This document outlines some key concepts in biology. It discusses the five characteristics shared by all living things: cells, reproduction, heredity, metabolism, and homeostasis. It also describes biotic and abiotic factors in an environment and different levels of organization from cells to ecosystems. Key terms like prokaryotes, eukaryotes, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, heterotrophs, and autotrophs are defined.

1. First Six Weeks Notes

2.  Biology – the study of life
 What is living in this picture?

3.  There are 5 characteristics that all living things
share.

4. 1.) All living things are made of cells.
- Smallest unit that can carry out life processes.
- Multicellular vs. Unicellular organisms.
-Prokaryote vs. Eukaryote

5. 2. All living things can reproduce.
- Asexual vs. Sexual reproduction.

6. 3. All living things pass genetic information on to
their offspring (heredity).

7. 4. All living things use energy to carry out life
processes (metabolism).
-heterotrophs
vs. autotrophs

8. 6. All living things must maintain a constant
internal environment by responding to stimuli
(homeostasis).

9.  Organisms are influenced by other things in their environment.
 Biotic factors are living things that affect other living things.
Ex.) The bird eats fish.
 Abiotic factors are non-living things that affect living things.
Ex.) Water, soil, temp., etc.

10.  Life can be studied from a microscopic level to a
macroscopic level.

11.  The smallest unit of matter.

12.  Created when two or more atoms “bond”
together.

13.  The smallest “working” unit of a living thing.
 Cells are made various atoms and molecules.
 Cells use various elements and molecules to function.

14.  A group of similar cells performing a specific
function.

15.  A group of tissues performing the same
function.

16.  A group of organs performing the same
function.

17.  A living thing with multiple systems working
together to maintain homeostasis.

18.  A group of living things that can “interbreed”
and produce “fertile” offspring.

19.  A group of the “same species” living in a
specific area.

20.  ALL of the living things that live in a specific
area.

21.  All of the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic)
that make up an area.

22.  The part of the earth where living things can
survive.