In this Grade 7 Life Science lesson from Chapter 9, students explore how single-celled organisms such as bacteria and amoebas share the same four characteristics of all living things: organization, growth, reproduction, and response to the environment. Students learn key vocabulary including microorganism, kingdom, and binary fission, and examine how scientists classify life into six kingdoms ranging from microscopic organisms to plants, animals, and fungi. The lesson builds foundational understanding of cell-based life and the diversity of organisms across ecosystems.
Section 1
Living Things Share Four Key Characteristics
All organisms—from tiny microorganisms to giant fungi—demonstrate organization, growth, reproduction, and environmental response. Even single-celled organisms contain everything needed to perform these essential life functions.
Section 2
Organisms Require Resources to Survive
Living things need energy, materials, and living space to thrive. Most organisms depend on water for cellular processes, air for gases like oxygen, and food sources for energy to grow and develop.
Section 3
Single Cells Reproduce Through Binary Fission
Microorganisms multiply by dividing. During binary fission, the original cell's genetic material doubles, then the cell splits into two identical daughter cells. This process can occur as frequently as every 20 minutes.
Section 4
Scientists Classify Organisms Into Kingdoms
Scientists organize living things into kingdom groups. While plants, animals, and fungi are easily visible, three additional kingdoms consist primarily of microscopic organisms that share basic characteristics of life.
Section 5
Viruses Fail to Meet Living Criteria
Despite containing genetic material, viruses lack the complexity of cells. They cannot grow independently or capture energy, and they reproduce only by hijacking actual cells, failing to meet the requirements for classification as living organisms.
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Section 1
Living Things Share Four Key Characteristics
All organisms—from tiny microorganisms to giant fungi—demonstrate organization, growth, reproduction, and environmental response. Even single-celled organisms contain everything needed to perform these essential life functions.
Section 2
Organisms Require Resources to Survive
Living things need energy, materials, and living space to thrive. Most organisms depend on water for cellular processes, air for gases like oxygen, and food sources for energy to grow and develop.
Section 3
Single Cells Reproduce Through Binary Fission
Microorganisms multiply by dividing. During binary fission, the original cell's genetic material doubles, then the cell splits into two identical daughter cells. This process can occur as frequently as every 20 minutes.
Section 4
Scientists Classify Organisms Into Kingdoms
Scientists organize living things into kingdom groups. While plants, animals, and fungi are easily visible, three additional kingdoms consist primarily of microscopic organisms that share basic characteristics of life.
Section 5
Viruses Fail to Meet Living Criteria
Despite containing genetic material, viruses lack the complexity of cells. They cannot grow independently or capture energy, and they reproduce only by hijacking actual cells, failing to meet the requirements for classification as living organisms.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter