Friday, September 7th

Bell Ringer• Explain how we know an

organism is alive.

Objective• SWBAT describe the

characteristics of living things and classify objects as living and non-living.

AGENDA

• Bell Ringer• Introduce characteristics of living and non-

living things• Take Cornell notes• Article reflection

What is Biology

What does biology have to do with me?

Biology is the study of life.

A key aspect of biology is simply learning about the different types of living things that surround you!

We could not do it alone!

• One of the general principals of biology is that living things do not exist in isolation. We are all dependent on each other. Remember the Lion King? We are all part of the circle of life!

Biologists Study The Diversity of Life

• Biologists study the way organisms interact. Since humans do not exist in isolation, it is important to study the life around us. This helps us to understand our place in the circle of life.

• Biologists study problems and propose solutions. Advances in medicine, and the preservation of endangered organisms are some ways that biologists help preserve the diversity on our planet.

Is it dead or alive??????

5 Characteristics of Living Things

• Living things are organized• Living things make more living

things (reproduce)• Living things change during

their lives• Living things adjust to their

surroundings• Living things adapt and evolve

1. Living things are organized

• All living things show an orderly structure, or organization.

• The living world is composed of cells that work together in an orderly, living system.

• Whether an organism is composed of one, or ten million cells, they are structured and organized to work together and help that organism carry out function to maintain its life.

2. Living Things Make More Living Things.

• All living things are capable of reproduction, or the ability to produce offspring.

• Since we do not live forever, we must reproduce for life to continue.

• Reproduction is not essential for the survival of an individual organism, but rather for the survival of the SPECIES (a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature)

3. Living Things Change During Their Lives

• A living thing must have the ability to grow.• Growth results in an increase in the amount of

living material and the formation of new structures. (Are you the same size today that you were the day you were born?)

• Even organisms that are unicellular (one cell) grow, although you may not notice the change.

• All the changes that take place in an organism during their life is known as DEVELOPMENT.

4. Living Things Adjust to Their Surroundings

• Organisms live in a constant interface with their surroundings or ENVIRONMENT.

• Anything in the environment that causes an organism to react is a STIMULUS.

• The reaction to the stimulus is known as a RESPONSE.• The ability of an organism to respond to a stimulus is

vital for that organisms survival.• Homeostasis: organism’s regulation of its internal

environment to maintain conditions suitable for survival.

5. Living Things Adapt and Evolve

• Any inherited structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to environmental factors and live to produce offspring is called an ADAPTATION.

• Adaptations are inherited from previous generations.• As the environment changes over generations, new

adaptations are formed and the organism passes these new adaptations down to their offspring to increase the rate of survival.