Organiism

Classification & Life

Organism – a living thing

Living – grows, uses energy, reproduces

Nonliving – does not grow or reproduce

Cell – smallest unit of life

Unicellular – one cell

Multicellular – many cells

Classification – grouping living things

Species – organisms that can have babies together

Adaptation – trait that helps survival

Evolution – change in species over time

🧬 Cells

Cell membrane – controls what enters/exits

Nucleus – control center of the cell

Cytoplasm – jelly that holds parts

Organelles – parts inside a cell

Cell wall – strong outer layer (plants)

Chloroplast – makes food using sunlight

Mitochondria – gives energy to the cell

🌿 Plants

Photosynthesis – plants make food using sunlight

Chlorophyll – green pigment that traps light

Roots – absorb water and hold plant

Stem – supports and transports

Leaves – make food

Vascular – has tubes for water/food

Nonvascular – no tubes

Pollination – pollen moves to make seeds

Germination – seed begins to grow

🐾 Animals

Vertebrate – has a backbone

Invertebrate – no backbone

Mammal – has hair, feeds milk

Bird – feathers, lays eggs

Reptile – scales, cold-blooded

Amphibian – lives on land & water

Fish – lives in water, has gills

Metamorphosis – big change in life cycle

Trait – characteristic of an organism

Instinct – born knowing how to do it

Learned behavior – taught or learned

🧍 Body Systems

Digestive system – breaks down food

Circulatory system – moves blood

Respiratory system – breathing/oxygen

Nervous system – controls body (brain/nerves)

Muscular system – helps movement

Skeletal system – bones and support

🌎 Ecosystems

Ecosystem – living + nonliving together

Habitat – where an organism lives

Niche – organism’s job/role

Population – same species group

Community – different species together

Food chain – energy path

Food web – many connected chains

Producer – makes own food (plants)

Consumer – eats others

Decomposer – breaks down dead things

Predator – hunts

Prey – gets hunted

Mutualism – both benefit

Commensalism – one benefits, one unaffected

Parasitism – one benefits, one harmed

🔄 Life Processes

Growth – increase in size

Development – changes over time

Reproduction – making offspring

Stimulus – something that causes a reaction

Response – reaction to stimulus

Homeostasis – keeping body stable

🧪 Heredity

Trait – inherited feature

Inherited trait – passed from parents

Acquired trait – learned or gained

Gene – instructions for traits

Offspring – babies/young

Variation – differences among organisms

🔥 Memory Tricks (quick!)

Plants = Producers = Photosynthesis

Mitochondria = “Mighty power” (energy)

Vertebrate = “V” = Vertebrae (spine)

Homeostasis = “Home = stable”