Goal:
I will be able to list the
characteristics of living things
look fors:
I will be able to make a list of living and non-living things
I will be able to explain what makes something alive
Make a list of living things on one side of
your page and non living things on the
other
Living Non-Living
What makes something alive?
Living
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Living things or organisms, exhibit ALL of
the following characteristics:
1. Living things are composed of cells.
All cells are similar. For example, Plant
cells have similar features to other plant
cells.
2. Living things reproduce, grow, and
repair themselves
Cells reproduce by dividing in two, new
cells are needed for growth and repair.
3. Living things require energy.
Plants get their energy from the sun, while
animals get their energy by eating plants
or other animals.
4. Living things respond to the
environment.
The response can be to another organism
or the environment.
5. Living things have a life span.
Living things only live for a limited period of
time.
6. Living things produce waste products
Example: Your kidneys filter wastes from
your blood.
Why might someone say a car
is alive? What characteristics
of life does it have? Which
ones are missing?
Please answer: 1. Why might someone say a computer is alive?
a) What characteristics of life does it have? Give an example.
(A computer responds to its environment by updating itself)
b) Which ones are missing?
2. What are the important differences between living things and non-living
things?
3. Copy and complete each sentence describing which characteristic of life is
being described below:
a) A plant bends toward light is an example of…
b) A tadpole turns into a frog is an example of…
c) Human lungs breathe out carbon dioxide…
d) A blue jay feeds on seeds…
e) A cat gives birth to kittens…
BONUS: make a t-chart. On the left, list the 6 characteristics of life. On the
right, suggest a non-living thing that exhibits the characteristic.
(Example: a box of Kleenex has a life span.
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