What is the Difference Between Living Things and Non-living Things?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between living and non-living things lies in their ability to exhibit life processes. Here are some key differences between the two:

Living Things:

  • Possess life
  • Breathe, eat, grow, move, reproduce, and have senses
  • Depend on water, air, and food for survival
  • Sensitive and responsive to stimuli
  • Can grow and reproduce
  • Have a life span and undergo cycles of birth, growth, and death

Non-living Things:

  • Do not possess life
  • Do not eat, grow, breathe, move, or reproduce
  • Do not have senses
  • Do not require food for energy and do not excrete
  • Do not fall into any cycle of birth, growth, or death

Examples of living things include plants, animals, and humans, while non-living things can be categorized into natural things (e.g., rivers, oceans, mountains, hills, planets, and stars) and man-made things (e.g., tables, chairs, gadgets, cars, and clothes).

Comparative Table: Living Things vs Non-living Things

Here is a table comparing the differences between living things and non-living things:

Characteristic Living Things Non-living Things
Life Possess life Do not possess life
Nutrition Require food and water No such requirements
Reproduction Can reproduce Do not reproduce
Sensitivity Respond to stimuli, sensitive Do not respond to stimuli, not sensitive
Growth and Development Experience growth and development No growth or development
Metabolism Perform metabolic activities Cannot perform metabolic activities
Homeostasis Maintain internal stability No homeostasis
Breathing Breathe Do not breathe

Living things, such as plants, animals, and humans, possess characteristics like growth, reproduction, and the ability to respond to their environment. They require food and water for survival and can adapt to their environment. On the other hand, non-living things, like rocks, water, and chairs, lack these attributes. They do not grow, move, eat, or reproduce, and they do not have the characteristics of living organisms.