Question

Imagine that you are a scientist who has discovered a new object. You want to find out if the object is biotic or abiotic. You observe several characteristics about the new object. Which of these characteristics would tell you that the object is abiotic, or not alive?(1 point) Responses The object responds to stimuli. The object responds to stimuli. The object is made of cells. The object is made of cells. The object cannot produce energy. The object cannot produce energy. The object can grow.

Answer 1

To determine if the object is abiotic (not alive), you would look for characteristics that are typical of non-living things. Among the responses you provided, the characteristic that would indicate the object is abiotic is:

"The object cannot produce energy."

This suggests that the object does not engage in metabolic processes, which is a key feature of living organisms. The other characteristics (responding to stimuli, being made of cells, and being able to grow) are typically associated with living organisms.