Living and Non-Living Things Chapter Notes | Science Olympiad Class 4 PDF Download

Introduction

• Our planet, Earth, is teeming with a rich diversity of entities, comprising both living organisms and non-living objects.
• Living things are distinguished by their ability to exhibit vital life processes, which non-living things lack.

Living Things

• Living organisms are structurally organized into cells, which serve as the fundamental units of life.
• These cells perform specialized functions necessary for survival.
• One of the defining features of living things is their engagement in metabolic processes. Through metabolic activities, living organisms acquire energy from nutrients and carry out various physiological functions.
  

• Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms. Through reproduction, living beings generate offspring, ensuring the continuity of their species.
• The spectrum of living things encompasses a diverse array of organisms, including animals, plants, birds, insects, and humans.
• Living organisms exhibit several key characteristics, including cellular organization, respiration, nutrition, growth, locomotion, response to stimuli, excretion, and reproduction.

Plants are also living things

• A small plant is born from a seed and grows up to become a big plant. 
• Plants also need food and air to grow.
  
• Plants do not move from one place to another. But they move their parts. Like, the sunflower turns its face towards the Sun.
• The leaves of the touch-me-not plant close down when touched.

Non-Living Things

• Non-living entities lack essential life processes like eating, breathing, and feeling.
• They cannot move, grow, or reproduce.
• Non-living things fall into two categories: Natural and Man-made.
• Natural things exist in nature and are not created by humans.
• Examples of natural things include water, stones, mountains, clouds, the moon, and stars.
  
• Man-made things are created by humans and include objects like toy trains, books, tables, and chairs.

Difference Between Living and Non-Living Things