8 characteristics of all living things

Made of cells

1. A characteristic of life that all living things are made of one or more cells.

2. A cell is the smallest unit of an organism that is alive

Reproduction

A characteristic of life that all living things reproduce either asexually (with one parent) or sexually (two parents)

DNA

1. A characteristic of life that all living things have DNA.

2. All living things contain DNA, a molecule that stores genetic info

Use Energy

1. All living things obtain and use materials and energy

2. Organisms use energy to function, grow, develop, and reproduce

3. *Autotrophs*: produce their own energy

4. *Heterotrophs*: cannot produce their own energy and must eat autotrophs to obtain energy

Maintains a stable internal environment

1. Organisms keep their internal conditions the same even if their surroundings change

2. The process of keeping things constant is called *homeostasis*

Sense and Respond to Change

1. A characteristic of life that all living things can respond and detect a change in their environment.

2. A *stimulus* is a signal to which the organism responds

Grow and Develop

1. A characteristic of life that all living things go through stages during life and develop.

2. Cells divide, increasing in number and size

3. *Differentiation*: as cells divide, they become different in order to perform different functions

Evolve

1. Taken as a group, living things evolve

2. *Evolve*: to change over a period of time