Characteristics of Living Things Notes Scientists estimate that there are

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Characteristics of Living Things Notes
Scientists estimate that there are 10 million different organisms found on our planet.
1. All LT are made of CELLs – contain living matter separated from the environment by a border

Basic (smallest) unit of a living thing
A chemical factory
Most cells are small, one can be an entire organism!
Cells are found in non-living matter only if it once was alive! EX – wood

Living Things USE ENERGY –

Energy is the ability to make things move or change
Living things get energy from their environment (plants-sunlight, animals-food)
Metabolism – a balance between energy production and energy use

Living Things REPRODUCE

Reproduction is a process by which organisms make more organisms like themselves

Living Things GROW and DEVELOP

All living things grow
Most organisms go through a cycle of change called development

Living Things RESPOND to the Environment

Stimulus – a change that occurs in the environment
Response – a reaction to a stimulus

Living Things ADAPT to the environment

An adaptation is a characteristic that enables an organism to live and reproduce successfully in its environment Beaver – tail for swimming, teeth for wood cutting, fur for warmth and protection, claws for protection