Biology: Characteristics of Life

Life is a characteristic that distinguishes living organisms from non-living things
It is a complex and dynamic process that involves various biochemical and physiological functions

Organization: Living things are composed of cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life
Metabolism: Living things carry out chemical reactions that allow them to grow, maintain themselves, and respond to stimuli
Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment
Growth and Development: Living things grow, develop, and reproduce
Response to Stimuli: Living things respond to stimuli, such as light, temperature, and touch
Evolution: Living things evolve over time through the process of natural selection
Adaptation: Living things adapt to their environment through changes in their structure, function, or behavior

Prokaryotes: Simple, single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus (e.g. bacteria)
Eukaryotes: Complex, multi-celled organisms that have a true nucleus (e.g. plants, animals, fungi)
Autotrophs: Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis (e.g. plants, algae)
Heterotrophs: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter (e.g. animals, fungi)

Photosynthesis: The process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy
Respiration: The process by which cells generate energy from glucose
Nutrition: The process by which organisms obtain and utilize nutrients
Transportation: The process by which cells and organisms move materials and substances
Excretion: The process by which organisms remove waste products

Primordial Soup Hypothesis: The theory that life arose from a mixture of organic compounds in the early Earth's oceans
RNA World Hypothesis: The theory that life began with RNA molecules that could replicate and evolve

Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Ecosystems: Communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment
Biodiversity: The variety of different species, ecosystems, and genes within an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole

Life distinguishes living organisms from non-living things through a complex and dynamic process involving biochemical and physiological functions
Organization: Living things are composed of cells, the basic structural and functional units of life
Metabolism: Living things perform chemical reactions for growth, maintenance, and response to stimuli
Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes
Growth and Development: Living things grow, develop, and reproduce
Response to Stimuli: Living things respond to stimuli like light, temperature, and touch
Evolution: Living things evolve over time through natural selection
Adaptation: Living things adapt to their environment through structural, functional, or behavioral changes

Prokaryotes: Simple, single-celled organisms lacking a true nucleus (e.g., bacteria)
Eukaryotes: Complex, multi-celled organisms with a true nucleus (e.g., plants, animals, fungi)
Autotrophs: Organisms producing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis (e.g., plants, algae)
Heterotrophs: Organisms obtaining energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter (e.g., animals, fungi)

Photosynthesis: Plants and some organisms convert light energy into chemical energy
Respiration: Cells generate energy from glucose
Nutrition: Organisms obtain and utilize nutrients
Transportation: Cells and organisms move materials and substances
Excretion: Organisms remove waste products

Primordial Soup Hypothesis: Life arose from a mixture of organic compounds in early Earth's oceans
RNA World Hypothesis: Life began with RNA molecules that could replicate and evolve

Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Ecosystems: Communities of organisms interacting with each other and their environment
Biodiversity: The variety of species, ecosystems, and genes within an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole