A life cycle is the series of stages that an organism goes through from the beginning of its life until its death. This process typically includes stages such as birth, growth, reproduction, and aging. Different organisms have unique life cycles, which can vary in length and complexity. For example, the life cycle of a butterfly includes stages like egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. In addition to animals, plants also have life cycles. A flowering plant starts as a seed, grows into a seedling, matures into an adult plant, and eventually produces seeds to continue the cycle. Understanding life cycles helps scientists study how organisms develop, reproduce, and interact with their environments.