What defines an organism as living in biology?

An organism is defined as living in biology if it exhibits the seven characteristics of life.

In biology, an organism is considered living if it demonstrates the seven key characteristics of life. These characteristics are: organisation, response to stimuli, homeostasis, metabolism, growth and development, reproduction, and evolution.

Organisation refers to the high degree of order within an organism's internal and external parts and its interactions with the living world. For instance, the human body is made up of several organ systems that work together to maintain life.

Response to stimuli is another crucial characteristic. Living organisms respond to changes in their environment, such as temperature, light, and sound, to ensure their survival. For example, plants grow towards the light, and humans shiver when cold to generate heat.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, despite changes in external conditions. This could be maintaining a constant body temperature or blood pH level. Metabolism, on the other hand, involves all the chemical reactions that occur within an organism to sustain life, including digestion and the synthesis of new molecules.

Growth and development are also key characteristics. Organisms grow by producing more cells and by increasing the size of those cells. They develop as they mature into an adult form. Reproduction, the production of offspring, is a fundamental characteristic of all living organisms. It can occur sexually or asexually.

Lastly, evolution is a defining characteristic of life. Over generations, populations of organisms evolve, or change genetically, in response to changes in their environment. This leads to the diversity of life we see today.

In summary, an organism is considered living in biology if it exhibits these seven characteristics. It's important to note that these characteristics are interdependent, each one relies on the others to function effectively.