> Are they 'alive' by themselves? That's a discussion about word semantics that has no relation to biology. Biologists have been occupied with it for centuries

> Are they 'alive' by themselves? That's a discussion about word semantics that has no relation to biology. Biologists have been occupied with it for centuries, just like computer people have lost time on "what's intelligence?", but neither one is relevant for either field. > Are they bacteria? Once upon a time, their ancestors were. I do not know exactly where biologists trace the line, but this is also about word semantics. It's just a case of it that helps people communicate better, so there is a line, I just don't know what it is.