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1/11/2018 6:28:36 PM
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Incorrect. The being doesn't need to have/do all of these things, rather they need to be capable of it. Aside from that, reproduction can also refer to mitosis, or meiosis which is essentially the reproduction of cells through multi-segmented processes, forming a diploid (mitosis) and haploid (meiosis). Similarly, plants themselves are capable of both of these systems, as well as the aforementioned "reproduction" which yields the same results (that is the formation of a new generation of progeny) as in animals. Oddly, in all land plants, they have a reverse version of what follows in animals, such that their reproductive cells are formed during mitosis, in a cycle known as alteration of generation. These are separated into Sporophyte (multicellular diploid) and Gametophyte (multicellular haploid). The primary cause for this, is that one cycle produces haploid cells prior to the reproductive stage, and haploids containing only one of each necessary chromosome, cannot be further split. This said, plants themselves cannot technically reproduce as they themselves are subject to many critical events which may prevent them from effectively reproducing, such as self pollination. Yet they retain the potential for reproduction. Simply in a way that you may find mildly confounding to understand. To be classified to be alive: -Possess DNA -Made of at least one cell -Consume energy -Develop/grow/change over time -Capability for reproduction -Homeostasis Hope this helped.
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  • Just a brief glance can show that this is an incorrect collection of material. For example, you do not need to have DNA to be classified as a living thing, RNA works just as well. Further, potential to do an action listed does not necessarily mean something is alive. For example, though debated, viruses are not considered to be alive, and still meet most of the criteria: [b]Organisation[/b]: (NB, there is no requirement for an entire cell, even though cells are often referred to as the basic units of life). In viruses, we have nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) that encodes for proteins, and viruses often can have capsids (protein coats) [b]Homeostasis[/b]: This simply means that there is an ability to regulate the inside environment and protect it from the harsh conditions of the outside world. Some viruses accomplish this with that capsid I mentioned before, increasing survivability. [b]Reproduction[/b]: Viruses are certainly capable of reproduction, in fact, the means by which viruses reproduce often through borrowing host machinery- something common among even bacteria. Rickettsia is a great example of an intracellular bacteria that depends on a host for amino acids and nucleosides. [b]Metabolism[/b]: The use of energy is required for replication of anything, including viruses, the only difference is that the virus uses the host's energy reserves. Even more, retroviruses that utilise retrotranscriptase use their own machinery initially to begin the process of replication, only being dependant on the host's energy. [b]Respond to stimuli[/b]: Viruses, when making contact with a [b]specific[/b] (this is important) cell type/surface marker, uncoat and invade the cell. This specificity acknowledges that viruses respond to the world around them as they do not uncoat/try to invade everything they come into contact with (why bacterialphages only work with bacteria and not human cells). [b]Adapt to environment[/b]: This is a bit complicated to get into, bet essentially there are a number of ancient viruses that show signs that they co-evolved with bacteria, gaining new techniques as bacteria gained new methods of evading/killing viruses. TL;DR. The definition of life is tricky, and even being capable of doing something does not necessitate the labelling of 'being alive'.

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  • Yes, I had similar thoughts on the required criteria, such as an infertile person. But that isn't my decision to make really.

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  • Edited by Vicex: 1/11/2018 11:42:23 PM
    I'm sure in that regard 'life' is more viewed as a event of a species. So collectively, humans meet the criteria, even though certain individuals would not. Interesting debate nonetheless

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