10/23/2017 Difference Between Living and Non-living Things | Difference Between

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Difference Between Living and Non-living Things

Categorized under Science | Difference Between Living and Non-living Things

Living vs Non-living Things

We come across both living and non-living things in our daily lives . Sometimes it is very easy to differentiate between the two,
but at times it is difficult. There are many features and factors which make living things different from non-living things.

Living things, as the name suggests, are lively and active. They are made up of cells; exhibit characteristics of life, like growth,
movement, reproduction, response to stimuli; they evolve, and require energy for daily activities. Some of the daily life
examples of living things around us are human beings, animals, plants and micro organisms.

Non-livings things do not exhibit any characteristics of life. They do not grow, respire, need energy, move, reproduce, evolve, or maintain homeostasis.
These things are made up of non-living materials. Some examples of non-living things are stones, paper, electronic goods, books, buildings, and
automobiles.

All living things require energy for the sustenance of life. This can be achieved through various methods. For
example, humans breathe in oxygen to release energy from the foods consumed. Plants trap the light energy for
photosynthesis. Likewise, to protect our body from cold weather, we make use of heat energy, we maintain
homeostasis, and require energy for our all activities. Non-livings things have no activities, and hence, do not
require energy.

Living things grow and reproduce. Humans and animals produce young ones through various methods. Plants
Want to make pro t fast? also have the ability to reproduce through seeds, stems, etc. After a period of time all living things mature and die.
Trade Bitcoin with FBS and Non-living things do not grow, reproduce or die.
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Movement is another characteristic of living things. They can move from one place to another. The method used
for the movement can vary. Human beings have feet, animals have hands and feet, an amoeba has pseudopodia, and birds have wings and feet, etc. Even
plants have their own limited movement. The stem moves towards the direction of sunlight. Non-living things have no methods for movement. They remain
immobile.

Adapting to the environment is another quality of living things. They have senses, and respond to stimuli. For example, when we are pricked by a pin, we
move our hand away. Chameleons change colors to adapt to the surroundings. Desert plants have spine-like leaves which are also a form of adaptation to
the environment. Non-living things have no responses. If we put a stone in water it will sink to the bottom, if we put it in fire, it stays there and gets heated up.
There is no response to the stimulus being applied.

Summary:

1. Living things can move, but non-living things cannot.

2. Energy is required by living things, while non-livings do not require energy.
3. Living things are capable of growth, reproduction and death.
4. Non-living things are non-motile, but living things can move around.
5. Living things respire; non-living things do not respire.
6. Living things adapt to the surroundings and respond to stimulus.

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Cite
Manisha Kumar. "Difference Between Living and Non-living Things." DifferenceBetween.net. March 11, 2010 <
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-living-and-non-living-things/ >.

45 Comments
1. f'ship queen
August 2, 2010 9:39 am

that was helpfull nd please try to give me more nd more info abt sci on my contact.

Reply
huygr]hg
September 2, 2010 10:46 am

ya it is really goood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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Reply
nabilah
September 16, 2015 9:04 am

hmm weird u are

Reply
nabilah
September 16, 2015 9:09 am

just kiddin!

Reply
2. navneet
April 5, 2011 10:54 am

vry nice..n helpful..

Reply
3. Lokesh
April 29, 2011 6:39 am

Informative

Reply
4. nicky
May 31, 2011 9:07 am

i noticed that u said Living things can move, but non-living things cannot but fire is not living and it can move. You stand corrected.

Reply
angelica ruth aniceto
June 7, 2011 6:00 am

hahaha ate thankx po naka2long po yung cnavi nio

Reply
BobbyJoe
July 21, 2014 3:14 am

fire doesnt moveit just keeps combusting with the oxygen particles surrounding the already burning ones though when it gets too far away from
the wood or other source then it is missing one of the three things required for firefuel,heat and an oxidized agent(generally oxygen)

Reply
Glory Ezeogu
June 28, 2016 10:26 am

1.our cells stop growing

Reply
Melissa
September 1, 2014 2:42 pm

THANKS FOR THESE PAGE I GOT A + ON MY TEST .

Reply
elodie
September 5, 2014 9:27 am

great melissa!! have a nice day

Reply
racel
June 23, 2015 11:34 pm

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Non-living things can be moved by external force..

Reply
MaySank
July 30, 2015 1:11 pm

Plant dont move, so with this statement we can say they are non-living.. Lol

Reply
nabilah
September 16, 2015 9:02 am

lol plants doesnt move because there is no wind too make them

Reply
rand
September 11, 2017 11:49 am

yes plants move toward the stimuli it can either move towards or away from gravity or light

Reply
momi
April 17, 2016 11:21 am

the movement of plants are restricted to their parts.

Reply
nabilah
September 16, 2015 9:05 am

well non living means it never lived or it never was anything and has no cells at all

Reply
Lenny
March 5, 2016 7:33 am

fire can move but is not a living things, because it does not hve all seven characteristics of living things

Reply
5. jason raLPH MAGBUJOS
June 29, 2011 7:27 am

WHAT IS THE DIFERRENT BETWEEN LIVING THINGS AND NON LIVINNG THINGS

Reply
BobbyJoe
July 21, 2014 3:06 am

Nonliving organisms dont eat, poop,have babies, grow, have senses(touch,smell,sight,taste,hear), breathe or move (though they can be moved
by other things. E.g. water,blood.)

Reply
6. some kid from da skewl
July 31, 2011 10:34 pm

i hate apples >:(

Reply
7. bhatsadhanaannapurna
September 20, 2011 11:17 am

Thanks for your teaching about living and non living things. I have a doubt: I sorted first the flower-vase in the non livings .in the checking means : it is
objected. then I kept it in livings. even then it is once again objected. let me know the real answer .

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Reply
8. rina zhang
October 13, 2011 3:06 pm

The information was very helpful!

Reply
jim
December 4, 2011 5:39 pm

sorry speeld hate wrong =)

Reply
9. jim
December 4, 2011 5:35 pm

just cut to the point and yes this is your sci teacher and I give it a F- for failuer im calling the police =
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply
jim
December 4, 2011 5:38 pm

i haet you beach

Reply
10. jim
December 4, 2011 5:41 pm

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! creepy picture

Reply
chandani
December 22, 2011 1:51 am

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Reply
11. Chilli
April 16, 2012 9:24 am

So, when science and biology say they have created life from non-living matter, does that mean the same as, they have created life from nothing?
Because that seems like a lie non-living matter is still exsisting matter. They can never create life or non living matter from nothing right? Only God
can do that! why do scientists lie and deceive in order to promote their beliefs? Noone can create life or non living matter from nothing. They always
have to use exsisting matter. end of story!

Reply
12. anon
June 10, 2012 8:57 am

Energy is required by living things, while non-livings do not require energy. what about electronic appliances, in order to work properly they require
energy right? Be more specific.

Reply
13. sumit
April 16, 2013 8:08 am

thanx alot

Reply
14. Abhipri
May 24, 2013 12:22 am

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Thanks a lot for information now I can make my project

Reply
15. Cess Villagracia
September 29, 2013 2:28 am

True!..

Reply
16. khalil Ahmed
January 6, 2014 8:32 am

i want to know what is the properties of living and non living things

Reply
17. natalie
September 13, 2015 3:21 pm

Some non-living things can grow such as crystals.

Reply
18. MY Name Jeff
September 28, 2015 7:12 pm

LOLOLOL

Reply
19. John Moon
November 2, 2015 5:54 pm

Thanks! This really helped.

Reply
miami
May 2, 2016 10:36 am

yea

Reply
20. me
February 8, 2016 2:25 pm

Viruses are non-living and have many characteristics of a living thing.

Reply
21. miami
May 2, 2016 10:35 am

people are living but they can not grow when they reach adulthood. They cant get bigger or anything anymore.

Reply
brown
June 28, 2016 10:31 am

1.our cells stop multiplying

2.oh wait thats all

Reply
22. ogwu samuel
January 12, 2017 2:50 pm

Really like it, its helpful and impactful thanks

Reply

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23. Dixsha jain

May 31, 2017 1:08 am

How will you use it? Living or non living things?

Reply
24. Raul
September 12, 2017 3:23 pm

Thanks it helped pls put more characteristics tnx

Reply

Leave a Response
Written by : Manisha Kumar. and updated on March 11, 2010

Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL
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