What distinguishes an organism from non-living things?

The distinguishing feature that sets organisms apart from non-living things is the ability to reproduce and adapt. This characteristic is fundamental to the definition of life. Organisms have complex biological processes that allow them to create offspring, passing on genetic information to the next generation. This ability ensures the continuity of species and contributes to biological diversity.

Moreover, adaptation refers to the evolutionary changes that organisms undergo in response to their environments over generations. This capacity for change and adjustment is a critical survival trait, enabling species to thrive in varying conditions and to respond to environmental stresses. Non-living things do not possess these capabilities; they do not reproduce or adapt to their surroundings in any meaningful biological sense.

While the presence of cells, the ability to move, and the capacity to use energy are important features of living organisms, they are not exclusively defining characteristics. For instance, viruses have some cellular properties but do not fit the traditional definition of life because they cannot reproduce independently or adapt outside of a host. Additionally, movement can occur in non-living entities through external forces, and energy usage is not unique to living organisms, as chemical processes can occur in non-living systems as well. Thus, the ability to reproduce and adapt is a more comprehensive indicator of what truly characterizes