10 Difference between Living and Non-Living Things with Comparison Table

February 2022 · 3 minute read

What is the difference between living and non-living things?

The environment comprises of both living and non-living organisms. These things play different roles in the environment.

The lesson provides the core difference between living and non-living things in a tabular form for easy comparison. Let’s find out:

Difference between Living and Non-Living Things

What Are  Living Things?

Living things refer to those creatures of nature that have life. Examples of living organisms are plants, animals, insects, birds, microorganisms, etc.

Here are the main characteristics of living things:

  • Can move on their own
  • Tend to grow and develop with time
  • Require nutrition
  • Releases energy
  • Reproduce to give birth to the new organism
  • Eliminate waste through excretion
  • Adapt to changing environment
  • Respond to the external environment

    • What Are Non-Living Things?

    Non-living things refer to objects that do not have life. Examples of non-living organisms are bottle, pen, chair, door, computer, mobiles, etc.

    These things do not show characteristics of life like reproduction, excretion, growth, and development. They are made from other non-living things.

    Comparison Chart: Living Vs Non-Living Things

    Basic TermsLiving ThingsNon-Living Things
    MeaningRefers to creatures that have lifeRefer to objects or items that do not have life
    Organization of StructuresHighly organizedNo organization
    ConsciousnessHave a sense of responding to external stimuliHave no sense
    HomeostasisMaintain a stable internal environment for the cell to functionDo not maintain a stable internal environment
    MetabolismExperience catabolism and anabolismNo metabolic changes
    GrowthExperience growth and development with timeNo growth and development
    EvolutionGo through evolutionDo not experience the evolution
    SurvivalDepend on food, water, and airDo not rely on anything
    LifespanThey live for a certain number of ages and dieHave a long lifespan
    ExamplesPlants, animals, insects, birdsBottle, pen, chair, door, computer

    Differences between Living and Non-Living Things

  • The living organism tends to grow and develop after some time whereas non-living things do not.
  • Living things depend on food, air, and water for survival, unlike non-living things that survive without them.
  • Living things tend to live for some years and later die while non-living things live and do not die.
  • Living things undergo evolution whereas non-living things do not undergo evolution
  • Living things experience catabolism and anabolism whereas non-living things do not experience metabolic changes
  • Living things maintain a stable internal environment for cells to function, unlike non-living things.
  • Living things have organized structures while non-living things do not have organized structures
  • Living things have a sense that responds to external stimuli while non-living things do not have sense.
  • Living things are those creatures with life while non-living things do not have life.
  • Examples of living things are plants and animals whereas non-living things are objects like stone and wood.

    • Comparison Video

    Summary

    The core difference between living and non-living things is living things are creatures of nature that have life while non-living things are objects that do not have life.

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