Characteristics of Living Organisms

Study Notes

Organization: Living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life.
Metabolism: Living organisms carry out a series of chemical reactions that involve the conversion of energy and nutrients into the components that make up living cells.
Homeostasis: Living organisms maintain a constant internal environment despite changes in the external environment.
Growth and Development: Living organisms grow, develop, and reproduce, which allows them to adapt to their environment and respond to changes.
Response to Stimuli: Living organisms respond to internal and external stimuli, such as light, temperature, and touch.
Evolution: Living organisms evolve over time through the process of natural selection, genetic drift, and other mechanisms.

Prokaryotes: Single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus, such as bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotes: Organisms with cells that have a true nucleus, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
Multicellular Organisms: Organisms composed of multiple cells that work together to form tissues, organs, and systems.

Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of life.
Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.
Organ: A structure composed of two or more types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.
Organ System: A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
Organism: A living individual, such as an animal, plant, or fungus.

Symbiotic Relationships: Close and often long-term relationships between different species, such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Predation: The process by which one organism captures and consumes another organism.
Competition: The struggle between organisms for limited resources, such as food, water, and space.
Cooperation: The process by which organisms work together to achieve a common goal.

Living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life.
They carry out a series of chemical reactions involving the conversion of energy and nutrients into the components that make up living cells.
They maintain a constant internal environment despite changes in the external environment through homeostasis.
They grow, develop, and reproduce, allowing them to adapt to their environment and respond to changes.
They respond to internal and external stimuli, such as light, temperature, and touch.
They evolve over time through the process of natural selection, genetic drift, and other mechanisms.

Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus, such as bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotes are organisms with cells that have a true nucleus, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
Multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells that work together to form tissues, organs, and systems.

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
Tissues are groups of similar cells that perform a specific function.
Organs are structures composed of two or more types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.
Organ systems are groups of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
Organisms are living individuals, such as animals, plants, or fungi.

Symbiotic relationships involve close and often long-term relationships between different species, such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Predation is the process by which one organism captures and consumes another organism.
Competition occurs when organisms struggle for limited resources, such as food, water, and space.
Cooperation involves organisms working together to achieve a common goal.