Characteristics of Life Notes
G- Grow and Develop
O- Organized
R- Respond to the environment
A- Adapt and Evolve
C- Made up of Cells
E- Obtain and Use Energy
R- Reproduce
Growth and Development
- Increase in mass
- Development of abilities
- Example: A bullfrog tadpole develops and grows in to an adult bullfrog
Organization
- Arranged in an orderly way
- Begins with atoms, which make up molecules
- Each structure has a function
- Example: An ostrich’s long strong legs helps it stride through the desert and
defend itself in a fight
Respond to the environment/stimuli
- Reactions= reactions to internal and external stimuli
- Interacts with its environment
- Examples= Cheetah chases a gazelle (internal stimulus), gazelle runs away from
the cheetah (external stimulus)
Adapt and Evolve
- Adaptation= inherited changes over time that helps the species survive
- Example= A cactus has adapted to live in the desert (waxy coating to keep in
water)
Made up of Cells
- All organisms are made up of one or more cells
- Cell = Basic unit of life
- Example= Animal cell
Obtain and Use Energy
- Energy is required for all living processes
- Metabolism= chemical reactions to build up and break down materials
- Example= Digesting food
Reproduction
- Produce offspring
- Pass on genetic information
- Example= Lion and her cubs