_______is the defining character of all living organism

Options

A. Reproduction
B. Metabolism
C. Consciousness
D. Growth

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the defining character of all living organisms. We need to analyze the given options: reproduction, metabolism, consciousness, and growth.

2. **Analyzing Reproduction**:
- Reproduction is the biological process through which organisms produce offspring. While it is an important characteristic of living organisms, it is not essential for the survival of an individual organism. Some organisms can reproduce asexually or not at all.

3. **Analyzing Metabolism**:
- Metabolism refers to the sum of all chemical reactions occurring within a living organism. It is essential for maintaining life, as it involves processes like energy production, growth, and waste elimination. Metabolism is a characteristic that is unique to living organisms.

4. **Analyzing Consciousness**:
- Consciousness refers to the state of being aware of and able to think and perceive. While it is a feature of certain organisms, particularly animals, it is not a universal characteristic of all living organisms.

5. **Analyzing Growth**:
- Growth is the process of increasing in size or mass. While all living organisms grow, growth can also occur in non-living entities through external means (extrinsic growth). Therefore, it is not a defining characteristic exclusive to living organisms.

6. **Conclusion**: After analyzing all options, metabolism stands out as the defining character of all living organisms because it is fundamental to life processes and occurs exclusively in living organisms.

**Final Answer**: Metabolism is the defining character of all living organisms.

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