autopoiesis

Autopoiesis is a concept that describes how living systems create and maintain themselves. Originating from biology, it refers to the self-organizing processes that allow an organism to produce its own components and regulate its internal environment, distinguishing itself from its surroundings. For example, a cell is autopoietic because it continuously produces the proteins and structures it needs to function and remain intact. This idea highlights the self-sustaining nature of life, emphasizing that living organisms are not just passive entities but active, dynamic systems that continually recreate themselves through their internal processes.