Atoms are composed of one or more electrons and one or more protons and sometimes neutrons. Electrons are negatively charged. The nucleus of an atom contains one or more protons and may contain neutrons. Protons are positively charged and neutrons are neutral (have no charge).

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A SHORT HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH
​VIDEO - CREATED BY SCIENTIST CINDY 

 What is LIFE?
​VIDEO - CREATED BY SCIENTIST CINDY ​

The 7 Characteristics of Life

1.       Order – Living things are made up of one or more cells. The cell is the fundamental unit of life.

2.       Reproduction – All living thing have the ability to make their own kind. This allows for propagation of the species.

​BUT WAIT! THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE!

VIDEO OF REAL ANIMAL HYBRIDS!

3.       Growth and Development – Different parts of the organism’s DNA will be activated at different times points during development! The result is increase in size and increase in number of cells (for multi-cellular organisms). ​

4.       Energy Processing – All living things acquire energy process thing energy in order to convert it into a form that can be used by the organism. ​
          For example, we must eat to survive.
          Plants process energy by making their own food through  photosynthesis. 

5.       Responds to the Environment – Living things respond to external stimuli.      ​

6.       Regulation (Homeostasis)   ​

– Living things respond to changes in the internal and external environment in such a way to maintain its physiological factors and keep them within a narrow range. Failure in homeostasis results in illness or death. ​

​ Examples of what things are regulated in homeostasis:

•body temperature
•amount of glucose - blood sugar levels
•Food and water intake, metabolism and excretion
•Sleep/wake cycles – rest
•Stress / relaxation balance
•Hormonal Balance

7.       Evolutionary Adaptation -  The process that an organism goes through in order to survive in an environment.   

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