Why is an organism a living thing

Skip to content All living organisms share several key characteristics or functions: order, sensitivity or response to the environment, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, homeostasis, energy processing, and evolution. Order Figure 1 A toad represents a highly organized structure consisting of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli Figure 2 The leaves of this sensitive plant Mimosa pudica will instantly droop and fold when touched.

After a few minutes, the plant returns to normal. Reproduction Single-celled organisms reproduce by first duplicating their DNA, and then dividing it equally as the cell prepares to divide to form two new cells.

Figure 3 Although no two look alike, these kittens have inherited genes from both parents and share many of the same characteristics. Energy Processing Figure 5 The California condor Gymnogyps californianus uses chemical energy derived from food to power flight.

California condors are an endangered species; this bird has a wing tag that helps biologists identify the individual. Fish and Wildlife Service All organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities. Previous: What is Life? Next: Levels of Organization. Hence it is not necessary to try to change these conceptions at this stage, but to recognise that students may hold and maintain this view at some stage as learners. Students collect objects from the schoolyard on a scavenger hunt and classify them into groups of their choosing.

Students will articulate their classification system. Further discussion ideas could include a leaf that has just been picked, a fresh apple etc. Students could take digital photos and create a montage.

A good case could be argued that the freshly picked tomato is alive because it is able to maintain its biological integrity for a considerable period of time after picking; i. This provides good content for an interpretive discussion requiring students to use reasoning to justify their arguments because the answer is not clear cut; different opinions are likely and the discussion will open up a range of questions and relevant issues.

Other questions to explore could be whether a computer which is turned on is alive; whether a hibernating bear is alive; and whether a deciduous tree in winter is alive. Does it reproduce? Does it grow? Is it living, once living or nonliving?

It is important to realize that there is controversy over where to put such items as an apple or seed. Let the kids decide where it should go and realize there is no absolute correct answer on this. Which One is Alive? Have the students look at the two bags on the table and describe the powder that is inside each. The powders are 1 corn meal and 2 yeast but don't tell them. Ask the students if they think the powders are alive. Add a teaspoon of sugar to each bag. Tell them that if the powder is alive, it needs to eat.

Add 2 tablespoons of warm to slightly hot water to the two bags. Tell them that if they are alive, they will need to have water. Close up the bag and make sure there is some air left in the bag because if they are alive, they need to breathe. Close the bag and observe the solutions for 5 minutes. While they are waiting, discuss their observations and decide if they think either powder is alive. How will they know? Notice that bag 2 begins to have bubbles given off. The yeast is eating the sugar and giving off carbon dioxide as a waste product.

After the 5 minutes tell them what the two solutions are and which one is alive. Explain how each one fits into its own living vs. Yeast is alive but it was dormant until sugar and water were added. Cornmeal is not alive but was once part of a living corn plant. Living and Nonliving Interactions in an Ecosystem Look at the terrarium with a plant, frog, cricket, water, dirt, rocks etc. Discuss how the objects interact with each other.

At an even more fundamental level, scientific language actually helps shape ideas and provides the means for constructing scientific understandings and explanations. Read more on the classification system and taxonomy and learn about classifying marine organisms and how scientists classify ferns. Students can explore their ideas about the characteristics of living things with this graphic organizer, Living or non-living?

Visit the Science Continuum website for more information about common student alternative conceptions related to living things and classification. Add to collection. Nature of science Scientists need scientific vocabulary to communicate effectively. Related content Read more on the classification system and taxonomy and learn about classifying marine organisms and how scientists classify ferns. Activity idea Students can explore their ideas about the characteristics of living things with this graphic organizer, Living or non-living?

Useful link Visit the Science Continuum website for more information about common student alternative conceptions related to living things and classification. Go to full glossary Add 0 items to collection.

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