CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

There are 9 characteristics:

9 characteristics of life

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~having respiration(exchange of gasses)

~metabolism (The breaking down of substance and convert to energy
Has two kinds: anabolism(to construct components of a cell) & catabolism(breaks down organic matter)

~Reaction(to counter an/a event/phenomena)

~has homeostasis(maintain a system stable)

~high degree of organization (this causes their outward appearance, different than the previous characteristic, i assure you)  giving each organism a different Identity

~grow and develop at some point in their lives

~create/reproduce organisms similar to themselves

Also has two kinds: Asexual & Sexual Reproduction

~communicate with organisms similar to themselves

~move under their own power ( mobility )

With these things in mind, it brings about the Basic principles of Biology:
( http://biology.about.com/od/apforstudents/a/aa082105a.htm )
The foundation of biology as it exists today is based on five basic principles. They are the cell theory, gene theory, evolution, homeostasis, and laws of thermodynamics.

• Cell Theory: all living organisms are composed of cells. The cell is the basic unit of life.
  
  
• Gene Theory: traits are inherited through gene transmission. Genes are located on chromosomes and consist of DNA.
  
  
• Evolution: any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations. These changes may be small or large, noticeable or not so noticeable.
  
  
• Homeostasis: ability to maintain a constant internal environment in response to environmental changes.
  
  
• Thermodynamics: energy is constant and energy transformation is not completely efficient.