Florida Science: Plant & Animal Structures Review

Florida Science: Plant & Animal Structures Review

Grades 3-5 Review Exploring How Living Things Are Built Understanding Structure and Function

What Are Structures?

Body parts of plants and animals Each structure has a special job (function) Structures help living things survive Examples: roots, wings, fins, leaves

Plant Structures vs. Animal Structures

{"left":"Plants have roots, stems, leaves, flowers\nPlants stay in one place\nPlants make their own food","right":"Animals have bones, muscles, organs\nAnimals can move around\nAnimals eat other living things"}

Plant Structures and Their Jobs

Roots: absorb water and nutrients from soil Stems: support the plant and transport materials Leaves: make food using sunlight (photosynthesis) Flowers: help plants reproduce and make seeds

Florida Plant Structure Hunt

Look at the Florida plant pictures Identify: roots, stems, leaves, flowers Discuss how each structure helps the plant survive in Florida's climate Examples: palm fronds, cypress roots, mangrove prop roots

Animal Structures for Movement

Wings help birds and insects fly Fins help fish swim through water Legs help animals walk, run, and jump Different leg shapes for different needs

Animal Structures for Getting Food

Sharp teeth for tearing meat (carnivores) Flat teeth for grinding plants (herbivores) Different beak shapes for different foods Claws for catching prey or climbing

Think and Discuss

How do a flamingo's long legs help it survive? Why do cactus plants have thick, waxy stems? What would happen if a fish had legs instead of fins? How do a cat's claws help it in different situations?

Florida Ecosystem Connections

Review: Structure and Function

Every structure has a purpose (function) Structures help organisms survive in their environment Plants and animals have different types of structures Florida's unique environment shapes the structures we see Understanding structures helps us understand how living things work