Five Basic Functions of Life That All Organisms Carry Out

Grow and Develop

• An organism grows when its body mass grows or new body structures form. An organism's development entails all changes that take place during the life cycle. Some organisms undergo incomplete metamorphosis and still look similar to their smaller counterparts while others undergo complete metamorphosis and look completely different from their younger forms.

Use Energy

• All organisms use energy to carry out functions such as movement, defense or growth. Plants make their own food through the process of photosynthesis, which they need light energy to carry out. Through cellular respiration plants convert this chemical energy to a form they can use. Animals get energy by consuming other plants or animals in the food chain of an ecosystem.

Homeostasis

• Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to maintain its internal conditions suitable to survival. Metabolism is how potential energy is converted to usable energy. An example of homeostasis in humans is sweating during exercise to maintain internal body temperature.

Reproduce

• Reproduction is the ability of an organism to multiply and create new offspring. Some organisms reproduce asexually, that is, they use their own DNA to reproduce. Others, such as humans, reproduce sexually and require another person from the same species to create offspring.

Adapt

• With changing environments, all organisms must be able to adapt to their new surroundings. Adaptation controls how organisms use physical and behavioral characteristics to survive in their environment. Organisms adapt to find new sources of food and water, survive changes in climate, reproduce and protect themselves from predators.