Class 6 Science – Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World – this chapter highlights the variety of plants and animals in our surroundings and their grouping based on features like roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. It explains habitats, adaptations, and how biodiversity varies across region. The importance of conserving biodiversity through efforts like sacred groved and projects like Project Tiger is emphasized to protect life on Earth.
Question 1: Who are Dr Radhu and Maniram Chacha, and why were they invited to the school?
Answer: Dr. Raghu is a scientist at a nearby research laboratory, and Maniram
chacha is an expert in mimicking bird calls and identifying plants and animals.
they were invited to the school to facilitate a nature walk and help students explore the diversity in plants and animals.
Question 2: What did Raghu advise the students to observe during the nature walk?
Answer: Dr Raghu advised the students to observe the variety of smells, respect all living creatures, and observe them without disturbing. He also encouraged them to notice the diversity in plants and animals.
Question 3: What unique ability of birds did Dr. Raghu highlight during the nature walk?
Answer: Dr Raghu informed the students that each bird has a unique chirp, which is an example of the diversity in nature.
Question 4: How do plants differ based on their stems, leaves, and flowers?
Answer: Plants vary in features such as:
- Stems: Can be tall/short, hard/soft.
- Leaves: Differ in shape, arrangement, and texture.
- Flowers: Vary in colour, shape, and scent.
Question 5: What are some examples of animals observed and their characteristics?
Answer:
- Crow: Live on trees, eats insects, can fly and walk.
- Ant; Lives in soil, eats leaves, seeds, and insects has six legs.
- Cow: Lives on land, eats grass and leaves, walks on four legs.
Question 6: What similarities and differences are observed among animals?
Answer:
- Similarities: All animals need food and a place to live.
- Differences: Animals live in different habitats (land, trees, water), eat varied foods, and have unique movements.
Question 7: What is the significance of grouping plants and animals?
Answer: Grouping helps to better understand and study plants and animals based on their similarities and differences. It simplifies their study by catergorizing them into meaningful groups.
Question 8: How are grouped into herbs, shrubs, and trees?
Answer: Herbs: Small Plants with soft, green, and easily bendable stems, e.g., tomato.
Shrubs: Medium-sized plants with hard, woody stems branching near the ground, e.g., rose.
Trees: Tall plants with hard, thick woody stems and branches high above the ground, e.g., mango.
Question 9: What is venation, and what are its types?
Answer: Venation refers to the pattern of veins in leaves.
Reticulate venation: Net-like pattern (e.g., hibiscus leaves).
Parallel Venation: Veins run parallel to each other (e.g., banana and grass leaves.)
Question 10: What is the relationship between venation and root type?
Answer: Plants with reticulate typically have taproots (e.g., mustard, hibiscus).
Plants with parallel venation usually have fibrous roots (e.g., grasses).
Question 11: What are taproots and fibrous roots? Give examples.
Answer:
- Taproots: One main root with smaller side roots (e.g., mustard, hibiscus).
- Fibrous roots: A bunch of thin roots arising from the base of the stem (e.g., grass).
Question 12: What precautions should be taken during a nature walk?
Answer:
- Do not pluck leaves or flowers.
- Avoid disturbing plants and animals.
- Replant herbs if removed for observation.
Question 13: Why is biodiversity important?
Answer: Biodiversity ensures that plants and animals are interdependent and contribute to the ecosystem. For example, trees provide shelter, animals help in seed dispersal, and both maintain ecological balance.
Question 14: How can plants be grouped based on their features?
Answer: Plants can be grouped on their:
- Height, type of stem, and branching pattern: Herbs, shrubs, and trees.
- Number of cotyledons in seeds: Dicots (two cotyledons) and monocots (one cotyledon).
- Leaf venation and root type:
- Docots: Reticulate venation and taproots.
- Monocots: Parallel venation and fibrous roots.
Question 15: What is the relation between leaf venation and root type?
Answer: Plants with reticulate venation usually have taproots.
Plants with parallel venation usually have fibrous roots.
Question 16: What are cotyledons? How do they help in grouping plants?
Answer: Cotyledons are seed leave found in the embryo of a plant.
- Docots: Have two cotyledins, reticulate venation, and taproots.
- Monocots: Have one cotyledon, parallel venation, and fibrous roots.
Question 17: What are the types of habitats? Give Examples.
Answer: Habitats can categorized into:
- Terrestrial habitats (land-based): Forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains.
- Aquatic habitats (water-based): Ponds, rivers, lakes, oceans.
- Some animals, like frogs, live in both water and land (amphibians).
Question 18: What are adaptations? Provide examples.
Answer: Adaptations are special features that enable plants and animals to survive in their specific habitats. Examples:
- Deodar trees: Conical shape and sloping branches to led snow slide off easily.
- Camels in deserts: Long legs, wide hooves, one or two humbs for food storage, and the ability to conserve water.
Question 19: What happens if the habitat of a plant or animal is damaged?
Answer: If habitats are damaged, plants and animals lose their homes, food, and other resources. This leads to a decline in biodiversity.
Question 20: What are sacred groves? Why are they important?
Answer: Sacred groves are undisturbed patches of forests protected by local communities. They are important because they preserve biodiversity and are home to various plants, animals, and medicinal plants.
Question 21: How can animals be grouped based on movement?
Answer: Animals can be grouped based on their movement:
- Flying: Pigeons, housefly.
- Running: Acts, goats.
- Swimming: Fish.
- Crawling: Snakes.
Question 22: What measures have been taken to conserve biodiversity in India?
Answer:
- Project Tiger (1973): To protect Bengal Tigers.
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project (2022): To restore cheetah populations.
- Protected areas for Great Indian Bustards in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.