1. Leon Tsai Mr. Helms Biology I – Per. B Stuart Hall High School
The Case for Life
Leon Tsai
Mr. Helms
Biology I – Per. B
Stuart Hall High School

2. Dead or Alive?
At first glance, most people would automatically know the images on the left column are of living things
What separates these from the things on the right column?

3. Got Life? Body composed of cells
No one scientist can unanimously agree on a single comprehensive answer to defining life
Levels of organization
Response and adaptation to the environment
Usage of energy
Merriam-Webster defines life as “the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body”
Dependence on water
Maturation
Capability of reproduction
Inability to decay
Living vs. Nonliving

4. Cells Cells = building blocks of life According to the Cell Theory:
All living things are made up of cells
Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things
Living cells come only from other living cells

5. Reproduction Reproduction is the act of producing offspring
It is the way of continuing our species
In many ways, reproduction is, essentially, the core purpose of our existence

6. Life… Elsewhere
When asked whether there life exists outside earth, NASA JPL director Charles Elachi said, “I think absolutely”.
Elachi continues, “We have the same laws of chemistry, physics. If there are any locations where there are the basic ingredients, there should be the basic ingredients for life”.

7. Titan and Europa
Titan (moon of Saturn) and Europa (moon of Jupiter) are two of the likeliest places to find life outside earth
Both moons contain am abundance of liquid water
Both have relatively unstable temperatures

8. Purpose Why does life exist?
Every person has a different perspective in regards to the point of our existence
The question of our life is not just a scientific question, it digs even deeper
It is a question that is scientific, religious/spiritual, and ultimately, personal

9. Thank You!

10. Works Cited
"The 7 Characteristics of Life." NMT.edu. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, n.d. Web. 11 Sept <
"Cell Theory." CPSchools.com. Chesapeake Public Schools, n.d. Web. 11 Sept <
Kiefer, Walter S. "Europa and Titan: Oceans in the Outer Solar System?" LPI.USRA.Edu. Lunar and Planetary Institute, n.d. Web. 26 Aug Europa/europa.html.
Mullen, Leslie. "Defining Life." AstroBio.Net. Astrobiology Magazine, 19 June Web. 11 Sept life.
Swaby, Rachel. "Is There Life Beyond Earth? 'I Think Absolutely,' Says NASA JPL Director." TheAtlantic.com. The Atlantic, 30 Oct Web. 11 Sept < there-life-beyond-earth-i-think-absolutely-says-nasa-jpl-director/264308/>.