10/23/2017 Characteristics of living things Science Learning Hub
ARTICLE
Characteristics of living things
When you look at the world around you, how do you categorise or group what you see? In science, the
broadest groupings are living and non-living. This may sound simple, but it is sometimes difficult to
decide whether something is truly alive or not. So why would we say earthworms are living?
Mating earthworms
Reproduction is one of characteristics of living things. Earthworms need to mate with another
individual. After mating, a cocoon containing the fertilised eggs is deposited in the soil.
All living things share life processes such as growth and reproduction. Most scientists use seven life
processes or characteristics to determine whether something is living or non-living.
The table below describes seven characteristics of most living things and contains references to
earthworms to help you decide if they are living or non-living.
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Life process Explanation Earthworms
Movement All living things move in some way. Earthworms use circular and longitudinal muscles to
This may be obvious, such as move through soil or along surfaces.
animals that are able to walk, or
less obvious, such as plants that
have parts that move to track the
movement of the sun.
Respiration Respiration is a chemical reaction The food that earthworms eat supplies their body with
that happens within cells to release energy-rich molecules such as glucose. On entering
energy from food. the cells of their body, these molecules are broken
down in a series of steps to release energy to be used
by the body, producing carbon dioxide and water as
waste products.
Sensitivity The ability to detect changes in the Earthworms have light-sensitive cells scattered in their
surrounding environment. outer skin. Their skin cells are also sensitive to touch
and chemicals.
Growth All living things grow. Earthworms hatch from eggs and can grow up to a
metre or more in length! Some earthworms are also
able to regrow small parts of their body that have been
lost or injured.
Reproduction The ability to reproduce and pass Earthworms have both sperm and eggs within their
genetic information onto their bodies (they are hermaphrodites) but they cannot self-
offspring. fertilise and need to mate with another individual. After
mating, a cocoon containing the fertilised eggs is
deposited in the soil.
Excretion Getting rid of waste. Earthworms excrete waste from their anus the last
segment of their body.
Nutrition The intake and use of nutrients. Earthworm nutrition comes from a variety of sources,
This occurs in very different ways in depending on their species. Food types include
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different kinds of living things. manure, compost, plant material, fungi,
microorganisms and decaying animals. They take in
food through their mouths.
Further classification
Based on the information above, we can confidently categorise earthworms as living things as they carry
out all seven life processes.
It is now possible to classify them further into a series of hierarchical categories:
kingdomphylumclassorderfamilygenus and species. Classifying living things into these categories is an
important way for scientists to show how living things are related to each other. Most scientists classify
living things into one of the following six kingdoms. Which kingdom do you think earthworms belong to?
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that dont have a nuclear membrane.
Protozoans are single-celled organisms that are generally much larger than bacteria. They may be
autotrophic or heterotrophic.
Chromists are a diverse group of plant-like organisms and range from very small to very large.
They are found in almost all environments.
Fungi are multicellular and rely on breaking down organic material as they are not able to make
their own food.
Plants are multicellular and autotrophic they use photosynthesis to produce food using sunlight.
Animals are multicellular. They are heterotrophic and rely on other organisms for food.
Animal characteristics
What did you decide? Sometimes people are surprised to find out that earthworms are actually animals
the same kingdom as humans, cats, dogs, dolphins and even spiders! Just as there are characteristics
of living things, there are also characteristics of animals that can help you to decide whether a living
thing is an animal or not.
Physical adaptations for life underground
Although earthworms are classified as animals, their bodies are quite different to animals that live
above the ground. This video highlights some of the interesting physical characteristics common to
earthworms.
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Key characteristics of animals include the following:
They obtain energy by consuming other organisms (heterotrophic).
They are able to physically move their bodies about at one or more stages of their life cycle.
Their bodies are made up of multiple cells.
Sexual reproduction, where a sperm and an egg combine to produce a juvenile animal.
Nature of science
Scientists need scientific vocabulary to communicate effectively. At an even more fundamental
level, scientific language actually helps shape ideas and provides the means for constructing
scientific understandings and explanations.
Useful links
Visit the Science Continuum website for more information about common student alternative
conceptions related to living things and classification.
Activity idea
Students can explore their ideas about the characteristics of living things with this graphic
organizer.
Living or non-living?
Published 12 June 2012
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