Living and Nonliving
Scientists use scientific classification to sort the world, but there are many other ways of sorting. One way we can sort things is by classifying them as living or nonliving. Living things use energy. They move or change shape. They take in food and get rid of waste, and they have babies, or reproduce. Humans, insects, trees, and grass are living things.
Nonliving things do not move by themselves, grow, or reproduce. They exist in nature or are made by living things. There are three groups of nonliving things. They are solids, liquids, and gases. Water is an example of a liquid. A rock is a solid. Oxygen is an example of a gas. Cars, pencils, and air are examples of nonliving things.
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Pictured here are rocks found by Lake Albert in Oregon. Rocks are a good example of nonliving things.View Larger Image
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(bottom) © Phil Schermeister/Corbis
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