What characteristic distinguishes living things from non-living things?

The ability to reproduce is a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes living things from non-living things. This property ensures the continuation of a species and the transmission of genetic material across generations. Reproduction can occur in various forms, such as sexual and asexual reproduction, enabling organisms to create offspring that may inherit traits from their parents, contributing to genetic diversity.

While the presence of DNA is also a critical aspect of living organisms—serving as the genetic blueprint for development and functioning—not all living things reproduce through DNA in the same way (e.g., some viruses contain RNA instead). Total cellular structure is a feature of living organisms, as they are made up of cells. However, non-living things can also be composed of cells in certain contexts, such as when dead organisms are considered. The ability to move spontaneously is often observed in many living entities, but not all living organisms exhibit movement (for instance, plants do not move in the same way animals do).

Ultimately, reproduction stands out as the key distinction, as it encapsulates the essential process by which life perpetuates itself and diversifies.