- Give two examples of processes that help organisms achieve homeostasis.
- What are three characteristics of living things?
- What are a few ways organisms can get the energy they require?
- What is a cell?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
Vocabulary
cell The smallest living unit of life; the smallest unit of structure of living organisms.
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid; the heredity material; carries the genetic information of the
cell.
heredity Thepassingoftraitsoratendencytocertaintraitstothenextgenerationthrough
units of inheritance called genes.
homeostasis Maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes in the environ-
ment.
organism A living thing.
reproduction The process by which an organism makes a new organism with at least some
of its own genes.
Points to Consider
- DNA is considered the “instructions” for the cell. What do you think this means?
- What kinds of chemicals do you think are necessary for life?
- Do you expect that the same chemicals can be in non-living and living things?
2.2 Lesson 2.2: Chemicals of Life
Lesson Objectives
- Distinguish between an element and a compound.