Lesson 2.1 - Characteristics of Life

Welcome back!

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between something that is alive, and something that is not alive. For instance, fire can act a lot like a living organism. It moves, grows, needs to consume some type of fuel, and can even make sound. However, although fire exhibits these lifelike features and may appear to be alive, fire is still technically not a living organism. So what exactly qualifies something to make it a living thing? Well, there are six different characteristics of life that all living things have in common. If even one of these characteristics is missing, then the thing in question is not alive.

In this lesson you will learn how to distinguish between living and non-living things by identifying the six characteristics of life.

Consider the following questions while you are working through the lesson:

Describe how to distinguish between a living and non-living thing. Give examples of when and how it may be easy to confuse a non-living thing as being alive. Why is it important to be able to correctly identify the characteristics of a living thing?

Summary Instructions for Lesson 2.1

Now that you've completed your notes for this lesson, it's time to carefully review them. To receive credit, your summary must reach a minimum word count, and must include all of the required vocabulary terms listed below.

Use your notes and the Guiding Questions in the lesson Introduction to help you.

Required Vocabulary Terms:

cell, DNA, sense, respond, energy, grow, develop, reproduce

Minimum Length: 40