Topic 3: Characteristics of Living Organisms and Viruses

All Characteristics of Life

1. made of cells

2. reproduction

3. genetic code

4. uses energy

5. response to stimuli

6. homeostasis

7. adaptation/evolution

8. growth and development

What characteristics do viruses have?

Genetic code, response to stimuli, adaptation/evolution

What characteristics do viruses need a host to perform/cannot perform?

Made of cells, reproduction, using energy, homeostasis, growth and development

Homeostatic

When something is internally the same

Heterotroph

Gets energy by consuming other living things

Autotroph

Makes its own energy, often through photosynthesis

Mutation

A random change in a genetic property

Feedback loop

When mechanisms are activated to get an organism back to homeostatic

Prokaryote

Does not possess a nucleus to hold DNA

Eukaryote

Contains DNA in a nucleus and has membrane-bound organelles

Colonial

Contains groups of cells that act as individuals

Intron

A part of DNA that is not used to code proteins, generally found in complex living things