Characteristics and Differences of Living and Non-Living Things
Everything around us—animals, plants, rocks, air, and even objects like tables—can be grouped as either living or non-living. This simple distinction forms one of the first lessons in biology and is important for understanding all higher concepts, from ecosystems to the structure of cells. Recognizing these categories helps in identifying how different things interact and sustain life on our planet.
What are Living Things?
Living things are organisms that are alive. This includes all animals, plants, microorganisms, and even tiny germs. Any organism with a fixed lifecycle—from birth, growth, and reproduction to death—is considered a living thing.
Living things interact with their environment to survive. For example, a dog eats food and grows, a tree photosynthesizes and develops new branches, and a fish breathes in water and swims. All living things show certain key features that set them apart from non-living things.
Characteristics of Living Things
Living things share several basic characteristics:
- Organization: Living things are made up of cells, the building blocks of life. These cells are well-organized in their structure.
- Growth: All living things grow throughout their lives, developing from a smaller to a larger form.
- Reproduction: Living things can reproduce, either sexually or asexually, to produce offspring similar to themselves.
- Adjustment to Environment: Living things interact and adjust according to their surroundings. For instance, plants may bend towards light or grow deeper roots in search of water.
- Nutrition: They require food or energy for survival. Animals eat food, while plants make their food by photosynthesis.
- Adaptability: All living things adapt to their environment for better survival. For example, giraffes have long necks to reach leaves at the top of trees.
- Excretion: Living organisms remove waste from their bodies as part of metabolic activities.
What are Non-Living Things?
Non-living things are objects or materials that do not possess life. They do not have a definite life cycle, need for nutrition, or the ability to grow or respond to their surroundings.
Non-living things are divided into two types:
- Natural Non-Living Things: Mountains, rivers, oceans, hills, planets, and stars exist in nature by themselves.
- Man-Made Non-Living Things: Tables, gadgets, cars, clothes, and other objects created by humans.
Characteristics of Non-Living Things
Non-living things have their own set of features:
- They are lifeless and made up of substances, not living cells.
- They do not perform metabolic activities or show growth from within.
- Non-living things do not reproduce or respond to stimuli.
- They do not need nutrition or energy for survival.
- They do not move on their own and need external forces to change position.
- Non-living things cannot die, but can be destroyed or become worn out by external means.
Difference Between Living and Non-Living Things
| Living Things | Non-Living Things |
|---|---|
| Possess life and are made of living cells | Do not possess life; made of various non-living materials |
| Carry out metabolic activities to generate energy | Do not conduct metabolism and do not generate energy |
| Can reproduce to make more of their kind | Do not reproduce |
| Respond to changes and stimuli in their environment | Do not respond to stimuli |
| Grow from within and change shape or size | Do not grow or change size from within |
| Need nutrition and water to survive | Do not need nutrition or water |
| Show emotions and feelings (in higher organisms) | Do not show emotions or feelings |
| Live for a limited time and then die | Do not die, but can be destroyed |
Examples of Living and Non-Living Things
| Living Things | Non-Living Things |
|---|---|
|
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Step-by-Step Approach to Identify Living and Non-Living Things
To decide whether something is living or non-living, check:
- Is it made of cells?
- Does it grow and develop?
- Can it reproduce?
- Does it need nutrition or energy?
- Can it respond to changes in its surroundings?
- Does it excrete waste?
If the answer is "yes" to most of these, the item is living. Otherwise, it is non-living.
Application in Biology
Understanding these differences helps in learning about living things, classifying organisms, and exploring topics like ecosystems and adaptation. It also forms the base for advanced studies in nutrition in living organisms and biotic and abiotic factors.
Practice Questions
- List three differences between living and non-living things with examples.
- Why is water a non-living thing, even though it is essential for life?
- How do living and non-living things depend on each other in the environment?
- Why are plants considered living things even though they do not move from place to place?
Explore More on Vedantu
Mastering the difference between living and non-living things builds a strong foundation for deeper learning in biology and helps students excel in advanced topics with ease. Use the examples and steps above to confidently classify and discuss the world around you!
FAQs on What Are Living and Non-Living Things?
1. What is the difference between living and non-living things?
The main difference is that living things carry out vital life processes, while non-living things do not.
Living things:
• Show growth, reproduction, metabolism, and response to stimuli
• Are made up of cells
• Have a definite lifespan
Non-living things:
• Do not grow, reproduce, or respond to the environment
• Lack cellular structure
• Do not have a lifespan or metabolic activities
2. What are 10 examples of non-living things?
Ten examples of non-living things are:
1. Rock
2. Water
3. Air
4. Chair
5. Table
6. Book
7. Toy
8. Mountain
9. Glass
10. Pen
Non-living things do not show life processes like growth and reproduction.
3. What are the characteristics of living things?
Living things share these main characteristics:
• Growth and development
• Cellular structure (made of cells)
• Metabolism (nutrition and respiration)
• Excretion of wastes
• Response to stimuli
• Ability to reproduce
• Adaptation and evolution
• Definite lifespan
4. Which thing is both living and non-living?
Viruses are considered to show both living and non-living characteristics.
• Outside a host, viruses are non-living as they don't reproduce or show metabolism.
• Inside a host organism, viruses multiply and behave like living things.
This is why viruses are called a bridge between living and non-living worlds.
5. How do you classify living things?
Living things are classified based on their similarities and differences.
Main steps include:
• Grouping into kingdoms (e.g., animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, protists)
• Further classification by characteristics like body structure, mode of nutrition, and reproduction
• Using scientific names for identification
This helps organize the variety of living organisms.
6. Why is water a non-living thing?
Water is considered non-living because:
• It is not made up of cells
• Does not grow, reproduce, or show metabolism
• Cannot respond to stimuli or adapt
Water does not perform any life processes; it simply exists and supports living things.
7. Explain why a car cannot be called a living thing even though it moves.
A car is not a living thing because:
• Its movement is due to external energy and not by metabolic activity
• It cannot grow, reproduce, or respond to stimuli on its own
• It is not made of cells
Movement alone does not make an object living; all vital characteristics must be present.
8. What are biotic and abiotic components?
Biotic components are all living things in an ecosystem, while abiotic components are all non-living things.
Biotic:
• Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, humans
Abiotic:
• Water, air, soil, sunlight, minerals
This distinction is important for understanding ecosystems.
9. Why are plants living things when they cannot move?
Plants are classified as living things because:
• They are made of cells
• Grow throughout their life
• Perform respiration and photosynthesis (metabolism)
• Reproduce and respond to stimuli (like light)
Movement is not essential for defining life; other processes matter more.
10. What is meant by adaptation in living things?
Adaptation is the ability of living organisms to adjust to their environment for survival.
• Examples: Thick fur in polar bears for cold, cactus storing water in deserts
• Helps organisms survive and reproduce better
Adaptation is a key feature that distinguishes living things from non-living objects.
11. What are natural and man-made non-living things?
Natural non-living things exist in nature without human intervention, while man-made non-living things are created by humans.
Examples:
• Natural: Water, rocks, air, soil, sunlight
• Man-made: Chair, car, pen, table, buildings
12. Can non-living things become living things?
No, non-living things cannot become living things.
Non-living things do not have cells or the capacity for life processes required for living status. They cannot grow, reproduce, or perform metabolism under any conditions.
