What is living
Living organisms are different from nonliving matter. There are some distinct features that separates living organisms from nonliving matter. These distinct features are
- growth
- Reproduction
- Movement and locomotion
- Excretion
- Sensitivity
- Cellular organization and
- Metabolism
The growth, Reproduction, Movement and locomotion, Excretion are not defining features of living organisms while Sensitivity, Cellular organization and Metabolism are called defining features of living organisms. The defining features are the characteristics of living organisms that confirm the presence of life.
Growth
Growth refers to the increase in size or numbers. In biology, growth refers to increase in size or volume. Growth is achieved through increase in numbers of cells by cell division in case of multicellular organisms. Cell division takes place inside the body. The growth achieved due to the internal cause is called intrinsic growth. For example, a froglet become an adult due to intrinsic growth.
