Here's a breakdown:
* Living things: Made up of organic molecules, primarily carbon-based compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). These molecules are organized into cells, the fundamental unit of life.
* Nonliving things: Can be made up of a variety of materials, including:
* Elements: The basic building blocks of matter, like oxygen, carbon, iron, and gold.
* Compounds: Combinations of two or more elements, like water (H2O), salt (NaCl), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
* Minerals: Naturally occurring inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure, like quartz and diamond.
* Other materials: Man-made substances like plastic, metal, and glass.
Ultimately, everything around us, whether living or nonliving, is composed of the same fundamental building blocks, organized in different ways.
