The question of what constitutes after life has been explored for thousands of years. Whereas it is possible to group articles clearly as living or non-living, it is tough to define some of the characteristics that constitute life. In biology, life is widely defined as the possession of several features such as respiration, feeding, and an ability to sense irritation. Growth and development, as well as the disposal of waste, are also properties of living beings, besides being able to reproduce (Kurzgesagt).
Kurzgesagt video, “What is life? Is death Real,” explores some of the elements that constitute life in an in-depth manner. Specifically, video film starts with the claim that the cell is the basic unit of life. Besides outlining the delineation of the substance within the cell from the things outside the cell, the film alleges that all that goes on in the cell is simply chemical reactions. This assertion by the film directors is true (Kurzgesagt).
Nevertheless, living beings are highly complex entities and cannot be merely defined as chemical reactions. While it is true that majority of the bodily processes are simply chemical reactions, these reactions are highly controlled. There are no random chemical reactions in any living system. This status is in stark contrast to the processes that take place outside the cell. Outside the cell, chemical processes take place without any regulation. For example, drought does not necessarily indicate that it is necessary for rain to fall. When it comes to living beings, dysregulation of bodies results in illness and disrupts the normal physiological functions. However, even in such circumstances, the body reacts in a very specific way (Kurzgesagt).
Work Cited
Kurzgesagt. What is Life? Is Death Real?. YouTube. Dec 11, 2014. Web. May 11, 2016.
