The Question is from neet-chemistry classification-of-elements-and-periodicity-in-prop introduction, and it was created by the author THIRUPATHI REDDY

Question

According to NCERT, the most defining characteristic distinguishing living organisms from non-living matter is:

THIRUPATHI REDDY · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: C
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
 **Primary Concept**: Characteristics of Living Organisms
 **Related Topics**: Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution
 **Prerequisites**: Basic understanding of living organisms and their properties.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
The question asks for the most defining characteristic of living organisms according to NCERT.
**Method & Steps**:
1. Analyze the options:
    a. Ability to respond to external stimuli: While important, this is a characteristic shared by some non-living things (e.g., a thermostat).
    b. Capacity to perform metabolic reactions:  Metabolic reactions are crucial for life, but  some non-living systems can also exhibit chemical reactions.
    c. Presence of self-replicating molecules enabling inheritance and evolution: This is the fundamental characteristic that distinguishes living things.  Self-replication through DNA/RNA ensures inheritance of traits and allows for evolution over time. This is unique to living systems.
    d. Exhibition of growth and development:  Crystals grow, but this is not the same as biological growth and development.
2. Compare the options to the NCERT definition of life:
    NCERT emphasizes the ability of living organisms to reproduce and evolve, which is directly linked to self-replication.
3. Select the most defining characteristic:
    Option C, the presence of self-replicating molecules, best encapsulates the essence of life as defined by NCERT, as it underpins inheritance and evolution.
**Result**: Option C is the most defining characteristic.
**Verification**: The NCERT textbooks consistently emphasize the importance of self-replication and evolution in defining life.
## OPTION ANALYSIS
A :x:  Responding to stimuli is a property of life but not the most defining one.
B :x: Metabolism is essential for life but not unique to it.
C ✓: Self-replication is the core process that enables inheritance and evolution, making it the most defining characteristic.
D :x: Growth and development are common to both living and some non-living things.
## LEARNING AIDS
 **Common Mistakes**:
  1. Choosing options A, B, or D: These are important characteristics of life, but self-replication is the most fundamental and defining aspect.
  2. Confusing growth in living organisms with other forms of growth (like crystal growth):  Biological growth is a complex process driven by self-replication and metabolism.
 **Quick Tips**:
  1. Focus on the core principle of inheritance and evolution, which are fundamentally linked to self-replication.
  2. Remember that NCERT emphasizes the uniqueness of self-replicating molecules in distinguishing living from non-living things.

THIRUPATHI REDDY · Answer

The ability to respond to external stimuli

THIRUPATHI REDDY · Answer

The capacity to perform metabolic reactions

THIRUPATHI REDDY · Answer

The correct Option is "The presence of self-replicating molecules enabling inheritance and evolution"

THIRUPATHI REDDY · Answer

The exhibition of growth and development

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