The Seven Characteristics of Living Things

Feeding










All living organisms need to take substances from their environment to obtain energy, to grow and to stay healthy.

Movement












All living organisms show movement of one kind or another. All living organisms have internal movement, which means that they have the ability of moving substances from one part of their body to another. Some living organisms show external movement as well - they can move from place to place by walking, flying or swimming.


Breathing or Respiration










All living things exchange gases with their environment. Animals take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.



Excretion











Excretion is the removal of waste from the body. If this waste was allowed to remain in the body it could be poisonous. Humans produce a liquid waste called urine. We also excrete waste when we breathe out. All living things need to remove waste from their bodies.

Growth






When living things feed they gain energy. Some of this energy is used in growth. Living things become larger and more complicated as they grow.

Sensitivity













Living things react to changes around them. We react to touch, light, heat, cold and sound, as do other living things.

Reproduction

All living things produce young. Humans make babies, cats produce kittens and pigeons lay eggs. Plants also reproduce. Many make seeds which can germinate and grow into new plants.