Chapter 1, Problem 6A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The role and importance of energy for a living organism.

Introduction:

Life is defined as some characteristics that help in distinguishing entities showing biological processes and the one that does not. The moieties that possess biological characteristics are known as animates whereas those that do not have such characteristics are known as inanimate. Moieties having a life are known to evolve from earlier simpler ancestors through the process of evolution. 

Explanation of Solution

Energy is defined as a property that is only transformed from one to another form but nothing can create or destroy energy. Living organisms require an energy source for carrying out different functions of their body or to carry out the basic defining feature of life like reproduction, homeostasis, growth, and consciousness. Organisms obtain energy from the food they eat. Some organisms produce food using the sunlight and other inorganic compounds while others obtain their food by eating other living organisms or their stored food. To perform every defining characteristics of life, energy is needed, therefore, it is considered as the most important characteristics of life.

Conclusion

Living organisms require an energy source for carrying out different functions of their body or to carry out the basic defining feature of life like reproduction, homeostasis, growth, and consciousness. Therefore, it is the most important characteristic of life.