BACKGROUND:
There are many different places on Earth
where organisms can live. These areas can be called an organism’s
environment. There are mountains, valleys, trees, snow, and
water environments
as well as hot and cold climate environments. Different types of organisms can
live in similar environments. Animals, plants, and other organisms are adapted
for living in certain areas of the world. For examples, whales have blubber so
they can withstand cold temperatures and other mammals grow fur which protects
them from the cold.
Different organisms have physical limits
that make them more adapted to an environment. Birds fly so they have hollow
bones and feathers which help them to fly. Large animals need support to walk
so they have backbones and legs. It seems that all organisms have a place in
this world and are adapted to fit into their own special place. Imagine a
whale having legs or an animal having roots, this just doesn't happen.
There are two very different environments
on this Earth, land and water. The organisms that live in these environments
have very similar requirements. Organisms that live on land need to develop a
way to combat gravity. They need legs or wings if they want to move. A tree
develops a way to get water to move upwards (against gravity). Organisms in
water use water to support their body so they tend to be more hydrodynamically
designed.
PROCEDURE:
- Instruct students to look at the animal
globe and make a list of those animals that live on land versus those that
live on water. Name some of the animals and have them locate where they live.
You will notice that many animals on land need to be near water.
- Instruct the students to look again at
the animals on the globe and try to see how the organisms are fundamentally
different. Try to get their ideas on the board, which should resemble the
table below.
