Think about a bush in your back yard. is it alive according to the characteristics of life? why or why not?

Yes it is alive . It respires , photosynthesizes and grows . It reacts to stimuli ( sunlight ) and tries to survive by adapting to the environment . Its' billions of cells form into transport vessels , roots , leaves and other structures to facilitate the creation and use of energy .

Yes, It Is Alive. We Know This Because The Characteristics Of Life Are:
responsiveness to the environment;
growth and change;
ability to reproduce;
have a metabolism and breathe;
maintain homeostasis;
being made of cells;
and.passing traits onto offspring.
Plants Respond To The Environment, By Growing Around Obstacles. 
They Do Grow And Change.
They Do Reproduce.
They Do Breathe. 
They Do Maintain Homeostasis.
They Are Made Of Cells. 
They Do Pass Traits To Their Offspring.