Towards a definition of life

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
Peter T Macklem, Andrew Seely

Abstract

This article offers a new definition of life as a "self-contained, self-regulating, self-organizing, self-reproducing, interconnected, open thermodynamic network of component parts which performs work, existing in a complex regime which combines stability and adaptability in the phase transition between order and chaos, as a plant, animal, fungus, or microbe." Open thermodynamic networks, which create and maintain order and are used by all organisms to perform work, import energy from and export entropy into the environment. Intra- and extracellular interconnected networks also confer order. Although life obeys the laws of physics and chemistry, the design of living organisms is not determined by these laws, but by Darwinian selection of the fittest designs. Over a short range of normalized energy consumption, open thermodynamic systems change from deeply ordered to chaotic, and life is found in this phase transition, where a dynamic balance between stability and adaptability allows for homeokinesis. Organisms and cells move within the phase transition with changes in metabolic rate. Seeds, spores and cryo-preserved tissue are well within the ordered regime, while health probably cannot be maintained with displacements into the...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 18, 2013·Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology·Karla Kristine DamesPedro Lopes de Melo
May 9, 2014·Intensive Care Medicine·Robert D Truog, Franklin G Miller
Jun 20, 2014·Journal of Public Health Policy·Joachim P Sturmberg
Sep 27, 2012·Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing·J VeigaP L Melo
Jun 7, 2014·Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice·Stefan Topolski, Joachim Sturmberg
Apr 29, 2014·Journal of Critical Care·Jean-Marie AertsYoram Vodovotz
Jul 22, 2014·The American Journal of Bioethics : AJOB·Robert D Truog, Franklin G Miller
Sep 14, 2016·Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice·Johannes Bircher, Eckhart G Hahn
Oct 21, 2016·F1000Research·Johannes Bircher, Eckhart G Hahn
Feb 2, 2016·The European Respiratory Journal·Peter J Sterk
Apr 22, 2017·Journal of Applied Physiology·Bruno Burlando
Jan 8, 2020·Antioxidants & Redox Signaling·Leonardo Y TanakaFrancisco R M Laurindo
Jan 15, 2020·Biomolecular Concepts·Victor V Tetz, George V Tetz
Dec 18, 2015·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Beth MortimerFritz Vollrath
May 14, 2011·Journal of Applied Physiology·Juliana VeigaPedro L Melo
Dec 17, 2011·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·Ramaswamy Krishnan, Jeffrey J Fredberg
Jun 18, 2017·Frontiers in Immunology·Ariel L RivasMarc H V Van Regenmortel
Jun 30, 2019·Frontiers in Immunology·Ariel L RivasMarc H V van Regenmortel
May 16, 2019·Physiological Measurement·Christophe L HerryMartin G Frasch
May 21, 2020·The Linacre Quarterly·James L Bernat
Feb 5, 2011·Journal of Applied Physiology·Urs FreyBéla Suki
Oct 28, 2017·Journal of Applied Physiology·Attila HorvathChia-Chen Chuang
Apr 16, 2019·Frontiers in Medicine·Joachim P SturmbergRené J F Melis
Apr 15, 2021·Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics·María A Carrasco, Luca Valera
Sep 8, 2021·Methods : a Companion to Methods in Enzymology·Ariel L Rivas, Almira L Hoogesteijn
Oct 10, 2021·Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine : PEHM·Ari R JoffeAllan R de Caen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.