Question

living organisms, such as trees and cows, share certain characteristics of life. which statement describes a difference in one of the characteristics of life shared by trees and cows?
one of the organisms produces asexually, the other does not.
one of the organisms responds to the environment, the other does not.
one of the organisms gets energy directly from the sun, the other does not.
one of the organisms grows and changes, but the other does not.

Explanation:

• Asexual reproduction: Both trees (e.g., some can reproduce asexually via vegetative propagation) and cows (which reproduce sexually) can have sexual reproduction as a main mode. So this is not a clear - cut difference.
• Response to the environment: All living organisms respond to the environment. Trees respond to light (phototropism), and cows respond to various stimuli like predators.
• Energy source: Trees are autotrophs. They use photosynthesis to get energy directly from the sun (convert solar energy into chemical energy in glucose). Cows are heterotrophs. They get energy by consuming other organisms (plants or other animals), not directly from the sun.
• Growth and change: All living organisms grow and change over their life cycle.

Answer:

One of the organisms gets energy directly from the sun, the other does not.