Characteristics of life

The Characteristics of Life

Fundamentals of life, Topic 2Prof. Vivian Alvarez

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índice

Reproduction

Organization

Irritability

Metabolism

Growth and development

Movement

Evolution

Homeostasis

1.

Organization

Organisms are highly organized, coordinated structures that consist of one or more cells.

Levels of Organization

Inside each cell, atoms make up molecules; these in turn make up cell organelles and other cellular inclusions. Similar cells form tissues. Tissues, in turn, collaborate to create organs. Organs work together to form organ systems.

2. Irritability

The ability of living beings to respond to physical and chemical stimuli that are presented in the environment in which they live.

Reproduction

3.

Perpetuation of the species, form new individuals. When reproduction occurs, genes containing DNA are passed along to an organism’s offspring.

4. Growth and development

The ability of living beings to increase the number and / or size of their cells, and to change due to the maturation and deterioration of their structures.

5. movement

In living beings there is mechanical displacement of some or all of its structures which can be internal or external.

6. metabolism

Processes that make possible for living beings to obtain, use and dispose matter and energy from the environment they live. Some organisms capture energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy in food (photosynthesis); others use chemical energy in molecules they take in as food (cellular respiration).

7. Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions. For example, an organism needs to regulate body temperature through a process known as thermoregulation.

8. Evolution

The ability of living beings to modify their structures or behaviors in order to adapt to the conditions of the environment in which they develop.

Adaptation

Is the biological mechanism by which organisms adjust to new environments or to changes in their current environment in order to survive.

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Levels of Organization

Levels of organization

The atom is the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter. It consists of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. A molecule is a chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds.

Levels of organization

Macromolecules are formed by polymerization. A polymer is a large molecule that is made by combining smaller units called monomers, which are simpler than macromolecules.

Levels of organization

Some cells contain aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes; these are called organelles. Organelles are small structures that exist within cells. Examples of organelles include mitochondria and chloroplasts. All living things are made of cells; the cell itself is the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Levels of organization

Levels of organization

Cells combine to make tissues, which are groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions. Organs are collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function.

Levels of organization

Levels of organization

An organ system is a higher level of organization that consists of functionally related organs. For instance, the circulatory system transports blood through the body and to and from the lungs; it includes organs such as the heart and blood vessels. Organisms are individual living entities. For example, each tree in a forest is an organism.

Levels of Organization

Levels of organization

Levels of organization

All the individuals of a species living within a specific area are collectively called a population. A community is the sum of populations inhabiting a particular area.

Levels of organization

An ecosystem consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, non-living parts.

Levels of organization

The biosphere is the collection of all ecosystems, and it represents the zones of life on earth.

Levels of organization

Biologist have different research focus depending on the organization level.

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