Principal Characteristics of Living Things

We can recognize living things because they share the following characteristics:

• They are born. All living things come from other living thing.

• They eat. All living things need food. The type of food may vary.

• They grow. All living things increase in size during their lifetime. Sometimes they change in appearance.

• They react. Living things can perceive what is going on around them, and they react to what they perceive.

• They reproduce. Living things can create offspring similar to themselves.

• They die. At some time, all living things stop functioning and cease to live.

HOW LIVING THINGS ARE ORGANIZED

Multicellular living things are very organized. In fact, levels of organization exist:

The smallest living unit that makes up a living thing is the CELL.
Look at these human cells:

CELLS group together to form tissues.

TISSUES are made up of similar cells that carry out a common function. For example, muscle tissue is made up of hundreds of muscle cells grouped together.

 Tissues form ORGANS. Organs are made up of a group of tissues that work together to carry out a common function. For example, muscles and bones are organs.

Organs form SYSTEMS. Systems are made up of a group of organs that work together to carry out a common function. For example, the skeletal system is made up of bones.

When all systems work together, they form an ORGANISM. An organism is a COMPLETE LIVING THING.

WHAT LIVING THINGS ARE LIKE

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS

We can recognize living things because they share the following characteristics:

• They are born. All living things come from other living things.

 

 Chicks are hatching from eggs.

• They eat. All living things need food. The type of food may vary.

The squirrel is eating a nut.

• They grow. All living things increase in size during their lifetime. Sometimes they change appearance.

Plants growing.

 

Click on the image below to play a game about "Growth".

 

• They react. Living things can perceive what is going on around them, and they react to what they perceive.

A zebra running away from a hungry lion.

• They reproduce. Living things can create offspring similar to themselves.

A mother, a father and their baby.

• They die. At some time, all living things stop functioning and cease to live.

Dead trees in a desert.

LIVING AND NONLIVING THINGS

Let's start by singing a song about living and nonliving things. Listen and sing along!

Does it breathe air?

Does it move or grow?

Does it need food or water?

If "yes", then you know... It's a living thing. (x2)

 

Does it breathe air?

Does it move or grow?

Does it need food or water?

If "no", then you know... It's a nonliving thing. (x2)

 

Now try this game and sort things into the right place. Click on the image below to start.

 

 

 

In nature there are nonliving things and living things.

 

Rocks, air and wind are nonliving things.

 

People animals and plants are living things. 



 

 

Now, click on the image below and learn more about living and nonliving things.

 

Work with the Blog Worksheet. Complete the exercises. See you next class!

What Living Things are Like

In nature there are nonliving things and living things. Rocks, air and wind are nonliving things. People, animals and plants are living things.

Living or nonliving? Click here to classify the following items.

We can recognize living things because they share the following characteristics:

1. They are born. All living things come from other living things.
2. They eat. All living things need food. The type of food may vary.
3. They grow. All living things increase in size during their lifetime. Sometimes they change in appearance.
4. They react. Living things can perceive what is going on around them, and they react to what they perceive.
5. They reproduce. Living things can create offspring similar to themselves.
6. They die. At some time, all living things stop functioning and cease to live.

Click on the picture below to do a test about living and nonliving things:

How many right answers did you get?