Final answer:
In biology, growth is a process where living organisms increase in size. Plant growth involves assembling pieces of the environment, while animal growth involves finding pre-assembled pieces.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, growth is a process in which living organisms increase in size. It occurs when the rate of anabolism (building up of complex molecules) exceeds the rate of catabolism (breaking down of complex molecules). This process is common in both plants and animals, although the controls on growth differ between the two.
For plants, growth involves accumulating scattered pieces of the environment and assembling them into an organic entity. In contrast, animals find pre-assembled pieces of life and reconfigure them for their own use. The control of animal growth is tied to ingestion, whereas the controls on plant growth are less obvious.
Growth is an essential characteristic of life and is necessary for organisms to reach maturity and reproduce. It is driven by the availability of free energy and matter. In humans, growth occurs from infancy to adulthood, resulting in a significant change in size and development.