What Makes Something Alive? (Animated)

Welcome to our exploration of what makes something alive!Let's compare the fundamental differences between living and non-living matter.Living things have unique characteristics that set them apart from non-living matter.One of the most important characteristics is homeostasis - the ability to maintain stable internal conditions.Living organisms maintain precise body temperature and pH levels.All living things are made up of cells, the basic units of life.Each cell contains specialized structures that help it function.Living things require energy to survive and maintain their functions.Energy flows from the sun to plants through photosynthesis, and then to other organisms through consumption.Living organisms demonstrate growth by increasing in size and complexity over time.During reproduction, organisms pass genetic information to their offspring through DNA replication.Plants respond to their environment in various ways. For example, they exhibit phototropism, growing toward light sources.Even single-celled organisms show response to their environment, moving away from harmful substances.Living organisms respond to various environmental factors, which is crucial for their survival.Natural selection drives evolution through differences in survival and reproduction.Organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.At the molecular level, DNA carries the genetic information that makes evolution possible.Living things maintain organization at multiple levels, from atoms to complete organisms.Every living thing follows a life cycle, from birth through development to death.