CHARACTERISTICS
OF LIFE
What makes something “living”??
What is Biology?
 The study of living
things (organisms)
The study of the
interactions of living
things
 bio = life
Ology = study of
What are the characteristics
of life?
There are 8 characteristics that all
living things have in common.
1. Living things are made up of
cells
Unicellular
Multicellular
 A cell is a collection of living
material enclosed within a barrier
 Cells are the basic unit of life
 Unicellular: made up of one cell
 Multicellular: made up of many
cells
Asexual
2. Living Things Reproduce
 produce offspring which
resemble parents
Sexual
 asexual reproduction: has only
one parent
 sexual reproduction: requires
two parents
3. Living Things are
based on a genetic
code.
 Inheritance of traits is
carried on through
DNA
4. Living things Grow and Develop
 GROWTH: increase in size & shape
 DEVELOPMENT: mature over time
 Living things have a lifespan
Growth
Development
5. Living Things Use &
Need Energy
 energy comes from food, used to
maintain body
 AUTOTROPH: produce own food
 HETEROTROPH: must consume food
 DECOMPOSER: breaks down dead
material for food
6. Living things respond to
their surroundings
 They react to a stimulus which
causes a reaction
 The reaction is called a response
7. Living things maintain a stable internal
environment

HOMEOSTASIS: internal balance
 Examples: sweating, panting, shivering, etc.
8. Living things Evolve
 Adapt to long-range changes in
environment to better survive in
their environment
 These changes take place over a
long period of time & involve the
entire species
Quiz 2: The following are all examples of the characteristics of life.
Identify each one.
A. Adapt
D. genetic code
G. Respond to stimulus
B. Made of cells
E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis
C. Reproduce
F. Use/need energy
1. You eat a hamburger for lunch.
2. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to recognize voices.
3. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the snow.
4. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the doctor’s office.
5. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside.
6. Red and white particles make up part of your blood.
7. A chick breaks out of an egg.
Quiz 2: The following are all examples of the characteristics of life.
Identify each one.
A. Adapt
D. genetic code
G. Respond to stimulus
B. Made of cells
E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis
C. Reproduce
F. Use/need energy
1. You eat a hamburger for lunch.
2. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to recognize voices.
3. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the snow.
4. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the doctor’s office.
5. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside.
6. Red and white particles make up part of your blood.
7. A chick breaks out of an egg.
Quiz 2: The following are all examples of the characteristics of life.
Identify each one.
A. Adapt
D. genetic code
G. Respond to stimulus
B. Made of cells
E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis
C. Reproduce
F. Use/need energy
1. You eat a hamburger for lunch.
2. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to recognize voices.
3. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the snow.
4. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the doctor’s office.
5. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside.
6. Red and white particles make up part of your blood.
7. A chick breaks out of an egg.
Quiz 2: The following are all examples of the characteristics of life.
Identify each one.
A. Adapt
D. genetic code
G. Respond to stimulus
B. Made of cells
E. Grow and develop H. Homeostasis
C. Reproduce
F. Use/need energy
1. You eat a hamburger for lunch.
2. A baby gains 3 pounds in one week and begins to recognize voices.
3. A polar bear has white fur to blend in with the snow.
4. Your start to cry whenever you get a shot at the doctor’s office.
5. You begin to shiver because it is cold outside.
6. Red and white particles make up part of your blood.
7. A chick breaks out of an egg.