: Six kingdom system

:
Eubacteria Archaebacteria

E. coli

Cyanobacteria

Protista
Paramecium Diatom Slime mold

Plantae

Fungi

Animalia

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Development

 Great Complexity & Organization

Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

The Characteristics of Living Things

DNA
Contains information for almost all cell activities

Mechanisms for Genetic Change

Genetic Recombination Mutation Chromosomal Aberration

Genetic Recombination

Mutation

Sickle cell

Normal RBC

Chromosomal Aberration
XYY DiGeorge Syndrome

Downs

Klinefelters syndrome

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Metabolism
The sum total of the chemical processes that occur in living organisms, resulting in growth, production of energy, elimination of waste material, etc.
Anabolism- build up of complex molecules Catabolism- break down of complex molecules

Cellular Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 6H2O + 6CO2 + energy

Photosynthesis
6H2O + 6CO2 + light C6H12O6 + 6O2

 Autotrophs
Organisms that get their energy by making their own food (like plants) Plants capture energy from the sun, use water and carbon dioxide to make sugars and starches

Heterotrophs
Organisms that take in food to meet their energy needs Animals must consume autotrophs (plants), and other heterotrophs to meet their energy needs

Homeostasis
Relatively stable internal environment

Homeostasis
All organisms must maintain a constant internal environment to function properly
Temperature pH Ions Water Hormones

Negative Feedback vs Positive Feedback

Negative Feedback
Body Temperature Regulation

Negative Feedback Blood Sugar Levels

Positive Feedback

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Interaction with the environment

Living things interact with each other and with the environment Ecology the study of these interactions
Hawaiian Monk seals eat fish Humans eat fish What if something happened to the fish?

The Characteristics of Living Things

Great Complexity & Organization
Composed of Cells Reproduction & Development Mechanism for Inheritance Metabolism & Homeostasis Interaction with the Environment Evolution (Adaptation)

Evolution
Change in the genetic composition of a population through time

Evolution
Inherited change in the characteristics of organisms over time Living things are slowly changing Process of natural selection results in change over time Organisms with favorable genes are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those favorable genes

Mechanisms Contributing to Evolutionary Change

Production of heritable variations Natural Selection Chance

Heredity
Transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring Instructions from parent to offspring are passed on in the form of genes

Heritable variations
Blood type

Dwarfism
Albinism

Adaptations
The structural, functional, and behavioral features that contribute to the success of a species.

Natural Selection
Peppered Moths: study in England 1800s More light than dark moths Industrial pollution turned trees dark Population shifted to mostly dark moths

Natural Selection

INQUIRY 1. In the equation for photosynthesis and respiration which is the organic molecule? 2. List 3 mechanisms for genetic change. 3. Why did the population of dark moths proliferate? 4. Define homeostasis. 5. Why is positive feedback not always beneficial for the body? 6. Which process produces genetic change: asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction? 7. Compare plant versus animal cell.