Question

45 determine if each of the following describes a living or nonliving thing
a. living thing \t\t\t\tb. non - living thing
__a. rust eating a hole in a metal bucket. \t__ d. lightning
__b. an apple on a tree. \t\t__ e. a dinosaur fossil
__c. bacteria \t\t\t\t__ f. a wasp

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each item based on the characteristics of living (has life: growth, reproduction, metabolism, response to stimuli, etc.) and non - living (lacks life - like properties) things:

Item A: Rust eating a hole in a metal bucket

Rust is an oxide formed from a chemical reaction of metal with oxygen and moisture. It does not have the characteristics of living things like growth from within, reproduction, or metabolism. So it is a non - living thing. So we put B (Non - Living thing) for A.

Item B: An apple on a tree

The apple is part of a tree, and the tree is a living organism. The apple is a fruit (a reproductive structure) of the living tree. So the apple on the tree is part of a living system, so it is a living thing. We put A (Living thing) for B.

Item C: Bacteria

Bacteria are single - celled organisms. They can grow, reproduce (through binary fission), metabolize nutrients, and respond to their environment. So bacteria are living things. We put A (Living thing) for C.

Item D: Lightning

Lightning is a discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. It does not have any of the properties of living things such as growth, reproduction, or metabolism. So it is a non - living thing. We put B (Non - Living thing) for D.

Item E: A Dinosaur Fossil

A dinosaur fossil is the remains of a dinosaur that has been mineralized over time. The dinosaur was once living, but the fossil itself is a non - living structure (it does not grow, reproduce, or metabolize). So it is a non - living thing. We put B (Non - Living thing) for E.

Item F: A Wasp

A wasp is an insect. It can grow, reproduce, metabolize food, and respond to its environment (for example, it can find food, avoid predators). So a wasp is a living thing. We put A (Living thing) for F.

Answer:

A: B (Non - Living thing)
B: A (Living thing)
C: A (Living thing)
D: B (Non - Living thing)
E: B (Non - Living thing)
F: A (Living thing)