CP Biology
2013-2014
Name
KEY ____________
UNIT 1A: Characteristics of Living Things
*Biology: the scientific study of life
1.3 Studying Life
Nonliving things may share some features in common with
living things, but only living things show ALL of the
characteristics of life.
What characteristics do all living things have in common? There are 8
major characteristics presented in the "Visual Summary" on pages 18-19
of your textbook.
8 Characteristics of Life
1) ___are based on a universal genetic code_______
2) ___grow and develop________________________
3) ___respond to their environment______________
Living and nonliving things are alike because they are both
made of atoms and/or molecules
4) ___are made up of cells______________________
An organism is any one individual living thing. There is a
huge diversity of organisms on Earth. Note: At the end of
your book there is a comprehensive "Visual Guide to the
Diversity of Life" (p. DOL-1 to DOL-64).
6) ____obtain and use materials and energy_______
5) ____taken as a group, living things evolve______
7) ____maintain a stable internal environment______
8) ___reproduce_______________________________
Draw a picture of what you think
LIVING THINGS:
DNA looks like below
*1) are based on a genetic code
A molecule called DNA is used within the cell(s) of all living things
to store the complex information they need to live, grow and
reproduce. DNA is the genetic material of the cell which contains
codes for the building of proteins.
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
In this space you will draw a
picture of DNA that your
teacher shows you.
LIVING THINGS:
*2) grow and develop

What is the difference between growth and development?
Growth means getting larger;
Development means changing features.
(ex: butterfly life cycle; puberty)



To grow:
unicellular organisms will increase in _size_________
The degree of growth and development depends upon the
characteristics of the individual species AND the amount of
available energy.
multicellular organisms will increase in __size_______ AND
__the number of cells_________________________
The amount of growth and development can be limited by

how well an organism synthesizes and assimilates.
Definitions 
Synthesize:_making substances for its cells
Assimilate: using these substances for growth and/or
development
LIVING THINGS:
*3) respond to their environment
*Label each of these examples –
Put an "S" by the stimulus and an "R" by the response:
*Stimulus: a signal to which an organism responds
*Response: specific reaction to a stimulus
Stimuli and/or responses may be
internal (inside the body) or
external (outside the body).
a) When you touch something hot _S_ you pull your hand away _R_
b) A blowfish becomes larger and extends is spikes _R_ when it is
threatened by a predator _S_
c) The carbon dioxide level in your blood becomes too high _S_ so
your breathing rate increases _R_
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
LIVING THINGS:
 This is an __animal__ cell
*4) are made up of cells
Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things.
All cells come from other cells.
*cell: the basic unit of all forms of life
This  organism is a(n) __amoeba__
and is __unicellular_____
 unicellular: made up of only one cell
Unicellular organisms must accomplish all life activities
within one cell.
 This organism is a(n) __blowfish__
 multicellular: made up of more than one cell
In multicellular organisms, cells must work together to
accomplish the organism's life processes.
Cellular specialization takes place in complex, multicellular
organisms. Different types of cells perform specific functions as
parts of different tissues and organs. May give the cell a unique form
to fit its particular functions. This is due to expressing only certain
parts of the DNA code common to all the cells in that organism.
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
and is ___multicellular_____
LIVING THINGS:
*5) taken as a group, living things evolve
Organisms pass on traits (characteristics) from one generation to the
next by their DNA. Organisms can't generally choose or change their
characteristics - an organism’s traits are largely predetermined by
their DNA (though they may be influenced by their environment).
Examples of Types of Traits:
Physical: parts of the cells/body
Physiological: processes occurring within the cells/body
Behavioral: survival behaviors
How do new traits arise? Remember, traits are controlled by an
individual's genes.
In sexually reproducing species, variations arise from unique
combinations of the mother & father's genetic material. Variations
are differences in organisms.
In sexually & asexually reproducing species, variations can also arise
from random mutations which change the genetic material of a cell.
*Mutation: change in the genetic material of a cell
Certain variations may enhance an organism's ability to survive and
reproduce. These traits are referred to as adaptations.
List examples of the types of traits:
Physical: Polar bear’s fur, bird’s hollow bones, presence of a
backbone, teeth, claws, spine, body coloration, flippers vs. hands
Physiological: Photosynthesis, warm vs. cold blooded, seals
ability to hold their breath for a long time, production of toxins
for defense
Behavioral: Mating rituals,
avoiding predators,obtaining food,
migration
*Adaptation: heritable characteristic that increases an
organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in an
environment
The environment largely dictates what is an adaptation and what is
not. A trait may benefit survival in one environment and hinder
survival in another. (ex, think of a snowshoe hare trying to hide in a
NJ forest!)
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
How do populations change (evolve) over time?
A.
*Natural Selection: the process by which organisms
that are most suited to their environment survive and
B.
reproduce most successfully; also called survival of
the fittest.
Each time an organism reproduces, there is a chance that the DNA of
the offspring will lead to new and different traits which may enhance
their survival.

If the trait benefits the organism the organism is more ‘fit’ for
survival and reproduction of another generation of offspring.

The new trait may be passed on to the next generation of
offspring.

Eventually, if successful then this trait will be present in a
greater percentage of the population.

The group of organisms can be said to have adapted to their
environment.
As one adaptation follows another, eventually the species may
undergo subtle or even drastic changes. Over time, groups of
organisms can become different enough from one another that they
are considered new species.
*Evolution change over time; the process by which
C.
Discuss what is happening in the picture labeled “C” above AND
how does it relate to Natural Selection?
_Slide #1: original population of mice have dark and light color
variations. Slide #2: the environment (bird) selects against (eats)
the light mice and selects for (does not eat) the darker colored
modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms. mice. Slide #3: Over time, the mice population adapts to have a
greater percentage of darker color mice.________________
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
LIVING THINGS:
Living things must ___produce or obtain nutrients____
*6) obtain and use materials and energy
Materials and energy move between the living (biotic) and nonliving
(abiotic) parts of ecosystems. Materials (atoms, molecules) must be
recycled but energy is NOT - therefore a constant supply of energy
must enter every ecosystem (usually from the sun). Organisms must
be able to: a) produce or obtain nutrients; b) convert the nutrients
into usable forms of chemical energy (making ATP through cellular
respiration); and c) use these forms of energy to power their life
processes.
All living things fit into one of the following two categories, based on
A) how they produce or obtain nutrients:
There are various categories of consumers such as:
carnivores, herbivores,
omnivores,
decomposers
*heterotroph: organisms that obtains food by consuming
other living things; also called a consumer
Examples: all animals, fungi, various types microorganisms
(bacteria, protists)
*autotroph: organisms that are able to capture energy
from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its
own food from inorganic compounds; also called a
producer
Examples: all plants, various types of microorganisms
There are two different types of autotrophy:
1. Photosynthesis
2. Chemosynthesis
(bacteria, protists)
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
Photosynthesis: can be summarized by the following
chemical equation:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O  C6H12O6 + 6 O2
B) Organisms must convert the nutrients into usable forms of
chemical energy (making ATP through cellular respiration).
Cellular Respiration: process that releases energy by
breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the
What is the relationship between photosynthesis and
cellular respiration?
The products of one reaction become the reactants of the other
reaction. Photosynthesis is an energy-storing reactions; Cellular
respiration is an energy-releasing reaction.
presence of oxygen
Cellular respiration can be summarized by the following chemical
equation:
C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6 CO2 + 6 H2O
*****IMPORTANT*****
All organisms undergo
cellular respiration!
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
Important!
1. Do not confuse cellular respiration with the act of
breathing.
(Breathing is inhaling/exhaling – not all organisms do this!!! )
2. All living organisms (autotrophs and heterotrophs) must
undergo some type of cellular respiration to produce ATP.
C) Organisms will then use many forms of
energy to power their life processes. (forms of energy)
Organisms will then use these forms of energy to power their life
processes. Some examples include:
Digestion: breaking down food into forms which cells can use
Transport: moving materials around a cell or throughout an
organism
Movement: changing position of a body part or locomotion of an
entire organism
Others: growth, reproduction, excretion of wastes, respiration,
regulation of cellular activities, metabolism, etc. – in other words,
ALL LIFE PROCESSES!
*metabolism: the combination of ALL the chemical
reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks
down materials.
When metabolism stops, an organism cannot perform life functions
Special types of metabolic reactions help organisms obtain and use
energy from the environment to produce new compounds that
power life processes.
Life functions are based on chemical reactions!
which leads to death.
LIVING THINGS:
*7) maintain a stable internal environment
*Homeostasis: maintaining a relatively stable
internal environment.
Homeostasis is about trying to stay (relatively) the same
inside no matter what goes on outside.
Examples:
a) regulation of body
temperature:
when it's cold humans
shiver and when it's hot
we sweat so that we can
maintain our body
temperature around 98.6F.
b) regulation of blood sugar
levels
c) regulation of water
balance in blood
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
LIVING THINGS:
Label each picture as an example of sexual or asexual reproduction.
*8) reproduce
The process of reproduction ensures that DNA is passed from
parent(s) to offspring.
Reproduction is necessary for the survival of the species NOT the
individual.
Two types of Reproduction:
*Asexual: process of reproduction involving a
single parent that results in offspring that are
______Sexual Reproduction_______________
genetically identical to the parent
*Sexual: type of reproduction in which cells from
two parents unite to form the first cell of a new
organism
Either method of reproduction has the potential to be very
successful - depending on the species and its environment.
Some organisms can undergo both asexual and sexual
reproduction.
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have:
________Asexual Reproduction_____________
Use the following directions to complete the table below:
1) use the numbers 1 or 2
2) use the words low (little or none) or high
3) use the words stable/unchanging or unstable/changing
4) fill in with examples of organisms that reproduce asexually and sexually
1
2
3
4
# of parents
Degree of
genetic
variability of
offspring
Environment
that this type of
reproduction is
best suited for
Examples
Asexual Reproduction
1
Sexual Reproduction
2
Low (little or none)
High – parents and offspring are all slightly
different
stable/unchanging
Typical in: most unicellular organisms,
some fungi.
and some multicellular organisms like
hydra, jellyfish, some plants, artificially
cloned organisms
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have.
changing/unstable
Occurs in:
All animals and plants, some fungi and
microorganisms.
Taxonomy: the science of classification - which involves
grouping and naming organisms.
*Species: a group of similar organisms that can breed and
produce fertile offspring.
How do we group and name species?
Organisms are named using a system of
*Binomial Nomenclature: classification system in which
each species is assigned a two-part scientific name.
Each organism is placed into a series of hierarchical groups based on
characteristics and similarities shared with other members of that
group. Classification gives us a way to sort and group organisms for
easier study, as well as assign each its own scientific name.
The scientific name of an organism is often very different from the
organism’s common name.
Scientific Name: composed of an organism's genus and
1) What is the scientific name of the bactrian camel?
Camelus bactrianus
species names.
The genus is capitalized and the species is not. Put the words in
italics or underlined.
Ex) Red Oak tree - Quercus rubra
Modern humans? Homo sapiens
The more classification groups that two organisms share, the more
closely related they are.
2) Circle the pair of organisms that have more in common
from the choices below:
A: Bactrian Camel and Llama
B: Bactrian camel and Dromedary
C: Bactrian camel and Sea Star
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have.
5
4
< 1year
6 weeks
House Mouse, Hamster, Rat
Most Insects
Adult Honeybee Workers
10
Green Frog
Queen Bee, Gerbil
11
Tiger Salamander
8
15
Queen Ant, Chicken, Sheep
Hummingbird
22
Cow
25
24
Bat
Cobra
Deer
Toad
Why can’t organisms just live forever? Over time there is damage to
Tiger, Cat
28
35
36
(years
(years)
APPROX
LIFESPAN
Life Span: how long an organism lives
LIFESPAN
Let's discuss just one more feature that all living things have in
common... all living things must die.
Do NOT memorize this Organism Lifespan Chart!
ORGANISM
Recently, the science of classification has been undergoing a great
deal of change. The original scheme proposed back in the 1800’s by
Carolus Linnaeus included only 7 classification levels shown above
(KPCOFGS). Currently an additional grouping, called a “domain” is
more widely accepted as a level above (more general than)
“kingdom”. Biochemical evidence (i.e. DNA) has helped to continue
to revise and/or reinforce the classification groupings being used
today.
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have.
3,000-4,700 years
1,000-3,500
750
193
152
123
118
102
80
69
68
60
55
50
Redwood
Douglas Fir
Galapagos Tortoise
Giant Tortoise
Box Turtle
Turkey Buzzard
Swan
Parrot
Eleplant
Horned Owl
Catfish
Eagle
Horse
Earth has a limited supply of resources. When organisms die, the
materials in their cells are recycled back into the environment for use
by new generations of living things. Decomposers are essential to the
recycling of materials between the living & nonliving portions of
every ecosystem.
Bristlecone Pine
Organisms cannot always maintain homeostasis in all
environmental conditions. If an organism cannot continue its
metabolism and maintain homeostasis, its life will cease.
ORGANISM
and repair throughout the organism’s lifetime.
APPROX
the DNA and cells – things “wear out” despite constant maintenance
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have.
There is some debate over whether viruses are living or
nonliving. Most agree that they are nonliving because they
are unable to INDEPENDENTLY carry out all life
processes – they are particles made of DNA and other
organic chemicals that can replicate only by infecting living
cells.
Explain why someone would think that viruses are
considered living things based on the 8 characteristics of
life.
_______________________________________________________
__YES: contain DNA, can reproduce / replicate (within a host),
________respond to stimuli, and adapt and evolve.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
___NO: are not made up of cells, do not grow and develop,
_________do not maintain homeostasis___________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_____IF IT DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE ALL 8
CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE…IT IS NOT CONSIDERED
TO BE A LIVING THING!!!
Your personal notes, summary of the lesson, and/or questions that you may have.
Domains
Protists