Discuss the basic life processes and your own example for each.
Humans have basic life processes that distinguish them from other living species. Said basic life processes are the following:
1. Metabolism: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical processes happening inside the body, and it can be divided into two types or classifications, namely: Catabolism and Anabolism. Catabolism is also known as the breakdown of complex chemical substances or compounds into simpler ones, whereas anabolism is the building up of complex substances from smaller, simple components. One common example of metabolism, specifically catabolism, would be the physical and chemical digestion of our food intake, aided by our digestive system. Food, large substances made up of different components called biomolecules, are broken down into much smaller components and nutrients, which our bodies will be able to absorb.
2. Responsiveness: Responsiveness is the body’s ability to detect and respond to changes felt within the external and internal environment. One common example of responsiveness would be when we accidentally touch hot surfaces. When we accidentally come into contact with, for example, hot water (which increases the possibility of getting scalded), our body responds by immediately moving our hands away in reflex.
3. Movement: Movement includes the motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, and even the tiny structures inside the cells. One example of a movement that we students are familiar with would be the movement of our hands whenever we type on our computers or write in our notebooks enabled by muscle contractions.
4. Growth: Growth is the increase in body size, which results in an increase in the size of existing cells. An example of growth would be the evident physical changes that our pets go through, from being puppies to adult dogs (or kittens to adult cats).
5. Differentiation: Differentiation is the development of cells from unspecialized to specialized; cells become more specific, each with its own special structure and function. An example of differentiation would be the development of our stem cells into other cells with specialized functions, such as muscle cells and blood cells.
6. Reproduction: Reproduction is the formation of new cells for tissue growth or the production of a new individual. An example of reproduction that we are all familiar with would be the production of a human due to the union of a sperm cell and an egg cell.