- Growth and Development - growth occurs because cells grow larger or because they increase in numbers; ex. growing taller
- Movement and Responding to Stimuli - creating motion and reacting to the external environment; ex. letting go of a hot plate
- Differentiation - cells mature to have specialized functions; ex. stem cells into gametes
- Reproduction and Heredity - producing offspring; ex. mother giving birth and passing on her eye color to daughter/son
- Metabolism/Energy Utilization - include respiration, digestion, and excretion of wastes; ex. catching breath during aerobic exercise
- Homeostasis - organisms ability to control the internal environment; ex. shivering when cold and sweating when hot