CHAPTER V. 

 LIVING AND NON-LIVING OBJECTS. 



46. Similarities Between Living and Non-living Matter. 

 In matter that is alive we find numerous chemical ele- 

 ments, as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur; 

 also, in less degree, potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, 

 and others. These elements are found also in non- 

 living states, both alone and in compounds. Similarly 

 we find water and carbon dioxid, and salts of various 

 kinds, in what we call living matter. These compounds 

 are also found out of all connection with living objects. 

 So we may say that living matter is fundamentally the 

 same as non-living matter, so far as its ultimate chemical 

 elements are concerned. 



Living and non-living matter alike have weight and 

 form, and other physical properties which might be 

 mentioned. They both undergo chemical changes, and 

 in doing so develop energy or store it, as the case may be. 



There are indeed so many points of agreement between 

 them that the question has been raised as to whether 

 there is any constant distinction that will serve to sepa- 

 rate the living from the non-living. 



47. Practical Exercise. Refer to some elementary text-book of 

 chemistry for a simple description of some of the properties of the 

 elements and compounds mentioned in the preceding section, and 

 in those that follow. 



48. Distinction Between Living Matter and Living Ob- 

 jects. In the study of living things most students will 

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