Biology/Fire...
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Question
Okay I know everyone one says that fire is not living, or may say that fire is alive...So I would like to ask you a question...Do you know if Fire is non-living or is fire living...?I would love if you responded...And if you don't know the answer maybe you know someone who will...
Thanks for using AllExperts, Jordan.
Fire is a chemical process in which oxygen is quickly combined with some kind of combustible material. Flames are a form of superheated gas that result from this combustion. Notice here that fire and flame properly refer to two different things, although common usage equates them.
While fire displays some of the characteristics associated with life (movement, consumption of organic material), it lacks other key elements--it has no basis for genetic reproduction (that is, it lacks DNA and RNA). Nor does it reverse local entropy; fire cannot form complex structures from simpler materials in the way that living organisms can. Lots of things have some of the characteristics of life, but only living organisms display all of them. Fire lacks some of these essential characteristics, and thus is not a living thing.
I would be remiss in not directing you to a site where this question and a closely related one have already been answered. Check these out, and enjoy:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a971212.html
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021122.html
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Answers by Expert:
John Locke
Expertise
I will answer all biology-related questions through the undergraduate level. I will explain unclear concepts and suggest approaches to solving problems, but would prefer not to completely solve homework problems for you. If you are completely stumped on homework, tell me what you already know and I will help you as much as possible. Please do not ask me for ideas on school research projects; part of research is determining a suitable area of investigation, and that's not a task that should be completed by someone else. Please don't simply send me your homework for solutions. If you are having difficulty after you have started an analysis, I will be happy to direct your thinking; in particular, I would prefer to not simply solve pedigrees for students, but I will be happy to assist in solving pedigrees that you have already started. If you don't understand how to analyze a pedigree, I'd highly recommend watching this video, in which a biology professor explains the basic concepts of pedigree analysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIHjsn5cHo
Experience
I have a BS in Bioengineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering (which included a heavy focus on biology), and have taught biology, biochemistry, and related subjects for some time now.
Education/Credentials
BS Bioengineering, Penn State University
MCAT/DAT/OAT Instructor
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