- A life cycle is defined as the complete succession of changes undergone by an organism during its life. A new cycle occurs when an identical set of changes is begun.
- All organisms go through stages of development.
- Environmental conditions such as water, temperature, and light affect the development of organisms.
- In most mammals the stages of life go from the fertilized egg, to the fetus, the juvenile, and then to the adult.
- Birds go from the egg, to the chick, to the adult.
- Amphibians go from the egg, to the larva, to the adult.
- Plants go from the seed, to the seedling , to the flowering plant.
- Insect go from the egg, to the larva, to the pupa, to the adult.
- Scientists can even describe the life cycle of a star or a plastic bottle.
- Even families can have a life cycle. Most families have the parents come together as a unit. They can then have a child. The child becomes an adult. The new adult leaves home, finds a partner, produces offspring and the life cycle begins again.
Life Cycle Facts
Life cycle means the stages a living thing goes through during its life.
In some cases the process is slow, and the changes are gradual. Humans have various steps during their lives, such as zygote, embryo, child and adult. The change from child to adult is slow and continuous. See the fact file below for more information about life cycles.
Download the Life Cycle Worksheet
Download and use this worksheet in the classroom or at home to increase your students' Life Cycle knowledge.
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