List and describe briefly five external factors that must be present or provided to sustain life.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the external factors necessary for sustaining life, which are often referred to as basic needs or environmental requirements.
2. Step 2: Describe the first factor, Oxygen, which is essential for cellular respiration and energy production in the body.
3. Step 3: Describe the second factor, Nutrients, which include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for energy, growth, and cellular repair.
4. Step 4: Describe the third factor, Water, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, facilitating chemical reactions, and transporting substances within the body.
5. Step 5: Describe the fourth and fifth factors, Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, where temperature must be within a range that allows enzymatic reactions to occur efficiently, and atmospheric pressure is needed for proper breathing and gas exchange in the lungs.

Key Concepts

Water

Water is essential for all known forms of life, serving as a solvent for biochemical reactions, a medium for nutrient transport, and a regulator of temperature. It is involved in metabolic processes and is crucial for maintaining cellular structure and function.

Nutrients

Nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, are vital for energy production, growth, and cellular repair. They provide the building blocks for biological molecules and are necessary for various physiological functions, including enzyme activity and immune response.

Oxygen

Oxygen is critical for aerobic respiration, a process through which organisms convert glucose and other substrates into energy. While some life forms can survive without oxygen, most complex organisms rely on it to efficiently produce energy, making it a key factor for sustaining life.