Metabolism
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Metabolism refers to the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. The three main functions of metabolism are the conversion of energy in food into a usable form fo
Plant cells (bounded by purple walls) filled with chloroplasts (green), which are the site of photosynthesis
Santorio Santorio in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medicina, first published 1614
Organism
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An organism is any living thing that functions as an individual. Such a definition raises more problems than it solves, not least because the concept of an individual is also difficult. Several criter
Metabolism
…Metabolism (, from Greek μεταβολή (metabolē) 'change') refers to the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. The three main functions of metabolism are the conversion of energy in food into a usable form for cellular processes; the conversion of food to…
One criterion proposes that an organism cannot be divided without losing functionality. This basil plant cutting is however developing new adventitious roots from a small bit of stem, forming a new plant.
Apolemia, a colonial siphonophore that functions as a single individual
Insect cyborg