Which of the following statements is accurate about living organisms?

Growth is indeed a key characteristic of living organisms. This biological phenomenon reflects the process by which living things increase in size, mass, and complexity over time. In multicellular organisms, growth typically involves cellular division and differentiation, allowing for the development of specialized functions and structures. For unicellular organisms, growth can manifest through the increase in cell size or number.

Living organisms also possess the ability to respond to environmental stimuli, reproduce, maintain homeostasis, and carry out metabolic processes, all of which are interconnected with the aspect of growth. The distinction marks them as fundamentally different from non-living things, emphasizing the significance of growth in defining life.

The other statements fail to accurately describe critical attributes of living organisms. Living organisms require energy to perform essential functions, they can grow, and they are not composed entirely of minerals, but rather made up of organic compounds.