Life

-------------------------------------------------
Life
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Life (disambiguation).

Life (Biota / Vitae / Eobionti) |
|
Plants in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda |
Scientific classification |
Domains and kingdoms |
Life on Earth:   * Non-cellular life (viruses) [note 1]   * Cellular life       * Bacteria       * Archaea       * Eukarya         * Protista         * Fungi         * Plantae         * Animalia |
Life (cf. biota) is a characteristic that distinguishesobjects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes (i.e., living organisms) from those that do not,[1][2] either because such functions have ceased (death), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate.[3][4] Biology is the science concerned with the study of life.
Living organisms undergo metabolism, maintainhomeostasis, possess a capacity to grow, respond tostimuli, reproduce and, through natural selection, adapt to their environment in successive generations. More complex living organisms can communicate through various means.[1][5] A diverse array of living organisms (life forms) can be found in the biosphere onEarth, and the properties common to these organisms—plants, animals, fungi, protists, archaea, andbacteria—are a carbon- and water-based cellular form with complex organization and heritable geneticinformation.
In philosophy and religion, the conception of life and its nature varies. Both offer interpretations as to how life relates to existence and consciousness, and both touch on many related issues, including life stance, purpose, conception of a god or gods, a soul or anafterlife.
Contents   * 1 Early theories about life       * 1.1 Materialism       * 1.2 Hylomorphism       * 1.3 Vitalism   * 2 Definitions       * 2.1 Biology       * 2.2 Biophysics       * 2.3 Living systems theories   * 3 Origin   * 4 Conditions for life       * 4.1 Range of tolerance       * 4.2 Extremophiles       *...