Exploring the Characteristics of Living Things

The video explores the concept of living things, explaining that biologists have identified rules that all living things follow: they need energy, grow and change, reproduce, and respond to their environment. The video also clarifies that not all things that move are alive, using examples like shadows and watches. An interactive game helps viewers apply these rules to determine if objects like earthworms, clouds, and sticks are living or not.

Which of the following is an example of a non-living thing?

• Rock

• Tree

• Earthworm

• Bird

What is the first rule that all living things follow?

• They have a heartbeat.

• They can talk.

• They can move.

• They need energy.

How do plants get energy?

• By eating other plants.

• By making new leaves and growing.

• By moving around.

• By making sounds.

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What does it mean for living things to reproduce?

• To change color.

• To make more of themselves.

• To move around.

• To grow bigger.

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How do living things respond to the world around them?

• By making sounds.

• By changing in response to changes in their environment.

• By changing their color.

• By changing their shape.

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Why are fallen leaves still considered living things?

• Because they can move.

• Because they were once part of a living tree.

• Because they can reproduce.

• Because they can make sounds.

Which of the following is NOT a rule that defines living things?

• They need energy.

• They grow and change.

• They can move.

• They reproduce.

Is an earthworm considered a living thing?

• Yes, because it needs energy, grows, reproduces, and responds to its environment.

• No, because it does not move.

• No, because it does not have a heartbeat.

• Yes, because it can make sounds.

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Why is a cloud not considered a living thing?

• Because it does not use energy or reproduce.

• Because it can move.

• Because it can make sounds.

• Because it can change shape.

What should you look for to determine if something is alive?

• If it has a heartbeat.

• If it follows the rules of needing energy, growing, reproducing, and responding to the environment.

• If it can make sounds.

• If it can move.

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