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If humans are made of the same elements as are found in the earth and non-living things, what is it that makes us "alive"? Start a New Thread

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Answer:

While it is true that humans, like all living things, are made up of elements found in the earth, there are certain characteristics that define life. These characteristics include the ability to grow, maintain homeostasis, respond to stimuli, reproduce, adapt to changes in the environment, and evolve over time.

One of the most fundamental characteristics of life is the ability to maintain homeostasis, which refers to the ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment. Living things are able to do this through various processes such as digestion, respiration, and circulation.

Another characteristic of life is the ability to respond to stimuli. Living things are able to detect changes in their environment and respond to them in appropriate ways. For example, a plant will turn towards a light source in order to photosynthesize, and an animal will flee from a predator.

Living things also have the ability to reproduce, either sexually or asexually, which allows them to pass on their genetic information to the next generation.

Finally, living things are able to adapt to changes in their environment and evolve over time through the process of natural selection. This allows them to survive and thrive in changing conditions.

Together, these characteristics distinguish living things from non-living things and are what make us "alive."

Let me know if you have any further questions!

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