Question

You are looking at pond water under a microscope with your lab partner and observe something moving across your field of view. Your partner claims it must be alive because it’s moving, but you aren’t so sure. How can you critique your partner’s explanation and determine if what you see is alive? Use logical reasoning as you identify and describe the major characteristics of living organisms in your response.

Write 4 sentences in your own words

For the Question I am looking for a reflection, in your own words, of what you remember from the readings in this unit. More like a journal entry than a scientific dissertation. And always, in your own words please

Answer 1

I understand why my partner thinks that movement indicates life, but we should consider the broader characteristics of living organisms. For example, living things are made up of cells, grow and develop, respond to their environment, reproduce, and maintain homeostasis. Just because something is moving doesn't mean it's fulfilling these criteria; it could be a non-living entity, like a particle being carried by water currents. To truly determine if what we’re observing is alive, we need to analyze whether it meets these essential characteristics beyond just its movement.