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