The Case for LifeLeon TsaiMr. Helms

Biology I – Per. BStuart Hall High School

Dead or Alive?At first glance, most people would automatically know the images on the left column are of living things

What separates these from the things on the right column?

Got Life?No one scientist can unanimously agree on a single comprehensive answer to defining life

Merriam-Webster defines life as “the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body”

Living vs. Nonliving

1. Body composed of cells

2. Levels of organization

3. Response and adaptation to the environment

4. Usage of energy

5. Dependence on water

6. Maturation

7. Capability of reproduction

8. Inability to decay

CellsCells = building blocks of life

According to the Cell Theory:

1. All living things are made up of cells

2. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things

3. Living cells come only from other living cells

ReproductionReproduction is the act of producing offspring

It is the way of continuing our species

In many ways, reproduction is, essentially, the core purpose of our existence

Life… ElsewhereWhen asked whether there life exists outside earth, NASA JPL director Charles Elachi said, “I think absolutely”.

Elachi continues, “We have the same laws of chemistry, physics. If there are any locations where there are the basic ingredients, there should be the basic ingredients for life”.

Titan and EuropaTitan (moon of Saturn) and Europa (moon of Jupiter) are two of the likeliest places to find life outside earth

Both moons contain am abundance of liquid water

Both have relatively unstable temperatures

PurposeWhy does life exist?

Every person has a different perspective in regards to the point of our existence

The question of our life is not just a scientific question, it digs even deeper

It is a question that is scientific, religious/spiritual, and ultimately, personal

Thank You!

Works Cited"The 7 Characteristics of Life." NMT.edu. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://infohost.nmt.edu/~klathrop/7characterisitcs_of_life.htm>.

"Cell Theory." CPSchools.com. Chesapeake Public Schools, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/OSM/theory.htm>.

Kiefer, Walter S. "Europa and Titan: Oceans in the Outer Solar System?" LPI.USRA.Edu. Lunar and Planetary Institute, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/kiefer/Education/SSRG2-Europa/europa.html.

Mullen, Leslie. "Defining Life." AstroBio.Net. Astrobiology Magazine, 19 June 2002. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. http://www.astrobio.net/exclusive/226/defining-life.

Swaby, Rachel. "Is There Life Beyond Earth? 'I Think Absolutely,' Says NASA JPL Director." TheAtlantic.com. The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/10/is-there-life-beyond-earth-i-think-absolutely-says-nasa-jpl-director/264308/>.