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Life

Characteristic that distinguishes biological entities.

living things living organisms

Life refers to the characteristic that distinguishes physical entities with biological processes, such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, adaptation, and response to stimuli from inanimate matter.

Pronunciation

/laɪf/

Etymology

From Old English līf, from Proto-West Germanic *lif

Explain Like I’m 5

Life is what makes plants, animals, and tiny germs different from rocks and tables - it's about growing, changing, and having babies.

Fun Facts

The smallest known bacteria are smaller than some viruses
Some organisms can survive extreme conditions like freezing temperatures or intense radiation
Life may exist in forms we haven't discovered yet

FAQ

What defines life? Organisms grow, reproduce, and adapt to their environment
Is all living things made of cells? Yes, all known life forms are composed of one or more cells
What is metabolism? It's the set of chemical processes that sustain a living organism

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

existence being

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

organism animal plant

Meronyms — Parts or Components

cells tissues organs

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

biosphere ecosystem

Indexes

biological natural phenomenon scientific concept

Related

Built by Tim Jones