Structure of Living Things

Before Video

• Animals and plants have structures that serve different functions and help them live, grow and reproduce. For example, claws are an external structure that can help an animal climb trees and defend itself.

• No. A structure is anything made up of parts held together in a particular way. While this could be something made by humans, like a building or a bridge, it could also be something natural, such as a skeleton, eyes or leaves.

• Internal structures are structures found on the inside of living things, such as the heart, lungs or brain of an animal.

• External structures are structures found on the outside of living things, such as skin, eyes and claws of an animal. Examples of plant external structures include the leaves and petals of a flower.

After Video

• Bob’s claws are used for digging, climbing and catching prey.

• Bob the Monitor Lizard has a forked tongue, which enhances his sense of smell and helps him find prey. This is the same type of tongue a snake has. It is very sensitive to particles of matter in the air.

• The whip spider has big arm-like jaws at the front of its body to help it catch prey. It also has a pair of very long thin legs covered in hairs that it uses to sense things in its environment.

• Exoskeletons are hard structures found on the outside of the body of some animals. Common examples include ants, beetles and crabs.

• Some butterfly wings are colored to look exactly like a leaf, which camouflages it and protects it from predators.

• Some seeds are large to provide lots of nutrients to the new plant that grows from it. Some seeds are tiny and light enough to be moved long distances by the wind. Some plants have seeds that float and can be carried long distances on ocean currents.

• Tiny pine needle leaves stop water from escaping, allowing the pine tree to live in a dry place.

• Cactus leaves have a spine structure which protects them from being eaten. The spines are actually modified leaves which have become very thin and hard. Ouch!

Anything made up of a number of parts held together in a particular way.

Structures found on the inside of living things, such as the heart, lungs or brain.

Structures found on the outside of living things like skin, eyes and claws.

Also called a tailless whip scorpion, they are harmless to humans. They have eight legs but only six are used for walking. They are found in tropical regions worldwide and like to come out at night. They eat mostly insects and have many interesting internal and external structures discussed in the video.

A type of skeleton found on the outside of a living thing that covers its body for protection. Common examples include ants, beetles and crabs. While an exoskeleton provides protection, it also needs to be shed for an animal to grow larger.

“Endo” means internal or within so an endoskeleton is a skeleton that is on the inside of a living thing. Humans and all mammals have endoskeletons. Bugs and beetles for example have exoskeletons.

A scientist that studies plants.

Design of materials inspired by nature. The word “bio” means life and “mimic” means to copy something. For example, geckos have an amazing ability to climb due to structures in their feet so scientists have been inspired to invent really strong tape that uses similar structures.