Lesson Topic: Characteristics of Living Things
Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS 1
Curriculum: Nigeria, British
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define what living things are.
- Identify and explain the characteristics of living things.
- Differentiate between living and non-living things.
Lesson Notes:
Introduction
Living things are organisms that have life, grow, reproduce, and respond to stimuli. Examples of living things include humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms.
Characteristics of Living Things
The following are the main characteristics of living things:
- Growth: Living things grow by increasing in size and mass. This is due to an increase in the number of cells.
- Reproduction: Living things reproduce to produce offspring. This can be sexual or asexual reproduction.
- Sensitivity: Living things can detect and respond to changes in their environment. This is known as sensitivity or irritability.
- Movement: Living things can move from one place to another. This can be voluntary or involuntary movement.
- Respiration: Living things respire to produce energy. This involves the breakdown of glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
- Excretion: Living things excrete waste products to maintain homeostasis.
- Nutrition: Living things need nutrients to grow, maintain their structures, and reproduce.
- Death: Living things eventually die, which marks the end of their life cycle.
Examples of Living Things
Examples of living things include:
- Humans
- Animals (e.g., dogs, cats, birds)
- Plants (e.g., trees, flowers, grass)
- Microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi)
Differentiation between Living and Non-Living Things
Non-living things do not exhibit the characteristics of living things. Examples of non-living things include:
- Rocks
- Water
- Air
- Cars
- Buildings
Activity:
Create a table to compare the characteristics of living and non-living things.
| Characteristics | Living Things | Non-Living Things |
|---|
| Growth | Yes | No |
| Reproduction | Yes | No |
| Sensitivity | Yes | No |
| Movement | Yes | No |
| Respiration | Yes | No |
| Excretion | Yes | No |
| Nutrition | Yes | No |
| Death | Yes | No |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, living things exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. Understanding these characteristics is essential for appreciating the diversity of life on Earth.
Assessment:
- List five characteristics of living things.
- Give two examples each of living and non-living things.
- Explain why a car is considered a non-living thing.
Extension:
Research and list five living things that are found in your local environment. Explain their characteristics and how they interact with their environment.
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