Is fire "alive"? (see details)

Question

Think about it - it eats (and leaves behind waste), it grows, it requires oxygen to breathe, it makes baby fires, it moves (has locomotion), it can be "tamed", and it can be killed.

It has all the characteristics of a living animal. The only thing missing is DNA. What do you think?

Answer 1

There are 7 criteria that must be filled for something to be called "alive":

1. Homeostasis - it must maintain a constant internal condition.

2. Organization - it must be composed of one or more cells.

3. Metabolism - it must consume energy or matter to fuel its existance.

4. Growth - it must increase in size with time.

5. Adaptation - populations of the organism must change in their characteristics over time (evolution).

6. Response to stimuli - it must change its immediate behaviour in response to external stimuli.

7. Reproduction - it must produce more individuals of its type.

Fire fulfills criteria 3, 4, 6 (possibly), and 7.

It is not, however, homeostatic (it will heat up or cool down depending on fuel available, for example); it is not composed of cells; and fires do not evolve.

So fire is not classified as "alive"

Answer 2

Can it talk? or Play Poker with ME too? then it is not alive.

Answer 3

It depends on your definition, but you are saying much the same thing I have for some time. In a very real sense, anything that moves of its own energy or power is in some sense of the word "alive." However, from a strictly speaking scientific definition, the answer is no, but I think some of sciences definitions are too confined. Too confined when they are defined would be one way to put it. Want to move next door? I like your creative thinking. I have some concepts and thoughts I think you would find very interesting. I will introduce you to my sister if you will introduce me to yours.

Answer 4

DONT GET CONFUSED

FIRE BURNS IT SELF FIRST

IT HAS NO RESEMBLANCE WITH LIFE

Answer 5

Hello! Fire is not alive! If it is alive, it should have lungs.