Bacteria :
To identify whether an object or a thing is a living thing or a non-living thing, it must have the 8 characteristic which are movement, excretion, respiration, irritability, growth, reproduction, adaptability and nutrition.

Yes, bacteria is a living thing because it has the ability to move, respire, adapt to surrounding, reproduce, grow, have nutrients and they can also eat. Here are some of the evidence to prove that bacteria is a living thing.

Bacteria are living things because, of the following reasons:Some bacteria have flagella because those with flagella are able to move on its own whereas those which do not have, cannot move on its own. (MOVEMENT)

According to science, cells are able to reproduce so that they can survive, have off spring and also to spread the disease and prevent it from being killed and extinct. To reproduce, it will go through the process called Conjugation which means to join and exchange genetic materials with other bacteria. When it has finished with the exchange they go through the process of Binary Fission for the makeup of genetic bacteria. (REPRODUCTION)

Same as other organisms, bacteria have survival needs too. They need to eat and digest. And when they digest, they respire using oxygen too. (INGESTING & RESPIRATION)

Protecting themselves in the environment is also one of their needs. Different bacteria have different ways of survival but most bacteria break down and chemicals within their environment to obtain food. When bacteria feed on the decay matters and breaking down chemical, they are obtaining nutrients like protein. (NUTRIENTS)

Bacteria form Endospores that are very resistant and can protect a bacteria's genetic material from freezing, heating, and drying out. When the bacteria are landed at a suitable environment, the Endospores open up and the bacteria will be able to spread, grow and multiply. (GROWTH & ADAPTIBILITY)

SOME FACTS:
Bacteria are decomposers that fed on decaying matter and also break them down.
Bacteria can be both harmful and helpful. There are good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria are those which help us prevent other harmful bacteria from growing and they help us digest our food that we eat. Bad bacteria are those which cause us to fall ill.
Bacteria are Prokaryotic cells which mean they are cells without nucleus.
There is variety of different bacteria in life.

A picture illustrating a bacteria:


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