Life Processes
Lesson on Life Processes.
Can you list the 7 life processes that differentiate living and non-living things? Understanding these processes can help determine whether an organism is alive or not.
All living things exhibit seven life processes:
- list-item.
- The ability of an organism to change its position. list-item. list-item.
- Respiration – the process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide to produce energy for energy production. list-item. list-item.
- The capacity to respond to stimuli whether it is internal or external. list-item. list-item.
- Growth – Growth in size or development of new structures. list-item. list-item.
- The process of creating new offspring either through asexual or sexual Reproduction. list-item. list-item.
- Excretion – removal of waste products from the body. list-item. list-item.
- The intake of food or nutrients that are necessary for energy production growth and development. list-item.
This process defines the life that is considered and distinguishes living organisms from non-living things. Similarly the rock does not exhibit any of these processes while a plant animal or human does.
Motion can refer to a mole morphing to move or a bird flying through the air. The respiratory system is essential to the energy production and is necessary for all living organisms. Sensitivity refers to responding to changes in the environment or internal stimuli such as the sense of danger or the reaction to temperature changes.
Growth in plants and animals is observable when they develop new structures or grow in size. For the continuation of a species Reproduction is necessary whether it is through sexual or asexual Reproduction. Excretion is necessary to remove waste products from the body such as carbon dioxide and urine. Food is essential to energy production and the growth and development of an organism.
Knowledge of these seven life processes can help us understand the essence of being alive and the differences between living and non-living organisms.