Cheltenham HS

 Life
 
 Numerous scientists have viewed life in various ways. 
 Different perspectives on how life began have had a 
 great impact on these views. There are two general 
 theories about how life began. The first is called 
 biogenesis. This view is sometimes called creationism. 
 Biogenesis states that life came from life. This supports 
 the Adam and Eve story. The second, called abiogenesis, 
 is somewhat more scientific, stating that life came from 
 non- life; that through the course of millions of years, 
 life came about from the elements that were in the 
 primitive atmosphere. I believe firmly in abiogenesis. 
 I think that it is more practical, based on all the 
 scientific evidence, that life came about as a result 
 of a long period of chemical evolution, as stated by 
 Alexander Oparin's heterotroph hypothesis. 
 
 Life can not be described in one specific way, after 
 taking into account all the different forms of life on 
 earth. The first life forms, probably prokaryotes 
 (bacteria) had a completely different existence than 
 humans today and other mammals, eukaryotes, which are 
 far more complex than bacteria. In a technical sense, 
 all forms of life may be viewed as at least slightly 
 similar. All organisms are made of cells, need energy, 
 carry out chemical reactions, reproduce, etc. However 
 this is not what I think of when I hear the word "life." 
 If someone asks me, "So, how is life?" I don't respond, 
 "Life is good. I'm maintaining homeostasis quite nicely, 
 acquiring the right amount of energy, and my skin cells 
 are reproducing at a healthy rate." Rather, I might 
 say, "I'm fine. I saw a good movie last night with some 
 friends, I'm doing well in school, and I'm looking 
 forward to playing tennis tomorrow." For humans and 
 other animals (to a certain extent) life involves not 
 just physical health, but social and mental health 
 as well. Life is not just what goes on in the body, 
 but also how one interacts with others. This does not 
 apply to a paramecium.