Properties of Life

Question 1

Organization

Answer 1

Living things are highly organized (meaning they contain specialized, coordinated parts) and are made up one one or more cells.

Question 2

Metabolism

Answer 2

Living things must use energy and consume nutrients to carry out the chemical reactions that sustain life. Metabolism is the sum total of those biochemical reactions occurring in an organism.

Question 3

Two Types of Metabolism

Answer 3

1. Anabolism - organisms make more complex molecules out of simpler ones. Anabolic processes typically consume energy.
2. Catabolism - organisms make simpler molecules out of more complex ones. Catabolic processes can make stored energy available.

Question 4

Homeostasis

Answer 4

Living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain the relatively narrow range of conditions needed for cell function.

i.e. sweating to maintain a safe body temperature.

Question 5

Growth

Answer 5

Living organisms undergo regulated growth. Individual cells may become larger in size, and multicellular organisms may accumulate many cells through cell division.

Question 6

Reproduction

Answer 6

Living organisms can reproduce themselves to create new organisms either asexually (by themselves) or sexually with a sperm and egg.

Question 7

Response

Answer 7

“Irritability” rating or how a living organism responds to stimuli or changes in their environment.

Question 8

Evolution

Answer 8

Populations of living organisms can undergo evolution, meaning the genetic make up of a population may change over time.