10 Living Things
Big Ideas
- Living things share several structures.
- Living things share several functions.
- There is a great variety in the specific structures and functions that different living things have.
- Plants create their own food using sunlight and water.
Big Questions
- What are the similarities and differences between organisms?
- How do structures relate to function?
- What makes something living?
- What do all life cycles have in common?
- What do all life cycles have in common?
- Where do plants get their food?
- Where do plants get their mass?
Characteristics of Living Things
- Living Things are made of cells
- Living Things are capable of reproduction
- Asexual
- Sexual
- Living Things have genetic material
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
- RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
- All living things grow and develop
- All living things respond to external stimuli
- All living things evolve
- Permanent change in genetic makeup of population over time
- All living things must maintain homeostasis
- Relatively stable internal situation
- Osmoregulation, Thermoregulation, Acidity
- All living things require energy
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular Respiration
Structure and Function
In biology, a key concept is that structure determines function. The way something is arranged enables it to do its job within an organism. There is great variety within structures and functions though. Structure refers to the form, makeup, or arrangement of a particular organism or a particular part of the organism. Function refers to the job or responsibility of the organism. Basically structure is the build of an organism and the function is it’s abilities.
| Structures | Functions |
| Cells
DNA RNA |
Reproduction
Growth Energy Response to environment Homeostasis |
| K-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | |
| LS1.A: Structure and Function | All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions. | Organisms have both internal and external macroscopic structures that allow for growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. | All living things are made up of cells. In organisms, cells work together to form tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions. |
Implementation into the Classroom:
An initial engagement activity where students explore and argue living vs. nonliving items as they make claims based on evidence.
Is it Living?
Augment the previous investigation with a formative assessment probe by Paige Keeley: https://iowa-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/personal/lklogan_uiowa_edu/Documents/Science%20Methods%20I/Logan%27s%20Planning%20Drafts/Week%201%20-%20January%2019/Is%20it%20Living.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=o1Ey8F
Require students to clarify their claims on the probe as well as suggest how evidence might support each claim.
An alternative to a simple worksheet is a series of cards https://iowa-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/lklogan_uiowa_edu/Documents/Science%20Methods%20I/Logan%27s%20Planning%20Drafts/Week%201%20-%20January%2019/Is%20It%20Living%20Card%20Temp