Micro-organisms are living things
I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.
Micro-organisms are living things
I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Micro-organisms are tiny living things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- Micro-organisms are commonly known as germs, bugs or microbes.
- Micro-organisms can be viewed using a microscope.
- Micro-organisms are found everywhere, in soil, air, water, on your skin and in your digestive system.
Keywords
Living thing - Something that is living is alive. It can grow, reproduce, move, feed and get rid of waste material.
Organism - An organism is a living thing.
Micro-organism - A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.
Microbe - Microbe is another name for a micro-organism.
Microscope - A microscope is a piece of equipment that magnifies very tiny objects.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that micro-organisms are very tiny animals or that they are not living things. Pupils may think that all micro-organisms are harmful germs.
Explain that micro-organisms are living things as they carry out the same processes as other living things, but they aren't animals because they have a simpler structure than animals. Explain that some helpful micro-organisms live inside our bodies.
Equipment
Clipboards (optional)
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do we mean when we say we cannot see something with the naked eye?
Q2.What does the prefix ‘micro’ mean?
Q3.All living things can , which means get bigger.
Q4.Match the living thing to the correct group.
flowering plant
non-flowering plant
invertebrate: arachnid
invertebrate: insect
vertebrate: mammal
Q5.Which of these characteristics do all living things have?
Q6.What is the structure of something?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Germs, bugs and microbes are all words for .
Q2.Which of these living things are micro-organisms?
Q3.Which piece of equipment would we use for looking at micro-organisms?
Q4.Where can micro-organisms be found?
Q5.Which of these statements about micro-organisms is incorrect?
Q6.This is a very tiny living thing called an Aceria anthocoptes. It has a body divided into two sections and eight legs. It lives on plants. How can we tell it is an animal, not a micro-organism?
