%*YLLABU*

Chorocteristics of living things: Need nutrition" respir.e io convert food inlo energy, rnsde up *f
cells, respond to stirnuli,- undergo definite chcnges during their life, live for s dJfiniie period cf
iime, reproduce more of their kind" Differences between living snd nonliving fhings. Differ*nces
between plcnts cnd onirnols.
Children now you can easily distinguish
between living and non-living things. For
example, you know that a butterfly, a dog
and a plant are living things but a bicycle, i
house and a stone are not. Things that show
characteristics of life are called living things
or living organisms whereas things that do
not show characteristics of life ire called
non-living things. All the living and non-
living things are made up of molecules.
But, they differ in the way the molecules
are affanged. Also, living things show some
characteristics features that non-living things
do not. Let us look at those special featurei,
that characterise living things.
BASIC
CHARACTERTSTICS
OF
LIVING THINGS
Li vi ng thi ngs ore mode up of
cel l s
A house is built of bricks. In the same
way, all living things are made up of cells.
(Biomolecules-molecules
present in living
organisms constitute cells.) A cell is, thus,
the basic structural and functional unit of
all living beings.
Fig. 1:1 Dffirent types of cells in a drop of human
blood as seen on magntfying 3000 times
Some organisms like Amoeba, Paramoecium,
Euglena and Chlamydomonas are made of
only a single cell. They are called unicellular
organisms. Other organisms like a dog, a cat,
a human being, a tree, and so on are
constituted of a large number of cells. Th.y
are called multicellular organisms.
Eugl ena i s o uni que or gcni sm t hi i con
cccurnui*fs nuirients hy phcfosynthesis
ond
move l i ke an cni mcl by t wi st rng i t sel f .
Generally, cells have certain basic features
in common. For example, all cells have a
thin outer covering called cell membrane.
Inside the cell is a nucleus that controls the
functions of the cell, and cytoplasm-the
living substance that fills the space around
the nucleus. However, the plant and animal
cells differ from each olher in certain
features. A plant cell has a rigid cell wall in
addition to the cell membrane. An animal
cell has no cell wall. Cells of green leaves
also have chlorophyll
containing organelles
called chloroplasts,
which an animal cell
does not have.
Paramoecium
(c) c
Fi g. 1.2
-
Cell membrane
Fig. 1. A generalized cell
b\,/
The common elements that make up the
body of a living organism are .uiborr,
hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus,
sul phur , cal ci um, i r on, magnesi ur n,
potassi um
and sodi um. These el ements
combi ne to form compl ex
compounds
which together form the livinq matter
called protoplasm.
It is the pr6toplasm
that gives life to all liring organisms. In
fact, all biochemical
reactions required
for the sustenance oi tit-e take plaie in
the protoplasm.
Protoplasm
is a general
term for the otoplasrn.
i .
ffi-
hlamydomonas
Unicellular organisms
Use a tooihpick or o cottcn bud ta screp or
wipe around the inside of your cheek. Dab rhe
cotton bud or roll the ioofhpick ci the centre
of o gl css sl i de.
cet t
Now pit o drop o{ ,"iTrur"
c}4oPlasm nucleus
i adi ne, i o moke t he
cei i st ruci ure vi si bl e
under o microscope
*nd ccyer it wiih
s csver slip. Drow
the structure of the
csl i s wi i h nucl eus os
y*u see under the
rn!crcscop*. Figure. 1.3 Cheek cells
TruNx
Li vi ng thi ngs need food ond
nutri ti on
All living things grow and flourish by taking
food and water from their environment.
The process of taking food for survival is
called nutrition.
\,/
Plants absorb water and many minerals
dissolved in the soil. They also take carbon
dioxide from the air. Water and carbon
dioxide are used in the preparation of food
(carbohydrates) with the help of chlorophyll
present in the leaves, in presence of sunlight.
Thus, plants can make their own food by
the process known as photosynthesis. So
they are known as autotrophs.
6CO2 + 6H2O
Sunlisht
,
Carbon water
oxide
v
C6H12O6 + 60,2
Glucose Orygen
However, the mode of nutrition in animals is
different from that of green plants. Animals
cannot make their own food. Th.y depend
on plants for food directly or indirectly. So
they are known as heterotrophs.
Living things respire to convert
food into energy
All living things respire. During respiration,
they take in oxygen from the air and release
carbon dioxide
vapour. In the
and some amount of water
process, energy is released.
The oxygen which living things take in,
reaches to the cells and helps in breaking
down of food. The energy stored in the food
is then released. This energy is utilised for
different activities of the body. The breaking
down of food also results in the production
of carbon dioxide and water, which are
released as waste.
Food + oxygen
->
enrgl + water.runh,
+ carbon dioxide
Uni cel l ul ar organi sms l i ke Amoeba,
Paramoecium and bacteria do not have
any specific organ for respiration. Instead of
actual process of breathing, oxygen enters in
their bodies by simply diffirsion. However,
multicellular organisms have specific organs
for respiration. Man and higher animals like
Toke some limewoter in fwo shollow bowls.
Exhole oir into one of them. You will see thst
l i mewot er t urns mi l ky i n t he bowl i n whi ch oi r
is exholed. This shows thot corbon dioxide is
gi ven out duri ng respi rot i on.
Fig. 1.5 Carbon dioxide is released during
resoiration
G//s
cows, horses, dogs and cats respire through
lungs. Fish respire through gills, earthworms
through their moist skin, and insects like
butterflies and mosquitoes have special air
holes called spiracles for respiration. Plants
have tiny openings called stomata on their
leaves, through which they respire. In plants,
gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide
diffuse in through stomata and lenticels.
(a) Human beings respire
(b) Fish respire
through gills
(c) Plants respire through
small pores called stomata
Fig. 1.6 Diferent living organisms respire through
diferent organs
Livi
irrit
thi ngs respond to sti mul i :
ility or sensitivity
Stimulus is an agent that causes a response.
Living things respond to external stimuli
like light, heat, touch, and so on. These
responses take various forms, for example,
a snail immediately withdraws within its
shell when it is touched.
Human beings and many animals shiver
when it is too cold. Plants also react to
changes in their surroundings.
A gentle touch or even the heat from a
lighted candle or matchstick will make the
leaflets of Mimosa (touch-me-not)
to droop.
Fig. 1.7 Response to stimuli in Mimosa plant
The rain tree closes its leaves at sunset. Some
flowers open in the morning and close at
night. The sunflower always faces towards
the Sun during the day time.
Fig. 1.8 Sunflower
faces
the Sun
Li vi ng thi ngs move
Most living things do not stay at the same
place. Animals move from place to place for
food, shelter and to escape from predators.
This movement is called locomotion. For
example, a frog hops, a snake crawls, a bird
flies, a fish swims and a man walks.
ar
ng
ob
Movement in plants is, howevr, different.
Plants cannot move from one place to
another as they are fixed to the soil. But
some of their parts show movement.
Stem
grows towards sunlight, roots spread out
under the soil to absorb water and minerals
dissolved in it.
Flowers unfold their petals. Certain lower
plants llke Chlamydomonas,
can move in
water.
Li vi ng thi ngs grow
All living things grow. Growth is charac-
terised by increase in weight and the
size of their
body.
It is a permanent
and
irreversible c.hange. An infant grows into
an adult human, a chick grows into a hen,
a calf grows into a cow and a seed grows
into a plant.
Fig. 1.9 Phases of growth in a plant
All life starts from a single cell. The growth
of organisms is due to multiplication of cells,
resulting in increase in the number of cells.
U:ricellular organisms grow by increasing
the size of the cell.
organlsms,such animals,
e
m{:,
ffimembrane
Lrvrng organlsms, sucn as antmals, stop
growing after they have attained a certain
Living
contains glands which excrete common salt
and water in the form of sweat.
In plants, the waste products are converted
into harmless substances, e.g., gums and
resins, which can be stored.
plants
store
#ffi
Fig. 1.10 A cell dividing into two
Living things excrete
All living things produce waste, which
is poisonous and must be thrown out of
the body. This process is called excretion.
Human beings and animals release carbon
dioxide and pass stool and urine from the
body every day. Most animals release carbon
dioxide through their lungs. Also, kidneys
in animals filter out nitrogenous
waste,
excess minerals and water. The human skin
age but flowering plants continue to grow
throughout their lives. The banyan tree,
peepal tree and mango tree continue to grow
throughout their lives.
waste in old leaves or in the bark.
plants
lose their waste when leaves fall in autumn
or when the bark is shed naturally.
Li vi ng thi ngs
l i ve for o defi ni te
peri od
of ti me
All living things have a definite life cvcle.
Th.y are born and they grow into adults
through-various
phases.
And gradually,
they
grow old and ultimately
die. No living
thing
lives forever.
Each of them has a aennite
life span. The life span varies from animal
to animal and plant to plant.
Some lives for
a short time and some for a long time. For
example,
the life span of the mivflv is 24
hours while the tortoise lives for' L20_I50
years. Similarly,
some plants live for one
year or one season,
and others for a long
time, that is, for 100 years or more.
Organism
Life span
Bacteri a
.................20
mi nutes
Muyfl y.......
.................24
hours
Housefly...
1-4 months
Beetl e........
4 months
Mouse.......
Squirre1..... g-9
years
Do9. . . . . . . . . . .
r 2- r 4 year s
Spider
......20 years
Li on..........
20-25 years
Horse........
25-30 years
Ostrich
45-50 years
Human
70-75 years
Elephant...
70-90 years
Tortoise
Life span of some organisms
_-#%_
C"
Tadpole ru
Fig. 1.11 Lift cycle
tfros
Li vi ng
thi ngs
reproduce
more
of thei r
ki nd
As you know, every living
organism
has a
definite life span. To maintain
tihe continuitv
of their race, all living
organisms
tend to
produce
more of their kind.
The process
by which living
organisms
give birth to their own kindlnd"help
in
perpetuating
their own race is termed
reproduction.
#
Young 6l
#
frog
F
e*g
The new individual (offspring)
may at first be
different in form and size from the parents.
As they grow and develop,
they begin to
resemble parents.
Most piants produce
seeds
which grow into new plants. However,
some
can be propagated
by vegetative
means. For
example,
stem cuttings
of a rose plant
can
Spawn
*
k
%
Adult
Fi g. 1.12 Pol ar bear
be used for growing more plants of the
same kind.
Mammals give
birth to young
ones. However,
repti l es, bi rds,
frogs, fish and
insects lay eggs
whi ch hat ch
into young ones.
Living
Living things are made-up of cells.
Need food and nutrition. Th.y use food
and nutrition to obtain energy required
for various activities.
Living things respire. Respiration is
necessary to convert food into energy.
Th.y release carbon dioxide and some
amount of water vapour in the process.
Food + Oz
--
energy + water vapour + CO2
Living things respond to stimuli, i.e., they
can feel.
Living things can move. Th.y show
movement due to their internal forces.
Living things grow weight and size of
their body. They undergo definite changes
during their life.
Living things excrete the waste materials
out of their body.
Living things live for a definite period of
time, i.e., a definite life span.
Living things reproduce more of their
kind by reproduction.
Dro You KNow
Non-living
Non-living things are not made-up of
cells.
Fuel and batteries from external sources
provide energy.
Do not respire.
Non-living things do not respond to
stimuli.
Only move when driven mechanically be
external sources.
Non-living things do not grow. Th.y
remain the same throughout the time of
their existence.
Do not excrete.
Non-living things have no definite life
span.
Non-living things are not capable of
reproduction.
\_
Di fferences between l i vi ng ond non-l i vi ng thi ngs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Differences
betweeKplonts
PIants
A plant
cell has a rigid
cell
wall.
Cells
of green
leaves
have
chlorophyll
containing
organelles
called
chloroplasts.
Plants
are known
they
make
,r,J
J:TTJ:f*because
photosynthesis.
Plants
respire
through
stomata (tinv
openings)
present
on the surface
oi their
leaves.
An animal
cell has
no cell
wall.
An animal
cell
has no chloroplast.
Animals
are known
heterotrophs
because
tfef
ar^e
directly
or indirec,fy
j.p."aent
on
plants
for food.
Animals
mostly
respire
through
lungs,
but
some
of them
als
and
moist
skin.
o respire
through
gills
Animals
can
move
from
place
to place
to
cafty
out
different
sorts
of activities.
Animals
stop
growing
after
they
attain
a
certain
age.
Animals
release
Carbon
dioxide.
ond
oni mofs
Animals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
Plants
cannot
move
another
as they
are
lrom
one place
to
fixed
to the soil.
Flowering
plants
grow
throughout
their
Iives.
Plants
release
oxygen.
9
l*
\*
rl
*
h|
lr|
I
Things
around
ur ul: either
living
or non_living.
fll3::^ints
and
bacteria
ur. iiuing
things.
e of their
kind
to perpetuate
their
race.
Living
organisms
are
mad.
rp
"f;t;;"r'#"..tt.0
cells.
Living
organisms
need
nutrition.
Th.y
also
need
urr,
*ur.,
and food.
ytt
organisrns
respire
to release
energy
stored
in food.
Living
organisms
respond
to stimuri
,uJ
u, h.ut,
touch,light
and
so on.
l*ag
organisms
move
on their
own.
Living
organisms
excrete
waste
products
and poisonous
substances
in the form
of
urine,
sweat,
stool,
carbon
dioxide
and
water
vapour.
:ilff..[tT,:
ttut
for
a definite
period
of tim;.
Th.y
are
born,
they grow
and,
2.
3.
4.
t. Answer the following questions:
(a)
How does a snail respond when touched?
(b)
What kind of movement is observed in plants?
(c)
All living things have a definite life span. Explain.
(d)
What are the building blocks of all living things?
(e)
Explain why a car and a candle flame are not living.
(f)
\fhen do the leaves of Mimosa droop?
Thbulate the differences between Iiving and non-living things in your notebook.
Tabulate the differences between plants
and animals in your noteboolc
FiIl in the blanks.
(a)
All living things need food and
(b)
Animals cannot make their own
(c)
Living things are made of
(d)
Flowering plants breathe through the ...............................
.......present
on their leaves.
(e)
Fish respires through
(f)
All cells have a thin outer covering called a
state whether True or False. AIso rewrite the false statements correctly.
(a)
Animal cells have a cell wall.
-.r
(b)
Cockroaches breathe through spiracles.
(c)
complex compounds together form the lMng matter called protoplasm.
(d)
Growth is characterized,by
a decrease in the size of the body.
(e)
Cells of animals contain chlorophyll.
(f)
Amoeba is a multicellular organism.
(g) The nucleus controls the functions
of a cell.
Define.
(a)
Reproduction
(c)
Protoplasm
(e)
Locomotion
(b)
(d)
(f)
Nutrition
Cell
Lenticels
7. Match the following:
, A1
;:q'
re
"
::"' i#;
[@t
ptant
cells
l / L \ 1 , .
|
\u,, unlcellular
organism
6l**' ,r..
FaJ rirring beings
Gl
s..- cuttings
Draw.
Stomata
Euglena
Animal
cell
__
.".P,"*",..,
\(i) I chtamydomonas
@
nurr. a life cycle
@ cel wall
@
,os. plunt
@
.lor., its leaves at sunset
(a)
(b)
(c)