Characteristics of Organisms

Key notes :

Cell Structure:

• All living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic units of life.
• Organisms can be unicellular (made of one cell, e.g., bacteria) or multicellular (made of many cells, e.g., plants and animals).

Growth and Development:

• Organisms grow and develop over time.
• Growth can occur through cell division and differentiation, where cells develop into different types.

Reproduction:

• Living organisms have the ability to reproduce, ensuring the continuation of their species.
• Reproduction can be asexual (one parent, e.g., budding in yeast) or sexual (two parents, e.g., humans).

Metabolism:

• Organisms undergo metabolic processes to convert food into energy.
• Metabolism includes all chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life.

Homeostasis:

• Organisms maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis) despite changes in their external environment.
• This includes regulating temperature, pH levels, and hydration.

Response to Stimuli:

• Organisms can respond to environmental changes or stimuli (e.g., light, heat, sound).
• Responses can be immediate (like pulling a hand away from a hot surface) or more complex (like migration in animals).

Adaptation:

• Over time, organisms adapt to their environment to survive and thrive.
• Adaptations can be structural (physical features) or behavioral (actions organisms take).

Interaction with the Environment:

• Organisms interact with their environment and other living things, forming ecosystems.
• These interactions can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

Evolution:

• Organisms evolve over generations through the process of natural selection, where favorable traits become more common in a population.

Diversity of Life:

• There is a wide variety of organisms on Earth, each with unique characteristics and adaptations that suit their environments.

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