Living Environment.

living or non-living?

There are 9 characteristics that something needs to meet in order for it to be a “living organism”. 

1. composed of cells
   • multicellular~ animals, humans, plants
   • unicellular~ yeast, bacteria, amoeba
2. organized on a molecular & cellular level
   • anatomy~ the form of a structure
   • physiology~ the function of a body part
3. universal genetic code: 
   • DNA
   • RNA
4. maintains homeostasis
   • homeostasis: stable internal environment
5. able to reproduce
   • sexual~ between 2 parents
   • asexual~ could reproduce by themselves
6. responds to environment
   • could feel pain
   • adjusts to changes in their habitat
7. ability to grow:
   • by cell division, not in length
8. uses energy (metabolism)
9. able to evolve