Plants as a renewable resource

            Many of the foods you like are made from plants. Lumber from trees is used to make houses and furniture. Some of the clothes you wear are made from cotton plants. Many medicines are made from plants.
            One of the characteristics of plants and other living things is that they are able to reproduce. That is, they can produce new living things like themselves. Trees grow seeds. Under proper conditions, these seeds can grow into new trees. Therefore, as trees are cut down and used as a resource, they can be replaced, or replanted. This is why trees and other plants are known as a renewable resource.
            In many cases, such as with certain trees and crops, people may need to collect and plant the seeds. Scientists have even been able to produce special breeds, or kinds, of plants. For example, the reproduction of two kinds of corn plants can be controlled. The seed that results from this produces a breed of corn plant with characteristics of both parent plants.
            But many plants, such as wild plants, produce seeds and new plants naturally.

Animals as a renewable resource

            Animals are also important as a resource. Many animals provide meat and other foods. Many things, such as clothes and soap, are made from animals.
            Through the years, people have tamed many of the animals that are used as a resource, such as sheep and pigs. People have also produced many special breeds of animals, such as certain kinds of chickens and cattle.