What are five attributes of open systems that help explain how families function?

The community health nurse is sitting in a living room talking with a young mother about her new infant. The community nurse finds it is difficult to keep in mind that all the other family members are present by way of their influence. Systems theory offers some insights about how families operate as social systems. Knowing the attributes of living systems or open systems can help strengthen understanding of family structure and function. What are five attributes of open systems that help explain how families function?