The basic life processes include: metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, and reproduction. All of these processes are interrelated.
1. Metabolism - refers to all the chemical processes that take place within the body. It has two phases: (1) Catabolism, in which complex chemical substances are broken down into simpler components and energy is released. An example for this is glycolysis, the process of breaking down glucose. It uses enzymes to catalyze reactions that break down glucose into two molecules of pyruvate or lactate depending on whether oxygen is present. (2) Anabolism, involves converting smaller, simpler molecules into larger, more complex molecules. An example for this is the combination of simple sugars to form disaccharides and water.
2. Responsiveness - the process of identifying changes in one's internal or external environment and responding to those changes. It is the act of recognizing a stimuli and reacting to it. For example, in external environment, a dog is wagging its tail in response on seeing it master (stimulus). In internal environment on the other hand, endocrine cell in pancreas detect the elevated blood sugar level and start secreting insulin to normalize the sugar level.
3. Movement - refers to the motion of the whole body, organs, and single cells. An example for this is the movement of the whole body in order to perform a specific action.
4. Growth - refers to an increase in size, either as a result of an increase in the total number of cells or an increase in the size of each individual cell. For example, human grow by increasing the number of existing cells to the body, increasing the amount of non-cellular material around those cells (such as mineral deposits in bones), and, within very specific bounds, increasing the size of those cells.
5. Differentiation - it occurs when unspecialized cells undergo structural and functional specialization to carry out certain bodily functions. An example for this is monocyte differentiation, in which monocytes can differentiate into several forms in accordance with their derivatives. While monocyte-derived macrophages develop into cells that fight infection or the accumulation of damaged or dead cells, dendritic cells from monocytes help with inflammation and infection.
6. Reproduction - refers to the formation of new cells for the replacement and repair of old cells as well as for growth. An example for this is the cell division, wherein mitosis is the process of making new body cells, and meiosis produces reproductive cells.