All living things share seven key characteristics: they are made of cells, undergo metabolism, grow and develop, reproduce, maintain homeostasis, evolve over time, and are interdependent. Specifically, they are composed of cells, use metabolic reactions to transform energy, regulate their internal conditions despite outside changes, grow through cell division and development, reproduce both asexually and sexually to produce new genetic combinations, change over generations through evolution, and rely on interactions within their biological communities and environments.