Characteristics of Living Things

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In this video, we're embarking on a journey to understand the essence of life. All living things, from the tiniest bacteria to the largest whale, are composed of cells. These cells function as miniature factories, constantly working to sustain the organism's life.
Living things also experience growth, just as you have grown taller over the years. Plants and animals similarly undergo growth and change their forms over time. Another fascinating aspect of living organisms is their ability to reproduce, creating offspring that resemble their parents. This is how species continue to exist.
Living things possess metabolism; they take in nutrients from food, convert them into energy, and eliminate waste. Additionally, living organisms maintain a stable internal environment through a process known as homeostasis. It's akin to sweating on a hot day to cool down.
Living things respond to their environment; for example, plants can bend towards light, and you instinctively react when you touch something hot. Furthermore, living organisms can adapt over time to better survive in their environments, such as how polar bears have thick fur to endure the harsh Arctic conditions.
To accomplish all these functions, living organisms require certain essentials. They need energy, which plants obtain from sunlight and animals acquire from food. Water is another vital component involved in nearly all life processes.
Understanding all these characteristics and requirements of living organisms enables us to appreciate the incredible diversity and complexity of life on Earth.