Answer
1. Metabolism ( anabolism plus catabolism)
2. Responsiveness ( receptor plus effector mechanisms
3. Movement. Ability to change location, escape harmful stimuli, and procure needed resources.
4..Growth. Increase in size and number of cells and/or of intercellular substances.
5. Differentiation. The processes by which undifferentiated stem cells lose totipotentiality and become
specialized tissue cells--skin cells, muscle cells, epithelial cells, sperms, ova etc.
6. Reproduction. Reproduction is the most vital process for the survival of a kind of organism. Since all organisms die, for a kind of organism to survive the living population must produce young of their kind to take the places of mature or old individuals who die from accidents, diseases, or old age.
When reproductive processes are inefficient, populations of organism fall in number, and in
extreme cases, extinction of species or varieties may occur.
Work Step by Step
The six most important processes of living organisms are metabolism, responsiveness, differentiation, movement, growth, and reproduction.
1. Metabolism. Metabolism consists of two opposite sets of biochemical reactions. The processes that break down complex food substances into simple chemical compounds like amino acids and glucose are summarized under the rubric of catabolism. The opposite set of processes that build up proteins, fats, and glycogen from amino acids, and glucose are labeled anabolic processes (anabolism). By these two sets of processes, the body transforms raw materials -- food, water and oxygen into energy and tissues, and then gets rid of the attendant wastes and toxins.
2. Responsiveness; The ability to perceive and respond to stimuli is one of the major differences between dead and living organisms. Sensitivity to stimuli that indicate environmental changes, and the capacity to respond to these changes are a vital prerequisites of successful living. Negative responses to noxious stimuli are protective against harm, and the ability to respond positively to potentially beneficial stimuli makes the acquisition of life-sustaining resources potentially more possible.
3. Movement, which entails the change of position of cells, organs, or organisms, is an important component of responsiveness. It is vital in the escape from harmful environments, and in the acquisition of necessary resources. Movement is also important in elimination and in reproduction.
4.Growth. Growth is the increase in numbers or size of cells or tissues. It may also be affected by
increases in the amounts of intercellular materials.
.Growth is important in the many physical, physiological and mental (psychological) cycles that are built into our genes. Height, weight, strength, neural function, mental maturity, reproductive maturity and function all depend on growth processes programmed in our DNA. Growth usually means improvement in capacity and strength, but excessive unbalanced growth of cells or tissues may lead to disease, and disability, and premature death. Cell and tissue growth need to be under control. Uncontrolled cell growth may lead to cancer development and premature death.
5. Differentiation. This process includes all the changes that cause simple totipotential cells to develop into specialized cells--muscle cells, epithelial cells, kidney cells, pancreas cells etc.
6. Reproduction. This is the process by which living organs produce young individuals to take the places of members lost from a group through death by accident, disease or old age. If a population is not reproducing enough young to replace members who pass away, the population (species, race or variety) will decline in numbers, and may in time become extinct.
