CHAPTER 5

CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS

A. Characteristic of living things

Living things, also known as organisms. The characteristics of living things in animals can be
clearly observed. Plants are living creatures too, although their movement and growth occurs so
slowly that you often don't realize it. Some non-living things have some of the characteristics of
life but will not have all of them. Something to be classified as a living thing must have all the
characteristics of life.

You can determine whether something is a living things or not based on its characteristics or traits.
These are some general characteristics of living things:

1. Movement
The ability to move is a basic characteristic of life. Usually you can easily observe animal
movements. This is different from plants that move slowly and are difficult to observe
directly. One of the plant movements that is easy to observe is the closing movement of
the Mimosa Pudica leaves when they are touched.

2. Growth and development

Living things have the ability to grow and develop over time. This can be seen in humans
growing from babies to adults, seeds sprouting into plants, or tadpoles transforming into
frogs.
3. Reproduction
Living things can create new life of their own kind. They produce offspring to ensure the
continuation of their species. Reproduction can happen in various ways, like animals giving
birth, plants making seeds, or bacteria dividing.

Example: A mama cat giving birth to adorable kittens.

Example: A dandelion puffing out its seeds to be carried by the wind and start new plants.

4. Response to Stimuli
Living things can sense and react to changes in their environment. Living things respond
to environmental changes. Changes in the internal and external environment are called
stimuli. This can include changes in light, temperature, sound, touch, taste, smell, pressure
and more.
Reactions to environmental changes are called responses. If you accidentally touch hot
water, you quickly withdraw your hand and then scream. The stimulus in this case is a hot
temperature and the response is to withdraw the hand and scream.

Example: A Venus flytrap snapping shut on a fly that lands on it.

Example: A cactus storing water during a drought to survive the dry season.
5. Use of energy
Living things need energy to power all their processes, from movement and growth to
maintaining internal functions. They get this energy from food, sunlight, or even other
living things.

Plants use solar energy to carry out the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the
process by which plants make their own food, where simple compounds (carbon dioxide
and water) are converted into complex compounds (glucose). Apart from glucose, the
product of photosynthesis is oxygen. Organisms that can make their own food are called
autotrophs. While animals get energy by eating other organisms, whether plants or other
animals. Organisms that get energy from other organisms are called heterotrophs.

Example: A lion eating a zebra to get the energy it needs to run and hunt.

Example: A plant using sunlight to make its own food through photosynthesis.
6. Respiration
Living things need to exchange gases. They take in oxygen, usually from the air, and
release carbon dioxide, a waste product. This process, called respiration, keeps them
breathing and their systems functioning.

Animals need oxygen to breathe. The oxygen inhaled by animals is used to oxidize (burn)
food substances in cells so that energy is produced. The remaining substances from this
oxidation process are carbon dioxide and water vapor.
 Just like animals, plants also need oxygen for the oxidation process of food substances and
produce the same waste substances, namely carbon dioxide and water vapor. Apart from
that, plants also bind carbon dioxide which will be used for the photosynthesis process.

Example: Humans and animals breathing in air through their lungs.

Example: Plants taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through their leaves.
7. Excretion
Living things get rid of waste products that build up in their bodies. This could be sweat,
urine, or even fallen leaves from a tree. Excretion helps maintain internal balance and keeps
the organism healthy.

There are many biochemical processes in the bodies of living creatures. Apart from
producing useful products, this reaction also produces waste substances which are toxic to
the body and must be removed from the body. The process of removing metabolic waste
substances is called excretion.

Example: Humans sweating to release heat and toxins.

Example: Trees shedding leaves that decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
8. Made up from cell
All living things, from the smallest bacteria to the largest blue whale, are made up of tiny
units called cells. These cells are like the building blocks of life, housing important
structures and carrying out essential functions.

Living things are structurally composed of cells. There are living creatures that are
composed of one cell (unicellular) such as Paramecium, Amoeba, and Euglena.

Living creatures that are composed of many cells (multicellular), for example humans,
animals and fungi.

Viruses are not included in living things because they do not meet all the criteria for being
considered living things. Viruses are not composed of cells. The body of a virus is only
composed of protein which contains genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA only.
They lack the ability to perform essential functions like respiration and excretion, and they
cannot reproduce independently without relying on the machinery of host cells.
 WORK SHEET

Name:_______________________ Date:________________
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each multiple-choice question.
1. Which characteristic is NOT essential for something to be classified as a living thing?
a. Movement
b. Response to stimuli
c. Made up from cells
d. Use of artificial energy

2. Which example BEST demonstrates growth and development in a living thing?

a. A river flowing downstream
b. A rock weathering over time
c. A seed sprouting into a plant
d. A cloud changing shape in the sky

3. How does a dandelion ensure the continuation of its species?

a. By growing thorns for protection
b. By storing water in its roots
c. By producing seeds for dispersal
d. By capturing sunlight for photosynthesis

4. Which response to a stimulus is NOT likely to be shown by a living thing?

a. A flower turning towards the sun
b. A snake coiling its body when threatened
c. A rock rolling downhill after being kicked
d. A leaf closing when touched

5. What is the MAIN difference between how plants and animals get energy?
a. Plants get energy from food, while animals get energy from sunlight.
b. Plants get energy from water, while animals get energy from oxygen.
c. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals eat other organisms.
d. Plants get energy from carbon dioxide, while animals get energy from waste products.
Bonus Question: Explain why viruses are not considered living things, even though they share
some characteristics with living things!