What term describes the series of stages that an organism passes through during its life?

The term "life cycle" refers to the series of stages that an organism goes through from birth to death, including all the changes that occur during its lifetime. This concept encompasses various developmental phases specific to the organism's life, such as growth, reproduction, and aging. For many organisms, the life cycle may involve distinct morphological and physiological changes, and it often details everything from the early stages (like embryos or larvae) to the adult form capable of reproduction.

Other terms like "metamorphosis," while related, often refer to specific types of transformations (like those seen in insects) rather than the entire sequence of stages in an organism's life. "Development" can refer to the growth processes but does not encapsulate the full range of life stages as comprehensively. "Evolution" describes the broader process of change in populations over generations, rather than the individual life progression of a single organism. Thus, "life cycle" is the most appropriate term to understand the complete series of stages an organism undergoes in its lifetime.