What does the life cycle of an organism entail?

The life cycle of an organism describes the various stages it undergoes from birth to death, which includes development, growth, reproduction, and eventually senescence. Each life cycle is specific to the type of organism and can vary widely among different species. For instance, insects may go through stages such as egg, larva, pupa, and adult, while mammals typically develop through stages from embryo to juvenile and then to adult.

Understanding the stages of an organism's life cycle is crucial in the context of pest management and pesticide application. By recognizing these stages, pesticide supervisors can effectively target specific life stages of pests for control, optimizing the efficacy of treatments and minimizing environmental impact. Thus, the life cycle encapsulates a critical aspect of biology that relates closely to practical applications in agriculture and pest management.