Living and non-living things around us

Everything that surrounds us is either living or non-living. All the things are classified by life only. In this article you are just adding some drops of knowledge in your life so please read this article till the end.

The living things like plants, animals, insects, birds, microorganisms, etc. are alive. On the other hand, non-living things such as bottle, pen, chair, door, computer, mobiles, etc. are not having life in them. Small units called cells are also common in all living things. The cells are the smallest building blocks of every living thing and they also function in some natural processes that symbolize the life. On the other hand, non-living things are not made up of cells.

Image Credit: WeClipart

Comparison:- 

Q1. Define the living and non-living things.

• As living things can be defined as the creatures that are alive and compose of cells. 
• On contrary non-living things are the objects that do not have life. 

Q2. What is the criteria of organisation in living and non-living things?

• Living things are well organised to live a life 
• While absence of life makes non-living things unorganized.

Q3. Describe the sensation and reactions in both categories?

• Living organisms sense things and react to external stimulus and environmental changes. They also adapt to the new environmental changes.
• Non-living things do not sense things and thus no reaction to external stimulus, no adaptions to environmental changes.

Q4. Who is growing?

• Living things are made for a regulated growth. The growth leads to the process of evolution in living beings.
• Non-living things do not grow. But there are some exceptions such as crystals, glaciers etc. No growth no evolution.

Q5. Explain the effect of life on both living and non-living things.

• As life is present in living things they basically need food, water and air to live. Also they have certain span of life after which they die.
• Life is absent so no survival and hence nothing is needed. This also leads to the situation of no life span.

Key features of Living beings

Living beings are human beings, plants, insects, birds, animals, fungi, bacteria, algae, protozoa, etc. There are some features which are common in all living things listed here

Move on their own.

• Grow and develop, with time.
• Respire to release energy.
• Require nutrition
• Excrete to eliminate waste.
• Reproduce to give birth to the new organism.
• Respond to the external environment.
• Adapt themselves to the changing conditions.

These are nothing but the seven main features of a living thing. Every living thing possess these qualities in one or other manner depending upon the place of that organism in nature. These key features are explained very well in article of "Seven life processes"

Confusing non-living things

There are many non-living things which are confusing and are different. Here are some confusing points about them.

• Some non-living things may become alive again depending upon the environmental conditions around them. e.g. seeds and eggs.
• It is some time said that "soil is alive" or "living waters". This is confusing to everyone. Because soil and river (water) are non-living things. Then why people use to say like this? This is because there are several creatures which live in soil and water. 
• Nurse log - fallen tree bark in forests is also like this. It is actually dead (was living in past but now not living anymore) This nurse log gives a shelter for seeding new plants as well as it becomes home of many tiny creatures like insects, fungi, algae  and protozoa.
• There are some things like glaciers, icicles, crystals which are growing due to some environmental processes but they are non-living. As they don't show other features of a living thing.
• Some non living things which are operated by humans or animals are moving just like vehicles, gadgets etc.
• Some dead things are processed to be used by humans are also non-living things just like natural fabrics, accessories and utensils made from animals and plants parts, wooden items used in day to day life, food items prepared to serve in plates - veg and non-veg both.

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