5 ms·
Why is the skin cell not an organism though? The definitions for 'organism' vary, but a common theme seems to be an interdependant system comprised of 'organs'
by cdirkx 7y ago
Why is the skin cell not an organism though? The definitions for 'organism' vary, but a common theme seems to be an interdependant system comprised of 'organs' with different specific functions that together form a greater whole. But is a cell not comprised of organelles? Mitochondia have their own dna and it is theorized that they were originally a seperate lifeform in a symbiotic relationship. The same goes for other specialized structures like chloroplasts in plants. On the other end of the spectrum, would we classify groups or societies as organisms, with individuals carrying out specialized purposes? Is a society, nation or company alive? Perhaps not in the biological sense we commonly use the words, just like Alice. But that might just be our own carbon-based bias ;)
- saagarjha 7y agoSkin cells die rather quickly without their support networks.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- danans 7y agoIsn't this true for any organism, for varying definitions of "quickly" and "support network". Compared to extremophiles like waterbears [1], most of us seem very fragile and dependent on our environment. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
- toasterlovin 7y agoYes, but multicellular organisms have evolved specifically to contain lineages of cells that form specialized tissue that allows them to better exploit certain ecological niches. These specialized tissues are only possible if the lineages of cells that make up the tissue specialize to a degree that makes them unviable on their own. That is categorically different from, say, a bacterial cell, which is evolved to exist and reproduce on its own.
- corodra 7y agoA gear, by itself, is not a machine. A skin cell, by itself, cannot function or survive as a living organism.
- dual_basis 7y agoHow long would the average human survive if placed in an environment with no other humans?