All living things carry out seven basic functions integral to survival:

• Metabolism – Living things undertake essential chemical reactions

• Reproduction – Living things produce offspring, either sexually or asexually

• Sensitivity – Living things are responsive to internal and external stimuli

• Homeostasis – Living things maintain a stable internal environment

• Excretion – Living things exhibit the removal of waste products

• Nutrition – Living things exchange materials and gases with the environment

• Growth / Movement – Living things can move and change shape or size