Understanding Life: Definition, Characteristics and FAQs
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Life, a unique phenomenon, is currently known to exist solely on our planet, Earth. It sets itself apart from non-living entities through specific biological processes like metabolism and reproduction. It's fascinating to see how life flourishes in nearly every environment, no matter how harsh. But what exactly is life?
Unraveling the Concept of Life
There isn't a universally accepted definition of life. However, the common understanding revolves around a few key traits: homeostasis ; cellular composition; a distinct lifecycle; growth; metabolism; response to stimuli; adaptation to the environment; reproduction; and evolution. We call these traits the life processes.
Learn More: Life Processes
Most definitions of life are descriptive, as life is essentially a process, not a substance. The complexity of defining life is further compounded by our limited understanding of potential organisms that might exist beyond Earth.
From a physics viewpoint, life can be defined as thermodynamic systems with an organized molecular structure capable of both reproduction and evolution.
Discover More: Evolution
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the characteristics of life?
Life shows the following characteristics: homeostasis; is composed of cells; has a definite lifecycle; can grow; showcases metabolism; responds to stimuli; adapt to the environment, reproduce and evolve.
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