What determines if something is living or not living?

Answer 1

They look at it under a microscope and see if it has cells. Basically, if it has cells the it's alive. If it doesn't have cells it is considered nonliving. There are smaller archaebacteria that behave like small parts of cells. These are considered living too, because they have chemical bonds of RNA, which is the singular shorter form of DNA. There is evidence that viruses change with different hosts, but they are generally considered non-living. They are much smaller chemical chains (with some form of movement and reproduction) and do not come from cells through reproduction. They come from cells by 'hijacking' normal cells and inserting their small chemical chains into the cells' DNA or RNA. The cells and all its organic machines change to function like the virus and eventually collapse to spread the virus. If that's living, it sure beats staying inside typing so many hours with a cold.

Viruses are not complex enough to really change their movements or transmissions. They are like cancer in that they are cellular malfunctions, except they transmit to other hosts. They do change slightly, but biologists do not qualify this change as a property of life: they just look for cells.

Answer 2

Quite simply put...the definition of "life"...which can be different.

-from dictionary.com

-noun 1. the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally. 2. the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, esp. metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment. 3. the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual: to risk one's life; a short life and a merry one. 4. a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul: eternal life. 5. the general or universal condition of human existence: Too bad, but life is like that. 6. any specified period of animate existence: a man in middle life. 7. the period of existence, activity, or effectiveness of something inanimate, as a machine, lease, or play: The life of the car may be ten years. 8. a living being: Several lives were lost. 9. living things collectively: the hope of discovering life on other planets; insect life. 10. a particular aspect of existence: He enjoys an active physical life. 11. the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence: His business has been his entire life. 12. a biography: a newly published life of Willa Cather. 13. animation; liveliness; spirit: a speech full of life. 14. resilience; elasticity. 15. the force that makes or keeps something alive; the vivifying or quickening principle: The life of the treaty has been an increase of mutual understanding and respect. 16. a mode or manner of existence, as in the world of affairs or society: So far her business life has not overlapped her social life. 17. the period or extent of authority, popularity, approval, etc.: the life of the committee; the life of a bestseller. 18. a prison sentence covering the remaining portion of the offender's animate existence: The judge gave him life. 19. anything or anyone considered to be as precious as life: She was his life. 20. a person or thing that enlivens: the life of the party. 21. effervescence or sparkle, as of wines. 22. pungency or strong, sharp flavor, as of substances when fresh or in good condition. 23. nature or any of the forms of nature as the model or subject of a work of art: drawn from life. 24. Baseball. another opportunity given to a batter to bat because of a misplay by a fielder. 25. (in English pool) one of a limited number of shots allowed a player: Each pool player has three lives at the beginning of the game.

Answer 3

Something is alive if it can reproduce, respond to changes in his/her/its surroundings, can convert some form of energy into energy to sustain his/her/its self, and has DNA.

Read more: What_are_the_characteristics_of_something_alive

Answer 4

Living organisms exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, metabolism, and organization. These criteria help differentiate living things from non-living things. If something does not display these characteristics, it is considered non-living.

Answer 5

if it is beathing if not then its probs dead or not alive to start with