Question

Which among the following best describes the word “Growth” in living organisms?

(a) Increase in mass either due to accumulation or due to changes that body undergoes internally

(b) Increase in mass due to internally cell division and increase in number due to replication are twin characteristic of growth

(c) All living organisms grow throughout their life

(d) Growth is a sufficient characteristic to determine whether an organism is living or non-living

The question was asked in an interview for internship.

My doubt stems from Living and Non Living in division The Living World of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (b) Increase in mass due to internally cell division and increase in number due to replication are twin characteristic of growth

Easy explanation: Increase in mass due to internal division and increase in number of organisms are twin characteristics of growth. In non-living organisms increase in mass occurs due to accumulation whereas in living organisms it happens due to the proteins and carbohydrates that we intake. Living organisms except plants grow until certain period of their life and then stop growing. Growth is not a sufficient a characteristic to determine if an organism is living. Sometimes it’s possible that even mountains and sand dunes grow due to an accumulation of sand.