Life Cycles Vocabulary

3-5 Grade

Birth

The beginning of life

Growth

Increase in size, age, or development.

Life Cycle

The stages in an organism’s life from birth to death.

Stage

A specific time during life or growth

Pollen

A fine, powdery substance transferred between certain plants during reproduction.

Germinate

To sprout or grow

Dissect

Cut open to observe

Development

Growth

Metamorphosis

A change in the body, form, or structure of a living thing during its life cycle.

Complete Metamorphosis

A change in the body, form, or structure of a living thing during its life cycle.

4 Stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult

Incomplete Metamorphosis

A change in the body, form, or structure of a living thing during its life cycle.

3 Stages: Egg, Nymph, Adult

Egg

First stage in life cycle

Nymph

No Wings!

Stage during incomplete metamorphosis in which an organism is growing and resembles an adult

Larva

Stage during complete metamorphosis when it resembles a worm

Pupa/Chrysalis

Stage during complete metamorphosis when organism is at rest and new body parts are forming

Adult

A fully grown organism that can reproduce