• Question: can you c reate life with cells

    Asked by liambennett to Callum, Gina, Katie, Michelle, Sam on 16 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Michelle Linterman

      Michelle Linterman answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      Hi Liam,

      Good question, in some ways you can create life with cells, like when a sperm cell meets an egg cell, this can become an animal.

      But also, some single cells are already alive on their own, and don’t need other cells to live! Like the germs bacteria, each bacteria is just one single cell, and it is alive.

      I hope this helps.

      Michelle

    • Photo: Callum Johnston

      Callum Johnston answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      Hey Liam. Cells are basically the definition of life. Single cell organisms are the most basic form of life on the planet, and maybe even on other planets too. Anything more basic than a cell like DNA or a virus are not considered to be living unless they inhabit a cell which can use energy, grow and reproduce.

    • Photo: Sam Godfrey

      Sam Godfrey answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      There is a Scientist called Craig Venter who has ‘created life’. Below is a link to what he did.
      Basically in short form, he took a bacteria cell and removed all the DNA which is like the brain of the cell. He was left with all the machinery that makes the cell work. He then put in some DNA that his lab made to create a brand new version of that bacteria. It was then able to grow and live like a normal bacteria. This is probably the closest anyone has come to creating life.

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/20/craig-venter-synthetic-life-form

      Cheers

      Sam

    • Photo: Katie Howe

      Katie Howe answered on 16 Nov 2012:

      hi Liam – thanks for your question!

      Cells are already alive – they are the smallest living thing possible. All living things are able to do 7 key things. You probably will have learnt about them at school…

      They are: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. (The first letter of these 7 things spells out MRS GREN so that is a good way to remember them.)

      A single cell can do all of these thing by itself so therefore it is a living thing!

      I hope that is helpful!

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