Characteristics of Living and Non-Living Things

Study Notes

Helps us appreciate the diversity of life on Earth
Allows us to understand the interconnectedness of living things and their environments
Enables us to develop strategies for conservation and sustainability
Facilitates the development of new technologies and innovations in fields such as medicine and agriculture

Living things are composed of cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life.
Growth and development are characteristic of living things, as they increase in size, complexity, and specialization.
Living things require food, water, and air to survive, and they obtain these resources through various mechanisms such as photosynthesis, respiration, and ingestion.
Living things respond to stimuli, such as light, temperature, touch, and other environmental cues, which helps them adapt to their surroundings.
Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of living things, as it enables them to create new individuals and ensure the continuation of their species.
Living things maintain homeostasis, a stable internal environment, despite changes in the external environment.
Evolution is a key characteristic of living things, as they change and adapt over time through the process of natural selection.

Non-living things do not possess cells or exhibit cellular organization.
Non-living things do not grow or develop, and they do not require food, water, or air to exist.
Non-living things do not respond to stimuli, and they do not exhibit behavior or movement.
Non-living things do not reproduce, and they do not maintain homeostasis.
Non-living things do not evolve over time, and they do not exhibit changes in their characteristics.

Animals, such as humans, dogs, and birds, are living things that exhibit characteristics such as growth, development, and response to stimuli.
Plants, such as trees, flowers, and grass, are living things that undergo photosynthesis, growth, and development.
Fungi, such as mushrooms and yeast, are living things that obtain nutrients through decomposition and symbiosis.
Protists, such as bacteria and protozoa, are living things that exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.
Microorganisms, such as viruses and archaea, are living things that exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.

Rocks and minerals are non-living things that do not exhibit characteristics such as growth, development, or response to stimuli.
Water and other liquids are non-living things that do not possess cells or exhibit cellular organization.
Air and gases are non-living things that do not exhibit characteristics such as growth, development, or response to stimuli.
Soil and sand are non-living things that do not exhibit characteristics such as growth, development, or response to stimuli.
Man-made objects, such as cars, buildings, and toys, are non-living things that do not possess cells or exhibit cellular organization.
Natural phenomena, such as sunlight, wind, and weather, are non-living things that do not exhibit characteristics such as growth, development, or response to stimuli.

Understanding the characteristics of living and non-living things helps us appreciate the diversity of life on Earth and the interconnectedness of living things and their environments.
This understanding enables us to develop strategies for conservation and sustainability, and to address environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
It also facilitates the development of new technologies and innovations in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
Furthermore, understanding the characteristics of living and non-living things helps us to better understand the natural world and our place within it.