The Nine Characteristics of Life

By: Colette

DNA or RNA

• All living organisms have DNA or RNA. • An example of a living organism is a baby

zebra. A baby zebra is a living organism because it has DNA.

• An example of a non-living thing is a carpet. A carpet is non-living because it has no DNA or RNA.

Living things are made of cells

• This means that all living things are made of cells and atoms unlike non-living things which are just made up of atoms.

• A mouse is a living thing so it is made up of cells.

• A shirt is non-living so it is made up of atoms.

Undergo Change

• To undergo change over time means to be able to adapt to a new environment if it is changed over the years and centuries.

• A dolphin undergoes change over the years and centuries.

• A book does not change over the years or centuries.

To repair injuries living things have to do it themselves

• Do to the severe and dangerous world, many living things on earth would die before they reached adulthood if they were not able to repair their injuries themselves.

• An example of a organism is a lion. It is able to get hurt so it needs to be able to repair itself.

• A non-living thing is a house. It has no enemies so it does not need to repair itself.

Living Things Can Grow and Reproduce

• As all living things grow they go through a stage to be able to have babies.

• A panda is a organism that grows and goes through a stage so that it is able to have babies.

• A computer is a non-living thing so it can not grow or have babies.

In Order To Survive Living Things Need Water and a Source of Energy

• Water and a source of energy are two things that living things need in order to survive.

• For example a lady bug is an organism that needs water and a source of energy.

• A board is a non-living thing so it does not need or a source of energy.

Living Things Are Able To Move Unlike Non-Living Things

• If living things were not able to move they would not be able to eat or drink or escape from any harm.

• For example zebras need to have the ability to move in order for them to escape from danger and to eat and drink.

• For another example a rock does not need the ability to move because it does not eat or drink and nothing harms it.

Living Things Are Able To Respond To Their Surroundings

• This means that all living things can adapt to their new surroundings or habitat. It also means that when they do adapt they are able to hide from enemies quickly and easily and to be able to find food and water and to be able to change their temperature.

• An example is a fish. It is able to respond to its surroundings because it can find food and can hide from enemies.

• An example is a rock. It does not have to hide from enemies because it has no enemies and it does not need to find food or water.

Living Things Have Limited Lifespans• This means that all living things are born have

a life and then they die.• For example a human is a living thing so it is

born and then it dies.• For an example a desk is not a living thing so it

is not born and it does not die.

THE END!