2.1 - Characteristics of Living Things

Bio Chapter 2.1 Vocab EQ#1: What Characteristics are Shared by All Living Things?

Cellularity

• all living organisms are made of 1 or more cells

• viruses CANNOT

Metabolism

• life-sustaining chemical reactions that occur w/in living organisms

  • predominantly those that acquire materials + store/ release chemical energy to do cellular work

• ex:

  • photosynthesis (plants)

  • cellular respiration (done by ALL LIVING THINGS: → energy)

• viruses CANNOT

Homeostasis

• maintenance of range of internal conditions needed by an organism to survive in a stable/ changing environment

• ex:

  • regulate temperature by panting/ sweating

  • drinking water

• viruses CANNOT

Sensation + Response

• living things can detect what’s happening in their environment + change in response to it

• ex:

  • plant stems curve towards sun

• viruses CAN

Growth + Reproduction

• living things are able to get bigger → their cells reproduce by dividing → can make offspring

• viruses CAN (sneak in + make your cells do it)

Heredity

• transmission of characteristics from one generation to next

  • help “next copy” survive w/ adaptations

  • type matters: if smth varies in a special means it didn’t help them much

Evolution

• change in heritable characteristics of a population over time

  • as compared to organismal change

• ex:

  • could grow 3 more arms through evolution but not immediately