Living Things.1.

Living Things

Science Terms • alive • living things • organism • move • breathe • grow • reproduce • stimulus • develop

• hidup • makhluk hidup • organisme • bergerak • bernapas • tumbuh • berkembangbiak • rangsang (di perlakukan) • berkembang

Living or Non-living Things Many plants and animals can be easily recognized as living things, but some others are not, such as Lichens on rocks, for example. Discuss these questions in pairs. • Are all moving things alive? • Do all moving things breathe? • Give some examples of moving things that breathe? And some moving things that do not breathe • Do all living things reproduce?

Some Living Characteristics of an Organism • Respiring • Moving • Receiving and responding to stimulus • Growing and developing • Reproducing • Requiring oxygen, water and food

1. Respiring All living things respire. Respiration is the process of breaking up food and giving off energy. Living things take oxygen and release carbondioxide during respiration. The respiration produces energy, water vapors, and carbon dioxide. The energy produced during respiration is used for living processes.

2. Moving Moving is another characteristic of an organism. A plant grows towards the sun light. Birds fly, snakes slither, horses walk, we walk and run. Flying, slithering, walking and running are ways of moving as shown on So, all organisms move, but not all are able to move to different places.

3. Receiving and Responding to Stimulus What do you do to find out that a Mimosa pudica (putri malu/touch me not) is alive? Touch it and see what might happen. It will close its leaves. One characteristic of an organism is to respond to its surrounding. An example of such a response is a plant growing towards the light

Mimosa pudica L

4. Growing and Developing • Growing is a changing process by increasing the size and number of cells. Besides growth, there is also a maturation process which is called as development. Human beings grow from infants to adults.

5. Reproducing All living things reproduce. They produce young generations (offsprings). Animals like cows and deer reproduce by giving birth, while others like turtles and chickens reproduce by lying eggs. Reproduction is necessary for organisms so that they are not extinct.

What Are Needed by A Living Thing? 2. Water All living things need water. Have you ever picks some fresh flowers and put their stalks in a glass of water? Why do you put some water? In the following activity you will see what happens to a leaf if it does not get enough water.

What Are Needed by A Living Thing? 3. Food You have noticed that living things grow and develop, respond to any stimulus and do other activities. Where do they get the energy for their activities? Cars which need fuel for their energy, while living things need food for their energy. How much fuel do you need? Think about what you have eaten in one day. Write down any food and beverages that you have consumed today. Why do we need that much food?