A life cycle refers to 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, like plants and animals, have unique life cycles that can vary significantly in duration and complexity. In plants, for example, the life cycle begins with a seed, which germinates and grows into a mature plant. This plant then produces flowers, which can develop into seeds, continuing the cycle. Similarly, in animals, a life cycle may include stages like egg, larva, pupa, and adult, as seen in butterflies.