Living things can only be natural

Living things are organisms that possess the characteristics of life, such as the ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and maintain homeostasis. These organisms can be found in various habitats on Earth, ranging from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountaintops. However, when it comes to categorizing living things, the correct answer is option 'A', which states that living things can only be natural.

Explanation

1. Natural vs. Artificial

Living things can be classified into two broad categories: natural and artificial.

- Natural: Natural organisms are those that occur in nature and have not been created or modified by humans. They have evolved through natural processes over millions of years. Examples of natural living things include plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

- Artificial: Artificial organisms are those that have been created or modified by humans through genetic engineering or other artificial means. These organisms do not occur naturally and have been developed for specific purposes, such as genetically modified crops or laboratory-grown tissues.

2. Man-made vs. Natural

The term "man-made" is often used interchangeably with "artificial" to refer to things created by humans. However, it is important to note that living things cannot be man-made. While humans can manipulate the genetic material of organisms to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs), these organisms are still considered natural because they are derived from existing living things.

3. Characteristics of Living Things

Living things possess certain characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. These characteristics include:

- Cellular organization: Living things are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life.

- Growth and development: Living things have the ability to grow and develop, increasing in size and complexity over time.

- Reproduction: Living things can reproduce, producing offspring that inherit their genetic traits.

- Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in their external environment.

- Metabolism: Living things carry out various chemical reactions to obtain and use energy.

- Response to stimuli: Living things can respond to stimuli from their environment, such as light, temperature, or touch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, living things can only be natural. While humans can create or modify organisms through genetic engineering, these organisms are still considered natural because they are derived from existing living things. Living things possess certain characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things, such as cellular organization, growth and development, reproduction, homeostasis, metabolism, and response to stimuli.