What is Living?
Growth, reproduction, metabolism, consciousness and self-replication as defining properties, and why only some are unambiguous. (Biology › The Living World, NEET UG syllabus.)
What is What is Living??
An increase in mass and an increase in the number of individuals (for multicellular organisms) or cells (for unicellular organisms).
Key points
- Differentiate between living and non-living entities based on their characteristics.
- Identify and explain the various characteristics of living organisms (growth, reproduction, metabolism, consciousness, cellular organization).
- Distinguish between defining and non-defining properties of living organisms with appropriate justifications and examples.
- Understand why metabolism, cellular organization, and consciousness are considered defining properties.
Common exam trap
Mistaking growth and reproduction as universally defining properties without considering exceptions.
Definitions
- Term
Growth
- Meaning
An increase in mass and an increase in the number of individuals (for multicellular organisms) or cells (for unicellular organisms).
- Term
Reproduction
- Meaning
The process by which living organisms produce new individuals of their own kind.
- Term
Metabolism
- Meaning
The sum total of all chemical reactions occurring inside a living body, encompassing both anabolism (synthesis) and catabolism (breakdown).
- Term
Cellular Organization
- Meaning
The fundamental characteristic that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life.
- Term
Consciousness
- Meaning
The ability of an organism to sense its surroundings or environment and respond to environmental stimuli.
- Term
Defining Property
- Meaning
A characteristic that is universally present in all living organisms without any exception.
Learning objectives
Differentiate between living and non-living entities based on their characteristics.
Identify and explain the various characteristics of living organisms (growth, reproduction, metabolism, consciousness, cellular organization).
Distinguish between defining and non-defining properties of living organisms with appropriate justifications and examples.
Understand why metabolism, cellular organization, and consciousness are considered defining properties.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of biological terms.
Familiarity with the concept of organisms and their diversity.
Common mistakes
Mistaking growth and reproduction as universally defining properties without considering exceptions.
Confusing in vitro metabolic reactions with living organisms themselves.
Not understanding the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic growth.
Overlooking cellular organization as a fundamental defining characteristic.
Keywords
Living
Non-living
Characteristics of life
Defining properties
Growth
Reproduction
Metabolism
Consciousness
Cellular organization
NEET Biology
Practice preview
The sum total of all the chemical reactions occurring in our body is known as:…
easy
A patient in a coma is lying in a hospital, supported by machines that replace heart and lung functions. The patient is brain-dead, meaning there is no brain activity. Can this patient be considered a living organism acc…
hard
Isolated metabolic reactions performed in vitro (in a test tube) are:…
medium