Scientists have a way of defining anything that is alive. You can observe all of these characteristics is something that is alive.

Question

Scientists have a way of defining anything that is alive. You can observe all of these characteristics is something that is alive.

~growth and development
~response to stimuli
~reproduction
~use of energy
~made of one or more cells

Students in Mr. Oliver's class were looking at pond water with the light microscope. One student made this slide. "Look! It's something alive!" Shawn exclaimed. "No, it's not," responded Michael. Which student is correct? Support your choice with evidence from the prompt.
Responses
A Shawn. It is green and found in water.Shawn. It is green and found in water.
B Michael. It is not moving or responding.Michael. It is not moving or responding.
C Shawn. It is made up of one or more cells.Shawn. It is made up of one or more cells.
D Michael. You cannot tell anything about this from a microscope slide

Answer 1

D Michael is correct. From a microscope slide, you cannot determine if the object is alive based on the characteristics listed in the prompt. To determine if something is alive, you would need to observe growth and development, response to stimuli, reproduction, use of energy, and being made of one or more cells. Since none of these characteristics can be determined from a microscope slide, it is not possible to definitively say if the object is alive or not.