How do living organisms maintain their existence over time?

Living organisms maintain their existence over time primarily by perpetuating themselves through reproduction. This process ensures that their genetic material is passed on to future generations, allowing for the continuation of their species. Reproduction can take various forms, including sexual and asexual reproduction, enabling organisms to produce offspring that share genetic traits with their parents. This capacity for reproduction is fundamental to the survival of species, as it counteracts the effects of mortality and allows for adaptation to changing environments through evolution.

Evolving into new species is a part of the broader process of evolution, but it is not the primary mechanism for maintaining existence; instead, it represents a long-term response to environmental changes and selective pressures. Consumption of non-living matter does not directly contribute to the persistence of life but rather supports the energy needs of organisms. Ceasing metabolic functions would lead to the death of the organism, preventing any possibility of maintaining existence over time. Thus, the ability to reproduce effectively is the key factor in the survival and continuity of living organisms.