| – Form and Size |
– Living objects possess a definite form and size. |
– Non-living objects have no form and size of their own. They can be moulded into different shapes. |
| – Life Span |
– Different living organisms have different life spans, after which they die. |
– Non-living objects remain as such for centuries. |
| – Organisation |
– Body made up of cells. It can be distinguished into different organs. |
– Cells do not present and hence, no organs are there. |
| – Metabolism |
– Perform metabolism, i.e. nutrition, respiration and excretion. |
– No constructive and destructive changes are performed by non-living. |
– Nutrition and growth
– Respiration |
– Require nourishment for maintenance and growth. |
– Nourishment not needed,
Growth, if any, is external. |
| – Respiration |
– Complex food materials are oxidised in the cells at ordinary temperatures and energy is liberated, for the life processes, to be carried on. |
– Non- living objects do not respire. Combustible substances, however, burn at higher temperatures and release energy. |
| – The release of Energy- |
– ATP is found in all living cells and it is this compound which releases energy in a controlled and usable form |
– ATP is absent and there are no cells. |
| – Excretion |
– Excretory substances are formed within the body and are eliminated from time to time. |
– No nourishment and hence, no excretion. |
| – Movement and Locomotion |
– Show movements on their own accord. It may be movement of the entire organism or some of the organs. |
– Do not show movement on their own accord. They may be made to move, by some external forces. |
| – Irritability |
– Living organisms respond to an external stimulus. |
– Irritability is absent. |
| – Reproduction |
– For the continuation of the species, all living organisms reproduce sexually, or vegetatively. DNA and RNA are a universal occurrence in living organisms. |
– They do not reproduce to form similar organisms. DNA and RNA are not present. |
