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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