True or False: An organism can grow without taking in or creating new atoms.

The statement that an organism can grow without taking in or creating new atoms is false. Growth in organisms typically involves the incorporation of new matter, which means that atoms are either absorbed from the environment or generated through metabolic processes.

For instance, a plant grows by taking in water, carbon dioxide, and minerals from the soil, which are essential for synthesizing new cells and tissues through photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Similarly, animals require nutrients from their diet, which include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are composed of atoms that are necessary for building and repairing tissues.

Growth is fundamentally tied to the addition of new atoms as the organism increases in size or complexity. Without the influx of new atoms in the form of organic and inorganic compounds, an organism would not be able to sustain growth or maintain physiological functions, as these processes rely on the availability of new materials to create biomass and energy.

Therefore, the notion that an organism can grow without new atoms contradicts the basic principles of biology regarding growth, metabolism, and the maintenance of life.