Short paper on how objects can be classified as 'living' and 'non-living'.

After studying what determines if an object is living or nonliving, the observations made on the three test subjects helped clear up any uncertainties I had on this topic. A plant, a dog, and a beaker were studied which enhanced my understanding of the characteristics of living things. Each test subject provided different characteristics than the next had to offer so a wide variety of characteristics were used in this learning experience.

The plant had a few apparent characteristics of life I observed when studying it. The first thing I noted was that it needed nutrients to live. I could see this because it was very dry in certain spots and dying. If the plant didn't need nutrients to live, there would be no reason for it to have any signs weakness or even death in some spots. Secondly, I saw the ability to reproduce. On the tops of the flowers, the yellow pollen is very similar to the semen found in males.

Photo of green algal growth (Enteromorpha sp.) on ...

Grafic of the nutrient cycle in the marine realm

Potato plant. To ensure continuing worldwide avail...

It allows for the reproduction of more flowers. Of course, if there is reproduction, then there has to be the ability to die. I saw dead leaves laying around the flower to also express this idea which reinforced this for me.

I have 2 dogs, a rottweiler and a doberman. I observed the rottweiler "Apollo" for my studies and I saw first off that he needs and uses energy to survive. He was laying in the sun for a while and then seemed very active after he woke up from his nap. The need for nutrients was key because I watched him drink his water from the bowl as well as eat his puppy chow. I know that if he didn't get these essentials, he would become very weak and die. One more characteristic was his...