Advanced Biology Name ________________________ Period ____

Revised 5/21/11
Unit 1 Reading & Lecture Notes: Characteristics of Life
Chapter 1-1 & 1-2 (p. 5-13)
Vocabulary Terms
Directions: Define each of the following terms in your reading notes. Highlight each term and its definition in your
reading notes.
Biology
Organism
Biodiversity
Cell
Unicellular
Multicellular
Cell Differentiation
Homeostasis
Reproduction
Asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Metabolism
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Hereditary material
DNA
RNA

Reading & Lecture Notes
Directions: The following is an outline for the assigned section(s) in your textbook. You may use this to help you
organize your reading notes and identify the main concepts in each section; however, your notes should include the
details for the topics included below.
Outline Style Notes:
I) Themes of Biology
A) Biology
B) Cell Structure & Function
C) Reproduction & Inheritance
D) Evolution
E) Interdependence e of Organisms (Ecology)
F) Matter, Energy and Organization
II) Characteristics of Life
A) Cells -
1) Unicellular organisms
2) Multicellular organisms
(a) Cell Differentiation
B) Homeostasis
C) Reproduction
1) Asexual reproduction
2) Sexual reproduction
D) Metabolism
1) Photosynthesis
2) Cellular Respiration
E) DNA/Hereditary material
1) DNA
2) RNA

Extra Credit Review Questions: Characteristics of Life
Section 1-2 Review (p. 13 #1-6)
Directions: After the in class lecture and discussion, use your completed lecture notes and Biology textbook to answer
the following questions from the Section Review. These questions are due with your homework packet at the end of the
unit. (Answering all questions correctly = 2 pts extra credit; answering all questions, but not correctly = 1 pt extra
credit.)
1. Name six characteristics that all living things share. (Remember two of these are very closely related!)

2. What are two levels of organization found in living things

3. How does growth of a nonliving thing differ from growth of a living thing?

4. Why is reproduction an important characteristic of life?

5. Why are so many organisms yet to be discovered, identified, and described?

6. CRITICAL THINKING What would happen if all autotrophic organisms died, leaving only heterotrophic
organisms?