Chapter 17, Problem 15STP

Summary Introduction

To contrast:

One of the characteristics of living things with the characteristics of nonliving things such as rocks.

Introduction:

All living things have certain characteristics that differentiate them from non- living things. An organism has or once had all these characteristics. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all living things. Living things display organization, grows and develops, reproduces, responds to stimuli, requires energy, maintains homeostasis and adapts to environment.

Answer to Problem 15STP

Temperature of human body is always maintained at 37⁰C irrespective of the outside temperature. Homeostasis helps in maintaining this body temperature. Whenever there is any alteration from the normal body temperature, our feedback system sends signal to the body to act accordingly. There is no such mechanism in nonliving things like a rock. Its internal conditions remain static irrespective of the conditions outside.

Explanation of Solution

Regulation of an organism’s internal conditions to maintain life is called homeostasis. It is a feature common to all living organisms. If anything happens within or to an organism that affects its normal state, processes begin to restore the normal state. When our body feels cold, it starts to shiver so that the body temperature is raised. We perspire to prevent the body temperature from rising too high. This is a way to maintain homeostasis in living things.

A nonliving thing like a rock cannot maintain its internal conditions. It remains same whatever the temperature be outside.