Characteristics of Life

Maintain Homeostasis

the regulation of an organism’s internal environment which

maintains appropriate conditions for cellular function.

Grow and Develop

In unicellular organisms the individual cell becomes larger.

○ Multicellular organisms increase the number of cells they have by

the processes of cell division and differentiation.

● Living organisms must also develop; this is different from growth in

terms of physical development.

○ Example: a tadpole develops into a fr

Reproduce

Living organisms reproduce to create new organisms

Living organisms reproduce to create new organisms

○ Asexual reproduction: when there is only one parent organism, which

creates an identical replica of itself.

○ Sexual reproduction:

responds to stimuli.

If an organism is living it will respond to environmental changes or

stimuli.

Adapt to their Environment/Evolve over Time

Living organisms adapt through inherited traits that enhance survival in their environment.

Have a Genetic Code/DNA

Living organisms carry their genetic information in the form of DNA