Living organisms and non-living organisms can be distinguished based on several significant factors, including cellular structure, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Living organisms have a defined structure made up of one or more cells, whereas non-living objects lack this complexity. Living organisms also possess metabolism, the ability to convert food into energy, and the capacity to grow and reproduce. In addition, living organisms can respond to stimuli, such as light or sound, by altering their behavior or internal state.

Superorganisms are groups of individuals that function as a single entity, with each member of the group contributing to the collective behavior. Ant colonies, bee hives, and termite colonies are examples of superorganisms. These colonies display remarkable abilities, such as coordinated foraging, nest-building, and defense.

Viruses and bacteria are not typically considered superorganisms because they lack the collective behavior and coordination of true superorganisms. However, some research has suggested that certain bacteria can form complex communities called biofilms, which may exhibit some characteristics of superorganisms, such as division of labor and coordination of behavior. In contrast, viruses are not capable of independent reproduction or metabolism and require host cells to carry out their life cycle.
spam fails_task lang_mismatch pii not_appropriate hate_speech sexual_content quality toxicity humor helpfulness creativity violence