Which group has the features described: order, regulate, grow and develop, are energy producing, respond to the environment, reproduce, and evolve?

• A. Plants
• B. Bacteria
• C. All living things
• D. Animals

Answer: (C)

Life is defined by a set of common features: organisms have order and organized structures; they regulate internal conditions; they grow and develop; they produce and use energy; they respond to the environment; they reproduce; and they evolve over time. Each of these traits reflects how living things maintain themselves, interact with the world, and pass on traits to future generations.

Because all these properties are shared by every living thing, the group that fits best is all living things. Plants, bacteria, and animals are all living and thus embody these characteristics. The other options are specific examples of living things, which do have these traits as well, but the most inclusive, accurate choice is the one that represents life in general.