Mathwizurd.com is created by David Witten, a mathematics and computer science student at Stanford University. For more information, see the "About" page.

Characteristics of Life

There are seven agreed upon characteristics of life. So, in order to be considered living, one must have every single one of these traits

Cells

Every living thing has DNA in cells. A single-celled organism has DNA in a cell.

Organization

Some way their structure is organized.

Example:

In humans, the heart is always (almost always) in the same place. The head is always on top of the neck, etc.

Reproduction

In order for a species to continue, it must reproduce.

Example:


Humans- Sex
Plant: Pollen and Ovule
Bacteria: Grow bigger, then split

Energy

All living things require energy. Some produce it, and some consume it, but they all require it.

Example:

Humans need food to eat, and they consume it through the process of metabolizing it.

Growth

All living things grow, or develop over time.

Example:

Bacteria- Get bigger, then split
Human- Get taller
Development- Some tapdoles > frogs, but they still develop over their lives

React to Stimuli

An organism must react to what's around them, or react to their impulse.

Example:

Sunflower faces the sun.
When you eat bad food, you might throw up.

Adapt

Not only do they react, but sometimes they could even adapt to the conditions.

Example:

Bacteria becoming resistant to penicillin.

David Witten

Viruses