1 FORMS OF LIFE

6
 What were the first forms of
life on the Earth?

LET’S BEGIN
1 What are living organisms made up of?

2 What is a unicellular organism? What is a

multicellular organism? Give an example of each.

3 Look at the photos. What living things can you

see? Can you see any non-living things?

4  Look at the photos again. Name some of

the life processes that the living organisms
perform.

5  Choose one of the living things in the

photos and describe it to your partner. Does your
partner know what kingdom it belongs to?

What do you know? Let’s find out!

Useful language
It lives in ...
It has ... legs.
It lives on (plants) and ...
It is an expert in ...

7
Reflect

1 In your notebook, make a list of six living things and six
non-living things. Then choose one from each group and write
about the main differences.
Useful language
2 What do scientists use to observe tiny organisms?
Scientists use a ... to observe
(cells).
3 What are the characteristics of living things? Unscramble the A (biologist) uses a (Petri
words and write the answers in your notebook. dish) to ...
a nbro b rwog They use a (slide) to examine
c pdorreeuc d ide ... under a ...

4 What is the process in which plants make their own food? Why
is this process vital? Explain in your notebook.

5 Bacteria and viruses are microscopic organisms. Answer the

questions below in your notebook.
a Do they have cells?
b What kingdom do they belong to?
c Are they hostile or friendly organisms?

6 Use the words from the box to copy and complete the text in
your notebook. There are some extra words.

mammal • swim • amphibian • land • water • animal

algae • animals • eggs • rivers • sleep • night

The platypus is a small (a) ..... . It belongs to the (b) ..... kingdom. It
is a very good swimmer. It spends most of the time in the (c) ..... . It
lives in small streams and (d) ..... in eastern Australia. It feeds on
other (e) ..... . It lays (f) ..... in a burrow near the water. It likes to
(g) ..... during the day and move during the (h) ..... . The bigger
Platypus are a protected species.
platypus lives in Tasmania.

7 Think about the planet Mars. Can plants grow in Martian soil?
a Name the main things plants need to grow.
b What non-living things do you think exist on Mars?
c Do you know another name for Mars?

8
 Work together

Grow your own bacteria

Think first
You are going to do an experiment to see how
bacteria grow.
Think about the following questions
individually. Then agree on the answers with
the rest of your group.
a  Do all types of bacteria grow in a similar way?
b  Why is it important to wash your hands?

Materials: Cotton buds, Petri dishes, permanent marker, digital

camera, notebook, pen.

Step by step

1  In groups, make a list of objects and places 4  Put your Petri dishes in a warm place for three
where you can get bacteria samples. For days. Each day, check the samples and draw or
example, your mobile phone, a door handle, take a photo of what you see. Make notes about
your fingernails, the top of your desk. Discuss the changes. Do not open the Petri dishes!
your ideas and vote for the best two. 5  At the end of the experiment, compare your
2  Prepare your samples. Choose one object or notes and discuss these questions in your
place from your list. Swab it with a cotton bud. group:
Open a Petri dish and rub the cotton bud on a Which sample grew more quickly?
the agar. Close the Petri dish. Make sure it is b Which samples did not grow very much?
completely closed. Write the name of the
c Are the samples different? Why?
sample, the date and the time on the Petri dish.
Choose a different object or place and repeat d Which of the samples you tested had the
the process. most bacteria?
3  Answer this question individually: Which sample e What do you now think about cleaning
do you think will grow more quickly? Then things or washing your hands?
share your answer with the rest of your group 6  After you finish the experiment, do not open
and agree on one answer together. the Petri dishes! Give them to your teacher.

Wrap it up
Compare your answers to the Think first questions with your discussion in
step 5. Did your answers change after the experiment?

Evaluate your cooperative learning.

9
 Living organisms What living organisms are
there on Earth?

The cell
Our planet is home to different types of living organisms, including
plants, animals, fungi, algae and bacteria. All living organisms consist
of tiny units called cells.

Living organisms can be unicellular or multicellular.

• In a unicellular organism, the single cell performs all of the life
processes.
• In a multicellular organism, many different cells perform different
functions. Closterium, a unicellular green alga

Animal and plant cells have some structures in common:

Animal cell structure Plant cell structure

Animal cells have: Plant cells have a nucleus, a cell membrane,

• a nucleus. It controls the functions of the cytoplasm and vacuoles as well, but they also
cell, such as reproduction. have:
• a cell membrane. It controls the substances • a cell wall. It gives the cell its shape and
that enter and leave the cell. protects it.
• cytoplasm. It is a jelly-like substance chloroplasts. They contain chlorophyll,
• 
between the cell membrane and the nucleus. so the plant can carry out the process of
It contains various chemicals and structures. photosynthesis.
• vacuoles. They are storage bubbles. They
nucleus
contain water and minerals which the
organism needs to grow. Not all animal cells cell membrane
have vacuoles.
chloroplast
cell membrane
nucleus

vacuole

cytoplasm

vacuole cell wall

cytoplasm

10
Life processes
Every living organism performs three main life processes: nutrition,
interaction and reproduction. Depending on the organism, each of
these three functions occur differently.

Nutrition
All living organisms take in nutrients from their environment to
obtain energy. This energy allows them to grow and function properly.

Plants use sunlight to make their Animals cannot make their own Decomposers feed on the
own food through photosynthesis. food, so they take in nutrients remains of dead organisms. Fungi
from other living organisms. and bacteria are decomposers.

Interaction
All living organisms react to stimuli. A stimulus is a change in the
environment. It produces a reaction in an organism. Any reaction to
stimuli is a response. Animals respond quicker to stimuli, but plants
respond slower.

Reproduction
Living organisms need to reproduce for their species to survive. Most
plants grow from seeds. Most animals lay eggs or have babies.

Reproduction can be:

• asexual, which involves one organism. It is common in unicellular

organisms, such as bacteria.

• sexual, which involves a male and a female of the same species. A lioness with her cub.

1 How is a plant cell different from 3 Listen to the definitions and write the
an animal cell? words in your notebook.

2  How do living organisms obtain energy 4 How do animals and plants react to stimuli?
to grow and function? How do we obtain Give examples.
energy to grow?

11
 Organisation of living organisms What is the study of
living things called?

A cell is the smallest living unit in a living organism. Cells in most

multicellular organisms, such as plants and animals, are specialised.
This means different cells perform different functions. Specialised cells
form a variety of tissues and organs.

Specialised cells
Animals and plants have many
specialised cells.

Examples of plant cells

•L
 eaf cells. These cells absorb
sunlight so the plants can perform
photosynthesis.

•R
 oot hair cells. They absorb water
and minerals from the soil.
Leaf cells Root hair cells of corn

Examples of animal cells

• Red blood cells. They are red because they carry haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is a bright, red protein that contains iron. The red blood
cells carry oxygen around the body.

•W
 hite blood cells. They are the bodyguards of the organism. They
protect the body from bacteria, viruses and other foreign intruders.

• Nerve cells. They carry information from the brain to the rest of
the body. The sense organs also send information to the brain using
nerve cells.

Red blood cells White blood cells Nerve cells

1 Choose a specialised cell and describe its main function.

2  There are different types of blood. With a partner, find

out how many blood groups there are. Which is the most
common group and the least common group?

12
Cells, tissues, organs and systems
In all multicellular organisms, cells join together to form complex
structures.

• T issues. Cells with similar characteristics and functions work

together to form tissues. An example of tissues in plants are xylems
that transport water and minerals. People and animals have muscle
tissue that helps them move.

• O
 rgans. Tissues form organs. The cells in an organ work together to
carry out a particular function. Examples of organs in people and
animals are: the heart, the brain, the lungs and the stomach.

• Systems. Organs working together to perform the same function

form systems. They are the most complex structures in a living
organism. An example of a system which people and animals have
is the nervous system.

cell tissue organ

3  Listen to a neuroscientist talking about nerve cells. What

are the two main types of nerves? How do signals help
the brain?
organism

4 How do cells form an organism?

5  In pairs, think of an animal system or a plant system. Useful language

Name its parts and its main functions. Then draw the
system, starting from the simplest structure. This is the ... system.
The ... and ... are the main
6  Can all living organisms form tissues? Search online and parts of this system.
share the information you find with the class. It moves ... around ...

13
 The five kingdoms of living things Are algae plants? How about
mushrooms?

Scientists classify living things into five groups based on their

distinctive characteristics and similarities. These five groups are
called kingdoms.

Animal kingdom
This kingdom is the largest of the five kingdoms. Animals are
multicellular organisms. They get the energy they need by feeding on
other living organisms. Animals can move, respond to stimuli and
reproduce.

Plant kingdom
Kangaroos feed on grasses and
Plants are multicellular organisms. They use photosynthesis to collect
flowers.
energy from the Sun to make their own food. Plants cannot move like
animals, but they can reproduce and respond to stimuli.

Fungus kingdom
Most fungi live on trees or in the soil. They can be unicellular or
multicellular. Fungi get their nutrients from the remains of dead plants
and animals, or working with other living organisms. This kingdom
includes various types of yeast and mushrooms.

Mushrooms. They consist of Yeast. We can find yeast almost

many cells. Some mushrooms are everywhere in nature. Yeast
poisonous. Some are edible. They consists of a single cell. Some types
are almost 90% water. of yeast can be harmful, but others
can be beneficial. We use yeast
to make bread and pizza.

Protist kingdom
Protists are usually unicellular, but some are multicellular. Most
protists are aquatic. This kingdom includes algae and protozoa.

•A
 lgae. They can consist of a single cell or many cells. Algae use
sunlight to produce their own food.

•P
 rotozoa. They are unicellular organisms. They get their nutrients
through the cell membrane. Euglena is a unicellular protist.

14
Monera kingdom
This kingdom consists of microscopic unicellular organisms. We can
find them in the air, in water, on land, in animals and in people. All
organisms in the monera kingdom are bacteria. Some bacteria can
cause illnesses. Some decompose dead matter and some are beneficial
for our health.

Helicobacter pylori bacterium

True or false

Read the text and decide if the statements below are true or false. Correct
the false ones in your notebook.

R.H. Whittaker was an ecologist who developed the five-kingdom

classification in 1969. Each group is based on the characteristics of
an organism’s cells and on how the organism obtains its nutrients.

Some organisms, like viruses, are not included in this system of

classification.

Most scientists believe viruses are non-living things because they

have no cells. Viruses do not take in nutrients and do not produce
waste products. They do not grow or respond to stimuli. They must Zika virus
always be inside another living organism to survive and reproduce.

a R.H. Whittaker was a famous biochemist.

b Scientists use five sizes to classify living things.
c Viruses do not belong to any of the five kingdoms.
d A virus has no cells and cannot make its own food.
e Viruses can grow with the help of another living organism.

1 Which kingdom(s) do these sentences 2  How are fungi different from plants?
refer to?
3  With a partner, search online for
a  They can never be unicellular.
beneficial bacteria.
b  These organisms feed on dead plants and
animals. a  What are the names of the two most common
c  They cannot move but they can reproduce. friendly bacteria?
d  Most of these organisms are aquatic.
b  Where can we find them? How do these
beneficial bacteria help us stay healthy?

15
 Our world

Life-changing inventions
Science helps us make people’s lives better. People live longer and are
healthier than in the past because medical equipment, vaccines and
medicines have improved.

1  Get into pairs. Person A reads text A below. Person B reads

text B on page 116. Together, decide if the sentences below
refer to text A, B or both.

Unit 1, text A

Nowadays, we use many modern inventions to look after our

health. Examples are X-ray images and digital thermometers.
Scientists built the first microscopes in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The invention of the microscope was a very important development
and led to the discovery of new things about living organisms.

In the past, medical procedures were often dangerous. Nowadays,

they are safer and less invasive. Doctors use X-ray imaging to see
inside the human body and decide what is wrong. Clean water and
sanitation have also saved many lives.

Advances in healthcare and medicine help people live longer and Doctors use a CT scan or an MRI scan
enjoy a better quality of life. People today can be healthier, more to see inside a person’s body.
productive and more independent.

a  This instrument helped scientists make new discoveries.

b  Thanks to this discovery, doctors can treat infections.
c Nowadays, medical procedures are safer.
d People have a better quality of life because of medical discoveries.
e It was the world’s first antibiotic.

2  Think of some countries that do not have many resources.

Describe how improvements in healthcare could help people to
have a better quality of life. Think about the following:
• medical equipment
• medicines Useful language
• clean water in schools and homes
• nutrition Today, it is much (easier) to
• vaccines diagnose an illness with ...

• healthy eyesight Medicines like ... can help

people ...

16
 Study skills

How to do a jigsaw reading

A jigsaw reading is when you have two different texts that share the
same topic or theme. You read these texts with a partner.

Jigsaw readings are a fun way for you to work with a partner and get
a better understanding of a topic without the help of your teacher.
Because you cannot use the original text, HOW you make notes is
important if you want to explain your text well. To make notes about
your text, use a diagram like this below:

What is my text about?

A PERSON or PLACE A THING

Name? Where (from)? Why important? Name or examples? Use(s)? Why important?

Is there a story about the topic?

YES NO

When did the story start? What happened next? Where is it used? How does it work?

Can I use my notes to answer the activity questions?

YES NO

Congratulations! Sorry! Go back to your text.

You are ready to tell a partner about your text! What information is missing? (Add it to your notes.)

1 Read the text your teacher gives you (text A or text B). Next, copy
the diagram in your notebook. Answer the questions about your
text and write your answers on the diagram.

2 Now, use your notes to explain your text to your partner.

3  Did your partner understand your text? Did you understand

your partner’s text? Complete the questions and diagram together.

17
REVIEW
1 In your notebook, copy and complete the graphic organiser about living
things. Use the words from the box. There are some extra words.

are made up of
.....

• multicellular
unicellular
• plant can be
.....
• monera
• interaction
• life processes nutrition
perform three
• respiration Living things .....
.....
• cells .....
• reproduction
• fungus
animal
• insects
.....
• kingdoms are classified into
.....
.....
protist
.....

2 Sometimes cells are called the building blocks of life. Write your
own definition of a cell and share it with the class.

3 Guess which parts of a cell the following descriptions refer to:

a the cell gate c  control centre e  protector
b  storage tanks d  food producers f  jelly filling

4 Look at the insect in the photo. In your notebook, write

a description answering the following questions:
a What characteristics does it have?
b What kingdom does it belong to?
c Where do you think it lives?
d Where does it get its energy from?
e  Does it share any characteristics with organisms
from other kingdoms?
f  What do you want to name it?

18
5 Listen and complete the sentences in your 9 Look at the photo.
notebook. a Describe in your own words what you can see.
a T he small units that make up living organisms are b Which kingdom does it belong to?
called ..... . c Which life process do you think it is related to?
b  rganisms made up of many cells are called .....
O Give two reasons why this process is important.
organisms.
c The ..... controls the functions of a cell.
d Cells in most animals and plants are ..... .
e All organisms in the ..... kingdom are bacteria.
f All living organisms react to ..... .

6 In your notebook, define the following words

and give an example of each.
a a tissue
b an organ
c a system
10 Why do you think a tree is a living thing and
d an organism
a rock is not? Give at least two reasons.

7 Correct the statements in your notebook.

11 Both bacteria and animals consist of cells.
a Fungi take in nutrients through photosynthesis. What is the main difference between bacteria
b Algae belong to the monera kingdom. and animals? Do they have anything in
c Some animals can make their own food. common?
d Yeast is a multicellular protist.
e A virus is a unicellular organism. 12  Talk about the animal kingdom. Then
f All bacteria are harmful. describe your favourite animal. Use the word
cloud below to help you.
8 Read the sentences below. Which part of
a cell do they refer to?
reproduce
T hey contain chlorophyll and only plant cells
move
a

have them.
b It controls what enters and leaves the cell.
respond to stimuli multicellular
It controls all the functions of the cell.
consumer
c

d It contains various chemicals. feed on

e It gives plant cells their shape. kingdom
f These storage bubbles contain water and
minerals.

What do you know now?

Check your progress!
19