Is It Living

Structure and Function of Living Things

Grade 2 Explorers

In this activity students observe a variety of plant and animal structures, and explore how those structures help them survive. Students also learn how plant and animal structures with useful functions have inspired human engineering. 

VOCABULARY

• Structure- Anything made up of a number of parts held together in a particular way.

• Internal Structures- Structures found on the inside of living things, such as the heart, lungs or brain.

• External Structures- Structures found on the outside of living things like skin, eyes and claws.

Animal Structure: All animals have structures that help them survive. Large lizard walking on concrete with tongue out

All animals have structures that help them survive in their environment. Some structures help animals find food, like the amazing eyesight of an eagle. Other animals have camouflage to help them hide from predators. Some structures are very unique to certain animals, like the water monitor lizard’s long, forked tongue. They use it to smell and find food.

One special structure that insects have is their hard outer skeleton, called an exoskeleton. Exoskeletons are like wearing armor. It protects insects from predators and keeps insects from drying out. Exoskeletons can also have special structures on them, like the horns on some beetles that are used to compete with other beetles for mates.

EXIT TICKET

Describe a structure of Bob the lizard and explain its function.

List 3 structures animals may have to protect themselves.

Pick an animal structure and explain both its advantages and disadvantages.