L ife. What Is It?

There is no special definition of the conception for the word “life”. However it is possible to name and describe those signs of organic matter that differ it from inorganic.

Everybody knows that a butterfly that is flying from one flower to another, all plants, animals and, at least, a man – are alive creatures and minerals, rocks and stones are dead. But why can we identify the difference between alive and dead?

Several theories were suggested to answer the question.

One of them is so called “The Mechanic Theory of Life”. Another theory is called “The Theory of Dialectic Materialism”. According to it Life – is the special form of matter movement that appears as the new quality on the definite stage of historical development.

Any alive object has several characteristics. The structure of organic substances has the same chemical elements as the structure of inorganic substances but the correlation of them is different. The main elements are hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorous. Besides, there are such important elements as: sodium, magnesium, chlorine, iron, calcium, potassium and some others. More than that, all organic creatures are built from four main groups of organic substances: nuclein acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. They also have such characteristics as: cell structure, metabolism, self-regulation, mental functions, heredity, changeability, reproduction and individual development.

Plants and animals are living creatures. They have both similarities and differences.

Exercise 5. According to Russian version below find the end of each sentence and read the text “Similarities and Differences between Plants and Animals.”

Before you start working pay attention to the following words and expressions:

Vocabulary:

similarities and differences – общее и различия

the way of feeding – способ питания

to be capable – быть способным

to form – образовывать

ready for digestion – готовый к перевариванию

nutrients – питательные вещества

the sun energy – солнечная энергия

limited – ограниченный

mobile – подвижный

movement – движение

stalk – стебель

1. Both plants and animals … a. which are ready for digestion.

1. They have many similarities … b. are capable to the limited movements of leaves

and stalks.

2. First of all it is the … c. all their life.

3. Green plants are capable to … d. is not limited.

4. Animals eat only those substances … e. definite age.

5. The growth of plants … f. but they also have some differences.

6. They can grow during … g. way of feeding.

7. Animals grow till the … h. are living organisms.

8. Animals are mobile but plants … i. form nutrients using the sun energy.

Сходство и различия между растениями и животными

Растения и животные – это живые организмы. У них много общего, но есть и различия. Это, прежде всего, способ питания. Зелёные растения способны сами образовывать питательные вещества, используя световую энергию. Животные питаются только теми питательными веществами, которые готовы к перевариванию. Рост растений не ограничен. Они могут расти в течение всей жизни. Большинство животных растут до определённого возраста. Животные подвижны, а растения способны лишь к ограниченным движениям листьев и стеблей.