Maintenance functions are essential for preventing damage and breakdown of cellular structures, ensuring the organism’s survival and well-being, even during periods of inactivity.

Molecules must be moved around constantly in living organisms to facilitate processes such as cellular repair, growth, and metabolism. This movement ensures the maintenance of cellular structures and the overall functioning of living organisms.

Continuous repair and maintenance of structures are necessary to counteract the effects of environmental disruptions and prevent the breakdown of cellular organization, which is essential for life.

Environmental factors can disrupt the organized nature of living structures over time, leading to breakdowns in cellular organization and function.

Viruses lack inherent metabolic activity and do not exhibit molecular movement until they infect host cells. This lack of autonomous molecular movement raises questions about whether viruses meet all criteria for life.