Rock Lives On!

Full Answer Section

• Growth and development: Living things grow and develop over time.
• Reproduction: Living things reproduce, creating new living organisms.
• Response to stimuli: Living things respond to changes in their environment.
• Adaptation: Living things adapt to their environment over time.

A rock does not exhibit any of these characteristics. It is not made up of cells, it does not take in energy or nutrients, it does not maintain a stable internal environment, it does not grow or develop, it does not reproduce, it does not respond to stimuli, and it does not adapt to its environment.

So, I would have to disagree with my family member. A rock is not a living organism. It is a non-living object.

Here are some of the ways in which a rock is different from a living organism:

• A rock is not made up of cells. Living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic unit of life. A rock is made up of atoms and molecules, but it does not have cells.
• A rock does not take in energy or nutrients. Living organisms take in energy and nutrients from their environment and use them to grow, reproduce, and maintain themselves. A rock does not take in energy or nutrients.
• A rock does not maintain a stable internal environment. Living organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment, even though the external environment is constantly changing. A rock does not maintain a stable internal environment.
• A rock does not grow or develop. Living organisms grow and develop over time. A rock does not grow or develop.
• A rock does not reproduce. Living organisms reproduce, creating new living organisms. A rock does not reproduce.
• A rock does not respond to stimuli. Living organisms respond to changes in their environment. A rock does not respond to stimuli.
• A rock does not adapt to its environment. Living organisms adapt to their environment over time. A rock does not adapt to its environment.

I hope this helps to clarify the difference between a rock and a living organism.

Sample Solution

• Organization: Living things are made up of cells, which are the basic unit of life.
• Metabolism: Living things take in energy and nutrients from their environment and use them to grow, reproduce, and maintain themselves.
• Homeostasis: Living things maintain a relatively stable internal environment, even though the external environment is constantly changing.