Properties of Life
What IS Zoology?
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Zoology – study of animals
 Diversity
 Organization
Properties of Life

1. Chemical Uniqueness
◦ Macromolecules
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Nucleic Acids
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Properties of life
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2. Complexity and hierarchical
organization
◦ Cells Organism Population Species
◦ Emergence- appearance of new
characteristics.
Properties of Life

3. Reproduction
◦ Heredity- passing of traits from parents to
offspring
◦ Variation- the differences of traits of different
individuals
Properties of Life
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4. DNA
◦ A, T, C, G
◦ Genetic Code- the sequences of bases that
code for a specific trait.
 Consistent through all living forms
Properties of Life
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5. Metabolism
◦ Digestion
◦ Acquisition of energy
◦ Synthesis of molecules
◦ Metabolism is often used as an interaction of
destructive (catabolic) and constructive
(anabolic) reactions.
Properties of Life
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6. Development
◦ Fertilization  adult form
◦ Metamorphosis- transformation of one form
into another
Properties of Life

7. Environmental interaction
◦ Ecology- study of interactions that take place
between organisms and their environment
Properties of Life

8. Movement
◦ Reproduction and Growth
◦ Responses to Stimuli