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One systemic definition of life is that living things are self-organizing and autopoietic (self-producing). Variations of this include Stuart Kauffman's definition as an autonomous agent or a multi-agent system capable of reproducing itself, and of completing at least one thermodynamic work cycle. [27]
A presentation on information flow in living systems. Living systems are life forms (or, more colloquially known as living things) treated as a system. They are said to be open self-organizing and said to interact with their environment. These systems are maintained by flows of information, energy and matter. Multiple theories of living systems ...
The term "organism" (from the Ancient Greek ὀργανισμός, derived from órganon, meaning ' instrument, implement, tool ', ' organ of sense ', or ' apprehension ') [2] [3] first appeared in the English language in the 1660s with the now-obsolete meaning of an organic structure or organization. [3]
This science is one of the two major branches of natural science, the other being physical science, which is concerned with non-living matter. Biology is the overall natural science that studies life, with the other life sciences as its sub-disciplines. Some life sciences focus on a specific type of organism.
The community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components (e.g., water, light, radiation, temperature, humidity, atmosphere, acidity, and soil) of their environment is called an ecosystem. [147] [148] [149] These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. [150]
However, the derivation of living things such as LUCA from simple components is far from understood. [1] Although Earth remains the only place where life is known, [13] [14] the science of astrobiology seeks evidence of life on other planets.
This glossary of biology terms is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in biology, the study of life and of living organisms.It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions from sub-disciplines and related fields, see Glossary of cell biology, Glossary of genetics, Glossary of evolutionary biology, Glossary of ecology ...
All known living things are made up of one or more cells [13] All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division. The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living organisms. [14] The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells. [15] Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs ...