Life

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/life

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Life?Abiogenesis, likely occurring in early Earth oceans approximately 4 billion years ago
2. What is the scientific definition criteria?Organization, metabolism, growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, reproduction, and homeostasis
3. What is the fundamental unit of life?The cell, a self-contained unit with complex internal machinery
4. What are the main features scientists use to decide if something is alive?Scientists look for organization into cells, metabolism, growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, reproduction, and homeostasis.
5. Why do viruses make scientists debate what is alive?Viruses have some life traits but not all, so they challenge the clear list of life characteristics.

Abiogenesis: The natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, a key area of origin of life research.
Homeostasis: The ability of a living organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external fluctuations.
Astrobiology: The scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.