Thread:NiveliKing/@comment-24146651-20131202183644

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An organism is a living thing that is capable of growing, processing nutrients, and reproducing. Organisms come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. From the single-celled Lactobacillus bacteria to the meat-eating Venus flytrap, from the multicelled mushroom to the very large manatee—they are all organisms. Although organisms may look different from each other, they share seven characteristics. All organisms have cells, grow, and maintain homeostasis. Other characteristics of life are response to stimuli, reproduction, metabolism, and heredity. All organisms must get and use energy, maintain their structure, and make new organisms by reproducing.

Organisms can be single-celled or multicelled. One advantage that multicellular organisms have over single-celled organisms is that the cells that make up multicellular organisms can differentiate to perform specific functions. The disadvantage of being multicellular is that when one group of cells does not or cannot perform their function, other cells are affected. A sponge has special collar cells that pump water into the sponge’s body. You have special cells that make up your bones, muscles, brain, and skin.

The cells of all organisms are made of organic substances. Carbon atoms are the basis for life on earth. In addition to carbon, the other most common elements in organic molecules are hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. These elements combine to form different molecules. The four groups of organic molecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms according to their natural relationships. Scientists have classified organisms into three domains. These domains are Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea. Clssifying organisms is as follows: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. A way to remember is King Philip came over for good soup.

The cell is the basic unit of all living things. In the nineteenth century, scientists made discoveries that led to the cell theory, which consists of three parts. The tree parts of the cell theory are: 1. All known living things are made up of one or more cells. 2. The smallest living things are single cells, and cells are the functional units of multicellular organisms. 3. All cells come from other cells.

Whether an organism is single-celled or multicelled, all of its chemical functions begin or take place completely within its cells. Cells also contain genetic material, which provides a set of instructions that tell a cell how to make what it needs to live, grow, and reproduce. Nucleus: contains the genetic information for the cell Cytoplasm: surrounds the nucleus and contains organelles Cell membrane: surrounds the cell Cell wall: surrounds the cell membrane, characteristic of plant cells

There are two basic types of cells: eukaryotic and prokaryotic. One of the main differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells is that eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles that are surrounded by membranes.

Both kinds of cells contain genetic material. In eukaryotes, this material is contained within a membrane-bound nucleus. In prokaryotes, genetic material is found in a region called the nucleoid, but it is not surrounded by a membrane. Prokaryotes may also have genetic material in the cytoplasm.

There are several differences between animal and plant cells. An animal and a plant cell are shown in the diagram. Mitochondria is an energy-producing organelle which is found on both types of cells.

The DNA inside the nucleus of a cell contains information about the types of proteins each cell makes. The protein molecules that are produced determine the function of a cell. Cells constantly move materials in and out through the cell membrane. RNA copied information from DNA and carries it to the cytoplasm. Diffusion is the process that occurs when water moves through a selectively permeable memberane, fom an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Cells that work together to perform the same function form a tissue. Tissues that perform the same function form an organ. Organs that share a similar function form an organ system. If one system in an organism fails, the organism will suffer.

All organisms have certain traits. Organisms go through different stages during their lives as they grow, develop and reproduce. These changes are called the life cycle of an organism.

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