Final answer:
Living organisms are distinguished from nonliving matter by seven key characteristics: response to the environment, growth and development, reproduction, maintenance of homeostasis, complex chemistry, cellular structure, and evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
To be classified as a living organism, an entity should exhibit certain characteristics that set it apart from nonliving matter. The following are seven key attributes:
- Response to Environment: Living organisms respond to environmental stimuli. For instance, plants grow toward a light source.
- Growth and Development: Organisms grow and develop according to specific instructions coded in their DNA. For example, a caterpillar develops into a butterfly.
- Reproduction: They have the ability to produce offspring, either sexually or asexually. Trees, for instance, can reproduce by dropping seeds.
- Maintenance of Homeostasis: They maintain stable internal conditions. Humans sweat to reduce body temperature and maintain homeostasis.
- Complex Chemistry: They carry out complex chemical processes. Humans digest food to obtain energy.
- Cellular Structure: Living things are made of one or more cells. Bacteria are an example of single-celled organisms.
- Evolution: Populations of living organisms evolve over time to adapt to their environment. This is true for all species, from microbes to humans.
Nonliving matter lacks one or more of these characteristics. For example, a rock does not grow, reproduce, or maintain homeostasis.