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 Both living organisms and non-living matter are composed of some basic elements and are bound by the same physical laws. However, living organisms differ from non-living matter in some specific aspects. |
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Living organisms exhibit a kind of organisation from molecular level to the organismic level. |
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Living organisms exhibit certain characteristics like cellular organisation, metabolism, growth, irritability and reproduction. |
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Living organisms constantly exchange energy and matter with their surrounding environment. Hence, they represent an open system. |
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Living organisms are in a steady state in which the rate of input of energy and matter is equal to the rate of dissipation of energy and output of matter. |
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Energy flow in the living system involves energy transformation and energy transfer processes. |
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Living organisms are able to remain in a steady state because of a self regulatory mechanism called homeostasis which occurs at almost all levels of the living hierarchy. |
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The homeostatic mechanisms work on a negative feedback. |
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In order to ensure the continuation of species, all living organisms exhibit reproduction. The entire cellular information is stored in the DNA which undergoes replication to transfer the information to the successive generations. |
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The survival chances of an organism are increased by adaptations, which represent useful, heritable variations. |
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Long term adaptations are permanent changes which are of great significance in the evolution of a species. |
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Each living organism has a definite life span. Plants in general, have a greater life span compared to animals. |
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The ultimate termination of life activities represents death. It has certain specific advantages to a species. |
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Dead cells in the body of living organisms serve some important functions related to defense, or structural stability. |
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