Living Things

Living things are organisms that display the key characteristics of life. These characteristics include the ability to grow, reproduce, take in and use energy, excrete waste, etc.

A shark is a living thing as it shows the characteristics of life.

A stone is not a living thing as it does not show the characteristics of life.

Let us understand the the different characteristics of life.

Breathing

All living things including plants and animals breathe.

Many animals including humans breathe through their nose.

Fish breathe through their gills.

Insects such as cockroaches have tiny spiracles on their body for breathing.

Plants also take in air through small holes called stomata present on the underside of leaves.

Non-living things, do not breathe.

Movement

Animals move from one place to another in search of food and shelter.

Humans use their legs, birds fly using their wings and fish use their fins for movement.

Non-living things do not move from one place to another on their own.

They move only when someone else moves them.

Growth

All living things grow.

A baby grows into an adult, a puppy grows into a dog, etc.

A seedling grows into a plant or a tree.

Non-living things do not grow.