What are the 5 characteristics of living things?
The five characteristics of living things are:
1. Cells: Living things are composed of one or more cells, which are the structural and functional units of life. They can be single-celled organisms (unicellular) or multicellular organisms.
2. Organization: Living things exhibit a high level of organization, both at the cellular and organismal level. This includes the arrangement of cells into tissues, tissues into organs, and organs into organ systems, allowing for specific functions and tasks to be carried out.
3. Metabolism: Living things have the ability to obtain and utilize energy through various chemical reactions occurring within their cells. They carry out metabolic processes such as digestion, respiration, and synthesis of molecules necessary for their growth and development.
4. Growth and Development: Living things have the ability to grow and develop. Growth involves an increase in size or number of cells, while development is the process of maturation and differentiation, leading to the acquisition of specific characteristics or abilities.
5. Response to Stimuli: Living things can respond to their environment and exhibit various behaviors or responses when exposed to stimuli. This includes the ability to sense and perceive external or internal changes, and then react or adapt accordingly.