World Science Scholars

1.7 Definitions of Life

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    • Do you think that even broad definitions of life, like the NASA definition, can sufficiently describe every possible type of life? Or do you think that there might be alien biologies that do not fit the mold of “chemical systems capable of Darwinian evolution”? Explain your answer.

    • Gbbf ggg. Ggv

    • The definition of self sustained chemical systems cabable of Darwinian evolution fits quite well to different circumstances. It should be such that whenever it is satisfied, there really is life there. I don’t know any better definition or criteria.

    • The NASA definition well fits and encompasses all life forms we observe on our planet (considering viruses as non-living). However, this definition cannot be considered universal for we are not yet aware of any extraterrestrial biochemistry (if at all there exists any).

      • I agree with you. The NASA definition encompasses all life forms observed on our planet, but it will be a logical fallacy to generalize that such definition encompasses all forms of life in the universe.

      • The definition of what we term life on planet earth is influenced by an ordered reaction of chemicals to form a working system. It will be incorrect to claim that extraterrestrial life forms with possibly different type of chemical make-up will have the same qualities used in defining life forms on earth. Since we do not solid knowledge on extraterrestrial biochemistry that shows the same characteristics as life on earth, the proposition of NASA’s definition of life to encompass all forms of life in the university is nothing but mere assumption.

    • It is quite possible that a thing as complex as life has some qualities that could yet surprise us and redefine our understanding. What we try to consider is life similar to the one on Earth and even with the NASA’s definition there could be different types of systems and organisms, based on different chemistry, or adhering to separate set of rules. Viruses are an interesting example of microbes that are considered to be not-living, yet they are certainly not the same as non-living matter, such as rock. There could be perhaps organisms out there that breach those two worlds, or it is possible that our current understanding of what it means to be considered a ‘living’ system is either incorrect or not fully developed.

    • The NASA definition is quite broad but I think it is possible to have life that isn’t capable of Darwinian evolution that is still life.

    • ;/

    • By adding another sentence like life can be a self sustainable chemical system which can experience exclusion in an inclusive space-time i think in which the darvin theory is a part of self sustaining system

    • Life cannot be define in few world’s or in books of anything else, the more human learn about life the more deeper it gets.

    • Personally, I believe that the current understanding of science is very limited. There are an unquantifiable amount of unknowns about the universe, that modern science has yet to uncover. So,I definitely believe it is possible for life to go beyond NASA’s definition and understanding. For what we know of right now, however, I think the definition is encompassing.

    • Ok, just lost an hour of thesis due to a link box i clicked the x on, in this course.

      Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

      NASA is a crock.

      As Space Force they are mighty, but Darwinianism allows Nazi philosophies to kill 19 million of my Polish countrymen in the last century.

      Darwinian philosophies evicerate people.

      No, I am a Lloyd Pye fan-

      https://www.google.com/search?q=lloyd+pye+everything+you+know+is+wrong&oq=lloyd+pye+everything+you+know+is+wrong&aqs=chrome..69i57.20578j0j4&client=ms-android-rogers-ca-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

      It is not good protocol to show URL work, but this is a device i use, not a good keyboard. I don`t want to risk losing work again by a wrong click.

      Lloyd Pye is a scientific outcast, similar to Tesla blacklight and Teslas measurement of the speed of light being 3x the speed of Einsteins (when leaving the source).

      Other forms of life exist in the extremophiles on our planet- ocean vent life, ice life, non- humanic places- so of course there will be dinosaurs out there for us to also find.

      Without bombardment periods, dinosaurs survive.

      Without x-ray doses from fermi bubbles, our goldilocks region midpoint at 25,000 ly from galactic center of the Milky Way is a strategic winner.

      I apologize if this second time around report contains few course references. Any comments on my planned attatched Doctorate topic are welcome, and thank you.
      fwater@mail.com
      403 830 1866

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    • I think NASA’s description of life as “self sustaining chemical systems with Darwinian evolution” is all encompassing and accurate, it’s hard to imagine life existing elswhere if any one of the three conditions outlined were not met.
      Therefore I think it’s safe to imagine that when we come in contact with life elsewhere, it almost certainly will be very different to life on earth, but it still will meet the three conditions for life as outlined by NASA.

    • I agree with the notion that the principles, theories, and laws of science of Earth and our Solar System might greatly vary from that of the exosystems. It is to be comprehended how life on Earth is a fantastic chance and how such events might be happening elsewhere in the universe too!

    • Ladies and Gentlemen,

      In the creation of industrial farming about 150 years ago, the German fellow that introduced the focus of N-P-K supplementation spent another ten years attempting to rectify his narrowed introduction to the topic of supplementation of agriculture by industrial means.

      For ten years after his initial authority he attempted to introduce the idea of 24 trace minerals in total as being important, not just the initial triad of N-P-K applications.

      He was too late, his voice silenced by industry investments in his original ideas.

      So even the creator of a system can be ignored while attempting to improve on his original research.

      If we miss silica lifeforms, we may blame industrial N-P-K agriculture.

      Crystalline entities based upon silica are often not important either to NorthAm medicines ignoring our bone density flexes for Calcium focuses of bone solidity.

      My style of farming is Biodynamics, based upon folklore gathered by Rudolph Steiner in Germany.

      We have a homeopathy approach to farming.

      Silica is applied after treatment to allow the upper plant growth above the soil.

      Calcium applies for roots.

      If you get a chance, try a Biosil product line promoter by Hollywood actor and model Christy Brinkley. Your body feels as if it is sunshine.

      This is a powerful thing. Silica based lifeforms may experience power in a different biology.

      I have only bought the product once, thirty years ago. Silica overlooked by science is one of the biologies that will be overlooked by Astrobiology.

      CLG 🙂🍵☕☕

    • It is quite possible that a thing as complex as life has some qualities that could yet surprise us and redefine our understanding. What we try to consider is life similar to the one on Earth and even with the NASA’s definition there could be different types of systems and organisms, based on different chemistry, or adhering to separate set of rules. Viruses are an interesting example of microbes that are considered to be not-living, yet they are certainly not the same as non-living matter, such as rock

    • This means that living systems are composed of complex molecules that are capable of self-reproduction and adapting to changing environments over time.

      From a biophysical perspective, living beings are understood as thermodynamic systems that can self-organize and reproduce in a way that is responsive to changes in their surroundings. This means that living things are able to maintain a state of low entropy, or disorder, by constantly exchanging energy and matter with their environment.

      Another important aspect of the chemical definition of life is the ability of living things to store and transmit genetic information. This information is generally stored in the form of DNA or RNA, which are complex organic molecules that contain the instructions for building and maintaining living systems. The ability of living systems to store and transmit genetic information is essential for reproduction and evolution.

    • I agree that the cosmic systems may have quite different scientific laws, ideas, and principles from Earth and our solar system. It must be understood that life on Earth is a wonderful accident and that similar things might be occurring elsewhere in the universe as well.

    • While the NASA definition of life provides a solid foundation for understanding life on Earth, it may not be sufficient to describe all potential forms of life in the universe, leaving room for the possibility of alien biologies that do not conform to our existing frameworks

    • The evolution of extraterrestrial life considers how life forms might arise and adapt in diverse cosmic environments, influenced by different planetary conditions like gravity, atmosphere, and radiation. This field bridges biology, chemistry, and planetary science to understand the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe.

    • Ladies & Gentlemen,

      There is a Prof. England at MIT that is saying an addition to the Darwinian evolutionary model can include a recognition of the energy transmitted into a system and the efficiency of that energy dispersal as defining evolutionary success.

      Astrobiology that has an alignment to better receive energy from outside the out- of- equilibrium biology is a place where evolution occurs.

      NASA allows a Darwinian evolution but the better use or more complete use of energy may be where life evolves.

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    • The universe is a vast ocean like thing, we can’t simply judge by just standing at shore…. But, even the ocean made up of water and minerals and follows the earth’s geography…. The universe also follows the NATURE LAWS like gravitational laws, system chemistry. Then we won’t know that the alien life is also follows the system chemistry… But we can try and understand the nature of universe and nature of the life by following the Chemistry

    • There is the fact that this definition does not include viruses, as they are not self-sustaining, and viruses can be found on Earth. Imagine what “life” could exist in other planets which would not be described as “life”.

    • While the NASA definition is a robust and practical starting point, it may not be universally sufficient to describe all conceivable forms of life — especially those that are non-chemical, non-Darwinian, or post-biological. In the future, we may need a more function-based or information-theoretic definition of life that emphasizes complexity, autonomy, and adaptive behavior over specific mechanisms like chemistry and evolution.

      So yes, it’s quite plausible that alien biologies — or even wholly different types of life — could fall outside the boundaries of this definition. Our current model is shaped by what we know, but the universe might surprise us.

    • NASA’s definition of life—a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution—is a strong starting point because it captures the essence of life on Earth, which is built from abundant universal elements like carbon and hydrogen. Since physical laws are the same everywhere, and planets form from molecular matter under similar processes of star and planet formation, I believe alien life on planets is likely chemical-based, self-sustaining, and adaptive, fitting NASA’s framework. For example, even silicon-based life would need to be self-sustaining and evolve to survive changing environments, like Earth’s life did during the Great Oxygenation Event, where survivors adapted to use oxygen efficiently through Darwinian evolution. However, I think we should tweak the definition to a “self-sustaining system capable of evolution” to include possibilities like non-chemical life, though these are less likely on planets, which lack the extreme conditions (like star-like temperatures) needed for things like plasma-based life. Viruses on Earth, as non-self-sustaining but complex systems, suggest we might find transitional or pre-life forms on other planets, indicating a planet’s potential for life. While NASA’s definition is practical for planetary searches, we should stay open to alien biologies that might surprise us, evolving in ways we haven’t imagined, but still within the bounds of physical laws.

    • Selon la definition de la vie par la NASA est celle d’un systeme chimique autonome capable d’une èvolution DARWINIENNE bien qu’elle soit large et stricte ne peut d’ècrire suffisamment tout les types de vie possible par exemple:la vie extraterrestre etc… En effet,il y’a d’autres concepts qui ne s’adaptent pas à cette definition car en entrant en contact avec la vie ailleurs elle sera trés differentes de la vie sur terre.

    • The NASA’s definition is quite broad.Nevertheless i agree with their view.

    • I agree with this definition from NAZA, it encompasses other possible definitions

    • I believe that the NASA definition of life is broad enough to encompass a majority, if not all of the life on Earth. However, it is possible that life exists in some form that we cannot comprehend with our limited knowledge and thus, this definition may not be suitable for them. It is more than enough for our uses though.

    • Since we neither do nor can know every possible way of life, any effort we make in defining it will always be wrong or incomplete, so NASA’s definition or any other definition cannot be 100 percent accurate or complete.

    • No, Nasa fake

    • In my opinion, the NASA definition of life is very useful, but it may not be sufficient to describe every possible form of life in the universe.

      The definition — “a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution” — works perfectly for all known life on Earth. It includes key features like metabolism and evolution, which are essential for organisms as we know them. This makes it a strong and practical guideline, especially for scientific research and the search for life beyond Earth.

      However, the limitation is that this definition is based entirely on Earth-based life. It assumes that life must be chemical and must evolve through Darwinian processes. But if we consider the vast diversity of the universe, it is possible that alien life could exist in forms that do not fit these criteria. For example, there could be life forms based on different physical processes, or systems that are complex and self-organizing but do not evolve in the traditional Darwinian sense.

      Therefore, while the NASA definition is a good starting point, it might not be universal. If we ever discover truly alien life, we may need to expand or rethink our definition of what life actually is.

    • ✅ True

      Discussion forums typically allow registered users to reply, share ideas, and react (like/dislike), while others can view the conversation.

    • I like it

    • Es complicado dar una respuesta concreta, ya que dentro del vasto universo pueden existir condiciones de energía y elementos químicos que no imaginamos, así que entregarme a la creencia de que solo puede haber vida bajo la condición de la evolución Darwiniana, sería muy cerrado de mi parte.

    • It is quite possible that a thing as complex as life has some qualities that could yet surprise us and redefine our understanding. What we try to consider is life similar to the one on Earth and even with the NASA’s definition there could be different types of systems and organisms, based on different chemistry, or adhering to separate set of rules. Viruses are an interesting example of microbes that are considered to be not-living, yet they are certainly not the same as non-living matter, such as rock

    • I am a very talented card magician, but I know that regardless how things are perceived does not mean, ” I am suddenly breaking the rules of Reality”… Darwin didn’t guess, he observed…he studied unbiasedly with no goal other to explain how we can be so similar in DNA but so different in every way, it’s like magic when you understand how DNA is the automatic X Variable for Plausibly pulled into Reality ” We all are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CREATURES/Specimens/ Living Organisms, growing, adapting, evolving…all in a very well mapped out Family Tree So Far Traced Too a bacteria like worm similar to something that exist in the Slug family today…It is what Darwin Ultimately proves is something that seems IIMPOSSIBLE without a second thought…that we can be traced back to it as well…same with a Whale…and a Dog, Cat…Bird, Bananas, Bonobos…all related, linked through what makes EVERYTHING…ANYTHING…DNA…Completely different lifeforms created with the same 4 budling blocks…what forms the second two zygotes, fertilize into a Zygote I believe its called but…DNA, Different from everyone elses combinations by fractions but Unique that second, its in a self existing part of Living….but followed Millions of years with so much change with very little to change with so it went slow and copiable of being studied and mapped out with combinations of other esoteric Scientific Disciplines that strive to answer the unimaginable capabilities we cave go Scientifically Time Travel Into The Past …Keeping a Connection as the map Expands from this extieangte slug cousine creature that Paleontologist, Biologist, Evolutionist discover more and more that creates more and more connections…like a Reversed Engineering a Blueprint of Life to This Moment Liniral Time…I believe time is only perceived as liberal but exist simultaneously all at once…It is all do to Relativity plus Reference Frame, determines perception which is reality and we can only experience FreI am not striving for constant words of reinsurance, but only for you to remove all doubt that your feelings for me haven’t changed as well…That you want me today just as much as you wanted me all those years ago when you first gave yourself to me, stole my heart while I willingly gave you mine…Do I still have your heart my love, do I still have yours?
      Frequencies of Light, Neurobiochemical Electrical Illumination In The Brain…We have never truly seen but a fraction of reality…Our bandwidth is hindered but Intellectually achievable…Some Mushroom Tea always help finally pick up the specific Frequency of Light and Just like all Light it Normally Sees doesn’t go away or become distorted into another color…They actually become more clear…and due to understanding who thing work, the curious seek to measure the Diameter and Circumference ratios to know the darkness of the unknown and be seen…That Third Eye is Real…VS sitting only in the middle where its brightest and believed their Illumination stretched in Truly Dark Territory or at the least, very slightly dim…thinking blindly…Our Brains through Light and Electricity has Precipitated LIFE as we can best is…where…when…and many more questions can be asked and answered from Macro to Micro to Nano…with more logical thinking over easy outs as it just happened…It just went from NOTHING TOO SOMETHING…goes against reality as we know it…MATTER CANNOT BE CREATED or distorted….Just because I can make Magic happen with a Deck of 52 Cards…Just because its Inconceivable based off of everything we didn’t see…we build together and grow an understanding of what we are allowed to see and then it Doesn’t Line Up With Reality…Mind is blown but nobody thinks I’m a Warlock with actually POOF Magical Powers…Despite it looking just like that…Once you’re able to See and Understand More by Observing the Easiest Overlooked

    • No, because we don’t know about other species or organisms living out there, it is also possible that everything we ever assumed about aliens was wrong and if we are talking on a universal scale, then there might be chances that we are wrong.

    • i am very fascinated with this topic

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