Characteristics of Living Things:

1. Cellular Organization: All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2. Metabolism: They undergo chemical processes to convert food into energy.
3. Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
4. Growth and Development: Organisms grow and develop according to specific instructions coded in their DNA.
5. Reproduction: They have the ability to reproduce, either sexually or asexually, to pass on genetic information.
6. Response to Stimuli: Living things respond to environmental changes or stimuli.
7. Adaptation through Evolution: Over time, species adapt to their environments through evolutionary processes.

Taxonomy of Living Things:
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms based on shared characteristics. The main levels of classification include:

1. Domain: The highest taxonomic rank, including Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
2. Kingdom: Groups organisms into categories such as Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista.
3. Phylum: Further divides kingdoms into groups based on major body plans or organizational features.
4. Class: Subdivides phyla into groups with more specific similarities.
5. Order: Further categorizes classes into groups of related families.
6. Family: Groups related genera (plural of genus).
7. Genus: A group of closely related species.
8. Species: The most specific level, representing individual organisms that can interbreed.

Understanding these characteristics and the taxonomy system helps in identifying, studying, and conserving the diversity of life on Earth.