Living things, also known as organisms, exhibit several properties that distinguish them from non-living things. Some of the essential properties of living things include:
1. Organization:
Living things are organized in a specific way, from the molecular level to the level of the whole organism.
2. Metabolism:
Living things carry out various chemical reactions to maintain their structures, grow, and reproduce. They take in nutrients and use them to produce energy and other necessary molecules.
3. Homeostasis:
Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in their external environment. They regulate their internal conditions, such as temperature, pH, and water balance.
4. Growth and Development:
Living things grow and develop from a single cell to a fully mature organism. This process involves cell division, differentiation, and specialization.
5. Reproduction:
Living things can reproduce either sexually or asexually to produce offspring that inherit their traits.
6. Response to Stimuli:
Living things can sense and respond to changes in their environment, such as light, sound, touch, or temperature.