Growth is a permanent increase in body size and dry mass of an organism, usually resulting from an increase in cell number (hyperplasia) or cell size (hypertrophy).

Here's a breakdown of why this is the correct answer:

* Permanent: Growth is not a temporary change. It is a lasting increase in size.

* Increase in body size and dry mass: Growth involves an increase in both the physical dimensions of the organism and its overall mass, excluding water content.

* From cell numbers: Growth often occurs through an increase in the number of cells, although it can also involve an increase in the size of individual cells.

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