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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.
Life processes are common to all living things. They feed (Nutrition), take in and use air (Respiration), produce and remove waste (Excretion), grow and develop (Growth), move (Movement), produce young ones (Reproduction) and respond to changes in their environment (Sensitivity). Each life process has particular functions that are important to living things for their survival.
Activity 1.3: Identifying a life process
Key question
Can you tell a life process?
figure 1.1 (a) river nile at karuma
figure 1.1 (a) river nile at karuma
What to do
Observe the pictures in Figures 1.1(a) and (b) above.
i) Which of them is a life process and why? ii) Which of them is not a life process and why?
figure 1.1 (b)animals at murchison falls NP
figure 1.1 (b)animals at murchison falls NP
Activity 1.4: Finding out life processes and their importance
Key question
Can you tell a life process?
What you need
§ pictures of living things involved in life processes
What you do
The pictures below show living things involved in life processes.
i) In pairs, study the pictures carefully. ii) Identify the life process and state its importance to the living organism
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Differentiating Between Animals and Plants
From Activity 1.3, 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:
Task; Using your knowledge of life processes, draw a poster including all 4 organisms to show their relations.
Chapter Summary
• Biology has several branches that can be applied in everyday life.
• All living organisms undergo/perform life processes that distinguish them from non-living things.
• There are seven life processes that enable all living organisms to survive.
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