Biologists can keep isolated chloroplasts and mitochondria alive for hours can these be considered alive?

Question

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( I couldn't fit it up top.)
Biologists have been able to keep isolated chloroplasts or mitochondria alive for a few hours or days. Can these structures be considered alive?
Any help would be great!

Answer 1

They are quite fascinating. There is a theory that these organelles are prokaryotes (ancient bacteria) that were somehow captured by ancestral plant cells and continued to divide creating a symbiotic relationship with the cell.

Each contains its own DNA and is capable of replicating on its own!

So I guess you could argue that they are alive. I mean if you grant viruses you would have to include organelles, they display as much 'living' behavior.

Answer 2

Yes. In fact, they are alive even if they remain inside their eukaryotic cell. To be considered alive, something must do these things:
1. Have genes. Mitochondria have genes, contained in DNA, which are used by their ribosomes to make proteins.
2. Have a cell or cells, meaning a compartment, bound by a membrane, containing its genes and whatever else it needs inside itself to survive.
3. Maintain homeostasis. Both chloroplasts and mitochondria have proteins on their membranes and elsewhere to ensure that their interior has the same characteristics.
4. Use energy. Chloroplasts use some of the energy in light and give the rest to the main cell as sugar; mitochondria use some of the energy stored in monosaccharides and convert the rest to adenosine triphosphate, which is used by the rest of the cell.
5. Grow and develop. Both mitochondria and chloroplasts, like nonsymbiotic bacteria, expand their cell membranes after every division; because they are unicellular, they (like most other unicellular life) cannot develop more than this.
6. Reproduce. Mitochondria and chloroplasts reproduce independently of their host cells.
7. Evolve. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have both evolved since their endosymbiosis began, becoming simpler as some things they had done were done for them by their host cells.

As for various arguments that will undoubtedly be proposed to oppose this (that mitochondria and chloroplasts are not alive because they are part of a living cell and cannot exist without it): for no other life-form is whether or not it is living disputed because it requires a specific environment. Every organism needs to live in the environment it has adapted to. In this case (as in many others, for both parasites and symbionts) the environment happens to be a living cell. That mitochondria and chloroplasts are an essential organelle of another cell should not be a problem: nowhere in any reasonable definition of life, or of cells, is it stated that either of these cannot contain other cells, and mitochondria and chloroplasts continue to function as living organisms despite living in other cells.

Answer 3

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are organelles and so are not alive in the sense that you or the cell they came from are alive.

They can be isolated from the cell and will continue to function and do the things they do for a while. That's how we know what mitochondria and chloroplasts do.

But they aren't alive...

Answer 4

If it is not at least one cell than it is not an organism, but alive, im not sure if something is not an organism can be considered alive.

Answer 5

i'm no longer in all likelihood conscious of FMR... yet i understand that a number of puppy furnish shops or perhaps places like Wal-Mart carry a premixed cat milk which will paintings ok. have you ever adjusted the temperature? each and every now and then with synthetic milk replacements animals won't take it if it isn't the perfect temperature... a mom cat's physique temperature is in many situations around one hundred.2 to 102.5 ranges F... attempt getting the milk closer to that temperature employing a thermometer in the previous feeding. The kitten is additionally nearing the point the place he's in a position to start delicate solids. Kitten food soaked in luke heat water or a small volume of milk is in many situations acceptable if the kitten will take it. Canned cat food is positive yet can in many situations bring about diarrhea that may dehydrate the kitty. i'm uncertain precisely what time table a kitten ought to have for going to the bathing room yet whilst it is not going it must be because of the fact it would not have sufficient food in that is equipment, or there's a blockage. be sure to hold that up on your vet, and in case you be able to get a pattern placed it in a plastic baggie and take that with you on your vet bypass to. To stimulate the bowels a mom cat in many situations licks the kitten's bum, so in case you opt to mimic this a cotton ball or delicate paper towel moistened with heat water works ok. I raised somewhat one bunny one time and that's how I have been given her to start going to the bathing room (with my vet's advice of direction). i'm hoping your kitten does properly and your vet bypass to shows each and every thing looking stable. submit to in innovations that kittens ought to consume approximately each and every 2 to 4 hours too.. best of success!

Answer 6

it depends what u define as alive..the chloroplasts are inactive because they not exposed to light, thus they are inactive and become out of use, would u say when something is out of use it is alive?..thats up to u..
mitochondria are metablically inactive when no glucose is present for them..thus when out of use and not being supplied with energy, they become inactive..again would u efine something thats inactive as alive or not..thats your choice

Answer 7

Yes because if they are still functioning and producing other molecules, they are very much alive!

Answer 8

Typically things that are alive are alive, I've noticed.

Answer 9

I think you answered your own question. You say they are alive, so yes, they are alive.

Answer 10

if they are alive, I would consider them alive.