SHS DirectorySHS MatchLesson PlansGES Promotion Past QuestionsStudent Lesson NotesBlogs

Basic 3 · Science · Living and Non-Living Things

Life Processes of Living Things

In this topic you will learn the life processes that all living things carry out.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Name the seven life processes
  • Explain each life process simply
  • Use life processes to tell living from non-living things

What you already know

  • Living and non-living things (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Diversity Of Matter
Sub-strand
Living and Non-Living Things
Indicator
B3.1.1.1.1 – Classify living things plants and animals by their life process

Introduction

A goat eats, breathes, grows and has kids. A mango tree also feeds, grows and makes seeds. All living things carry out life processes.

1. The Seven Life Processes

Remember them with the name MRS GREN.

Life processes
LetterProcessMeaning
MMovementmoving the body or parts of it
RRespirationgetting energy from food using air
SSensitivitynoticing and reacting to things around
GGrowthgetting bigger
RReproductionmaking young ones
EExcretiongetting rid of waste
NNutritiontaking in food
A chart of the seven life processes with simple pictures
Figure 1: MRS GREN Copy the MRS GREN chart.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Using Life Processes

If a thing does all seven processes, it is living.

A car moves and uses fuel, but it does not grow or reproduce. So a car is non-living.

New words

life process
Something all living things do to stay alive.
respiration
Getting energy from food.
reproduction
Making young ones.
excretion
Getting rid of waste.

Summary

  • Living things carry out seven life processes: MRS GREN.
  • All seven must be present for a thing to be living.
  • A car moves but does not grow, so it is non-living.

Class activity: Living Test

  1. Look at the leaves, potted seedlings and pictures.
  2. Check each one against MRS GREN.
  3. Decide if it is living or non-living.

You need: Local leaves, Potted seedlings, Printed photographs of local animals, Two raffia sorting hoops

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. What does the "G" in MRS GREN stand for?

    • A. Growth
    • B. Grass
    • C. Green
    • D. Gas
    Show answer
    Answer: GrowthLiving things grow.

  2. 2. Taking in food is called…

    • A. Nutrition
    • B. Excretion
    • C. Movement
    • D. Sensitivity
    Show answer
    Answer: NutritionNutrition means feeding.

  3. 3. Plants carry out life processes.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TruePlants are living.

  4. 4. A car is living because it moves.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt does not grow or reproduce.

  5. 5. Making young ones is called ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: reproductionThat is reproduction.

  6. 6. Name four life processes.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any four of the seven: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition.MRS GREN.

Homework

  1. Choose one animal at home. Write how it shows three life processes.