International Journal of Paleobiology & Paleontology (IJPBP)
ISSN: 2642-1283
Mini Review
Living vs Non-living and Existence of a Third Category
Abstract
Scientific knowledge has led us to believe that the gap between the living and the non-living world is indisputable and no in-
between category exists. However, naturally growing minerals cannot be ignored, therefore a third category of entities, between
the living and the non-living, that may be called “para-living”, has been proposed. This ‘missing link’ (the third category)
provides us with the exact observation on entities that grow during their formation. Further, it is an accepted fact that nothing
in the natural world is formed without once having been derived from naturally growing matter. “Para-living” would refer to
natural minerals that grow during their formation and undergo changes in their form, size, chemical composition, and internal
structures depending upon various environmental parameters. Nomenclature and categorisation of certain phenomena such
as these, not only helps to further scientific advances, but also provides a sharper focus and perspective.
Keywords: Para-Living; Crystallization; Anthropogenical Deterioration
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