8 Characteristics of Life

Question 1

Characteristic #1 - Cells

Answer 1

All living things are composed of one or more cells. Ex. The human body is made up of many cells.

Question 2

Characteristic #2 - Grow

Answer 2

Living things grow larger over time. Ex. Plants will grow larger over time if provided with enough sunlight and nutrients.

Question 3

Characteristic #3 - Reproduce

Answer 3

Living things reproduce, each individual has the ability to reproduce. Ex. Plants reproduce with seeds.

Question 4

Characteristic #4 - Respond to enviorment

Answer 4

Living things respond to the environment. Ex. A plant bending towards the sun or a dog drooling at the smell of food.

Question 5

Characteristic #5 - Metabolize

Answer 5

Living things metabolize, meaning they take in raw materials and convert them to waste. Ex. Humans eat food and convert it into waste.

Question 6

Characteristic #6 - Evolving

Answer 6

Living things evolve to their envoirment. Ex. Trees have started forming darker leaves, this allowing the leaves to absorb more sunlight.

Question 7

Characteristic #7 - Homeostasis

Answer 7

Living things maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is how living things maintain their internal envoirment, in relative to their external enviorment. Ex. Shivering when it is cold.

Question 8

Characteristic #8 - Molecules

Answer 8

Living things are made out of organic molecules. Ex. Protein, Lipids, Carbohydrates.

Question 9

What is the definition of Structure?

Answer 9

Structure is a thing with a certain form or arrangement.

Question 10

What is the definition of function

Answer 10

Function is a term used to describe the purpose of a structure and what it does.

Question 11

Why do animals have different structures to meet the same function?

Answer 11

Different organisms develop unique structures that perform the same function. This is because the developed structure has to fit in their specific environment and fit the needs of the organism.