Niki - Structure of Living Things

Structure of

Living Things

structure

anything made up of a number of parts

held together in a particular way

external structures

are found outside of the body that

help the organism to survive, defend, and reproduce

_{external animal parts:}

• antenna, wings, scales, skin, arms

• legs, flippers, webbed feet, hooves

• reproductive parts and more external parts

_{external plant parts:}

• roots, stem, leaves, flowers, petals

• thorns, seeds, branches, bark

• reproductive parts and more

internal structures

are the inner pieces and parts that keep organisms alive,

help them grow, respond, and reproduce

_{internal animal parts:}

• brain, spine, heart, lungs, gizzard

• nerves, arteries, veins, glands

• bladder, kidneys, intestines and more

_{internal plant parts:}

• epidermis, mesophyll, stomata

• xylem, phloem, vascular bundles,

• hypodermis, cambium, pith and more

Multiple Select

Do these structures belong to external or internal parts?

xylem, chlorophyll, lungs, tongue

• external

• internal

animals and plants have internal and external structures

that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction

examples of external functions

• claws - dig, attack predators, hold prey to eat

• wings - flapping can attract a mate, escape, help it to get food

• rotating head - helps it to find food

• scales - camouflage against predators

• flowers - attract pollinators, location of reproductive parts

• stems - provide support to the plant

• thorns - protect plant against predators

examples of internal functions

• forked tongue - enhances sense of smell to find food

• skeleton - supports internal organs, growth of the body

• stomach - breaks down food for the organism

• nerves - receive information about sensations and responses

• ovaries - help to reproduce

• xylem and phloem - carry nutrients and water up a plant stem

• chloroplast - turn water, carbon dioxide, and light into sugar and oxygen

Multiple Choice

An alligator's external structure

• has nostrils and ears that close up under water

• uses webbed feet to swim

• has dark skin to blend into its surroundings

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

Does the structure pictured help the animal function in growth, defense or reproduction?

Image: Porcupine Spines

• growth

• defense

• reproduction

Multiple Choice

Does the structure pictured help the animal function in survival, reproduction, or growth?

Image: Dolphin's tail

• survival

• reproduction

• growth

Multiple Choice

The spotted fur of a leopard and spotted skin of a leopard gecko are shown in the photographs below.

How do these body coverings help organisms survive in their environments?

• They help organisms find food.

• They help organisms look like another animal in its environment.

• They help organisms eat food quickly.

• They help organisms blend into their surroundings.

Multiple Choice

Brightly colored parts of flowers that attract insects and help flowers reproduce.

• petals

• pistils

• stamen

• filaments

Multiple Choice

Why does a cactus have prickly spines?

• defense against predators

• survive by retaining water

• both of these

Multiple Choice

What is the job of plant's roots?

• provide support

• anchor it to the soil

• protect the plant's stem

• absorb light for photosynthesis

Multiple Choice

Dandelion seeds are light enough to be moved long distances by the wind. What is the function of the seeds?

• reproduce and grow where they land

• find food for the roots

• defense against birds coming to eat the seed