What Makes Things Alive?
It is usually a simple task to figure out if something is alive or not living. Share on X Most kids look at a rock and immediately understand it is not living. At the same time, they look at a puppy and intuitively know it is alive.
But what characteristics determine whether or not something is alive? Ask your students or kids. They will give you many ideas of what makes things alive.
Most children will relate “what is alive” to their own experience:
- living things have eyes;
- they hear;
- if its alive it speaks;
- living things breath;
- they move.
Not all things that exist on Earth are so easy to classify. Therefore, it is an important concept in the life sciences to have a very specific set of criteria to determine whether something is living or non-living. Here is an activity you can do at home or in the classroom to determine if something is alive. Share on X
How about having a worksheet to complete this activity with your students. Grab a copy of accompanying worksheet by signing up to my blog and getting access to my free Resource Library.
What You Need
- activity worksheet-see my resource library to get a copy
- pencil/pen
- two identical glass cups/beakers
- measuring cup
- yeast
- sand
- china marker or masking tape
- sugary liquid (apple juice, sugar water)
What You Do
Tell the kids you will be examining two substances-yeast and sand- to study characteristics of living things.
- Have the kids brainstorm what makes things alive. Have them record class responses on the worksheet in Table 1.
- Label one glass A and the other B.
- Add 1 Tb of yeast to glass A .
- Add 1 Tb of sand to glass B.
- Examine the contents of each beaker and complete Table 2.
- Have the students predict what will happen in each glass when your sugary liquid is added. Have them record their response in Table 3 of the worksheet.
- Add 50 mL or 2 Tb of the sugary liquid to each beaker. Have students watch what happens in each beaker. Have them record their observations in Table 4 of the worksheet.
Discuss What Makes Things Alive
Discuss the questions listed under “Conclusions” on the worksheet. Fill out answers on the sheet as a class or have older students go back and answer each question. The questions are as follows:
- What similarities and differences did you notice between yeast and sand in Step 5?
- In Step 7, what did you observe in each beaker? Was your prediction accurate?
- What do you think happened in each beaker? [Hint: Go back to Table 1 where you listed your ideas about what makes something alive].
- Why was it important to use equal amounts of yeast and sand and an equal amount of sugary liquid in each beaker?
- How has this activity helped you understand the differences between living and non-living things? What new questions about living and non-living things do you have after performing this activity?
Wrapping Up What We Now Know Makes Things Alive
In Table 5, write 5 to 7 criteria you now feel are most important to determine whether something is living or non-living.
Let me know how you enjoyed this experiment. Was it easy to follow? Did you get the desired results? Let me know in the comments below!
Like this experiment? Try my activity, Viruses-Dead or Alive. Sign up below to receive both dead or alive activities:
Does it matter what kind of yeast? Like fast acting? Or active dry yeast?
I used my bread machine yeast so no it doesn’t matter Rebeca.
Nothing happened
Sorry to hear that. Perhaps your yeast was old and inactive? It needs a source of sugar to work as well.
Hi, I am hoping to do this experiment with my class next week. I am confused on one part, what is the sugary liquid is? Thank you for your help!
Apple juice or sugar water will work. Good luck.
Thank you for your help. I am Coronavirus homeschooling. My oldest daughter is in biology, and the younger one is getting a simplified version in the form of Life Sciences. This was a great opening activity and discussion.
Ayelet,
So glad it was helpful. I am regularly adding to the Resource Library. Hope to see you back.
Hi Teresa,
I am lakshmi from India. It was lovely to read your email. I have been teaching science in middle school for many years. I had taken a sabbatical over the last two years and recently got back to teaching again.
incidentally i spent the summer with my daughter who stays in Milton. Your country is truly beautiful. I loved the walks and the bike rides.
I love your passion for science and your website is amazing.Take care.
many regards,
lakshmi⁸
Lakshmi,
I am thrilled you like my site. So happy you were able to visit Canada. Milton is not that far from me! Hope to hear from you again.
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So happy Forever that you found the information useful. I hope to hear from you again.