Characteristics of Life
Introduction
Every living organism is unique for its own way, but all living things have certain characteristics in common, which distinguishes them from non-living objects. These characteristics are not only physical but a combination of physical, mental and behavioral attributes, indicating life.
Physical Characteristics
The primary and most fundamental physical characteristics that defines life is the organized and reproducible structure of an organism. Each cell has its own existence and is able to function and replicate independently. Every cell contains proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Due to proteins and enzymes, cells have the ability to produce energy via metabolic pathways and the living organism can develop and survive changes like variations in temperature or environment. The genetic coding encoded in the DNA is responsible for individual traits and the ability of continuous genetic replications, called heredity.
Behavioral Characteristics
Along with the physical characteristics, behavior is an essential essence of life. All living entities can interact with the environment and respo. They have the ability to respond to external triggers and to learn, with which they adjust their behavior over time. Through the process of evolution, the extinct species are replaced with new species with more adapted behaviors, a feature which is unique to living beings.
Metabolic Characteristics
The last distinguishable characteristic of life is the organism’s ability to synthesize and break down the materials required for their growth and sustainment. The utilization of food and extraction of energy from it and the integration of materials from the environment are two fundamental strategies of metabolism. Then, complex biological compounds are formed by combining simpler compounds and by breaking down existing compounds for reproduction and growth.
Conclusion
These characteristics of life determine the uniqueness of living beings. Therefore, living beings have the capability to survive and adapt to the environment and to pass on their genes and features to the offspring. Accumulation of physical, behavioral and metabolic characteristics are part of the survival and prospering of a species. Hence, these characteristics make us understand the complexity of the living organisms.