1. Compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things which have never been alive

Plenary

Recap on the 7 characteristics of living things.

Teacher Mastery

Living, dead, and never alive are three categories that can be used to classify different things in the world. Here are some key differences between them:

Living:

• Living things are characterised by a set of specific biological processes, such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.
• They require energy and nutrients to carry out these processes, which they obtain through eating, breathing, or photosynthesis.
• They can maintain homeostasis, or a stable internal environment, which allows them to survive and function properly in their environment.
• Living things have cells, which are the basic units of life, and are composed of complex organic molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
• Examples of living things include animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms.

Dead:

• Dead things were once living, but have ceased to carry out the biological processes that are associated with life.
• They do not grow, respond to stimuli, or carry out metabolism or reproduction.
• However, some biological processes can still occur in dead things, such as decay or decomposition, as microorganisms break down the organic matter.
• Examples of dead things include fallen leaves, a deceased animal, or a cut flower.

Never alive:

• Things that have never been alive are typically made up of non-organic materials, such as rocks, minerals, and water.
• They do not carry out the biological processes associated with life, such as metabolism, growth, or response to stimuli.
• However, non-living things can still interact with the environment in important ways, such as affecting the climate or providing a habitat for living things.
• Examples of never alive things include air, water, and minerals.

In summary, living things are characterised by a set of biological processes, while dead things were once living but have ceased to carry out these processes. Things that have never been alive are typically non-organic and do not carry out these processes. Understanding these differences can help us better understand the diversity of the world around us.