Living things are different from dead things. Propose what you think this difference might be.

Sure, here is a step-by-step response to your question:

1. Living things have a life process: Living things have a life process which includes growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. Dead things, on the other hand, do not have a life process.

2. Living things require energy: Living things require energy to carry out various life processes. They obtain this energy from food, sunlight, etc. Dead things do not require or consume energy.

3. Living things respond to their environment: Living things have the ability to respond to changes in their environment. For example, plants grow towards the light, animals respond to danger, etc. Dead things do not have the ability to respond to their environment.

4. Living things reproduce: One of the key characteristics of living things is their ability to reproduce and create offspring. Dead things do not have this ability.

5. Living things grow and develop: Living things have the ability to grow and develop during their life. This could be physical growth, like a child growing into an adult, or a seed growing into a tree. Dead things do not grow or develop.

6. Living things have cells: All living things are made up of cells, which are the basic units of life. Dead things may have cells, but they are not functioning or dividing.

7. Living things have metabolism: Living things have metabolism, which is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that take place within the cells of organisms. These reactions allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Dead things do not have metabolism.

In conclusion, the main difference between living and dead things is that living things have life processes, require energy, respond to their environment, reproduce, grow and develop, have cells, and have metabolism. Dead things do not have these characteristics.