What Makes Something Alive?

What You'll Learn

All living things share basic characteristics: they grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and need energy to survive. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals must eat other organisms.

Key Words

ecosystem
producer

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: All living things share basic characteristics: they grow, reproduce, respond to their environment, and need energy to survive. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals must eat other organisms.

Step 2 — Do

Follow the procedure carefully, step by step.

Step 3 — Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 — Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What do plants need to make food through photosynthesis?