Discuss the six basic life processes and your own example for each.
Metabolism – Sum of all the chemical processes that occur in the body
> Anabolism – Smaller and simpler molecules are combined into larger and more complex substances
> Catabolism – Larger and more complex substances are broken down into simpler molecules
Example: The chemical process that occurs after eating. After eating, the molecules of the eaten food are broken down into simpler molecules. Catabolism occurs as energy is released from the molecules that were broken down.
Responsiveness – The body’s ability to detect and respond to changes in both the internal and external environments
Example: Quickly withdrawing one’s hand after a brief contact with an extremely hot surface.
Movement – The motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, and tiny organelles inside the cell
Example: People walking in order to get to places.
Growth – The increase in body size
Example: Fingernails getting longer over a period of time due to the emergence of new nail cells.
Differentiation – The process wherein unspecialized cells become specialized cells
Example: A stem cell turning into a different cell type with a specialty after undergoing a switch from proliferation to specialization
Reproduction – The formation of new cells for growth, repair, or replacement | The production of a new individual
Example: Union of an egg cell and a sperm cell leading to the formation of an embryo. A child is then born roughly after 40 weeks.