Characteristics Of Living & Non Living Things JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING AND NON-LIVING THINGS

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

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

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 referred to as 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 living things. Plants can manufacture their food during photosynthesis, while animals depend directly and 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 removal of 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 defined as the end of life or the absence of life.

IMPORTANCE/USEFULNESS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS TO HUMAN BEINGS

The following are some of the usefulness of plants and animals to man:

The Usefulness of Animals To Man

1.     Source of protein in food.
2.     The skin of animals can be used to make belts, bags, etc.
3.     To carry heavy loads e.g. camels and donkeys (called beasts of burden)
4.     Source of income to farmers.
5.     Means of transportation by man
6.     Security guards e.g. dogs

The Usefulness of Plants To Man

                 Medicinal purpose

                 Source of timber and plywood

                  Source of fibers and latex

                For beautification e.g. ornamental crops (mainly flowers and shrubs)

                Source of food

                To maintain oxygen-carbon(IV) balance in nature

CLASSWORK

                What is a living thing?

                Mention the characteristics of living things

                Differentiate between living and nonliving things