1. Organization: Living things are highly organized, with specific structures (cells, tissues, organs, etc.) that work together to carry out life processes. They exhibit a hierarchical organization, from the molecular level to the ecosystem level.
2. Metabolism: All living things have a metabolism, which means they carry out chemical reactions to obtain and use energy. This includes processes like respiration, photosynthesis, and digestion.
3. Growth and Development: Living things grow and develop over time. This involves increasing in size, complexity, and functionality.
4. Reproduction: Living things can reproduce, creating new individuals that share their genetic information. This allows for the continuation of the species.
It's important to note that some may argue for additional characteristics, like adaptation (the ability to change over time in response to the environment) or response to stimuli (the ability to react to changes in the environment).
