Final answer:
All living things share at least four critical processes of life: growth and development, reproduction, response to the environment, and homeostasis, which are pivotal for their survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Living things share several processes of life that are essential to their survival and define what it means to be alive. At least four processes of life that living things share include:
- Growth and development: All living things grow and progress through various stages of development during their lifetimes.
- Reproduction: Living organisms are capable of producing new individuals, either sexually or asexually, to ensure the continuation of their species.
- Response to the environment: All living things have the ability to detect changes in their environment and respond accordingly, which is crucial for survival.
- Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment is vital, and all living things can regulate their internal conditions to remain within certain limits.
These core processes are widely distributed among organisms today and provide insights into the history of life on Earth.