Properties of Life What IS Zoology? Zoology – study of animals Diversity Organization Properties of Life 1. Chemical Uniqueness ◦ Macromolecules Nucleic Acids Proteins Carbohydrates Lipids Properties of life 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 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 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 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