Of these things in an environment, which one is a living thing?

*
1 point
air
river flowing down a mountain
mushrooms sprouting
clay on the side of the riverbank

mushrooms sprouting

Out of the options provided, the living thing is mushrooms sprouting.

To determine which one of these things is a living thing, we need to understand the characteristics of living organisms.

Living things typically exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Growth: Living organisms can grow and develop.
2. Reproduction: They can produce offspring.
3. Response to stimuli: Living organisms respond to changes in their environment.
4. Metabolism: They obtain and use energy to carry out life processes.
5. Homeostasis: They maintain a stable internal environment.
6. Made up of cells: Living organisms are composed of cells.

Now let's analyze each option:

1. Air: While air is a necessary component for many living organisms, it does not possess the characteristics of a living thing. It doesn't grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, or have cells.

2. River flowing down a mountain: A river is not a living thing, but rather a natural watercourse. It does not exhibit the characteristics of living organisms.

3. Mushrooms sprouting: Mushrooms are indeed living organisms. They grow, reproduce, respond to environmental stimuli, and are made up of cells. Therefore, mushrooms are the answer.

4. Clay on the side of the riverbank: Clay is a type of soil or sediment and is not living. It lacks the characteristics of living organisms.

In conclusion, among the given options, mushrooms sprouting is the only living thing.