The Characteristics of Life,
Classification of Living Things,
Kingdoms
Part 1:
The Hierarchical Organization
of Living Things
Place these in order from largest to smallest
organelle
community
molecule
organ
organ system
cell
population
electron
organism
tissue
ecosystem
atom
biosphere
macromolecule
In order from largest to smallest
1. biosphere
8. tissue
2. ecosystem
9. cell
3. community
4. population
5. organism
10. organelle
11. macromolecule
12. molecule
6. organ system
13. atom
7. organ
14. electron
WHAT IS LIFE?
THE Question in Biology,
but one we rarely take the time to consider.
Why is this rock not alive?...
…But this Rock Fungus is alive?
COMMON Characteristics of Living Things
Movement
- ability to change the location of some
or all of its parts
Sensitivity
- ability to respond to stimuli
Development
- orderly, progressive change in form
(specialization)
Complexity
- contains a large number of organized
molecules & materials
Death
- ending of all processes, (or potential to perform
processes), characteristic to living things
Let’s try these characteristics out…
FIRE
- moves
- responds
- develops
- dies
- not very complex
COMPUTER
- responds
- dies
- complex
- can’t move (debatable)
- can’t develop on its own
(but can learn)
Thus these characteristics, although common to living things
they are also seen in many non-living things,
and thus are not enough to define life.
Rock - not alive
Rock Fungus - alive
- doesn’t move or respond
- mostly silicon oxides
thus simple
- doesn’t die
- moves some parts in response
to stimuli
- many different molecules,
thus complex
- can and does die
FUNDAMENTAL Characteristics of Life
Cellular Organization - organized assembly of molecules into
a functional unit (cells)
Metabolism
- ability to assimilate energy & materials
to grow & develop
Reproduction
- ability to create viable & fertile offspring
Heredity
- ability to pass on traits & characteristics
to offspring
Homeostasis
- ability to maintain a stable & functional
internal environment
For anything to be considered “alive” it must have
ALL the Fundamental characteristics & at least
SOME of the Common characteristics.
Rock Fungus - alive
Fire - not alive
- consumes material & grows
- can start new fires
- doesn’t pass on traits
- no cells
- no stable internal environment
- contains cells
- produces new fungi
- consumes material & grows
- passes on traits to offspring
- maintains internal environment
Credits:
Pictures & Graphics:
“General Mycology” University of Arizona. Online. Internet. April, 2002.
(ag.arizona.edu/classes/plp427L)
Greenspun, Philip “The Rollei 6008 Camera” Online. Internet. Novemeber, 2002.
(philip.greenspun.com/_photo/rollei-6008)
“WebElements” Online. Internet. November, 2002.
(www.webelements.com/webelements/ elements/text/Ba/key.html)