Diversity of Living things

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

Meaning of Biology

Do you remember the knowledge of science you studied in the Primary school? Some of the knowledge relates to living things while the other relates to non-living things.

biology comes from two Greek words, "bios" meaning life and "oikos" meaning study. simply biology is the study of life

 Why study biology

Activity : Identifying areas where knowledge of biology is applied 

Life Processes

In order to decide whether what we are observing is living or nonliving, a set of characteristics called life processes are used. In the next section, you will find out the life processes.

Characteristics of living things 

Scientists use characteristics to decide whether something is living or not. a characteristic is something that an object or organism can do, for example man can move, eat, run etc

can you tell the life processes below

Differentiating Between Animals and Plants

From Activity , both plants and animals are living things and have common characteristics. However, some of the characteristics in plants and animals are carried out in different ways.

Activity 1.5: Finding out the differences in characteristics of plants and animals Key question

How do plants and animals differ in their life processes?

What you need

§     A plant in a pot

§     A small animal e.g. a rat in a cage or an ant in a glass container What you do

In small groups, observe the life processes of the two organisms and record your observations. Write what you observe for the plant and animal. Describe how the organism will carry out the life process.

Note: in some cases it may be difficult or impossible to observe the processes. In that case use textbooks, the Internet to prepare your findings or consult a teacher for guidance.

1.  Feeding

Plant_______________________________________________

Animal______________________________________________

2.  Movement 

Plant_______________________________________________

Animal______________________________________________ 

3. Sensitivity

Plant_______________________________________________

Animal______________________________________________

 4. Excretion 

Plant_______________________________________________

Animal______________________________________________

Activity of Integration 

You are a member of the Nature Club at your school. The club is developing an envorimental campaign for members of a community that lives next to a forest which is home to a troop of baboons. The baboons regularly destroy the crops in the community’s gardens. The community members plan to get rid of the baboons permanently. The Nature Club has to raise awareness about repect for living things. You are given these 4 organisms and you are to elaborate a message showing their relation: