CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS
1. Movement – The ability of organisms to move.
2. Respiration – Chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrients to release energy for
metabolism.
o Metabolism – All chemical processes in an organism that keep it alive.
3. Sensitivity – Ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.
4. Growth & Development – Increase in size and complexity.
5. Reproduction – Production of offspring.
6. Excretion – Removal of waste products.
7. Nutrition – Taking in materials for energy, growth, and development.
Additional Concepts
• Building Blocks of Life – Made of C (Carbon), H (Hydrogen), O (Oxygen), N (Nitrogen).
• Organization of Life – Atoms → Molecules → Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems →
Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere.
• Cells – Basic unit of life, can be unicellular (one cell) or multicellular (many cells).
• Adaptability – Ability to adapt to environmental changes and respond to stimuli.
BASIC CHEMISTRY
Atoms & Isotopes
• Atoms – Smallest unit of an element with chemical properties.
• Isotopes – Atoms of the same element with different neutron counts (same atomic
number, different atomic mass).
• Example: Fe-56 (Iron isotope with a mass number of 56).
Periodic Table Groups
Group Name
IA Alkali Metals
IIA Alkaline Earth Metals
Group Name
IIIA Boron Group
IVA Carbon Group
VA Nitrogen Group
VIA Chalcogen Group
VIIA Halogens
VIIIA Noble Gases
• Periods = Rows
• Groups = Columns
CELL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
Types of Cells
Prokaryotic Cells (Simple, No Nucleus)
• Examples: Bacteria, Archaea
• Key Features:
o Small (0.1–5 µm)
o No nucleus; DNA is in a region called the nucleoid
o Reproduce asexually (binary fission)
o Can survive in extreme environments
Eukaryotic Cells (Complex, With Nucleus)
• Examples: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists
• Key Features:
o Larger (10–100 µm)
o Has a nucleus with DNA inside
o Can reproduce sexually (mitosis & meiosis) or asexually
o Contain membrane-bound organelles
ORGANELLES & THEIR FUNCTIONS
Organelle Function
Nucleus Control center, contains DNA
Nucleolus Produces ribosomes
Nuclear Envelope Protects the nucleus
Nuclear Pores Allow exchange of materials between nucleus & cytoplasm
Cytoplasm Jelly-like fluid that holds organelles
Ribosomes Protein synthesis (can be free-floating or attached to ER)
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Rough ER – Makes proteins Smooth ER – Makes lipids, detoxifies
Golgi Apparatus Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins & lipids
Mitochondria "Powerhouse of the cell," produces ATP (energy)
Chloroplast (Plants Only) Converts sunlight into energy (photosynthesis)
Vacuole Stores water, nutrients, and waste
Cell Membrane Controls what enters & exits the cell
Cell Wall (Plants Only) Provides structure & protection
CELL MEMBRANE & TRANSPORT
• Made of: Phospholipid Bilayer + Proteins + Carbohydrates
• Functions:
1. Protection – Separates inside of the cell from the outside.
2. Selective Permeability – Controls what goes in & out.
3. Communication – Uses proteins for signaling.
Types of Transport
Passive Transport (No Energy Required)
1. Diffusion – Movement from high to low concentration.
o Simple Diffusion – Direct movement through the membrane.
o Facilitated Diffusion – Needs protein channels.
2. Osmosis – Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.
o Hypotonic Solution – Water moves into the cell (cell swells).
o Hypertonic Solution – Water moves out of the cell (cell shrinks).
o Isotonic Solution – No net water movement (cell remains the same).
Active Transport (Energy Required)
• Uses ATP to move substances from low to high concentration.
• Examples:
o Sodium-Potassium Pump – Pumps 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in.
o Endocytosis – Engulfing materials into the cell.
o Exocytosis – Releasing materials out of the cell.
CYTOSKELETON (Cell Support & Movement)
Component Function
Microtubules Maintain cell shape, assist in cell division
Microfilaments (Actin) Help with movement & shape changes
Intermediate Filaments Provide mechanical support & stability
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CELL TYPES
Feature Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells
Nucleus No Yes
Size Small (0.1–5 µm) Large (10–100 µm)
Complexity Simple Complex
Membrane-bound organelles No Yes
Examples Bacteria, Archaea Plants, Animals, Fungi
