Suspect you would have a difficult time defining "external energy source" in a way that excludes fire but includes mitochondria.
Which equilibrium? Stars are far from the eventual equilibrium of the heat death, and also not at equilibrium with the surrounding vacuum.
Not clear whether viruses, prions, and crystals are included or excluded.
Suspect you would have a difficult time defining "external energy source" in a way that excludes fire but includes mitochondria.
True; what is meant is a simple external energy source such as radiation or a simple chemical source of energy. It's true that this is a somewhat fuzzy line though.
Which equilibrium? Stars are far from the eventual equilibrium of the heat death, and also not at equilibrium with the surrounding vacuum.
I specifically said far-from-equilibrium chemical species and reactions. The chemistry that goes on inside a star i...
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.