Short Answer
Living organisms are different from non-living things because they perform life activities. Living beings grow, respire, take nutrition, excrete waste, reproduce, and respond to their surroundings. These activities help them survive and maintain life.
Non-living things do not show life processes. They do not grow from within, do not need food, and cannot reproduce or respond to stimuli. Because of these clear differences, living organisms are easily distinguished from non-living things.
Detailed Explanation :
Difference Between Living Organisms and Non-Living Things
Living organisms and non-living things differ mainly because of the presence or absence of life processes. Biology studies these differences to understand what makes an organism living. The differences are explained below in simple and clear terms.
Growth
Living organisms grow by increasing the number and size of their cells. This growth is internal and permanent. For example, a seed grows into a plant and a baby grows into an adult. Growth in living organisms is controlled by biological processes.
Non-living things do not show true growth. Some non-living things like crystals may increase in size, but this happens due to external addition of material, not because of cell division. Therefore, true growth is seen only in living organisms.
Nutrition
Living organisms need food to obtain energy and materials for growth and repair. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals depend on plants or other animals for food.
Non-living things do not need food. They do not carry out any process to obtain energy. The need for nutrition is a clear feature that separates living organisms from non-living things.
Respiration
Respiration is the process by which living organisms release energy from food. This energy is necessary for all life activities. Respiration may occur with oxygen or without oxygen.
Non-living things do not respire. They do not release energy from food because they do not perform any life processes. Respiration is therefore a major difference between living and non-living things.
Excretion
Living organisms produce waste materials during life processes. These waste materials must be removed from the body to maintain internal balance. Humans excrete waste through kidneys, lungs, and skin, while plants remove waste through leaves and stomata.
Non-living things do not produce waste and therefore do not require excretion. This shows another important difference between living and non-living things.
Reproduction
Reproduction is the ability of living organisms to produce new individuals of their own kind. This process helps in the continuation of life on Earth. Reproduction can be sexual or asexual.
Non-living things cannot reproduce. They cannot produce similar objects by themselves. This ability to reproduce clearly separates living organisms from non-living things.
Movement
Living organisms show movement. Animals move from place to place, and plants show movements like bending toward light or opening of flowers.
Non-living things do not move on their own. They can move only when an external force like wind, water, or human effort acts on them.
Response to Stimuli
Living organisms can respond to changes in their surroundings. These changes are called stimuli. For example, humans react to heat and pain, and plants respond to light and touch.
Non-living things do not respond to stimuli. They do not show sensitivity to their environment, which makes this a clear difference.
Cellular Organization
All living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic units of life. Some organisms have one cell, while others have many cells.
Non-living things are not made of cells. This cellular structure is an important feature of living organisms.
Adaptation
Living organisms can adapt to their environment to survive. They develop special features that help them live in different conditions, such as thick fur in cold regions or long roots in desert plants.
Non-living things do not adapt. They remain the same regardless of environmental changes.
Conclusion
Living organisms differ from non-living things because they perform life processes such as growth, nutrition, respiration, excretion, reproduction, movement, response to stimuli, and adaptation. Non-living things lack these characteristics. These differences help us clearly identify and understand living organisms in nature.