Characteristics of Living Things

We will begin this unit by observing the eight characteristics that are common to every living thing: They are made of cells, have adaptations, have behaviors, they contain DNA, they grow and develop, they get and use energy, they reproduce, and they maintain homeostasis!

We will then study in closer detail Charles Darwin’s theory of Natural selection and how it’s believed to be the main pathway to evolution. You will discover the environmental pressures that drive species to adapt, allowing some organisms to survive and others to die. You’ll also compare natural selection to artificial selection and explore the ethics, benefits, and consequences of this process.

Next, you will explore the chemical reactions taking place in our own bodies that allow animals, including humans, to create energy from the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe. You’ll learn that plants do the exact same thing, but they have an incredible ability to make their own food, as well! In exploring these processes, you’ll see how plants and animals depend on each other for their survival.

Then, you will compare and contrast asexual and sexual reproduction. Did you know that many organisms can clone themselves? Reproduction is necessary for the survival of a species, and though it seems really cool to be able to just clone ourselves, there are some drawbacks to that method. There are pros and cons to each, and you’ll learn why some species use one method, other species use another, and some organisms can reproduce both sexually AND asexually!

Finally, you’ll examine behaviors in plants and animals, Yes, plants have behaviors! We think of behaviors as things we do, and when we do something, it’s usually something we intend to do, but not all behaviors can be controlled. Some behaviors are automatic— we were born with them! Behaviors like this can increase our odds for survival, and the same is true in plants.