life Life on Earthbiology

The existence of diverse definitions of life, as detailed in the previous section, surely means that life is complex and difficult to briefly define. A scientific understanding of living systems has existed since the second half of the 19th century. But the diversity of definitions and lack of consensus among professionals suggest something else as well. As detailed in this section, all organisms on Earth are extremely closely related, despite superficial differences. The fundamental pattern, both in form and in matter, of all life on Earth is essentially identical. Also, as noted in this section, this identity implies that all organisms on Earth are evolved from a single instance of the origin of life. To generalize from a single example is difficult, especially when the example itself is changing, growing, and evolving. In this respect the biologist is fundamentally handicapped, as compared with, say, the chemist, physicist, geologist, or meteorologist, each of whom can now study aspects of his discipline beyond Earth. If truly only one sort of life on Earth exists, then perspective is lacking in a most fundamental way. On the other hand, the historical continuity of all life-forms means that ancient life, perhaps even the origins of life, may be glimpsed by studying modern cells.