Final answer:
The seven characteristics that define life are order, sensitivity or response to the environment, reproduction, growth and development, regulation and homeostasis, energy processing, and adaptation and evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Living Things
To be classified as a living thing, objects must exhibit certain traits that demonstrate they are alive. Most scientists have agreed on seven essential characteristics that define life. These are:
- Order - Organisms have organized structures and are composed of one or more cells.
- Sensitivity or Response to the Environment - Living things can respond to stimuli or changes in their environment.
- Reproduction - They can produce offspring either sexually or asexually.
- Growth and Development - Organisms grow and undergo development according to their genetic instructions.
- Regulation and Homeostasis - They can maintain internal conditions within a suitable range despite external changes.
- Energy Processing - Living things use energy to maintain order, grow, and reproduce, a process known as metabolism.
- Adaptation and Evolution - Over time, organisms can adapt to their environment through the process of evolution.
When these characteristics are viewed together, they provide a clear definition of life, distinguishing living entities from inanimate objects.