Organisms are individual living entities that can carry out life processes independently. They include a wide range of life forms, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular humans.
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Organisms are classified into different domains and kingdoms based on their cellular structure and function.
All organisms share common characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and metabolism.
Organisms can be autotrophic, producing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, or heterotrophic, consuming other organisms for energy.
The cell is the basic unit of life in all organisms, whether unicellular or multicellular.
Genetic information in organisms is stored in DNA (or RNA in some viruses) and passed down through reproduction.
Review Questions
What are the common characteristics shared by all organisms?
How do autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms differ in obtaining energy?
Why is the cell considered the basic unit of life?
Related terms
Cell: The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism.
Metabolism: The set of chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life.