What are organisms primarily classified as?

Organisms are primarily classified as living things because they exhibit the fundamental characteristics of life. These characteristics include the ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and carry out metabolic processes. Living things, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, maintain homeostasis, interact with their environment, and have cellular structures made of biological molecules. This classification helps distinguish them from non-living entities, which do not possess these traits. Understanding that organisms fall under the category of living things is key to studying biology, as it emphasizes their roles in ecosystems, their interactions with each other, and their biological functions.