Compare Characterstics

Key Notes :

Characteristics of Living Things

• Growth and Development:
  • Definition: The process by which living organisms increase in size and mature over time.
  • Example: Plants grow from seeds to trees, and animals grow from babies to adults.

• Reproduction:
  • Definition: The biological process by which new individual organisms are produced.
  • Example: Plants reproduce through seeds, and animals reproduce by giving birth or laying eggs.

• Respiration:
  • Definition: The process by which living organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide to produce energy from food.
  • Example: Humans breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis.

• Response to Stimuli:
  • Definition: The ability of living organisms to respond to changes in their environment.
  • Example: Plants grow towards light (phototropism), and animals may move away from danger or toward food.

• Metabolism:
  • Definition: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms to convert food into energy and build tissues.
  • Example: Digestion and cellular respiration in animals, photosynthesis in plants.

• Movement:
  • Definition: The ability to change position or travel from one location to another.
  • Example: Animals can walk, fly, or swim, while plants may show movement in growth patterns, like roots growing towards water.

• Excretion:
  • Definition: The process of removing waste products from the body.
  • Example: Animals excrete waste through systems like kidneys, while plants release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

• Nutrition:
  • Definition: The process by which living organisms take in and utilize food substances.
  • Example: Plants make their food through photosynthesis, while animals consume plants or other animals for energy.

Characteristics of Non-Living Things

• No Growth:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not increase in size or undergo development.
  • Example: A rock remains the same size and shape unless physically altered.

• No Reproduction:
  • Definition: Non-living things cannot produce offspring.
  • Example: A chair does not create new chairs.

• No Respiration:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not need to breathe or produce energy.
  • Example: A book does not require oxygen.

• No Response to Stimuli:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not react to environmental changes.
  • Example: A table does not move towards light.
• No Metabolism:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not have biochemical processes to convert food into energy.
  • Example: A car does not digest food or convert it into energy.
• No Movement:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not move by themselves.
  • Example: A building stays in one place unless moved by an external force.
• No Excretion:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not remove waste products.
  • Example: A stone does not excrete substances.
• No Nutrition:
  • Definition: Non-living things do not need food or energy to sustain themselves.
  • Example: A pencil does not eat or grow.

Comparison

• Living Things: Exhibit growth, reproduction, respiration, response to stimuli, metabolism, movement, excretion, and nutrition.
• Non-Living Things: Do not exhibit these characteristics and remain unchanged unless acted upon by external forces.

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