What is the life cycle?

The life cycle refers to the sequence of life forms from one generation to the next. This encompasses all stages of an organism's life, from conception to maturity, and ultimately to reproduction. Each organism has a unique life cycle that includes various developmental stages, such as embryonic development, juvenile growth, maturity, and reproduction, which together ensure the continuation of the species.

Understanding the life cycle is crucial as it provides insight into how organisms grow, develop, and reproduce over time. It is a fundamental concept in biology, helping to explain the evolutionary adaptations and reproductive strategies that different species employ to thrive in their environments.

In contrast, the other choices focus on specific aspects of biological processes rather than the comprehensive overview that the life cycle represents. The process of cell division, reproduction methods in single-celled organisms, and the development stages of multicellular organisms are all related elements but do not capture the entire scope of what constitutes a life cycle.