🌱 Defining Living Things
Living things are organisms that exhibit several key characteristics, including growth, reproduction, metabolism, response to stimuli, and adaptation. They are composed of cells and require energy to maintain life processes. Think of a tiny seed growing into a huge tree, or a kitten turning into a cat – that's life in action!
🧱 Defining Non-Living Things
Non-living things, on the other hand, lack these characteristics. They don't grow, reproduce, or require energy in the same way as living organisms. They are often inanimate objects or substances that exist in the environment. Rocks, water, air, and even your phone are examples of non-living things.
🔬 Living vs. Non-Living: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
Living Things |
Non-Living Things |
| Cellular Organization |
Composed of one or more cells |
Not composed of cells |
| Reproduction |
Reproduce to create offspring |
Do not reproduce |
| Growth & Development |
Grow and develop over time |
Do not grow or develop |
| Metabolism |
Carry out metabolic processes (e.g., respiration, photosynthesis) |
Do not carry out metabolic processes |
| Response to Stimuli |
Respond to external stimuli (e.g., light, temperature) |
Do not respond to stimuli |
| Adaptation |
Adapt to their environment over generations |
Do not adapt |
| Energy Requirement |
Require energy to survive |
Do not require energy |
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🧬Cellular Basis: Living things are made of cells, the basic units of life. Non-living things are not.
- 🔄Life Processes: Living things perform life processes like respiration and reproduction. Non-living things do not.
- ⚡Energy Needs: Living things need energy to survive, while non-living things don't.
- 📈Growth: Living things grow and develop, whereas non-living things generally stay the same.
- 🌡️Response: Living organisms react to changes in their surroundings; non-living things don't.