what do you mean by living?explain the defining characteristics of living organisms
Answers
All living organisms share several key characteristics or functions: order, sensitivity or response to the environment, reproduction, growth and development, regulation, homeostasis, and energy processing. When viewed together, these eight characteristics serve to define life.
Living means a thing that can grow, reproduce, has a cellular organization and is aware of its surroundings. Following are the defining characteristics of a living organism:
Growth– All living organisms have the ability to grow. Growth refers to the increase in the number and size of an organism.
Reproduction– All living organisms have the property of giving rise to a new individual. Reproduction can occur through sexual and/or asexual means.
Metabolism– All living organisms exhibit the process of metabolism. It is a series of chemical reactions which converts food into energy.
Cellular organization– Cell is the structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are made up of one or more cells.