A living thing is something that is alive. It can grow, reproduce, move, feed and excrete waste material.

A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.

Microbe is another name for a micro-organism.

A microscope is a piece of equipment that magnifies very tiny objects.

Micro-organisms are living things

Science

In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils learn about why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics. In the Species and classification unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about the identification and classification of organisms, including at the cellular level.

In the Living things and the environment unit, pupils learnt to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

This unit covers the classification of living things, including micro-organisms, plants, and animals, based on observable characteristics. It explores reasons for classification and focuses on planning scientific enquiries, recording data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Why we group and classify living things

Germs, bugs and microbes are all words for {{}}.

Which of these living things are micro-organisms?

Which piece of equipment would we use for looking at micro-organisms?

Micro-organisms cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Not all micro-organisms are harmful to humans.

Which of these statements about micro-organisms is incorrect?

Micro-organisms have a much simpler structure.

Micro-organisms cannot live on other living things.

This is a very tiny living thing called an aceria anthocoptes. It has a body divided into two sections and eight legs. It lives on plants. How can we tell it is an animal, not a micro-organism?

What do we mean when we say we cannot see something with the naked eye?

All living things can {{}}, which means get bigger.

Match the living thing to the correct group.

they have camouflage to blend into their surroundings

they can reproduce more living things of their type

Which of these characteristics do all living things have?

Starter Quiz