Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Junior Secondary 1

TERM – 1^ST TERM

WEEK TWO

Class: Junior Secondary School 1

Age: 12 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 5 periods each

Date:

Subject: BASIC SCIENCE

Topic: LIVING AND NON LIVING –II

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. Identify the characteristics of living things
2. Identify the characteristics of non living things
3. Describe plants and animals
4. Discuss the characteristics and importance of plants
5. Discuss the characteristics and importance of animals.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers,

demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures,

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

NOTE

LIVING AND NON LIVING –II

Living things

Living things, also known as organisms, They are composed of one or more cells, require energy for life processes, regulate their internal environment, grow and develop, reproduce to create offspring, respond to changes in their environment, and exhibit adaptations for survival.

Characteristics of living things

1. Organization: Living things are organized structures composed of one or more cells. Cells are the basic units of life and carry out the functions necessary for life.
2. Metabolism: Living things require energy to carry out essential life processes such as growth, reproduction, and maintenance of internal conditions. They obtain energy either through photosynthesis (in the case of plants and some bacteria) or by consuming other organisms (heterotrophs).
3. Homeostasis: Living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable conditions necessary for survival. This involves maintaining appropriate levels of temperature, pH, water, and other factors.
4. Growth: Living organisms grow and develop over time, often increasing in size or complexity. Growth can involve an increase in the number of cells, cell size, or both.
5. Reproduction: Living things reproduce to create offspring, ensuring the continuity of their species. Reproduction can occur through sexual or asexual means.
6. Response to stimuli: Living organisms respond to changes in their environment, such as light, temperature, or touch.
7. Adaptation: Living organisms exhibit adaptations that help them survive and thrive in their environments.

Non-Living things

Non-living things, also referred to as abiotic components, are entities that lack the characteristics of living organisms. These include:

1. Inanimate Objects: Objects such as rocks, water, air, and soil are non-living. While they may interact with living organisms and affect their environment, they do not possess the characteristics of life.
2. Minerals: Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic substances with specific chemical compositions and physical properties. They are not alive and do not grow, reproduce, or respond to stimuli.
3. Chemicals: Chemical compounds and elements that do not exhibit life processes are considered non-living. These include substances like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and various synthetic chemicals.
4. Physical Forces: Forces such as gravity, magnetism, and radiation are non-living components of the environment. While they influence living organisms and natural processes, they are not alive themselves.
5. Structures: Human-made structures like buildings, roads, and bridges are non-living objects. While they may contain materials derived from living organisms, they do not exhibit the characteristics of life.

Classification of living things

Living things are classified as plants and animals

Plants

Plants are multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae, characterized by their ability to perform photosynthesis, possess cell walls made of cellulose, and have specialized tissues and organs for growth, reproduction, and adaptation to their environment. Examples of Plants: Trees, Shrubs, Grasses, Herbs, Flower,  Mosses and ferns.

Characteristics of Plants

1. Plants have chlorophyll-containing cells that enable them to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis.
2. Plant cells have rigid cell walls composed of cellulose, providing structural support and protection.
3. Most plants are multicellular organisms with specialized tissues and organs, such as roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive structures.
4. Plants reproduce sexually through the formation of seeds (angiosperms) or spores (ferns, mosses) and asexually through vegetative propagation.
5. Plants typically have a lifecycle that includes germination, growth, reproduction, and death, with distinct stages such as seedling, juvenile, adult, and senescence.

Importance of Plants

1. Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis, which is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans.
2. Plants provide food for humans and animals, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts.
3. Plants play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem functions, such as soil stabilization, nutrient cycling, and habitat creation for other organisms.
4. Many plants contain bioactive compounds with medicinal properties used in traditional and modern medicine to treat various ailments.
5. Plants contribute to economies through agriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscaping, and the production of timber, paper, textiles, and biofuels.

Animals

Animals are multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia, characterized by their heterotrophic mode of nutrition (requiring organic matter for energy), lack of cell walls, and ability to move at some stage of their life cycle.

Examples of Animals:  Mammals: Dogs, cats, elephants, whales  Birds: Sparrows, eagles, penguins, owls. Reptiles: Snakes, turtles, crocodiles, lizards. Amphibians: Frogs, salamanders, newts. Fish: Goldfish, salmon, sharks, angelfish. Invertebrates: Insects (e.g., bees, butterflies), spiders, mollusks (e.g., snails, octopuses), crustaceans (e.g., crabs, shrimp)

Characteristics of Animals

1. Animals are multicellular organisms composed of specialized cells organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.
2. Most animals are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms or organic matter.
3. Many animals have the ability to move from one place to another, either actively (e.g., walking, flying, swimming) or passively (e.g., drifting with currents).
4. Animals typically possess a nervous system that allows them to respond to stimuli from their environment and coordinate complex behaviors.
5. Most animals reproduce sexually, although some species can reproduce asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes (sperm and egg) to produce offspring.
6. Animals exhibit various adaptations to survive in diverse environments, including physical features, behaviors, and physiological processes.

Importance of Animals

1. Animals play essential roles in ecosystems as predators, prey, pollinators, seed dispersers, and scavengers, helping maintain ecological balance and biodiversity.
2. Many animals serve as a source of food for humans and other animals, providing protein, fats, and other essential nutrients.
3. Animals contribute to economies through agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, generating income and employment opportunities.
4. Domesticated animals such as dogs and cats provide companionship, emotional support, and assistance to humans.
5. Animals are used in scientific research to study biology, physiology, behavior, and medicine, leading to advancements in human health and technology.
6. Animals hold cultural significance in many societies, symbolizing power, wisdom, spirituality, and folklore, and featuring prominently in art, literature, and mythology.

EVALUATION: 1. Differentiate between living and Non living things

2. Identify 5 characteristics of living and Non living things.
3. Mention 5 importance of plants
4. Mention 5 importance of animals

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively