Biology: The Study of LIFE
What is life?
Characteristic
Nutrition
Metabolism
Growth
Response
Excretion
Homeostasis
Reproduction
Characteristic
Nutrition
Metabolism
Growth
Response
Excretion
Definition
Taking in raw materials needed for growth, repair, reproduction and other
functions of life. Raw materials may include organic molecules (like sugar) and
inorganic molecules and minerals (like carbon dioxide and iron).
The web of all the enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions in an organism or cell.
These reactions involve energy and can build up or break down molecules.
A greater rate of “building” reactions (anabolism) than “break down” reactions
(catabolism), leading to an increase in size of some or all parts. More than just
accumulation of matter.
A change in an organism due to a stimulus. (A stimulus is a change that can be
detected in the organism’s internal or external environment).
Removal of waste products created by metabolism and other functions of life.
Waste products may include organic molecules (like uric acid) or inorganic
molecules and minerals (like carbon dioxide and calcium).
Regulation of variables in the internal environment within a narrow range, often
different from the external surroundings. Examples include regulation of body
temperature in humans and concentration of salt in the cytoplasm of cells.
The creation of an independent new organism sharing characteristics with the
parent(s). In both sexual (2 parent) and asexual (1 parent) reproduction,
characteristics are inherited by offspring in DNA (the genetic material).
Virus
No independent
nutrition. Host’s
amino acids and
nucleotides used in
building viral
copies.
No independent
metabolism. Host’s
ATP used to drive
reactions, copy
genes, and build
protein shells.
No. Viruses are
assembled at full
size.
No independent
response. Some
viruses have
reactions triggered
by contact with
host.
No. Any excretion
would be by host.
Possible Organism
Fire
Paramecium
Uses organic
Yes, heterotrophic.
molecules – carbs
oral groove to
(wood), lipids (oil), draw bacteria /
etc.
other small cells
into a food vacuole.
Provides organic
and inorganic
nutrients.
Combustion of
Yes, food in
organics, same
vacuole digested,
formula as cellular provides energy
respiration.
for growth, power
contractile vacuole,
making molecules,
etc.
Yes, fire size can
Yes, smaller after
grow or shrink
division, grow w/
depending on
food / metabolism
nutrition available.
Not directly, but
Yes, moves via cilia
different materials and spirals
etc. will cause the
through the water
fire to burn at a
about 12 body
different color or
lengths per second
temperature.
Wastes, such as
Yes, for example
CO2, are given off.
food bits left in
Chlorella
Yes, autotrophic.
Dissolved carbon
dioxide and water
used as well as
minerals and other
molecules.
Yes,
photosynthesis in
chloroplasts
provides fuel for
growth, repair, and
other life functions.
Yes. Chlorella can
be 2-10 um. They
grow larger until
cell division.
Yes, for example
during times of
nutritional stress
genes for storing
extra lipids will be
activated.
Yes, for example an
excess of Zinc will
lysosome / food
vacuoles removed
by exocytosis.
The temperature
inside the fire is
maintained to
some extent.
Homeostasis
Reproduction
Living?
Yes. Process is
completely
dependent on host.
New virus particles
are genetically
identical, except in
cases of mutation,
to the original
virus.
NO (?)
Possibly. A bit of
burning grass
carried on the
wind can spark
more fires.
However, the
characteristics of
the new fires
would be
determined only
by the materials at
that site. (no
heredity). The
new fires would
not resemble
“parent” fires.
NO
trigger the
production of Zinc
transport sites in
the membrane for
excretion (also
homeostasis and
response).
Yes. Water balance Yes, for example an
is managed by the excess of some
contractile vacuole, metal ions can be
etc.
pumped out or
isolated and stored
to maintain
homeostasis in the
cytoplasm.
Yes. Paramecia
Yes, asexual nonhave a complex life motile autospores.
cycle. Sexual - two
(large and small)
nuclei, leading to 8
offspring from
fusion of 2 parents
Asexual - binary
fission
YES
YES