Life Sciences

Humans are curious creatures. We have been seeking out answers about the world around us, the universe, and even our bodies from the beginning of time. This curiosity has led to the rise of various branches of sciences and the development of this world. From Chemistry to Astrophysics, all disciplines of science attempt to solve the puzzles of the universe.  ‘Life Sciences’ is one of these branches of science that puts the ‘life’ itself under the microscope and studies it to find answers about different living organisms on this planet, including ourselves. This article will take a deep dive into understanding the characteristics of life sciences. 

What are Life Sciences? 

As the name implies (Life + Science), ‘Life Sciences’ is the study of living organisms or, we can say, the study of life itself. Earth is blessed with the gift of life, which means that it has a wide variety of living organisms, including everything from single-celled microbes to the beluga whale to the complex being that we humans are. Life sciences are focused on examining every living being on Earth in all its forms. A good understanding of life sciences and their characteristics helps us understand the biology of the world around us. 

Characteristics of Life Sciences Meaning

Before we educate ourselves about the different characteristics of life sciences, it is essential to understand the characteristics of life sciences meaning. Characteristics of life sciences meaning is nothing but the characteristics of life itself. Every living organism on this planet has a particular set of characteristics that counts it as a living being. Most of these characteristics are common in all organisms that can be identified as living. 

Let us see what the different characteristics of life sciences are. 

Made up of cells

Every organism is made up of fundamental structures called cells. At the cellular level, even the most varied organisms appear alike. All living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic structural and functional units. All living species are made up of one or more cells: a single cell in a bacteria, for example, but you are made up of trillions of cells.

Respiration

A chemical process takes place inside the walls of the cells of living organisms that help them release energy from food. This process is called Respiration. Respiration is a property that every organism has in common. Respiration is vital for staying alive. 

Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli

All living things react to their surroundings. A rock will simply lie there if you step on it, but if you stomp on a frog, it may move or even snap at you. Living things are aware of their surroundings and react to changes in the environment. When this reaction happens on a large scale, it’s known as adaption, which is the backbone of evolution.  

Growth

This is a property that creates a clear distinction between living and non-living organisms. There’s growth wherever there’s life. Every living organism has the inherent power to grow and evolve. That’s why a tiny pebble-like seed grows into a large tree while a pebble will always stay the same. 

Reproduction

Reproduction means producing more like oneself. It is a characteristic that all living organisms possess. Through reproduction, living organisms pass on their genetic information to their offspring. Reproduction can take place either sexually or asexually. Sexual reproduction requires two parents and the fusion of gametes. It results in the production of genetically distinct offspring. Whereas, Asexual reproduction is characterized by only one parent and an offspring that is identical to the parent. 

Nutrition

Living beings require energy to perform various functions that constitute a life. This energy comes from the intake and processing of certain nutrients (what we call food). Depending upon the way an organism take nutrition, it can be classified into two groups – Autotrophic (make their food), Heterotrophic (rely on other organisms for nutrition)

Excretion

Excretion is the process of getting rid of the excess waste left in the body of the organism after adequate nutrition has been absorbed. Every organism excretes in different ways. Some organisms regurgitate. Some pass it down in the form of faeces and plants simply excrete excess CO2 and O2. 

Conclusion 

We can explore the life hidden in every arena of the world through life sciences – oceans, land, skies, deserts, forests, etc. Understanding the characteristics of life sciences helps us have a greater appreciation for and a better understanding of the living world. It also sheds light on the wonder of life happening inside us. This enables us to feel more connected to the world and living organisms around us.