What criteria do we use to decide whether something is alive?

Answer

Living organisms carry out a variety of activities that ensure their existence. The criteria for something being alive is as follows :

  • All living things grow
  • All living things move
  • All things reproduce (either sexually or asexually)
  • All living things carry out basic life processes for their survival, eg. digestion, respiration, excretion etc.
  • All living things maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis)

All living things respond to external stimuli.

Conditions to consider organisms living - Teachoo.jpg

 

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo