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com
THE LIVING WORLD
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 What is life?

• Life is a unique, complex

organization of molecules,
expressing through chemical
reactions which lead to growth,
development, responsiveness,
adaptation & reproduction.

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 What is a Living organism?

• A living organism is self-

replicating, evolving and self-
regulating interactive system
capable of responding to
external stimuli.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth

Reproduction

Metabolism

Cellular organisation

Consciousness
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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth  It is the increase in number & mass of

Growth
cells by cell division.
Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism

Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation

Consciousness
Consciousness

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism

Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation  In plants, growth continues throughout their lifespan.
 In animals, growth is only up to a certain age.
Consciousness
Consciousness However, cell division occurs to replace lost cells.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism  Basically, growth is the increase in mass & size.
Thus non-living objects also grow (surface
Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation accumulation of material). So growth is not a
defining property of living organisms.
Consciousness
Consciousness  In living organisms, growth is from inside.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism

Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation  It is the production of progeny having features
similar to those of parents.
Consciousness
Consciousness  Organisms reproduce asexually and sexually.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism

Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation
 In unicellular organisms, growth & reproduction are
Consciousness
Consciousness same because they reproduce by cell division.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth Mule Worker Honeybee

Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism
 Many organisms do not reproduce (e.g. mules,
Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation worker bees, infertile human couples, etc). Hence,
reproduction is not a perfect defining property of
Consciousness
Consciousness living organisms.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism
Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation
 It is the sum total of all biochemical reactions
taking place inside a living system.
Consciousness
Consciousness  It is the defining feature of living organisms.

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 PROPERTIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Growth
Growth

Reproduction
Reproduction

Metabolism
Metabolism
Cellular
Cellularorganisation
organisation  Metabolic reactions can be demonstrated outside
the body in cell-free systems.
 Isolated metabolic reactions in vitro are not living
Consciousness
Consciousness things but are living reactions.

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