Importance of Studying Biology

1. Entry into careers like: medicine, Agriculture, Food science and technology
2. Solving environmental problems like; pollution
3. Develop scientific skills such as observing, naming, classifying, recording and evaluating
4. Knowledge gained is necessary for international cooperation e.g. In Medicine, Environmental Conservation

Characteristics of Living Things

1. Movement and locomotion

Movement/localized movement is the change in position of part of the body of an organism.

Locomotion is the change in position of the whole body of an organism.

2. Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of by which living living organisms acquire and utilize nutrients.

Plants synthesize their own food (autotrophic) while animals feed on already manufactured food (heterotrophic).

3. Respiration

It is the breakdown of organic compounds in living cells to yield energy.

4. Excretion

It is the process of separation and elimination of metabolic waste products formed in the body cells.

5. Growth and  Development

Growth is a permanent increase in body size and weight.

Development is a permanent increase in complexity that occurs in an organism as it grows

6. Reproduction

It is the process of giving rise to new offspring that are similar to their parents.

7. Irritability

It is the ability of living organisms to perceive and respond to changes in the environment.

8. Gaseous exchange

It is the passing of respiratory gases across the respiratory surfaces.

Similarities between plants and animals

• Exhibit growth and development;
• Exhibit respiration
• Exhibit gaseous exchange
• Exhibit reproduction
• Exhibit excretion
• Exhibit irritability/sensitivity
• Exhibit nutrition

  Differences between plants and animals