Characteristics of Living & Non Living Things – JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

Living things are things that have life in them, such as man, birds, fish, yam and grass. They are grouped into plants and animals. They show eight basic life processes: movement, respiration, nutrition, irritability, growth, excretion, reproduction and death. Non-living things, such as stones, chairs, water and salt, have no life in them.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define living and non-living things and give examples of each;
• list the eight characteristics of living things using the acronym “MR NIGER D”;
• explain each characteristic of living things;
• state the uses of animals to man;
• state the uses of plants to man.

What are living and non-living things?

Living things are things that have life in them. Examples are man, insect, bird, fish, toad, lizard, yam and grass. Living things are classified into two major groups: plants and animals.

Non-living things are things that have no life in them. Examples are stones, chairs, tables, water, shoes, bags and salt.

What are the characteristics of living things?

The characteristics of living things (organisms) are the basic life processes that differentiate them from non-living (lifeless) things. They can be represented by the acronym “MR NIGER D”:

1. M: Movement
2. R: Respiration
3. N: Nutrition
4. I: Irritability
5. G: Growth
6. E: Excretion
7. R: Reproduction
8. D: Death

• Movement: This is a change of position or location. It is passive in plants but active in animals.
• Respiration: This is the ability of living things to take in air.
• Nutrition: This is the process of feeding in living things. Plants can manufacture their food during photosynthesis, while animals depend directly or indirectly on plants for food.
• Irritability: This is the ability of living things to respond to stimuli or changes in their environment.
• Growth: This is the irreversible increase in size and weight of an organism. It occurs in both plants and animals.
• Excretion: This is the process of removing waste products or toxic (harmful) materials from the bodies of living things.
• Reproduction: This is the ability of living things to produce young ones of their kind for continuity of life.
• Death: This is the end of life or the absence of life.

What is the importance of plants and animals to human beings?

The following are some of the uses of plants and animals to man.

Uses of animals to man

1. Source of protein in food.
2. The skin of animals can be used to make belts, bags and similar items.
3. Animals such as camels and donkeys carry heavy loads (they are called beasts of burden).
4. Source of income to farmers.
5. Means of transportation.
6. Security guards, for example dogs.

Uses of plants to man

1. Medicinal purposes.
2. Source of timber and plywood.
3. Source of fibres and latex.
4. Beautification, for example ornamental plants (mainly flowers and shrubs).
5. Source of food.
6. Maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon(IV) oxide in nature.

Evaluation

1. What is a living thing?
2. Mention the characteristics of living things.
3. Differentiate between living and non-living things.

Assignment

1. List four uses of animals to man.
2. List four uses of plants to man.