LIVE THING Meaning and
Definition
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A "live thing" refers to any entity that possesses the characteristic of life, exhibiting the ability to grow, metabolize, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and maintain homeostasis. It refers to a living organism, also known as a living being or a living creature.
Living beings encompass a wide range of organisms found in various biological kingdoms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. These living things are diverse in their structure, organization, and complexity, yet they share fundamental attributes that set them apart from non-living matter.
Living beings are capable of growth, which involves an increase in size or number of cells in an organism. They undergo metabolism, where they acquire energy from their environment and convert it into usable forms. They reproduce, ensuring the continuation of their species through asexual or sexual processes. Live things have the capacity to respond to external stimuli, which can be physical, chemical, or environmental, and they exhibit various methods of moving or altering their behaviors in response. Lastly, they maintain homeostasis, a state of internal stability, by regulating their internal environment to function optimally despite external changes.
Understanding the nature of live things is essential as it provides insights into the remarkable diversity and interdependence of life on Earth. Studying live things helps us grasp the complexity of ecological systems, develop an understanding of genetic inheritance and evolution, and comprehend the intricacies of biological processes within organisms.
Etymology of LIVE THING
The word "live" derives from the Old English word "līfe" which means "life". It is closely related to the Proto-Germanic word "libam" which has the same meaning. The word "thing" comes from the Old English word "þing" which originally meant an assembly, meeting, or argument. Over time, "thing" has evolved to encompass a broad range of meanings, including an object, a matter, or something general. When combined, "live thing" simply refers to something that is alive or living.
