Summary of Classification of Living and Non Living things/Plants & Animals as prescribed in WASSCE/ JAMB/SSCE Syllabus.

1. Topic 1-Concept of Living Living things and Non Living things
Tip
COMPARISM LIVING THINGS NON-LIVING THINGS
Definition Living things are the living being that are
alive and compose of tiny particles, i.e.
cells.
Non-living things refers to those objects
or items, that do not exhibit any sign of
life.
Organization Highly organized No such organization
Consciousness They sense things and react to external
stimulus.
Non-living things do not sense things.
Homeostasis Maintain a steady internal environment
to make cells function.
Do not maintain a stable internal
environment.
Metabolism Reaction like anabolism and catabolism
occurs.
No metabolic changes occurs in non-
living things.
Growth All living things undergo a regulated
growth.
Non-living things do not grow.
Evolution Living things go through evolution. Non-living things do not undergo
evolution.
Survival Depends on water, food, and air for
survival.
Does not depend on anything for
survival.
Lifespan They have a certain life span, after which There is no such thing like life span.

2. Topic 1-Concept of Living Differences between Plant s & Animals
Tip
DIFFERENCES PLANTS ANIMALS
Definition Due to the presence of the chlorophyll, plants
are green in colour and are able to prepare their
own food with the help of sunlight, water and
air. They are known for providing oxygen to the
atmosphere.
Animals are the living organisms which feed on the
organic material and are known to have a
specialized system in their body like the nervous
system, reproductive system, sense organs, which
make them unique from the other forms of life.
Locomotion Plants do not have the ability to move from one
place to another, as plants are rooted into the
ground, exceptions are Volvox and
Chlamydomonas.
Animals can move from one place to another freely,
and exceptions are Sponges and Corals.
Storage of food Because plants have chlorophyll, hey have the
capability to prepare their own food and are
known as autotrophs.
Animals are the heterotrophs, as they depend on
plants for their food, either directly or indirectly.
Respiration Plants do not have the digestive system, and the
storage of food (carbohydrate) takes place in the
form of starch.
Animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere, which occurs through lungs,
gills, skin, etc.
Cellular structure The cellular structure of plants contains the cell
wall, chloroplast, plasmodesmata, plastids and
The cellular structure of animals does not have cell
walls, though other organelles like the tight

3. Topic 1-Concept of Living Summary-Plant s & Animals/Living & Non Living
Key Point:
Differences between Living & non-living things
• Living things can move, but non-living things cannot.
• Energy is required by living things, while non-livings do
not require energy.
• Living things are capable of growth, reproduction and
death.
• Non-living things are non-motile, but living things can
move around.
• Living things respire; non-living things do not respire.
• Living things adapt to the surroundings and respond to
stimulus.
Key Point:
Differences between plants and animals
• Animals give off carbon dioxide which plants need
to make food and take in oxygen which they need
to breathe.
• Plants cells have cell walls and other structures
differ from those of animals.
• Plants have either no or very basic ability to
sense.
• Animals have a much more highly developed
sensory and nervous system.