As an expert in the field of natural sciences, I can provide a comprehensive overview of what constitutes non-living things. It's important to note that the distinction between living and non-living things is based on a set of characteristics that define life. Living things, or organisms, are those that exhibit certain features such as the ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and undergo metabolism. Non-living things, on the other hand, lack these characteristics and do not exhibit any form of life.
Non-living things can be categorized into several groups, including:

1. Inorganic Matter: This includes elements and compounds that are not combined in a biological context. Examples are metals, rocks, and water in its pure form.

2. Physical States of Matter: Solids, liquids, and gases that are not part of a living organism are considered non-living. This would include things like ice, which is water in a solid state, or the air we breathe.

3. Natural Phenomena: Events or occurrences in nature that are not caused by living organisms, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and lightning.

4. Man-made Objects: Anything created by humans, from tools and machines to buildings and works of art, falls into this category.

5. Energy: While energy itself is neither living nor non-living, it can be a factor in the distinction. Living organisms convert energy through processes like photosynthesis or cellular respiration, but energy in the form of sunlight, electricity, or heat is not considered living.

6. Abstract Concepts: Ideas, emotions, and other non-physical entities are also non-living, as they do not have a physical presence or the ability to grow or reproduce.
It's also worth mentioning that there are some entities that exist in a gray area between living and non-living. For example, viruses are often debated because they can reproduce only inside host cells but are not considered truly alive outside of that context. Similarly, some might argue that certain complex systems like ecosystems or the biosphere could be considered living entities, but this is a philosophical rather than a scientific debate.
The statement that "Plants cannot move from one place to another" is accurate in the sense that plants are rooted in one spot and do not have the ability to change their location as animals do. However, plants do exhibit movement in other ways, such as growing towards light (phototropism), opening and closing flowers, and even moving parts to catch insects, as seen in the case of the Venus flytrap. This movement is a form of responsiveness to stimuli, which is a characteristic of living things.
The assertion that "Things which cannot grow, move, breathe, and reproduce are called nonliving things" is a generalization that holds true for the most part. However, it's important to remember that the ability to grow and reproduce is not exclusive to living organisms. For instance, crystals can grow, but they are not considered living. Similarly, some living organisms, like mules, are sterile and cannot reproduce.
In conclusion, the classification of non-living things is based on the absence of life characteristics. While this distinction is generally clear, there are exceptions and nuances that can complicate the categorization. Understanding these distinctions is fundamental to the study of biology and the broader natural sciences.
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Plants cannot move from one place to another. However, plants move their stem to face the sun. Hence, they are also living things. Things which cannot grow, move, breathe and reproduce are called nonliving things. They do not have any kind of life in them.Apr 21, 2015read more >>