Living things have certain characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving things. These characteristics include:

Organization: Living things are highly organized, with specialized structures and systems that work together to maintain homeostasis and carry out life processes. Nonliving things, on the other hand, are typically composed of simple, unorganized matter.

Metabolism: Living things take in energy and use it to grow, reproduce, and maintain themselves. Nonliving things do not metabolize energy.

Growth: Living things grow and develop over time. Nonliving things do not grow.

Reproduction: Living things reproduce, creating new individuals of the same species. Nonliving things do not reproduce.

Response to stimuli: Living things respond to stimuli in their environment. Nonliving things do not respond to stimuli.

Adaptation: Living things adapt to their environment over time, developing new traits that help them survive and reproduce. Nonliving things do not adapt.

Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment. Nonliving things do not maintain homeostasis.

Evolution: Living things evolve over time, changing in response to changes in the environment. Nonliving things do not evolve.

By observing the characteristics of a thing, you can determine whether it is living or nonliving.