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Biology · Lesson 1

Characteristics of Life 🌱

All living things share six key characteristics. Study the notes, watch the video, then test yourself!

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Driving Question
If a virus can replicate, respond to its environment, and evolve — does that make it alive?
🔬 Learning Science Focus 🖼️ Dual Coding 🗂️ Concept Formation 🧠 Retrieval Practice ⚖️ Load Management
📋 MA STE Standards · Grade 6 6.MS-LS1-1
📖 Lesson Notes

Characteristics of Life 🌱

All living things share six key characteristics. If something checks all six boxes — it's alive! Learn each one below.

01 🦠
Made of Cells
All living organisms consist of one or more cells. A single-celled organism is unicellular; many-celled is multicellular.
02 ⚡
Obtain & Use Energy
Living things need a source of energy for growth and development. Plants use sunlight; animals eat food.
03 🌱
Grow & Develop
Organisms increase in size and go through developmental changes over their lifetime.
04 👶
Reproduce
Living organisms can produce offspring, either sexually (two parents) or asexually (one parent).
05 👁️
Respond to Stimuli
Organisms sense and react to changes in their environment — like a plant bending toward light.
06 ⚖️
Maintain Homeostasis
Living things regulate their internal environment to keep conditions stable — like your body keeping a steady temperature.
Watch — Characteristics of Life

Watch & Learn 🎬

Watch this video to reinforce the six characteristics of life before taking the quiz.

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🎯 Game

Is It Alive?

Put the six characteristics to the test — decide if each scenario describes something living or nonliving and rack up your score.

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⭐ Extension Activity

The Gray Zone

Fire grows and spreads. Crystals organize themselves. Mules can't reproduce. Robots respond to stimuli. Apply the six characteristics to five things that don't fit neatly into "living" or "nonliving."

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Quiz

Characteristics of Life Quiz 📝

Test your knowledge on all six characteristics of life! Click an answer to see instant feedback.

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