Characteristics of Life Exercise

Characteristics of Life

• Life exhibits ten key properties that define living organisms.

Properties of Life

• Order: Organisms exhibit complex organization and structural order.
• Cellular Structure: All living things are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life.
• Similar Chemical Compounds: Life relies on a consistent set of chemical elements that are recycled through decomposition, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, water, and nucleic acids.

Information of Cellular Structures

• DNA and Genes: Genetic information is encoded in DNA, leading to the production of proteins that carry out cellular functions.
• Mutations: Changes in DNA sequences can lead to variations in traits.
• Replication: DNA replication is essential for reproduction and passing genetic information to offspring.

Reproduction

• Types of Reproduction: Organisms can reproduce asexually or sexually, allowing genetic traits to be passed to the next generation.
• Evolutionary Adaptation: Reproduction and genetic transfer allow populations to adapt to environmental changes over time.

Life Cycle

• The life cycle of an organism typically includes birth, growth, and death.

Metabolism

• Biochemical Reactions: Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions within an organism necessary for survival, including energy production.
• Energy Requirement: Living organisms require energy to break down nutrients and synthesize essential molecules.

Homeostasis

• Stable Internal Conditions: Homeostasis refers to maintaining a stable internal environment, such as temperature and pH levels.
• Examples: Thermoregulation is a key process to ensure stability despite external changes.

Response to Stimuli

• Living organisms can respond to environmental stimuli, allowing them to adapt and survive.

Evolution

• Genetic Mutations: Mutations create new alleles that lead to variations in organisms, driving the evolutionary process.

Viruses and Life

• Viruses are not classified as living beings because they lack cellular structure, cannot reproduce independently, and do not carry out metabolic processes. They require a host cell to replicate and do not exhibit homeostasis.