# alive (biological)

inside the existence window, with maintenance holding its parameters within the window through work from within.

- Computed level: L15 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: biology  ·  Arena: emergence

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [maintenance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-maintenance.upkeep), [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [wall](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-wall.range-end), [existence](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-existence.state), [work](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-work.effort), [hold](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-hold.physical), [inside](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-inside.spatial)

**Through:** Feedback using a self-model regulates parameters by counteracting drift through internal work, keeping conditions within range boundaries.

**Novel properties:**
- regulated persistence
- bounded agency
- endogenous control

## Examples
- A human body maintains core temperature at 37°C despite freezing external conditions, using metabolic heat production. *(biology)*
- The International Space Station sustains internal pressure and oxygen levels for astronauts, countering vacuum and leakage. *(engineering)*
- The 2020 locust swarms in East Africa emerged from isolated breeding populations growing beyond control thresholds. *(ecology)*

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-alive.biological*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-alive.biological.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*