Which of the following is a characteristic of living organisms?

Step 3: Focus on the correct answer, 'Ability to respond to stimuli.' This is a defining feature of living organisms, as they can detect and react to changes in their environment, such as light, temperature, or chemical signals.

Step 4: Relate this concept to real-world examples. For instance, plants respond to light by growing toward it (phototropism), and animals respond to external stimuli like sound or touch by moving or reacting accordingly.