Characteristics of Living Things Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering biotic and abiotic factors, characteristics of living organisms, basic needs, cellular organization, autotrophs/heterotrophs, and types of reproduction.

Biotic

Anything living, once was living, or came from something living (for example: bird, dead bird, or bird poop).

Abiotic

Anything that never was alive (for example: rock).

Organism

Anything that can live on its own.

DNA

Genetic information contained in living things.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable internal environment (for example: shivering to warm up when you are cold).

Stimulus

Something that causes an organism to react.

Metabolism

The sum of all the energy an organism takes in and uses (Food eaten - energy used = metabolism).

DOSER G

A mnemonic device to remember the six characteristics of living organisms: DNA, Organized, Sense and respond, Energy, Reproduce, Grow and develop.

Four Basic Needs of an Organism

The essential requirements almost all organisms need to survive: food/nutrients, water, gas (like oxygen), and a place/space to live (shelter).

Cells

Very small structures that contain all of the material necessary for life; the cells of most organisms are made up of approximately $70\%$ water.

Unicellular

Organisms that are composed of only one cell, such as a paramecium or amoeba. They grow by getting larger, reproduce asexually, and do not have cells that perform specific functions.

Multicellular

Organisms that are composed of more than one cell, reproduce sexually, and grow by producing more cells.

Autotrophs or Producers

Organisms like plants that can make their own food by using the Sun for photosynthesis to make sugar/food.

Heterotrophs or Consumers

Organisms like animals that must take in food to get their energy (for example: eating grass or other animals).

Order of Organization for Living Things

The structural hierarchy of multicellular life: Cells -> Tissues -> Organ -> Organ System -> Organism.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving $1$ parent, resulting in offspring that are identical to the parent (examples: bacteria, amoeba, body cells).

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving $2$ parents, resulting in offspring that are not identical (examples: humans, dogs, plants).

Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction

Comparison showing that asexual reproduction involves $1$ parent with identical offspring, sexual reproduction involves $2$ parents with non-identical offspring, and both produce offspring critical for the survival of the species.