The Basic Needs of Plants and Animals for Middle School Science

6 days ago

4 min read

Cellular metabolism is the incredible process that fuels every living cell and powers all of life's activities. From the smallest bacteria to the largest animals, every organism relies on cellular metabolism to convert nutrients into usable energy, build and repair cellular components, and carry out essential functions.

My gift to you is this free printable reading passage on the basic needs of plants of animals. You can get the .pdf here.

The Basic Needs of Plants and Animals

Plants and animals are both living things. All living things have five basic needs.

First, plants and animals need water. Water is used throughout the body. For example, animals can’t swallow food without water. Water also moves nutrients around the bodies of both plants and animals.

Nutrients are a basic need of both plants and animals. Animals get nutrients by eating. Plants get most of their nutrients from the soil. Sugar is an important nutrient for both plants and animals. Plants can turn sunlight into sugar through a process called photosynthesis. As a result, light is also a basic need.

Air is another basic need. Both plants and animals need air to turn sugar into energy. Without air, we wouldn’t have the energy to move around or grow.

Plants and animals also need just the right temperature to live. If it is too hot or too cold, they won’t survive.

The last basic need of plants and animals is space. Plants need room to grow, and animals need a place to find food and shelter. Without enough space, plants and animals won’t survive.

Animal Examples

The Camel (Desert): Camels are true desert survivors, equipped with remarkable adaptations to thrive in arid conditions. To combat water scarcity, camels store fat in their humps, which can be broken down into water when needed. They can also drink up to 30 gallons of water at once, storing it in their bloodstream and tissues. As herbivores, camels primarily consume grasses, leaves, and twigs, utilizing their tough mouths to eat plants that other animals avoid. Like all animals, camels use cellular respiration to convert food into energy, breathing air to obtain the necessary oxygen. Their thick fur helps insulate them from both heat and cold, and they can regulate their body temperature to conserve water. To find the resources they need in the vast desert landscape, camels roam over long distances.

The Polar Bear (Arctic): Polar bears are masters of the Arctic, perfectly adapted to survive in a world of ice and snow. They obtain most of their water by consuming snow and ice. As carnivores, their primary food source is seals, which they hunt using their powerful claws and sharp teeth. Polar bears, like all animals, rely on cellular respiration to convert food into energy, breathing air to obtain oxygen. To withstand the extreme cold, they have a thick layer of blubber and a dense fur coat. Their small ears and short tails also help minimize heat loss. Polar bears require large territories to hunt and find mates, relying on the vast Arctic sea ice for their survival.

The Clownfish (Coral Reef): Clownfish have a unique relationship with sea anemones in the vibrant coral reef ecosystem. Living in water, their need for water is constantly met. As omnivores, they feed on algae, plankton, and small invertebrates. Their symbiotic relationship with the sea anemone provides them with both protection from predators and access to leftover food. Clownfish, like all animals, use cellular respiration to convert food into energy, extracting oxygen from the water using their gills. They are well-suited to the warm, tropical waters of coral reefs. The coral reef offers a complex and diverse habitat with ample space for clownfish to live and find food.

Plant Examples

The Cactus (Desert): Cacti are masters of water conservation in the arid desert environment. Their extensive, shallow root systems quickly absorb rainwater, while their thick, waxy stems minimize water loss. Cacti obtain most of their nutrients from the soil. Through photosynthesis, they convert sunlight into sugar, often utilizing spines or hairs to reduce water loss and deter herbivores. During photosynthesis, cacti take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They are well-adapted to withstand extreme heat and temperature fluctuations. Cacti need space to spread their roots and access sunlight for survival.

The Venus Flytrap (Bog): Venus flytraps thrive in the unique environment of bogs, where they have adapted to supplement their nutrient intake by trapping and digesting insects. Living in boggy environments ensures ample water availability. While they obtain some nutrients from the soil, they also rely on trapping and digesting insects to fulfill their dietary needs. Like other plants, Venus flytraps use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into sugar. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during this process. Venus flytraps prefer warm temperatures and high humidity. They need space to spread their traps and access sunlight for optimal growth.

The Giant Kelp (Ocean): Giant kelp flourishes in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the ocean. Submerged in water, its need for water is constantly met. It efficiently absorbs nutrients directly from the surrounding water. Giant kelp utilizes photosynthesis to convert sunlight into sugar, employing its large, flat blades to maximize sunlight absorption. During photosynthesis, it takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. Giant kelp thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters and requires space to grow and anchor itself to the ocean floor.