The Living Organisms — Characteristics and Habitats
Students learn how **living beings differ from non-living things**. It explains the **characteristics of living organisms** — such as movement, respiration, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli — and how they **adapt to different habitats** (desert, forest, water, mountain, etc.).
Key Topics & Instructions
▼- Recall the seven essential characteristics of life.
- Differentiate between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
- Identify key adaptations of organisms to extreme habitats.
- Use Experiment 1 to test if an object is living or non-living based on characteristics.
- Use Experiment 2 to analyze an animal's adaptation to a specific habitat.
Experiment 1: Living vs. Non-Living Test
Select an object and check if it exhibits the fundamental characteristics of life.
Experiment 2: Habitat and Adaptation
Select an animal and its habitat to identify its primary adaptation for survival.
The 7 essential life processes are: **Movement**, **Respiration**, **Sensitivity** (Response to Stimuli), **Growth**, **Reproduction**, **Excretion**, and **Nutrition**.
Adaptation to Habitats
The changes in an organism's body or behavior that help it survive in its specific **habitat** (surroundings). Adaptations are usually genetic and develop over generations.
Organisms here (e.g., Fish) need **streamlined bodies** and **gills** for efficient swimming and breathing underwater.
Organisms here (e.g., Polar Bear) need **thick fur/fat** and **hibernation** behavior to survive extreme cold and lack of food.
