Category Science

What come first-plant or animal?

               From time immemorial, the question of how this Universe came to be has haunted Man’s mind. While ancient Man chose to believe in the easiest answer that everything came into existence-through an act of God, modern science persisted with rational enquiries that proved otherwise. Have you ever wondered what it must have been like millions and millions of years ago, when the earth first came into existence? Were there plants and animals then?

               When the earth was first formed, there was no life on it. Its surface was extremely hot and had giant volcanoes that threw fiery rocks, dust, and gases into the air. Scientists estimate that the first life forms on Earth were primitive, single-celled organisms. They must have appeared about three billion years ago in the oceans. They had no bones or shells, so they looked more like worms and jellyfish. These one-celled organisms gradually became multi-cellular organisms. As time passed, more complex forms of life began to fill up oceans. One of the first forms of life was a very simple plant called algae. Different types of plants came later on. And so, yes, animal life appeared only after the appearance of plant life.

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How do plants and animals differ from each other?

            You must have observed huge trees in your own backyard that have been staying in the same place for years, without any explicit signs of movement. Unlike animals, trees cannot move about, eat through the mouth, express emotions and communicate their needs. Plants and animals are as different from each other as a rose is from a rabbit!

            Generally, plants, with a few exceptions like the swimming algae, cannot move about from place to place, while animals can move freely. One of the most distinguishing features of plants is that they can make their own food with the help of their green colouring, which is called chlorophyll. On the other hand, animals must rely on plants for their food, or hunt other animals. Animals have a nervous system, which makes them sensitive to touch, heat, cold, pain, and other stimuli. Plants lack such a nervous system. However, as you must have observed, some plants such as the touch-me-not, do fold their leaves when touched. Others sense that a support is near, and twine themselves around it.

            The cell structure of plants and animals is different too. Most plants have rigid cell walls and contain cellulose. Animal cells do not have cellulose. The development of animals and plants is different too. While animals stop growing when they reach maturity, plants do not stop growing until they die!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What is an animal?

            Life is what makes our planet different from the rest of the known universe. There are diverse forms of life on our planet. Living beings such as ants, beetles, fishes, sparrows, cats, dogs and cows have always fascinated us in several ways. Green plants like grass, shrubs, bushes and tall trees have also caught our imagination. While trees and plants are stationary, animals can move around.

            The word animal comes from the Latin word ‘anima’. It means ‘life’ or ‘breath’. Animals are living organisms, often belonging to a family or herd. They eat food, move about, and are capable of taking care of themselves. However, the simplest animals are very much like the simplest plants. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between the two.

            There are some telling differences between plants and animals. These are very clear when you look at the more highly developed animals. Plants have the ability to prepare their own food. However, animals eat plants or hunt down other animals. This characteristic of animals means that they have to be able to move about.

            On the other hand, things are not so clear-cut when you look at organisms that are made of only one cell. Sometimes, it is hard to tell if they are animals or plants. Bacteria, for example, can have characteristics of both animals and plants.

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Why do some people believe that global warming is not a threat?

                        Is global warming an elaborate hoax? Is it true that the western developed countries are playing a nasty game to prevent the development of the poor countries? Though the majority of scientists have warned the world of the dangers of global warming, some still deny that it is the result of human activity.

                      They point out that there is no long-term data to support the theory that global warming is happening. They argue that any increase in global temperatures could be caused by a natural climate shift, and are confident that plants and animals will adapt to warmer climate patterns. These people also believe that the planet is resilient, and able to withstand climate shift.

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Is it true that by saving water and electricity we are helping our environment?

            Water is one of the substances on Earth that is most essential for the survival of living things. Apart from drinking, we use water for many other purposes. But we do not know how to use water wisely; and therefore, it is frequently wasted.

            Let us use water wisely when washing and bathing. Let us also try to prevent water leakage.

            Like water, we must save electricity too. Turn off electrical devices when we do not use them. For example, if we are not watching TV, let us turn it off. Turn off the light when we leave a room, even if we intend to return.

            Let us also use energy-efficient light bulbs instead of regular bulbs. They last longer. Let us save nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How do we conserve energy?

                Energy is essential for the survival of human societies. However, how do we find more nature friendly energy sources?

                Fossil fuels are great sources of energy, but they have great impact on the environment and contribute to pollution and global warming. The fact is that all transportation accounts for more than a third of our green-house gas emissions globally. We will be helping the environment greatly by driving less and using more eco-friendly modes of transportation instead.

                Can we ride a bike or walk instead? They are excellent choices and provide the extra bonus of helping you stay fit and in shape. We can also choose public transportation.  Choosing not to drive during the rush hour and opting to go on vacation somewhere closer to home also helps. When buying a new car, opt for electrical, hybrid or low fuel consumption options on the market.

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