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biology 09.06.18
what is life?
all living things must have the following:
an ordered & complex structure
the ability to reproduce (as a species)
the ability to grow and develop
the ability to process energy from food
the ability to regulate/react to an environment
evolutionary adaptation
living things must be able to produce offspring, and there are two methods of reproduction:
1. asexual — when one parent of an offspring reproduces individually. (advantage: process is
easier and more convenient due to the individuality. disadvantage: no genetic diversity in
offspring). Plants such as dandelions reproduce asexually.
2. sexual — when two parents produce an offspring through intercourse. (advantage: genetic
diversity in offspring. disadvantage: requires two parents, which can be more difficult to
find) All mammals such as humans reproduce sexually.
homeostasis is the tendency toward keeping a balanced equilibrium within a living organism.
examples of conditions that the human body maintains within homeostasis include temperature,
blood sugar, heart rate, hydration, etc.
stimuli is a detectable change within any environment. living things respond to stimuli, which is
another factor which makes them biotic. examples of animals reacting to stimulus includes:
mammals (species) react to hot temperatures (stimuli) by sweating (response)
dogs (species) react to loud, alarming noises (stimuli) by barking/growling (response)
biology 09.06.18 1
biology 09.06.18
what is life?
all living things must have the following:
an ordered & complex structure
the ability to reproduce (as a species)
the ability to grow and develop
the ability to process energy from food
the ability to regulate/react to an environment
evolutionary adaptation
living things must be able to produce offspring, and there are two methods of reproduction:
1. asexual — when one parent of an offspring reproduces individually. (advantage: process is
easier and more convenient due to the individuality. disadvantage: no genetic diversity in
offspring). Plants such as dandelions reproduce asexually.
2. sexual — when two parents produce an offspring through intercourse. (advantage: genetic
diversity in offspring. disadvantage: requires two parents, which can be more difficult to
find) All mammals such as humans reproduce sexually.
homeostasis is the tendency toward keeping a balanced equilibrium within a living organism.
examples of conditions that the human body maintains within homeostasis include temperature,
blood sugar, heart rate, hydration, etc.
stimuli is a detectable change within any environment. living things respond to stimuli, which is
another factor which makes them biotic. examples of animals reacting to stimulus includes:
mammals (species) react to hot temperatures (stimuli) by sweating (response)
dogs (species) react to loud, alarming noises (stimuli) by barking/growling (response)
biology 09.06.18 1
