Characteristics of living matter

The composition of living matter includes both organic (in the chemical sense) and inorganic, or mineral, substances. Vernadsky wrote:

The mass of living matter is relatively small and is estimated at 2.4-3.6·10 12 tons (in dry weight) and is less than 10 −6 masses of other shells of the Earth. But it is one of "the most powerful geochemical forces on our planet."

Living matter develops where life can exist, that is, at the intersection of the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. In conditions that are not favorable for existence, living matter goes into a state of suspended animation.

The specificity of living matter is as follows:

1. The living matter of the biosphere is characterized by enormous free energy. In the inorganic world, only short-lived non-solidified lava flows can be compared with living matter in terms of the amount of free energy.
2. A sharp difference between the living and non-living matter of the biosphere is observed in the flow rate chemical reactions: reactions in living matter are thousands and millions of times faster.
3. A distinctive feature of living matter is that the individual chemical compounds that make it up - proteins, enzymes, etc. - are stable only in living organisms (to a large extent this is also characteristic of the mineral compounds that make up living matter).
4. Arbitrary movement of living matter, largely self-regulating. V. I. Vernadsky singled out two specific forms of movement of living matter: a) passive, which is created by reproduction and is inherent in both animal and plant organisms; b) active, which is carried out due to the directed movement of organisms (it is typical for animals and, to a lesser extent, for plants). Living matter also tends to fill all possible space.
5. Living matter exhibits a much greater morphological and chemical diversity than non-living matter. In addition, unlike inanimate abiogenic matter, living matter is not represented exclusively by a liquid or gas phase. The bodies of organisms are built in all three phase states.
6. Living matter is represented in the biosphere in the form of dispersed bodies - individual organisms. Moreover, being dispersed, living matter is never found on Earth in a morphologically pure form - in the form of populations of organisms of the same species: it is always represented by biocenoses.
7. Living matter exists in the form of a continuous alternation of generations, due to which modern living matter is genetically related to the living matter of past eras. At the same time, the presence of an evolutionary process is characteristic of living matter, i.e., the reproduction of living matter occurs not by the type of absolute copying of previous generations, but by morphological and biochemical changes.

The meaning of living matter

The work of living matter in the biosphere is quite diverse. According to Vernadsky, the work of living matter in the biosphere can manifest itself in two main forms:

a) chemical (biochemical) - I kind of geological activity; b) mechanical - II type of transport activity.

Biogenic migration of atoms of the first kind is manifested in the constant exchange of matter between organisms and the environment in the process of building the body of organisms, digesting food. Biogenic migration of atoms of the second kind consists in the movement of matter by organisms in the course of their life (during the construction of burrows, nests, when organisms are buried in the ground), the movement of living matter itself, as well as the passage of inorganic substances through the gastric tract of soil beetles, silt beetles, filter feeders.

To understand the work that living matter does in the biosphere, three main provisions are very important, which V. I. Vernadsky called biogeochemical principles:

1. Biogenic migration of atoms chemical elements in the biosphere always strives for its maximum manifestation.
2. The evolution of species in the course of geological time, leading to the creation of life forms stable in the biosphere, proceeds in a direction that enhances the biogenic migration of atoms.
3. Living matter is in continuous chemical exchange with the cosmic environment surrounding it, and is created and maintained on our planet by the radiant energy of the Sun.

There are five main functions of living matter:

1. Energy. It consists in the absorption of solar energy during photosynthesis, and chemical energy - through the decomposition of energy-saturated substances and the transfer of energy through the food chain of heterogeneous living matter.
2. concentration. Selective accumulation during the life of certain types of matter. There are two types of concentrations of chemical elements by living matter: a) a massive increase in the concentrations of elements in a medium saturated with these elements, for example, sulfur and iron are abundant in living matter in areas of volcanism; b) a specific concentration of one or another element, regardless of the medium.
3. destructive. It consists in the mineralization of non-biogenic organic matter, the decomposition of inanimate inorganic matter, and the involvement of the resulting substances in the biological cycle.
4. Environment-forming. Transformation of physical and chemical parameters of the medium (mainly due to non-biogenic matter).
5. Transport. Food interactions of living matter lead to the movement of huge masses of chemical elements and substances against gravity and in a horizontal direction.

Living matter encompasses and restructures all chemical processes in the biosphere. Living matter is the most powerful geological force, growing with the passage of time. Paying tribute to the memory of the great founder of the doctrine of the biosphere, A. I. Perelman proposed to call the following generalization “Vernadsky’s law”:

“The migration of chemical elements on the earth’s surface and in the biosphere as a whole is carried out either with the direct participation of living matter (biogenic migration) or it proceeds in an environment whose geochemical features (O 2, CO 2, H 2 S, etc.) are predominantly are conditioned by living matter, both by that which currently inhabits a given system, and by that which has acted on the Earth throughout geological history.

Notes

see also

Literature

• On the functions of living matter in the biosphere // Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2003. V. 73. No. 3. S.232-238

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See what "Living substance" is in other dictionaries:

The totality of living organisms in the biosphere, their biomass. It is characterized by a specific chemical composition (H, C, N, 02, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ca predominate), a huge biomass (80 100 109 tons of dry organic matter) and energy. Ecological dictionary

The totality of living organisms of the biosphere, numerically expressed in elemental chemical composition, mass and energy. The concept was introduced by V. I. Vernadsky in his theory of the biosphere and the role of living organisms in the circulation of substances and energy in nature ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

The totality of living organisms of the biosphere, numerically expressed in elemental chemical composition, mass and energy. The concept was introduced by V. I. Vernadsky in his theory of the biosphere and the role of living organisms in the circulation of matter and energy in nature. * * *… … encyclopedic Dictionary

1) the totality of living organisms of the biosphere, numerically expressed in elemental chemical composition, mass and energy. The term was introduced by V. I. Vernadsky (See Vernadsky). J. c. connected with the biosphere materially and energetically through ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

The totality of living organisms of the biosphere, numerically expressed in elementary chemical. composition, mass and energy. The concept was introduced by V. I. Vernadsky in his theory of the biosphere and the role of living organisms in the circulation of energy and energy in nature ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

Living matter- in the concept of V. I. Vernadsky, the totality of living organisms of the biosphere (plants, animals, insects, etc., including humanity), numerically expressed in elemental chemical composition, mass and energy ... Beginnings of modern natural science

living matter- 1. The totality of living organisms of the biosphere with an orderly metabolism. 2. A complex molecular aggregate with a control system containing a mechanism for the transmission of hereditary information. E. Living substance D. Lebendiger Stoff,… … Explanatory UFO dictionary with equivalents in English and German

According to VI Vernadsky (1940), the totality of organisms of the same species (species homogeneous living matter) or race (racial homogeneous living matter). Ecological encyclopedic Dictionary. Chisinau: The main edition of the Moldavian Soviet ... ... Ecological dictionary

Living matter - living organisms that inhabit our planet.

The mass of living matter is only 0.01% of the mass of the entire biosphere. Nevertheless, the living matter of the biosphere is its main component.

The greatest concentration of life in the biosphere is observed at the boundaries of contact between the earth's shells: atmosphere and lithosphere (land surface), atmosphere and hydrosphere (ocean surface), and especially at the boundaries of three shells - atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere ( coastal zones). These are the places where V.I. Vernadsky called "films of life". Up and down from these surfaces, the concentration of living matter decreases.

The main unique features of living matter include the following:

1. The ability to quickly occupy (master) all free space. This property is associated with both intensive reproduction and the ability of organisms to intensively increase the surface of their bodies or the communities they form.

2. The movement is not only passive, but also active, that is, not only under the action of gravity, gravitational forces, etc., but also against the flow of water, gravity, air currents, etc.

3. Persistence during life and rapid decomposition after death(inclusion in the circulation of substances). Due to self-regulation, living organisms are able to maintain a constant chemical composition and conditions of the internal environment, despite significant changes in environmental conditions. After death, this ability is lost, and organic remains are destroyed very quickly. The resulting organic and inorganic substances are included in the cycles.

4. High adaptability (adaptation) To different conditions and in this regard, the development of not only all environments of life (water, ground-air, soil, organism), but also extremely difficult conditions in terms of physico-chemical parameters (microorganisms are found in thermal springs with temperatures up to 140 ° C, in the waters of nuclear reactors , in an oxygen-free environment).

5. Phenomenally fast reactions. It is several orders of magnitude greater than in inanimate matter.

6. High rate of renewal of living matter. Only a small part of living matter (fractions of a percent) is conserved in the form of organic residues, while the rest is constantly included in the cycle processes.

All of the listed properties of living matter are determined by the concentration of large reserves of energy in it.

The following main geochemical functions of living matter are distinguished:

1. Energy (biochemical)- binding and storage of solar energy in organic matter and subsequent dissipation of energy during consumption and mineralization of organic matter. This function is associated with nutrition, respiration, reproduction and other vital processes of organisms.

2. Gas- the ability of living organisms to change and maintain a certain gas composition of the environment and the atmosphere as a whole. Two critical periods (points) in the development of the biosphere are associated with the gas function. The first of them refers to the time when the oxygen content in the atmosphere reached about 1% of the current level. This led to the appearance of the first aerobic organisms (capable of living only in an environment containing oxygen). The second turning point is associated with the time when the oxygen concentration reached approximately 10% of the current one. This created conditions for the synthesis of ozone and the formation of the ozone layer in upper layers atmosphere, which made it possible for organisms to colonize land.

3. concentration- "capture" from the environment by living organisms and the accumulation of atoms of biogenic chemical elements in them. The concentration ability of living matter increases the content of atoms of chemical elements in organisms in comparison with the environment by several orders of magnitude. The result of the concentration activity of living matter is the formation of deposits of fossil fuels, limestone, ore deposits, etc.

4. Oxidatively- reducing - oxidation and reduction various substances involving living organisms. Under the influence of living organisms, there is an intensive migration of atoms of elements with variable valence (Fe, Mn, S, P, N, etc.), their new compounds are created, sulfides and mineral sulfur are deposited, and hydrogen sulfide is formed.

5. destructive- destruction by organisms and products of their vital activity of both the remains of organic matter and inert substances. The most significant role in this regard is played by decomposers (destructors) - saprophytic fungi and bacteria.

6. Transport- the transfer of matter and energy as a result of the active form of movement of organisms.

7. Environment-forming- transformation of physical and chemical parameters of the medium. The result of the environment-forming function is the entire biosphere, and the soil as one of the habitats, and more local structures.

8. Scattering- a function opposite to concentration - dispersion of substances in the environment. For example, the dispersion of matter during the excretion of excrement by organisms, the change of covers, etc.

9. Informational- the accumulation of certain information by living organisms, fixing it in hereditary structures and passing it on to subsequent generations. This is one of the manifestations of adaptive mechanisms.

10. Biogeochemical human activity- transformation and movement of substances of the biosphere as a result of human activity for economic and domestic needs of a person. For example, the use of carbon concentrators - oil, coal, gas.

Thus, the biosphere is a complex dynamic system that captures, accumulates and transfers energy through the exchange of substances between living matter and the environment.

The concept of organic or inorganic matter becomes too small and the concept is introduced to replace it. living matter of the biosphere.

At the beginning of the 20th century, V.I. Vernadsky defined this concept.

Living matter - the whole set of bodies of living organisms in, regardless of their systematic affiliation.

The definition did not come about because of scale.

The mass of living matter is relatively small and is estimated at 2.4-3.6·10 12 tons (in dry weight) and is less than 10 −6 masses of other shells of the Earth. But it is one of "the most powerful geochemical forces on our planet."

The main properties of the living matter of the biosphere

1. The ability to quickly master free space. This associated with ability to reproduce especially in the simplest organisms, and with the fact that many organisms significantly increase the surface of the body during growth (plants, for example, or the area of ​​the community).
2. Active and passive movement.Active movement of the living matter of the biosphere- independent movement of organisms, requiring energy expenditure: fish can swim against the current, birds fly, overcoming gravity, etc. Passive movement of the living matter of the biosphere- movement that does not require energy expenditure - under the influence of natural forces - gravity, gravity, etc.
3. The stability of living matter(organisms) during life and rapid decomposition(due to the action of decomposers) after death.
   If we talk about chemical elements, then it is precisely due to this property of living matter that they participate in various -, etc.
4. A high degree of adaptation of the living matter of the biosphere to environmental conditions. The fact that living organisms have mastered all 3 environments - terrestrial, water and air, no longer surprises anyone. In addition, there are microorganisms that can withstand both high and very low temperatures.
5. The high rate of biochemical reactions of living matter. Indeed, the rate of reactions in living organisms is no more than a few minutes, the rate of carbon cycle is several years (no more than 10).
   Vernadsky believed that sedimentary rocks were formed mainly by the products of the vital activity of living organisms. And this layer is about 3 km thick!
   

High rate of renewal of living matter. It is calculated that on average for the biosphere it is 8 years, while for land it is 14 years, and for the ocean, where organisms with a short life span (for example, plankton) predominate, it is 33 days. As a result of the high rate of renewal throughout the history of life, the total mass of living matter that has passed through the biosphere is about 12 times the mass of the Earth. Only a small part of it (a fraction of a percent) is conserved in the form of organic remains (according to V. I. Vernadsky, “went into geology”), the rest was included in the cycle processes.

Functions of the living matter of the biosphere

1. energy function
   Producers absorb solar energy, converting inorganic substances into organic ones, decomposers decompose organic substances into inorganic ones. Part of the energy in the process is converted into heat.
2. concentration of living matter
   As a result of the vital activity of organisms, certain substances accumulate.
3. destructive
   This is a consequence of the energy function - organic matter decomposes as a result of the circulation of substances and passes into a mineral (inorganic) form.
4. Environment-forming function of living matter
   Living matter changes, transforms environment.

5. Transport
   Food interactions of living matter lead to the movement of huge masses of chemical elements and substances against gravity and in a horizontal direction.
   

More on this topic:

Living matter plays a huge role in the development of our planet. This conclusion was reached by the Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky, having studied the composition and evolution of the earth's crust. He proved that the data obtained cannot be explained only by geological reasons, without taking into account the role of living matter in the geochemical migration of atoms.

From the moment of its inception, life is constantly evolving and becoming more complex, affecting the environment, changing it. In this way, the evolution of the biosphere proceeds in parallel with historical development organic life.

Life time on Earth is measured in about 6-7 billion years. It is possible that primitive life forms appeared even earlier. But they left the first traces of their stay 2.5–3 billion years ago. Since that time, fundamental changes have occurred on the surface of the planet and up to 5 million species of animals, plants and microorganisms have formed. Living matter arose on Earth, noticeably different from inanimate matter.

The development of life has led to the emergence of a new general planetary structural shell of the biosphere, closely interconnected unified system geological and biological bodies and processes of transformation of energy and matter.

The biosphere is not only the sphere of distribution of life, but also the result of its activity.

Plants occupy a special place among living organisms because they have the ability to photosynthesis. They produce almost all organic matter on the planet (there are almost 300 thousand plant species).

Functions of living matter

V. I. Vernadsky gave an idea of ​​the main biogeochemical functions of living matter:

1. energy function associated with the storage of energy in the process of photosynthesis, its transfer through food chains, and dissipation.

This function is one of the most important. It is based on the process of photosynthesis, which results in the accumulation of solar energy and its subsequent redistribution between the components of the biosphere.

The biosphere can be compared to a huge machine, the operation of which depends on one decisive factor - energy: without it, everything would immediately stop.
In the biosphere, solar radiation plays the role of the main source of energy.

The biosphere accumulates energy coming from the Cosmos to our planet.

Living organisms do not just depend on the radiant energy of the Sun, they act as a giant accumulator (accumulator) and a unique transformer (converter) of this energy.

It happens in the following way. Autotrophic plants (and chemotrophic microorganisms) create organic matter. All other organisms on the planet are heterotrophs. They use the created organic matter as food, which leads to complex sequences of synthesis and breakdown of organic substances. This is what is the basis biological cycle chemical elements in the biosphere.

That is, living organisms are the most important biochemical force that transforms the earth's crust.

Migration and separation of chemical elements on the earth's surface, in soil, sedimentary rocks, atmosphere and hydrosphere are carried out with the direct participation of living matter. Therefore, in the geological section living matter, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere- it interconnected parts a single, continuously developing planetary shell - the biosphere.

2. gas function- the ability to change and maintain a certain gas composition of the environment and the atmosphere as a whole.

The predominant mass of gases on the planet is of biogenic origin.

Example:

Atmospheric oxygen is accumulated through photosynthesis.

3. concentration function- the ability of organisms to concentrate scattered chemical elements in their body, increasing their content in comparison with the environment surrounding organisms by several orders of magnitude.

Organisms accumulate many chemical elements in their bodies.

Example:

Among them, carbon is in the first place. The carbon content in coals in terms of concentration is thousands of times greater than the average for the earth's crust. Oil is a concentrator of carbon and hydrogen, as it has a biogenic origin. Calcium occupies the first place among metals in terms of concentration. Entire mountain ranges are composed of the remains of animals with a calcareous skeleton. Silicon concentrators are diatoms, radiolarians and some sponges, iodine - kelp algae, iron and manganese - special bacteria. Vertebrate animals accumulate phosphorus, concentrating in their bones.

The result of concentration activity is deposits of combustible minerals, limestone, ore deposits, etc.

4. redox function is associated with the intensification under the influence of living matter of the processes of both oxidation due to the enrichment of the environment with oxygen, and reduction, primarily in those cases when organic matter is decomposed under oxygen deficiency.

Example:

Recovery processes are usually accompanied by the formation and accumulation of hydrogen sulfide and methane. This, in particular, makes the deep layers of marshes practically lifeless, as well as significant near-bottom water layers (for example, in the Black Sea).

Underground combustible gases are products of decomposition of organic substances of plant origin, buried earlier in sedimentary strata.

Living matter of the biosphere, its characteristics

V.I.Vernadsky wrote: “There is no chemical force on the earth’s surface that is more constantly acting, and therefore more powerful in its final consequences, than living organisms taken together.”

The doctrine of living matter is one of the central links in the concept of the biosphere. Exploring the processes of migration of atoms in the biosphere, V.I. Vernadsky approached the question of the genesis (origin, occurrence) of chemical elements in the earth's crust, and after that, the need to explain the stability of the compounds that make up organisms. Analyzing the problem of atomic migration, he came to the conclusion that "organic compounds independent of living matter do not exist anywhere." “Under the name of living matter,” wrote V. I. Vernadsky in 1919, “I will mean the totality of all organisms, vegetation and animals, including man. From a geochemical point of view, this set of organisms is significant only by the mass of matter that makes it up, its chemical composition, and the energy associated with it. Obviously, it is only from this point of view that living matter is important for the soil, since, since we are dealing with soil chemistry, we are dealing with a particular manifestation of general geochemical processes.

Thus, living matter is the totality of living organisms of the biosphere, numerically expressed in elemental chemical composition, mass and energy.

reasons. First, humanity is not a producer, but a consumer of biogeochemical energy. Such a thesis required a revision of the geochemical functions of living matter in the biosphere. Secondly, the mass of humanity, based on demographic data, is not a constant amount of living matter. And thirdly, its geochemical functions are characterized not by mass, but by production activity. The nature of the assimilation of biogeochemical energy by humanity is determined by the human mind. On the one hand, man is the culmination of unconscious evolution, the "product" of the spontaneous activity of nature, and on the other hand, the initiator of a new, reasonably directed stage of evolution itself.

What are the characteristics of living matter? First of all, this huge free energy . During the evolution of species, the biogenic migration of atoms, i.e. The energy of the living matter of the biosphere has increased many times over and continues to grow, because the living matter recycles the energy of solar radiation, the atomic energy of radioactive decay and the cosmic energy of scattered elements coming from our Galaxy. Living matter also has high rate of chemical reactions compared with inanimate matter, where similar processes are thousands and millions of times slower. For example, some caterpillars per day can process food 200 times more than they weigh themselves, and one tit eats as many caterpillars per day as it weighs itself.

Living matter is characterized by the chemical compounds that make it up, the most important of which are proteins, are stable only in living organisms . After the completion of the life process, the original living organic substances decompose to chemical constituents.

Living matter exists on the planet in the form of a continuous alternation of generations, thanks to which, newly formed, it is genetically related to the living matter of past eras. This is the main structural unit of the biosphere, which determines all other processes on the surface of the earth's crust. Living matter is characterized the presence of an evolutionary process . The genetic information of any organism is encrypted in each of its cells. At the same time, these cells are originally destined to be themselves, with the exception of the egg, from which the whole organism develops.

V.I. Vernadsky noted that the living organisms of the planet are the most constantly acting and powerful chemical force in terms of its final consequences. He pointed out that living matter is inseparable from the biosphere, is its function and at the same time "one of the most powerful geochemical forces of our planet." V.I.Vernadsky called the circulation of individual substances biogeochemical cycles. These cycles and circulation provide the most important functions of living matter as a whole. The scientist identified five such functions.

gas function. It is carried out by green plants that release oxygen during photosynthesis, as well as by all plants and animals that release carbon dioxide as a result of respiration. There is also a cycle of nitrogen associated with the activity of microorganisms. V.I.Vernadsky wrote that all gases formed in the biosphere are closely related by their origin to living matter, are always biogenic and change mainly in a biogenic way.

concentration function. It manifests itself in the ability of living organisms to accumulate many chemical elements in their bodies (carbon is in the first place, calcium is among metals). The ability to concentrate elements from dilute solutions - salient feature living substance. For example, marine organisms actively accumulate trace elements, heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic), and radioactive elements.

V.I. Vernadsky distinguished:

1. Concentration functions of the first kind, when living matter concentrates from the environment those chemical elements that are contained in all organisms without exception (H, C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe).

2. Concentration functions of the second kind, when there is an accumulation of chemical elements that are not found in living organisms, or can be found in very small quantities. For example, holothurians are able to accumulate vanadium. Earthworms can accumulate zinc, copper, lead and cadmium in their tissues. Algae of the genus Laminaria accumulate iodine in themselves.

redox function. It is expressed in the chemical transformations of substances in the process of vital activity of organisms. As a result, salts, oxides, and new substances are formed. This function is associated with the formation of iron and manganese ores, limestones, etc.

biochemical function. It is defined as reproduction, growth and movement in space of living matter. All this leads to the circulation of chemical elements in nature, their biogenic migration.

V.I.Vernadsky singled out the 1st biochemical function, which is associated with nutrition, respiration and reproduction of organisms, and the 2nd biochemical function, which is associated with the destruction of the bodies of living organisms after their death. In this case, a number of biochemical transformations take place: a living body - bioinert - inert.

The function of human biogeochemical activity. It is associated with the biogenic migration of atoms, which increases many times under the influence of the economic activity of man and his mind. A person in the course of his economic activity develops and uses for his needs a large number of substances of the earth's crust, incl. such as coal, gas, oil, peat, shale, many ores. At the same time, an anthropogenic entry into the biosphere of foreign substances occurs in quantities exceeding the permissible value. This led to a crisis confrontation between man and nature. main reason impending ecological crisis It is considered a technocratic concept that considers the biosphere, on the one hand, as a source of physical resources, on the other hand, as a sewer for waste disposal.

Currently, the world economy annually emits into the atmosphere

 more than 250 million tons of fine aerosols,

 200 million tons of carbon monoxide,

 150 million tons of sulfur dioxide,

 120 million tons of ash,

 more than 50 million tons of hydrocarbons,

 2.5 billion (!) tons of nitrogen oxides.

The natural circulation of atoms in the atmosphere simply does not keep pace with man-made emissions. Only due to the combustion of coal in power plants, ten times more arsenic, uranium, cadmium, beryllium, and thousands of times more mercury enter the environment than is involved in the natural biochemical cycle.

IN AND. Vernadsky classified living matter into homogeneous and heterogeneous . The first in his view is a generic, specific substance, etc., and the second is represented by natural mixtures of living substances. This is a forest, a swamp, a steppe, i.e. biocenosis. The scientist proposed to characterize living matter on the basis of such quantitative indicators as the chemical composition, the average weight of organisms and the average rate of settlement of the surface of the globe by them.

Vernadsky gives average figures for the rate of "transfer of life in the biosphere". The time of capture by this species of the entire surface of our planet in different organisms can be expressed by the following figures (days):

The cholera bacterium Vibrio cholerae) 1,25

Infusoria ( Lekconhrys patula) 10.6 (maximum)

Diatoms ( Nittschia putrida) 16.8 (maximum)

Green plankton 166-183 (average)

Insects ( Musca domestica) 366

Fishes ( Pleurette platessa) 2159 (maximum)

flowering plants ( Trifolium repens) 4076

Birds (chickens) 5600-6100

Mammals: rats 2800

wild pig 37600

Indian elephant 376000.

Life on our planet exists in non-cellular and cellular forms.

The non-cellular form of living matter is represented by viruses that are devoid of irritability and their own protein synthesis. The simplest viruses consist only of a protein shell and a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecule that makes up the core of the virus. Sometimes viruses are isolated into a special kingdom of wildlife - Vira. They can only reproduce inside certain living cells. Viruses are ubiquitous in nature and are a dangerous enemy of all living things. Settling in the cells of living organisms, they cause their death. About 500 viruses have been described that infect warm-blooded vertebrates and about 300 viruses that attack higher plants. More than half of human diseases owe their development to the smallest viruses (they are 100 times smaller than bacteria). It is enough to name a few terrible diseases caused by viruses to realize the threat of these smallest creatures. These are poliomyelitis, smallpox, influenza, infectious hepatitis, yellow fever, etc.

Cellular life forms are represented by prokaryotes (organisms that do not have a membrane-bound nucleus) and eukaryotes (whose cells contain formalized nuclei). Prokaryotes include various bacteria. Eukaryotes are all higher animals and plants, as well as unicellular and multicellular algae, fungi and protozoa.