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)