Vocabulary of Definitions of Life Suggests a Definition

2011/10/01 by Edward N. Trifonov · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Origins and Evolution of Life #Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies #Evolution and Science Education

paper · doi:10.1080/073911011010524992

openalex publication_date 2011/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Analysis of the vocabulary of 123 tabulated definitions of life reveals nine groups of defining terms (definientia) of which the groups (self-)reproduction and evolution (variation) appear as the minimal set for a concise and inclusive definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations.

Citations

• The origin of the genetic code and of the earliest oligopeptides
• Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome
• Consensus temporal order of amino acids and evolution of the triplet code

Cited by

• Definition of Life: Navigation through Uncertainties
• Are viruses alive? The replicator paradigm sheds decisive light on an old but misguided question
• Acytota – associated kingdom of neglected life
• Life [wikipedia]