Question

Growth and reproduction are not defining characters of living organisms. Why?

Answer 1

Both unicellular and multicellular organisms grow due to cell division. Growth is essential for the development of an organism. The cell division in multicellular organisms leads to increase in their length.

Non-living things also grow by accumulating materials on the outside. Hence, growth cannot be considered a defining character of living organisms.

Reproduction is the process during which organisms produce new offspring. In unicellular organisms, cell division results in both growth and reproduction which leads to increase in their number. Reproduction and growth are synonymous with growth.

Some organisms like sterile human couples, worker bees, mules do not exhibit sexual reproduction and hence reproduction also cannot be considered as a defining character of living organisms.