Living Things Depend On Nonliving Things

Key Notes:

Basic Needs of Living Things

• All living things, including plants, animals, and humans, depend on nonliving things to meet their basic needs for survival.
• Nonliving things such as air, water, sunlight, and soil are essential for living things to grow and thrive.

Water

• Water is necessary for all living organisms. Plants need water for photosynthesis, and animals need water to drink and stay hydrated.
• Aquatic animals, such as fish, rely on water as their habitat for survival.

Air

• Air provides oxygen, which is essential for respiration in animals and humans.
• Plants depend on carbon dioxide from the air to perform photosynthesis.

Sunlight

• Sunlight is a critical nonliving resource that provides energy for plants to make their own food through photosynthesis.
• Sunlight also affects the climate and temperature, which influences the habitats of living organisms.

Soil

• Soil provides minerals and nutrients for plants to grow.
• Many animals rely on soil to build shelters or burrow for protection.

Shelter

• Animals depend on nonliving things like rocks, trees, and natural formations for shelter and protection from predators and weather.

Interaction between Living and Nonliving Things

• Nonliving things like water, soil, and sunlight are part of ecosystems that support the life cycles of plants, animals, and other organisms.
• The balance between living and nonliving things is important for the sustainability of ecosystems.