So what defines life?
1) All life reproduces, though the manner of reproduction varies significantly (sexual, mitosis, etc).
2) All life metabolizes energy from its environment, though the method again varies significantly (photosynthesis, consumption of organic matter, etc).
3) All life responds to stimuli (though all forms of life do not respond to all stimuli).
That's about it.
You didn't mention
homeostasis.
From a lecture outline from Biology 111 chapter 2 from an accredited university:
quote:
2.1 What Does Life Require?
A definition of life:
” There is no simple definition of life
” How can scientists determine if something is living and what characteristics do all living things possess?
A Definition of Life
” Some characteristics of living organisms are shared with some non-living things, like fire:
- Growth (develop and metamorphose)
- Metabolism (chemical processes that occur in the cell)
- Movement
- Reproduction
- Response to external environmental stimuli
A Definition of Life
” All living organisms .
- contain a common set of biological molecules
- can maintain homeostasis (a roughly constant internal environment)
bold added for emphasis
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.
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