Question

How do structures in living things compare to structures in non living things

Answer 1

First of all there is no such thing as non living organisms, Ok because living things are only termed as organisms.

Now some of the characterisitic differences between the living and non living are :

1. Cellular structure: all living organisms generally have a cellular structure i.e., they are made up of one or more cells.
The protoplasm is the physical basis of life.

There is no such fundamental and structural unit called cell in non living things.

2. metabolism : The various life processes taking place within the body of an organism is collectively termed metabolism. The metabolic processes can occur only in living organisms and not in non living things.

3. growth, repair and death : Growth consists of the living organism absorbing materials entirely different from those that make up its body and convert thm into body building substances. Growth in non living substances such as crystal is at the cost of material similar to that of which it consists. Same substance is added without conversion.
The growth is permanent, irreversible process in living organisms but can be reversed in non living things.
Growth is different in different parts of the body of an organism. Growth is uniform throughout in the non living things.

Respiration, nutrition,excretion, movement,irritability, reproduction, life span, death, evolvability are other properties of a living organism.