Decoding Life: A Biologist's Perspective

avatar

What is life? This is one question that a lot of people have given lots of meaning to, depending on their understanding and belief, but in this post, I will be explaining life like a scientist should, or better still as a biologist should. Explaining life is not easy in one sentence as it encompasses a lot of things as there are many features that make us living but first, we would start with Cells.

In the 17th century, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke used microscope to identify cells as the basic unit of life. Today, we know that all organisms are made up of cells. While cells can differ from one another, one thing is clear that all cells no matter their look have membranes. Living organisms are very unique, and they almost do not follow second law of thermodynamics that states that heat does not naturally flow from a cool body to a warmer; work must be expended to make it do so. While non living organisms are able to release heat to the environment until they reaches room temperature as they would not get energy back unless work is done, living beings are able to remain warm in structure since their cells have membrane, and a complex biochemistry.


embl

Whenever we eat, our cells take up important nutrients and biochemical reactions in the cells convert the nutrients into energy which is used to fuel the cells. Cells are able to maintain themselves and create energy, and this differentiates us from non-living things. While we will agree that cells are the basic unit of life, where do they come from? what makes up their blueprints, and this is what brings us to Gene.

Genes made up of DNA and RNA, with DNA being the storage device for the cell, helping to store genetic information for life while RNA is used to transcribe the DNA. The concept of DNA was discovered by James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin, although there is still a lot of debate on who discovered it first. DNA is where all the gene needed to make up cells which are RNA and Proteins. While cells in the body have the same DNA, gene regulation allow the cells to be different and act differently.


wikimedia

DNA isn't just storing these information, they also pass them to offspring but then there can be differences in the DNA sequence of living cells as a result of evolution and when this occur, it can lead to heritable characteristics. But then there are certain differences for instance Mules which are a combination of horses and donkeys cannot reproduce but they are living beings, viruses are regarded as non-living, but they have genetic information, and can experience evolution or mutation, and that is why it is difficult to eradicate certain types of virus but then they need a host to exist. There are also other living being that requires other living being to be alive, for instance Plasmodium which causes malaria need other organisms to be alive because without the host cell, they will not have the biochemical reactions necessary for life.

Life, viewed through the eyes of a biologist, emerges as a dynamic interplay of cells, genes, and intricate biochemical processes. While the quest to comprehend life in its entirety persists, the progress of science promises a future where we can discern the boundaries between living and non-living entities with greater clarity. As our knowledge deepens, the mysteries of life will unravel, revealing the intricate tapestry that defines our existence.

Reference

hive-196387 life stemng science neoxian proofofbrain stemgeeks waivio cent alive
0
0
0.000
2 comments
avatar

Thanks for your contribution to the STEMsocial community. Feel free to join us on discord to get to know the rest of us!

Please consider delegating to the @stemsocial account (85% of the curation rewards are returned).

Thanks for including @stemsocial as a beneficiary, which gives you stronger support. 
 

0
0
0.000
Reply