The things which perform all life process are called living things .
The things which does not perform life process are called non - living things .

*Living organisms involve metabolic reactions and non-living things can undergo physical and chemical reactions.
*Living organisms require energy to perform work and this is obtained from food. 
Non-living things also require energy for any action like movement. Thse also require energy which they obtain from fuel.....
**Living things are composed of cells, which use chemical processes (like respiration and excretion) to stay alive. ... 
**Non-living things are not composed of cells. They do not perform "living" tasks like respiration, excretion, reproduction, etc
OR....

These are the seven characteristics of living organisms.

1 Nutrition. Living things take in materials from their surroundings that they use for growth or to provide energy. ...

2 Respiration. ...

3 Movement. ...

4 Excretion. ...

5 Growth.

6 Reproduction. ...

7 Sensitivity.

***NON LIVINGS :::
The absence of nutrition, excretion, respiration, reproduction, irritability and adaptation are the characteristics of nonliving things.


A non-living thing is one that lacks or has stopped displaying the characteristics of life. Thus, they lack or no longer displaying the capability for growth, reproduction, respiration, metabolism, and movement. They also are not capable of responding to stimuli or evolve and adapt to their environment....