This quote from, "Life on the Edge' (M. Gross)
about lichens is IMO a microcosm of all life
and life processes:
Lichens have been by far the most successful settlers on the
antarctic continent. As far as simple survival of a period
of bad conditions is concerned, cold cannot do them any
harm. In research laboratories, lichens have survived
temperatures near absolute zero (-273.15C) and absolute
dryness without difficulty.
Furthermore, they are completely independent of their
substrate - they thrive on naked rock, concrete, or glass...
Although they can survive any cold temperature for any
length of time in a passive state, they need liquid water to
live an active life and to spread."
Therefore I think life is that liquid water chemical system
that builds sturdiness on the regularity of the environment
heat cycle and alternatives on the variants within that heat
cycle - energy moderation with modification through descent.
Comment?