Final answer:
Fire lacks the characteristic of reproduction, which is essential for defining life. While fire displays some traits similar to living organisms, it cannot give rise to offspring, disqualifying it as a living entity. (option d is the correct answer).
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of life that fire lacks is reproduction. Living organisms share various characteristics that define life, including energy processing, sensitivity or response to the environment, and reproduction. Fire can exhibit some qualities such as energy release (comparable to energy processing), response to environmental changes (like expanding with increased wind), and maintaining some order (as seen in the shape of a flame).
However, fire is not capable of reproduction, which is the process by which living things give rise to offspring. This inability to reproduce means that fire cannot be considered a living entity.
Identifying the absence of reproduction in fire emphasizes a key distinction between living organisms and certain natural processes like combustion. This analysis aligns with the fundamental characteristics of life and highlights the unique attributes that differentiate living entities from non-living phenomena.