By Team Aakash Byju's

Characteristics of Living Organisms: Explained With Examples

Observe the picture. What similarities do you see? How are they different from one another?

We can see that living things vary greatly. However, they share certain basic characteristics. Let's have a look at some fundamental characteristics.

The ability to produce offspring to keep a species alive.  Ex: New plants produced from different vegetative parts.

Reproduction

To function, an organism must use chemical reactions to use resources from the environment. Ex: Breaking down of glucose.

Metabolism

It is the ability to pass on genetic material (DNA) from one generation to the next. Ex: Hair color to a child from its parents.

Heredity

All living thing moves in some way. Ex: Plants move to track the passage of the sun.

Movement

All living things grow and develop as they age, becoming physically and psychologically mature.  Ex: Puberty.

Growth and Development

Every living thing has evolved to adapt to a constantly changing environment.  Ex: Giraffes developed long necks.

Adaptation Through Evolution

Living organisms sense their environment and respond accordingly. Ex: When you feel cold you put on a jacket.

Response to Stimuli

Homeostasis is the ability to maintain stable internal factors, such as blood pressure, body temperature and so on.  Ex: Body temperature control in humans.

Homeostasis