Properties of Life

Biology

Study of living things or organisms

We define by…

examining what living things do

7 properties of life

1. Order

2. Reproduction

3. Growth and development

4. Response to the environment

5. Energy processing

6. Regulation

7. Evolutionary adaptation

Order

Symmetry

-Bilateral Symmetry (half)

- Radial (diagnal)

• Highly ordered

• Order can be found in smaller levels (hemoglobin)

Reproduction

make more of themselves

sexual reproduction

asexual reproduction (bacteria)

Growth and development

how organisms grow and develop is dependent on their DNA and environment

DNA is divided in genes

ex. butterflies have metamorphosis (not the same)

humans have complex development

Response to environment

organisms can sense and respond to their environment

ex. venus fly trap hairs closing when touched

ex. human bodies are hot, and sweat. cold means we shiver

when we shiver it keeps us warm through muscle contraction and releases energy and heat

Fun fact: New born babies have brown fat that produces heat, lose as we age

Energy Processing

Organisms take energy from one source and harness for their needs

ex. caterpillar is able to consume energy stored in molecules within the plant and convert into energy to grow

Regulation

Organisms can regulate their internal environment in spite of external environment

Homeostasis

ex. body temp

ex. dolphins internal bodily fluids are not as salty as the ocean

dolphins regulate salt level through urine

Evolutionary Adaptation

Organisms can become uniquely adapted to survive

ex. Canadian white-tailed deer are larger and carry more fat than those in SC

Snowflakes are…

not considered “living” even though they have order and can grow

Is a “putt returner” considered living if it responds to the environment and processes energy?

No not living

if something has order and can reproduce and adapt to the environment is it living

Cells

basic unit of all life

Organisms are

unicellular (1) or multi-cellular

All life contains

DNA

Viruses contain

order and DNA (RNA)

Viruses reproduce

1. Attach

2. Enters

3. Replicate

4. New cells

5. Release

They evolve to not harm the host, can change overtime

Diff varients (covid)

Are viruses living?

Most consider not living bc

• They cannot reproduce on their own (need host)

• They cannot regulate their internal environment

• They are not cells