2.

When your sibling jumps out from hiding and scares you, you jump back and gasp. Which characteristic of life is best represented?

Growth

Reproduction

Evolution

Response to stimuli

The characteristic of life that is best represented in the above example is the response to stimuli.

Control and coordination in the body is brought about by the nervous system and the endocrine system of the body. Nervous system is involved in the production of the reflex action during such situations. Stimulus is the event that evokes a specific area or organ of the body to respond. Reflex action is the simplest kind of response exhibited to any stimulus. A reflex action results in the generation of a reflex arc. Reflex arc is the pathway travelled by the nerve during a reflex action. The stimulus initiates the receptors of the body which are connected to the sensory neurons. The sensory neurons convert the external stimulus into electric impulse and carry it through the association neurons or interneurons. They further connect the motor neurons and reach the brain to generate a response which travels the same way from the brain.