There are some unique characteristics that make difference the
living organism from non-living world. The distinguishing features of living
organisms are as follows:
1) High level of chemical complexity and minute organization
Living organism is very complex. Hundreds of thousands
of different molecules make up a cell’s complicated internal structures. Distinguishing
sequence of subunits, unique three-dimensional
structure, and its highly specific selection of binding partners in the cell
are some features of every molecule.
2) Arrangement for extracting, transforming, and using energy
from the surrounding environment
Existence of these systems enables organisms to build and
maintain their complex structures and to do mechanical, chemical, osmotic, and
electrical work. Non-living matter lacks these systems and thus tends to decay
toward a more disordered state, to come to equilibrium with its surroundings.
3) Accurate self-replication and self-assembly ability
Other unique properties of living
organism are the capacity of precise self-replication and self-assembly. These
have been the key to their existence in the universe with originality.
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