Dead cells cannot be alive. Once a cell dies, it loses its ability to perform the essential functions of life, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. The cell membrane breaks down, and its internal components degrade.
While dead cells can be replaced by new cells generated from a tissue's stem cells, they cannot be "revived" or "reborn."
There are instances where cells may appear to be dead but are still metabolically active, such as in a state of "viable but nonculturable" (VBNC) where they are dormant and cannot be cultured in a laboratory. However, these cells are still considered to be alive because they retain the potential to resume normal functions under favorable conditions.
