UNIT 2 : SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES

At the end of this unit, we will learn:•How animals take care of their egg and young.•The example of plant that disperse their seeds and fruits by water, wind animal and explosive mechanism.•Ways plants disperse their seeds and fruits.•The characteristics of seeds and fruits in relation to the ways they are dispersed.•The importance of survival of the species.

LESSON 1 : ANIMAL SURVIVAL

Tiger, elephant, cat, and cow are different species of animals. Species are similar types of living things that can breed among themselves.

Animal reproduce to make sure their species continue to exist. However , being able to reproduce is not enough. Animals have to take care of their eggs and young.

These are example of animals that take care of their eggs.

These are examples of animals that take care of their young.

Let us look at how some animals take care of their eggs and young.

•Frogs lay slimy eggs. The slimy covering will then be eaten by the tadpoles when the eggs hatch.

•Birds feed their young until the young can fly out of the nest to find their own food.

•Kangaroos carry their joeys in their pouches since birth. They nurse their joeys with milk. Joeys will be safe and warm in the pouch until they are too big to fit into the pouch.

LESSON 2 : PLANT SURVIVALPlant cannot move freely. Therefore, their seeds and fruits need to be dispersed from the parent plants. They are dispersed by wind, animal, water or explosive mechanism.

• These fruits are dispersed by water. They are covered with waxy skin. It prevents water from entering the fruit. Air spaces in the husk help the fruit to float.

• These seeds and fruits and fruits are dispersed by wind. They are small, light, dry and have wing-like structure or fine hair. These characteristics help them to be flown far away easily.

•These seeds and fruits are dispersed by animals. Most of these fruits are brightly coloured, fleshy, edible and have smells. The seeds are usually hard.

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These fruits dispersed their seeds by explosive mechanism. They dry up and burst to push the seeds out from them fruits.

IMPORTANCE OF SURVIVAL

Animals and plants need food to survive. One animal species is a source of food to another. For example, eagles eat snakes. If snakes do not survive, there will be shortage of food for eagles. The eagles may become extinct.