January 13th, 2014

The 7 characteristics of living things

Movement

All living things move in some way. This may be obvious, such as animals that are able to walk, or less obvious, such as plants that have parts that move to track the movement of the sun.

Respiration

Respiration is a chemical reaction that happens within cells to release energy from food.

Sensitivity

The ability to detect changes in the surrounding environment.

Growth

All living things grow.

Reproduction

The ability to reproduce and pass genetic information onto their offspring.

Excretion

Getting rid of waste.

Nutrition

The intake and use of nutrients. This occurs in very different ways in different kinds of living things.