Biology Chapter: Living vs Non-living Things

Classification of Entities

• Living things (biotic) demonstrate life and adaptability to their environment.
• Non-living things (abiotic) include resources that may be either finite or infinite.

Characteristics of Living Things

• Growth and Development

  • Growth refers to measurable increases in size, height, or weight.
  • Development is the process of gradual transformation, exemplified by a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly.
  • Mitosis facilitates cell duplication, supporting growth and tissue repair.

• Response to Stimuli

  • Living organisms exhibit the ability to react to changes in their environment, such as light, temperature, and sound.
  • Example: Plants orient themselves towards sunlight for optimal photosynthesis.

• Reproduction

  • Sexual reproduction involves two parents, resulting in genetically unique offspring through meiosis.
  • Asexual reproduction requires only one parent to create genetically identical offspring, utilizing methods like binary fission or budding.

• Metabolism

  • Encompasses all chemical reactions within cells.
  • Anabolic processes synthesize complex molecules (e.g., photosynthesis), while catabolic processes break down complex molecules (e.g., cellular respiration).

• DNA Presence

  • DNA serves as the hereditary material, essential for reproduction and the continuity of genetic traits across generations.

• Homeostasis

  • Refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment in organisms despite external fluctuations.
  • Example: Regulation of body temperature through mechanisms like shivering and sweating.

• Cellular Organization

  • Indicates the structure and arrangement of components within cells, impacting function.
  • Eukaryotic cells possess complex structures compared to prokaryotic cells.

Key Terms

• Biotic Factors: Living elements that influence ecosystems.
• Abiotic Factors: Non-living components, including water and minerals.
• Mitosis: The cellular division process responsible for growth and tissue repair.
• Meiosis: The method of cell division used for sexual reproduction.
• Homeostasis: The ability to maintain internal stability.

Examples of Living Characteristics

• Growth: Observable increase in a plant's height over time.
• Response: A flower blooming in reaction to sunlight exposure.
• Reproduction: Bacteria undergoing binary fission to multiply.
• Metabolism: Plants converting sunlight into glucose through photosynthesis.