What characteristic is NOT typically associated with minerals?

Minerals are defined by a set of specific characteristics, and one of the key defining features is that they are naturally occurring substances, usually inorganic in nature. While some minerals can be influenced by biological processes, the fundamental classification of minerals does not include those that form exclusively through biological means.

The properties of minerals include their inorganic nature, meaning they are not derived from living organisms. Minerals also possess a definite chemical composition, which indicates that they have a consistent formula made up of specific elements in fixed proportions. Additionally, minerals exhibit a crystalline structure, meaning that their atoms are arranged in a highly ordered and repeating pattern.

The ability to form through biological processes is not a defining characteristic of minerals. Instead, it is often associated with organic materials or biogenic minerals like certain types of calcite or aragonite that can form from biological activity, such as coral or shells. However, these are exceptions rather than a rule within the mineral classification system. Thus, this characteristic is not typically associated with minerals in the traditional sense.