Question

What criteria do we use to decide whether something is alive?

Answer 1

The following criteria are used to determine if an organism is alive:

• Cellular Organization: All living things are made of one or more cells.
• Metabolism: They obtain and use energy to maintain functions.
• Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment.
• Growth and Development: They grow and change over time, driven by DNA.
• Reproduction: They produce offspring to continue their species.
• Response to Stimuli: They react to environmental changes.
• Evolution/Adaptation: Populations adapt to their environment over generations.