Question

While in your backyard, you notice an odd lump on a rock. As you move closer to observe it, you see that it does not move. You try observing it for a few days, but no changes are apparent, and you note that it was cloudy on those days. After vacationing with your family for a week, you notice that the lump on the rock has grown much bigger, and now some lumps have also appeared on a nearby tree. A quick look at the weather reports for the last week tells you it has been sunny and warm during your absence. Is this object living or nonliving, and how can you tell?

A) Living; it seems to reproduce, grow, and obtain energy from the sun.
B) Nonliving; it doesn't move or obtain energy.
C) Nonliving; it isn't able to reproduce.
D) Living; it is made of cells.

Answer 1

The lump on the rock that grows and later appears on a nearby tree is a living organism because it reproduces, grows, and seems to obtain energy from the sun, exhibiting key characteristics of living things. (option A)

Step-by-step explanation:

An odd lump on a rock that grows over time, particularly during sunny, warm weather, is living or nonliving. Based on the given characteristics that define living things, which include the ability to respond to the environment, grow and develop, reproduce, maintain homeostasis, have complex chemistry, and consist of cells, the correct answer would be A) Living; it seems to reproduce, grow, and obtain energy from the sun. Living stones are a good example of plants that might not immediately be recognized as living due to their unusual appearance, but they do exhibit these characteristics of living organisms. For instance, they grow and can reproduce, and their growth is likely supported by photosynthesis, which depends on sunlight.

Lichens, such as lungwort, also exhibit the characteristics of living things and would be considered organisms. Just like other living things, they respond to their environment, grow, reproduce, maintain internal balance, have complex chemistry, and are cellular in nature. So, despite its initial appearance as an inert lump, the object on the rock and tree is actually a living organism.