A capacity to evolve over time in response to environmental change. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the special molecule that sets the living world apart from the nonliving by carrying the hereditary instructions for assembly of new organisms. Underlying the assembling and tearing down of biological structures are energy transfers. Stored energy may be released and stored in cells by aerobic respiration. C. Interdependency Among Organisms 1.
Energy flows from the sun.
D. Sensing and Responding to Change 1. Organisms can sense changes in the environment and make controlled responses to them. Special cells receive the signals and make appropriate responses. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a tolerable internal environment. E. Reproduction 1.