UNIT 1 LIVING ORGANISMS

Vocabulary: Algae Amoeba Antibiotic Bacterium Cell Germ Vaccine Virus

1. The Cell

What is a cell? The cell is the basic unit of life. Cells join together to form different living organisms. Some organisms, like bacteria or amoebae, are made up of only one cell and are called unicellular organisms. Other organisms are made up of many cells. They are called multicellular organisms. Plants, animals and humans are made up of millions of cells. The cell structure All cells have three things in common: - The nucleus is at the centre of the cell. The nucleus controls the cell. - Cytoplasm fills the inside of the cell and supports its structure. It is mostly composed of water. There are organelles in the cytoplasm. Organelles perform operations for the cell. - The membrane is the skin of a cell. It limits and protects the cell. The membrane lets nutrients into the cell. Animal cells and plant cells All plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose. This wall protects the cell and gives it shape. Most plant cells also have small structures called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a green substance that is used in photosynthesis. Animal cells dont have cell walls or chloroplasts. Animals have different types of cells, like muscle cells, blood cells or nerve cells.

2. The Organization of Living Things

Unicellular and multicellular organisms In a unicellular organism, the single cell performs all life functions. The cell in a unicellular organism is independent. In a multicellular organism, cells perform specific functions. They need to work together in order to survive. They are not independent. The organisation of multicellular organisms A cell is a basic unit of life. Cells that perform the same function group together and form tissue. For example, muscle cells group together and form muscle tissue. Tissues that perform the same function form organs. For example, the stomach, the heart and the kidneys are organs. Organs that work together form systems. For example, the oesophagus, the stomach, the small and the large intestine form the human digestive system. Different systems form organisms.

3. Living Things: Five Kingdoms

The Five Kingdoms All living organisms are born, grow, reproduce and die. They need food to grow. Scientists classify living organisms into five kingdoms: the Animal Kingdom, the Plant Kingdom, the Fungi Kingdom, the Monera Kingdom and the Protista Kingdom. The Animal Kingdom All organisms in the Animal Kingdom are multicellular. Animals cant produce their own food. They have to eat other living organisms, like plants and animals, to live. Animals can also move from one place to another. The Plant Kingdom All organisms in the Plant Kingdom are multicellular. Plants produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. They cant move from one place to another but they can make some movements. The Fungi Kingdom The organisms in the Fungi Kingdom can be unicellular or multicellular. Fungi cant move from one place to another and they cant produce their own food. Fungi eat other living or dead organisms. Moulds, yeasts and mushrooms belong to this Kingdom.

The Monera Kingdom All organisms in the Monera Kingdom are unicellular. Their cells have a very basic structure. Bacteria belong to the Monera Kingdom. Most organisms in the Monera Kingdom can move independently. Organisms in the Monera Kingdom cant produce their own food. The Protista Kingdom Most organisms in the Protista Kingdom are unicellular. The structure of their cells is more complex than the structure of cells in the Monera Kingdom. Amoebae and algae belong to the Protista Kingdom. Some organisms in the Protista Kingdom, like amoebae, can move on their own. Amoebae move by changing their shape. Other organisms, like algae, produce their own food.

Classify the words: oak tree amoeba Animal Kingdom ___________ ___________ ___________ mushroom dolphin Plant Kingdom ___________ ___________ ___________ algae bacterium sunflower butterfly mould cactus Monera Kingdom ___________ ___________ ___________ snail yeast Protista Kingdom ___________ ___________ ___________

Fungi Kingdom ___________ ___________ ___________

4. Beneficial Microorganisms

Microorganisms are living things Microorganisms are the smallest living things on the Earth. Microorganisms are so small that we need a microscope to see them. Like all living organisms, microorganisms are born, grow, reproduce and die. They include some fungi, bacteria, amoebae and viruses. Microorganisms can be harmful or beneficial. Some microorganisms are beneficial Some microorganisms are good for us. We use some bacteria in the process of fermentation to make different types of food, like yoghurt, cheese, bread, vinegar and wine. Beneficial bacteria are found in our intestines and help us digest our food. Bacteria are also used to make vaccines to prevent disease. Some fungi are used to make medicines called antibiotics.

Microorganisms also help our environment. Some microorganisms are decomposers. They produce special enzymes that break down dead plants and animals. Then, microorganisms turn this dead material into nutrients which enter the soil. They are Natures way of recycling. This process is called decomposition. Some bacteria are used to clean up oil spills.

5. Harmful Microorganisms

Some microorganisms are harmful Germs are microorganisms that cause disease. The four main types of germs are: bacteria, viruses, fungi and amoebae. They can invade plants, animals and people and sometimes they make us sick. Bacteria Some bacteria reproduce inside our body and cause infections. Bacteria can cause sore throats, acne, ear infections and even cavities in our teeth. Viruses A virus is another harmful microorganism. Viruses need to be inside a living thing, like a plant, animal or person, to grow and reproduce. Diseases caused by viruses usually spread easily from one person to another. Chickenpox, measles and influenza are caused by viruses. Fungi Some fungi are microorganisms. Mould is a type of fungi that grows on food. Sometimes fungi can grow on our bodies. Athletes foot is a fungus that grows between our toes. Amoebae Amoebae are unicellular organisms that can spread disease through water. They can cause intestinal infections that give us diarrhoea, nausea or stomach ache.

Look at the photos. Do they show the result of beneficial or harmful microorganisms? Write B for beneficial and H for harmful.

 Add the words to your mind map: animal membrane harmful plant plant tissue system cytoplasm nucleus multicellular five organelles chloroplasts