THE LIVING WORLD Life can be defined as a unique aggregation of molecules. These molecules have the tendency to express themselves through various chemical reactions collectively called metabolic reactions. The basic purpose of these reactions is to transform or produce and utilize energy. The term used to define these reactions in a cumulative way is metabolism. Through metabolism, various biomolecules are synthesized resulting in growth, development, responsiveness, adaptations, and reproduction. The forms that possess and express all these features are called living beings. These living beings live in almost all possible habitats like forests, mountains, deserts, oceans, freshwater bodies, hot springs, polar regions etc. They are linked to one another by sharing the common genetic material. All living beings share characteristics like organization, energy utilization, regulation or homeostasis, growth, development, reproduction, and adaptation. 1.1 WHAT IS GROWING