- Metabolism - comprised of processes that occur in the body, such as Catabolism (breaking down of chemical substances to simpler components) and Anabolism (when simpler components are built up to be chemical substances); ex. eating something sweet so that your body can break down nutrients like glucose for energy
- Responsiveness - when the body detects stimuli so it responds to it; there are 2 types of stimulus: external (from the outside environment) and internal (within the body); ex. accidentally touching a very hot pan and your brain signals you to involuntarily and simultaneously lift your hand away to avoid getting burns
- Movement - the process of motion, which includes your cells, organs, and the body itself; ex. movement of platelets to patch up and form a scar over a wound to promote healing
- Growth - when cells grow, that would also mean that the body would grow; ex. as a child grows up, their legs elongate, making them grow taller
- Differentiation - when a stem cell (an unspecialized cell) develops into a specialized cell with a function during the process of fertilization; ex. stem cells are given the purpose to become cells of the pancreas
- Reproduction - it is either new cells forming for tissue replacement, repair, or growth, OR a new individual is being produced; this happens through cellular division: (1) mitosis (when somatic cells divide) and (2) meiosis (when sex cells divide); ex. the nail root below the cuticle produces nail cells through mitosis, thus your nails will grow