The essential processes for maintaining life generally include:
- Nutrition: Intake and utilization of food for energy and growth.
- Absorption: The process of taking in nutrients into the body or cells.
- Respiration: Conversion of nutrients to energy at the cellular level.
- Metabolism: All chemical reactions in the body required for maintenance and growth.
- Excretion: Removal of metabolic waste to maintain internal balance.
- Transportation: Movement of nutrients, gases, and wastes within the organism.
- Reproduction: Production of new individuals to ensure species continuation.
- Control and Coordination: Regulation of bodily functions for homeostasis and response to stimuli.
- Movement: Some form of movement or response to the environment.
These processes collectively sustain life by providing energy, growth, repair, waste elimination, and species survival mechanisms.
