1. Metabolism: Non-fertilized eggs exhibit metabolic activities, such as respiration, protein synthesis, and energy production, which are essential characteristics of living organisms.
2. Cellular Components: Non-fertilized eggs contain all the necessary cellular components, including organelles like mitochondria and ribosomes, which enable cellular functions and maintain the egg's viability.
3. Reproduction: While non-fertilized eggs cannot develop into a new individual on their own, they have the potential to participate in reproduction when fertilized by a sperm cell.
4. Developmental Potential: Non-fertilized eggs carry genetic information necessary for the development of a new individual. When fertilized, the zygote formed has the potential to undergo cell division and differentiation to form an embryo and eventually develop into an organism.
5. Response to Stimuli: Non-fertilized eggs can respond to certain environmental stimuli. For example, they can undergo chemical changes in response to hormonal signals, which prepare the egg for fertilization and potential development.
It's important to note that while a non-fertilized egg possesses these characteristics of life, it is not considered a complete or fully developed organism in the same way that a fertilized egg or a more complex living entity would be. The developmental potential of a non-fertilized egg is dependent on the process of fertilization and the subsequent steps of embryonic development.