What differentiates the living from non-living is the continuation of the process.
But like any chemical process, it only continues as long as the reactants are present. Take away the CO2 from a plant and the process stops.
A fire burns as long as you feed it. On the other hand, even a well-fed creature eventually dies. Sounds like you have it backwards to me - what typifies life is that
none of the processes are ultimately continuous.