Take a look at your pencil – is it living? What about the computer in front of you? Or the grass outside? It is probably fairly simple for you to look at something and identify it as living or nonliving – but it may be difficult to explain just how you can tell the difference. Watch the video to learn more about the characteristics of life.
Living things come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
All living things are composed of tiny units of life, called cells.
Life forms range from simple, single-celled organisms to complex, multi-celled organisms.
In addition to being made up of cells, all living things share five characteristics: They respond to stimuli, move, reproduce, use energy, and require water and heat.
The tomato seedlings here are responding to a stimulus by growing toward the sunlight.
These blowfish are able to move around in their environment.
Organisms like bacteria copy their DNA and cell parts and then split into two new living things.
This panda will use the energy from its bamboo lunch to fuel its cells.
The water and heat needed for this frog to survive is absorbed from the environment through its skin.
Can you describe how each of the characteristics of life apply to you?
Reflection
Question
Why is your computer not a living thing?
Computers cannot move independently or reproduce, so they are nonliving.
