Which of the following is one characteristic of all living things? (1 point)
O moving from place to place
O sending cells to deliver messages in the body
• maintaining homeostasis
O using nerve cells to maintain temperature
• maintaining homeostasis
One characteristic of all living things is maintaining homeostasis.
To determine which of the given options is one characteristic of all living things, we need to understand what living things are and their common attributes.
Living things, also known as organisms, can be defined as organisms that exhibit the characteristics of life. While there isn't a single definition that encompasses all living things, there are generally accepted characteristics shared by most living organisms. These characteristics include:
1. Organization: Living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life. Cells are organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.
2. Metabolism: Living organisms carry out chemical reactions to obtain and utilize energy from their environment. This energy fuels essential processes such as growth, reproduction, and movement.
3. Homeostasis: This characteristic refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external surroundings. It involves maintaining a proper balance of temperature, pH, water content, and other variables.
4. Growth and Development: Living organisms have the ability to grow and develop over time. They increase in size and complexity, and their cells differentiate to perform specific functions.
5. Response to Stimuli: Living organisms can respond and react to changes in their environment. They exhibit behaviors or physiological responses to external stimuli.
6. Reproduction: Living organisms have the ability to reproduce, either asexually or sexually, passing on their genetic information to the next generation.
Now let's evaluate the given options:
Option 1: Moving from place to place - While some living organisms are capable of movement, such as animals and certain plants, not all living things exhibit this characteristic. Therefore, this option is not a characteristic of all living things.
Option 2: Sending cells to deliver messages in the body - This option appears to describe a specific biological process, but it doesn't encompass all living organisms.
Option 3: Maintaining homeostasis - Homeostasis is the process through which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment. This characteristic is observed in all living organisms to some extent, making it a characteristic of all living things. Therefore, this option is correct.
Option 4: Using nerve cells to maintain temperature - While temperature regulation is an aspect of homeostasis, the use of nerve cells is not a characteristic shared by all living organisms.
Therefore, the correct answer based on the given options is: maintaining homeostasis.