Life and its Organisation Flashcards
State the 3 definitions of life according to philosophy, theology and physiology.
(a) Philosophical definition: Life in philosophy is often viewed as an overall vision of or attitude toward life and the purpose of life. Some philosophers propose that life’s meaning is created through our choices and actions, thereby giving our lives purpose.
(b) Theological definition: The concept of life plays a central part in describing the living God and in explaining the created participation in the divine life that man enjoys by grace in this world and that constitutes his glory in the next. It is believed that life ultimately stems from the divine act of creation.
(c) Physiological definition: Life is defined as any system capable of performing functions such as eating, metabolizing, excreting, breathing, moving, growing, reproducing, and responding to external stimuli. It is also defined as the processes and activities by which life is carried on and which are special features of the functioning of living things, tissues, and cells. [If the organism can’t perform these functions, then it is not living.]
State the characteristics of living organisms. You should be able to give a brief sentence explaining each characteristic.
☑ respiration
☑ nutrition & excretion
☑ irritability
☑ locomotion
☑ growth & development
☑ reproduction
☑ death [shows proof of life. You can’t die if you weren’t living in the first place.]
