2007-06-16 21:04:59 · 6 answers · asked by pinkrose07 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A life form must be able to reproduce.
But an individual organism does not.
For example, in a bee colony, there are many bees that are unable to reproduce, but of course they are still alive. Or as another example, an individual that is infertile is still alive. Or a mule is a hybrid between a horse and a donkey, and it is not able to reproduce, but it is certainly alive.
So the distinction that something needs to be able to reproduce in order to be considered alive is important for distinguishing borderline cases where we're trying to distinguish if something is a primitive form of life.
2007-06-17 02:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is an acronym MRS GREN which defines whether an organism is 'alive'. It stands for
Motility
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition
If an organism fulfils all of the above, then it can be classed as alive
2007-06-16 21:35:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny as a Question. You should know that reproduction is only a process of creating newer similar species of life and not necessary at all in the context of somebody living or dying due to performing the act.
2007-06-16 21:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by Krish 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm in high school and I learnt there where 7 major things to classify that "it" is alive
Movement - it can move
Reproduce - it can reproduce
Growth - it can change through age
Response - it will respond to light, heat etc.
Excertion - it can breath.
Energy - It can produce energy
Nutrition - It can well eat.
2007-06-16 21:49:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must be capable of reproducing, it doesn't actually have to do it.
2007-06-17 02:09:26 · answer #5 · answered by sdc_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to live, only to propagate the species as a whole.
2007-06-16 21:18:27 · answer #6 · answered by hornedphrog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋