What Makes Something Alive?

Explore the seven life processes in one living system

● Thriving

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Choose a living example

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Sunflower

Makes sugar using light, then uses it in respiration.

Environment

☀️ Light70%

💧 Water65%

🧪 Minerals60%

🌡️ Temperature24°C

Seven processes — MRS GREN

How the sunflower shows all seven

Organism state

64Energy

1.00 gBiomass

0.0 dAge

━━ energy ━━ biomass

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Set energy64

Set biomass1.00 g

Living things do seven jobs

Scientists use these processes as evidence of life. A single moment may not reveal all seven, so we observe organisms over time.

Learning objectives

Identify all seven life processes.
Connect each process to observable evidence.
Predict how environmental factors change process rates.
Explain why one sign alone is not enough to prove life.

More living examples

Compare how very different organisms complete the same seven essential processes.

Key concepts

Metabolism: linked chemical reactions that keep an organism alive. Homeostasis: keeping internal conditions suitable. Limiting factor: the resource in shortest supply that restricts a process.

Suggested experiments

Set light to zero. Watch energy and growth over time.
Raise temperature slowly. Find the best zone before heat stress begins.
Use Drought, then feed the organism. Compare recovery.
Add a stimulus and observe the rapid sensitivity and movement response.

Questions for exploration

Which process continues when the light is off?
Why does growth need both matter and energy?
How is excretion different from releasing undigested food?

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