Concepts

of Life
Life, living matter and, as such, matter that shows certain
attributes that include order, sensitivity or response to the
environment, reproduction, growth and development,
regulation, homeostasis, and energy processing.
Although a noun, as with other defined entities, the word
life might be better cast as a verb to reflect its essential
status as a process. Life comprises individuals, living
beings. Each individual is composed of one or more
minimal living units, called cells, and is capable of
transformation of carbon-based and other compounds
(metabolism), growth, and participation in reproductive
acts.
Life-forms present on Earth today have evolved from
ancient common ancestors through the generation of
hereditary variation and natural selection. Although some
studies state that life may have begun as early as 4.1 billion
years ago, it can be traced to fossils dated to 3.5–3.7 billion
years ago, which is still only slightly younger than Earth,
which gravitationally accreted into a planet about 4.5 billion
years ago. But this is life as a whole. More than 99.9
percent of species that have ever lived are extinct.
The several branches of science that reveal the common
historical, functional, and chemical basis of the evolution of
all life include electron microscopy, genetics, paleobiology
(including paleontology), and molecular biology.

The phenomenon of life can be approached in several ways:

life as it is known and studied on planet Earth; life
imaginable in principle; and life, by hypothesis, that might
exist elsewhere in the universe (see extraterrestrial life). As
far as is known, life exists only on Earth.
Most life-forms reside in a thin sphere that extends about 23
km (14 miles) from 3 km (2 miles) beneath the bottom of
the ocean to the top of the troposphere (lower atmosphere);
the relative thickness is comparable to a coat of paint on a
rubber ball. An estimated 10–30 million distinguishable
species currently inhabit this sphere of life, or biosphere.
Attributes
of Life
Order
Organisms are highly organized, coordinated structures that
consist of one or more cells. Even very simple, single-celled
organisms are remarkably complex: inside each cell, atoms
make up molecules; these in turn make up cell organelles
and other cellular inclusions. In multicellular organisms,
similar cells form tissues. Tissues, in turn, collaborate to
create organs (body structures with a distinct function).
Organs work together to form organ systems.
Figure 1.7.1 : Multicellular Organisms: A toad represents a highly organized structure consisting of
cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. https://bio.libretexts.org/
Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli
Organisms can respond to diverse stimuli. For example,
plants can grow toward a source of light, climb on fences
and walls, or respond to touch. Even tiny bacteria can move
toward or away from chemicals (a process called
chemotaxis) or light (phototaxis). Movement toward a
stimulus is considered a positive response, while movement
away from a stimulus is considered a negative response.
Figure 1.7.1 : Response to Stimuli: The leaves of this sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) will instantly
droop and fold when touched. After a few minutes, the plant returns to normal.
https://bio.libretexts.org/
Reproduction
Single-celled organisms reproduce by first duplicating their
DNA. They then divide it equally as the cell prepares to
divide to form two new cells. Multicellular organisms often
produce specialized reproductive germline cells that will
form new individuals. When reproduction occurs, genes
containing DNA are passed along to an organism’s
offspring. These genes ensure that the offspring will belong
to the same species and will have similar characteristics,
such as size and shape.
Figure 1.7.1 : Reproduction: Although no two look alike, these kittens have inherited genes from
both parents and share many of the same characteristics. https://bio.libretexts.org/
Growth and Development
All organisms grow and develop following specific
instructions coded for by their genes. These genes provide
instructions that will direct cellular growth and
development, ensuring that a species’ young will grow up to
exhibit many of the same characteristics as its parents.
http://relationshipsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/RF-SliderQuotes-575x275-241.png
Regulation
Even the smallest organisms are complex and require
multiple regulatory mechanisms to coordinate internal
functions, respond to stimuli, and cope with environmental
stresses. Two examples of internal functions regulated in an
organism are nutrient transport and blood flow. Organs
(groups of tissues working together) perform specific
functions, such as carrying oxygen throughout the body,
removing wastes, delivering nutrients to every cell, and
cooling the body.
https://www.biologyonline.com/
Homeostasis
In order to function properly, cells need to have appropriate
conditions such as proper temperature, pH, and appropriate
concentration of diverse chemicals. These conditions may,
however, change from one moment to the next. Organisms
are able to maintain internal conditions within a narrow
range almost constantly, despite environmental changes,
through homeostasis (literally, “steady state”)—the ability
of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions.
Homeostasis
For example, an organism needs to regulate body
temperature through a process known as thermoregulation.
Organisms that live in cold climates, such as the polar bear,
have body structures that help them withstand low
temperatures and conserve body heat. Structures that aid in
this type of insulation include fur, feathers, blubber, and fat.
In hot climates, organisms have methods (such as
perspiration in humans or panting in dogs) that help them to
shed excess body heat.
Figure 1.7.1 : Homeostasis: Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and other mammals living in ice-covered regions
maintain their body temperature by generating heat and reducing heat loss through thick fur and a dense
layer of fat under their skin. https://bio.libretexts.org/
Energy Processing
All organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic
activities. Some organisms capture energy from the sun and
convert it into chemical energy in food; others use chemical
energy in molecules they take in as food.
Figure 1.7.1 : Energy Processing: The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) uses chemical energy
derived from food to power flight. https://bio.libretexts.org/
Evolution
As a population of organisms interacts with the
environment, individuals with traits that contribute to
reproduction and survival in that particular environment
will leave more offspring. Over time those advantageous
traits (called adaptations ) will become more common in the
population. This process, change over time, is called
evolution, and it is one of the processes that explain the
diverse species seen in biology.
Evolution
Adaptations help organisms survive in their ecological
niches, and adaptive traits may be structural, behavioral, or
physiological; as such, adaptations frequently involve other
properties of organisms such as homeostasis, reproduction,
and growth and development.
Key Points
• Order can include highly organized structures such as
cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• Interaction with the environment is shown by response
to stimuli.
• The ability to reproduce, grow and develop are defining
features of life.
• The concepts of biological regulation and maintenance
of homeostasis are key to survival and define major
properties of life.
Key Points
• Organisms use energy to maintain their metabolic
processes.
• Populations of organisms evolve to produce individuals
that are adapted to their specific environment.