Plants and Animals All living things need air, water, food and space. All living things depend on each other and on the environment. Plants are able to make their own food using energy of sunlight (photosynthesis). Animals are unable to make their own food. Plants are unable to move from one place to another. Animals can move from one place to another. They use their senses to guide their movement. Plants and animals each go through their own unique life cycles.

Characteristics of Plants Plants are green from a chemical called chlorophyll Chlorophyll helps plants turn energy from the sun into food. Plants are called producers because the make, or produce, their own food. Plants have stiff cell walls that help them stand but prevents them from moving from place to place.

How Plants Meet Their Needs Plants have three parts Roots Stems Leaves

Leaves make food through a process called photosynthesis Pores in the bottom of the leaves absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen In the leaves, sunlight is mixed with carbon dioxide to produce glucose, a type of sugar. Photosynthesis also gives off water and oxygen.

Stems Stems are the main body of the plant Stems support the plants’ leaves and flowers. Stems move water and minerals to the leaves, and food from the leaves to the roots.

Roots Roots are the part of the plant usually found below the surface. Roots hold the plant in place. Roots absorb the water and minerals form the soil.

Life Cycle of Plants The process all living things go through Begin life, grow, age, and eventually die. As living things age, they often go through changes.

Life Cycle of Plants A seed lands on the ground In good conditions, the seed germinates and roots push into the soil. The seed sprouts and becomes a seedling. The seedling begins to grow into a plant. The plant develops flowers and produces pollen. A new seed develops in the plant if it was pollinated.

Spreading Seeds Seeds need to be spread away from their parent plant so that they don’t compete for food. Ways that seeds are spread: Blown by the wind Moved by animals Apply what you learned on page 56

How Animals Meet their Needs Animals cannot make their own food. In order to obtain energy, they must eat other plants or animals. Animals are called consumers because they depend on eating, or consuming, other living things in order to survive.

Saltwater Environment Fish use gills to filter water and get oxygen Some fish have teeth and eat smaller fish for food Many fish have flat bodies to allow them to rest on the seafloor Some saltwater animals scrape the seafloor for something to eat. These traits are called adaptations.

Freshwater Environment Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater. Only 1% is found in lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The reminder is stored as ice or groundwater. The plants and animals found in freshwater eat other plants or animals. Fish use gills to absorb oxygen just like other fish, but they cannot survive in saltwater.

Land Animals Many types of land environments Deserts Tropical rain forests Grasslands Very cold places Animals have special characteristics, or adaptations, to help them meet their needs

Land Animals All land animals breathe oxygen form the air around them Drink water Move from place to place to find food Usually have limbs to help them move. Apply what you learned on page 57

Life Cycle of Animals Reptiles and birds are born from eggs Mammals have live births Some animals go through special stages and change from one form to a completely different form, such as frogs.

Metamorphosis A process in which an animal changes its physical form Egg Larva or caterpillar Pupa or cocoon Adult Apply what you learned on page 59