Characteristics of Life

[Finals07]

Hello, we have this huge test coming up, and a possible essay question was what are the 11 Characteristics of Life and describe them. Was wondering if anyone could help seeming that this is the easiest question on the essay portion of the test.

So far I have...
Reproduction- production of new organisms (sexually and Asexually)
Digestion- Catabolism of food into simpler particles that can be used by the body
Absorption- Passage of digestive products through membranes and into body fluids.
Excretion- Removal of waste products, so your body isn't poisoned.
Growth- increase in size.

Help please

[Poison]

Have you made a search in the forum? I think you really should...

[MrMistery]

I think you are wrong. As i understand it, characteristics means that evrything in that group has it
Digestion- So because most plants do not get their nutrients from foos they are not alive?
Absorbtion-Again, aren't plants alive(plants do have absorbtion in the root but it is not as you defined it.
Growth- So because all the individuals of the same species of bacteria are roughly the same size, they are not alive?

Now, i think that some of the answers you are looking for are:
-having nucleic acids
-being made of one or more cells
-having it's own methabolism
-being able of reproduction
As Poison said, a forum search is in place here

[kandarp shah]

Hello, we have this huge test coming up, and a possible essay question was what are the 11 Characteristics of Life and describe them. Was wondering if anyone could help seeming that this is the easiest question on the essay portion of the test.

So far I have...
Reproduction- production of new organisms (sexually and Asexually)
Digestion- Catabolism of food into simpler particles that can be used by the body
Absorption- Passage of digestive products through membranes and into body fluids.
Excretion- Removal of waste products, so your body isn't poisoned.
Growth- increase in size.

Help please

some more are
synthesis,
nutrition,
transport,
regulation,

[Navin]

I have 8 which i have to learn for Cambridge O Levels:

Movement
Excretion
Reproduction
Sensitivity
Growth
Respiration
Adaptability
Nutrition

[Beetle]

I think that two main (limiting) characteristics of life are reproduction and methabolism (in any form). Also the other characteristic are important for specific groups.

-being made of one or more cells

But the everlasting fishbone in throat: Are viruses alive or not? Or futher more are prions alive?

[Poison]

We discussed it previously.