OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which life process is associated with living organisms growing in size?

1. Movement

2. Reproduction

3. Growth

4. Nutrition

The correct answer is: Growth

Growth is a fundamental life process specifically associated with living organisms increasing in size or mass over time. This process involves various biological changes, including cell division, enlargement, and differentiation. During growth, organisms develop from a single cell into complex structures composed of multiple cells, enabling them to reach maturity and function effectively in their environments. While the other options relate to important life processes, they do not directly describe the increase in size. Movement refers to the ability to change position or location, reproduction encompasses the generation of new individuals, and nutrition focuses on the intake of substances for energy and maintenance. However, none of these processes inherently indicates a physical increase in size, which makes growth the most fitting choice in this context.