The Definition of Life
The definition of life has been and is now an item of hot debate among biologists. The definition of life is taught to children through the Schleiden-Shwann cell theory. This is how life comes to be defined after the cell theory.
1) All life forms are composed of one or more cells, and cells are the basis of structure and function in all life forms.
2) All life forms come from other life forms through some form of reproduction of cells.
3) All life forms are able to create their own proteins and create energy through synthesis.
Though this is considered the "official" definition of life, I am here to say that it is not.
I feel that it is absurd to think that ALL life forms are composed of cells. What is the possibility of structures like cells forming on other planets completely isolated from Earth? And do all life forms have to be composed of carbon-based molecules? I feel that it is ridiculous for space organizations like NASA to examine Mars for any traces of carbon-hydrates as signs of life.
The virus is officially considered non-living. It is so because it cannot create its own proteins, and use host cells to create proteins and reproduce for them. But does a life form have to be able to make its own proteins? Viruses show every sign of life except for the laws that say life must be composed of cells and be able to create its own proteins. They even have their own genetic material. They are able to attach themselves to host cells and then insert their genetic material into the host cell, where it replaces the original cell's genetic material, and the host cell reproduces the virus. Viruses resemble simple parasites. Because viruses are able to do this, they should be considered simple life forms as the 4th Woese domain of life, next to archaebacteria, eubacteria and eukaryotes. Therefore I also I think that the definition of life should be altered to allow viruses to be life forms. This is also the belief of many other biologist.
1) All life forms are composed of one or more cells, and cells are the basis of structure and function in all life forms.
2) All life forms come from other life forms through some form of reproduction of cells.
3) All life forms are able to create their own proteins and create energy through synthesis.
Though this is considered the "official" definition of life, I am here to say that it is not.
I feel that it is absurd to think that ALL life forms are composed of cells. What is the possibility of structures like cells forming on other planets completely isolated from Earth? And do all life forms have to be composed of carbon-based molecules? I feel that it is ridiculous for space organizations like NASA to examine Mars for any traces of carbon-hydrates as signs of life.
The virus is officially considered non-living. It is so because it cannot create its own proteins, and use host cells to create proteins and reproduce for them. But does a life form have to be able to make its own proteins? Viruses show every sign of life except for the laws that say life must be composed of cells and be able to create its own proteins. They even have their own genetic material. They are able to attach themselves to host cells and then insert their genetic material into the host cell, where it replaces the original cell's genetic material, and the host cell reproduces the virus. Viruses resemble simple parasites. Because viruses are able to do this, they should be considered simple life forms as the 4th Woese domain of life, next to archaebacteria, eubacteria and eukaryotes. Therefore I also I think that the definition of life should be altered to allow viruses to be life forms. This is also the belief of many other biologist.
posted by deranged_physicist | 9:20 PM
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