Characteristics and Classification of Life

Characteristics of Life

• Life is organized in a hierarchy, with cells as the smallest unit.
• Organisms need materials and energy to maintain organization.
• Life reproduces and develops, creating similar organisms.
• Living things respond to their environment.
• Maintaining internal balance (homeostasis) is crucial for life.
• Living things adapt over time through evolution.

Classification of Life

• Taxonomy groups and organizes organisms.
• Systematics studies evolutionary relationships between species.
• Life is divided into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
• Eukarya includes four kingdoms: protists, fungi, plants, and animals.
• Organisms have specific names; genus followed by species (e.g., Homo sapiens).
• Additional categories exist (phylum, class, order, family, genus, species).

The Scientific Method

• Science involves an objective approach to understanding the natural world.
• Scientists use a standard process (scientific method).
• Observations are crucial for understanding phenomena.
• A hypothesis explains the observed phenomenon.
• Predictions and experiments are used to test hypotheses
• Data is collected and analyzed using statistics.
• Scientific theories are accepted explanations.
• Variables must be controlled during experiments.

Science and Society

• Technology applies scientific knowledge to human needs.
• Science is the basis for technology.
• Climate change is an example of global concerns based on scientific investigation.
• Biodiversity loss and habitat destruction are results of human activity.
• Emerging and reemerging diseases are significant health issues, impacting globally.