New
New
Year 6

Micro-organisms are living things

I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.

New
New
Year 6

Micro-organisms are living things

I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Micro-organisms are tiny living things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
  2. Micro-organisms are commonly known as germs, bugs or microbes.
  3. Micro-organisms can be viewed using a microscope.
  4. Micro-organisms are found everywhere, in soil, air, water, on your skin and in your digestive system.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that micro-organisms are very tiny animals or that they are not living things. Pupils may think that all micro-organisms are harmful germs.

Explain that micro-organisms are living things as they carry out the same processes as other living things, but they aren't animals because they have a simpler structure than animals. Explain that some helpful micro-organisms live inside our bodies.

Keywords

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

  • Organism - An organism is a living thing.

  • Micro-organism - A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.

  • Microbe - Microbe is another name for a micro-organism.

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

When choosing locations for children to observe for Task B, try to choose contrasting environments. Classrooms, the lunch hall, the playground or school field are all good options.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Clipboards (optional)

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we mean when we say we cannot see something with the naked eye?
Correct answer: we cannot see it using our eyes alone
it is completely invisible
it is too big to see all in one go
we cannot see it without wearing glasses
Q2.
What does the prefix ‘micro’ mean?
very hot
very cold
Correct answer: very small
very big
Q3.
All living things can , which means get bigger.
Correct Answer: grow, growth, growing
Q4.
Match the living thing to the correct group.
Correct Answer:poppy,flowering plant

flowering plant

Correct Answer:pincushion moss,non-flowering plant

non-flowering plant

Correct Answer:spider,invertebrate: arachnid

invertebrate: arachnid

Correct Answer:fly,invertebrate: insect

invertebrate: insect

Correct Answer:gerbil,vertebrate: mammal

vertebrate: mammal

Q5.
Which of these characteristics do all living things have?
they have camouflage to blend into their surroundings
Correct answer: they can reproduce more living things of their type
Correct answer: they need nutrition to survive
Correct answer: they are able to move
they are able to communicate with sounds
Q6.
What is the structure of something?
how large it is
Correct answer: how the parts of its body are arranged
how it moves
how it finds its food

6 Questions

Q1.
Germs, bugs and microbes are all words for .
Correct Answer: micro-organisms, microorganisms, micro organisms
Q2.
Which of these living things are micro-organisms?
fruit fly
Correct answer: bacteria
Correct answer: virus
peat moss
Q3.
Which piece of equipment would we use for looking at micro-organisms?
telescope
binoculars
Correct answer: microscope
magnifying glass
Q4.
Where can micro-organisms be found?
only in very dirty places
only in the ground
only in living things
Correct answer: almost everywhere
Q5.
Which of these statements about micro-organisms is incorrect?
Micro-organisms cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Micro-organisms are living things.
Not all micro-organisms are harmful to humans.
Correct answer: Micro-organisms are very tiny animals.
Q6.
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?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Micro-organisms have a much simpler structure.
Micro-organisms aren’t living things.
Micro-organisms cannot live on other living things.

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