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What is the definition of Life?
Topic Started: Oct 17 2008, 08:05 PM (332 Views)
Yorick
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Adult
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I could never find a fitting definition.
"I believe, that whatever doesn't kill you, simply makes you...stranger"

-The Dark Knight (2008)
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ChumZar
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Entheogenic Shaman
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according to my science teacher:

Cells
Reproduction
Adaptation
Growth
Homeostasis
Organization
Metabolism
Evolution
Stimulus

CRAG HOMES

"Hard-wired to conceive so much we had to stow it. Even needs have needs; tiny giants made of tinier giants. Don't wear eyelids so we don't miss the last laugh of this show."
-Modest Mouse
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Carlos
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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Life is being alive. Duh!

Seriously, there's no current definition of "life". Perhaps the best explanation would be something akin to our world's life forms (that is, with the things ChumZar said).
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

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SIngemeister
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Hive Tyrant of the Essee Swarm

Life. That which will be ended by, say, a very long fall.
My Deviantart

RRRAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!
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lamna
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For me it is self replicating molecules.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
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Livyatan


The exact definition of life is something of confusion: with the existence of molecules like viruses that don't follow all the main characteristics of life, yet seem to be living things by other standards. Scientists are not really clear where the lines should be drawn, but currently the most accepted standard is: homeostasis, cells, metabolism, growth, adaptation, stimuli, and reproduction.
The grand Livyatan on deviantArt: link

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Xenophile
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Formerly known as alienboy.
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If the definition of life is something that reproduces then a mule isn't alive even though we now it is. If the definition of life is something that grows then a crystal is alive. Life happens to have the longest definition of all the words in my dictionary!
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