Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World
6th StandardScience
Chapter Summary
Diversity in the Living World - Chapter Summary
# Diversity in the Living World
## Overview
In this chapter, students explore the wide variety of plants and animals that exist in nature. Through nature walks, observations, comparisons, and classification activities, students learn how biodiversity varies across regions and how to group living organisms based on their features. The chapter introduces concepts such as adaptation, habitat, and biodiversity, promoting awareness of conservation and interdependence among living beings.
## Key Topics Covered
### 1. Observing Nature
* A nature walk is organized with a scientist and a local expert.
* Students observe different kinds of plants (grasses, bushes, trees) and animals (birds, butterflies, monkeys).
* Dr. Raghu and Maniram Chacha guide students to respect and carefully observe nature.
* Focus is given to sounds (like bird chirping) and variety in plants and animals — demonstrating biodiversity.
### 2. Diversity in Plants and Animals
#### Activity-Based Observation
* Students record types of plants by examining stem type, leaf shape and arrangement, flower color, and any special features.
* Similarly, animals are recorded based on where they live, what they eat, how they move, and unique behaviors.
#### Observational Tables
* **Plants**: Observations include stem thickness, leaf shape, and flower color.
* **Animals**: Observations include habitat (tree, soil, etc.), diet (insects, seeds), and movement (walking, flying, crawling).
### 3. Grouping of Plants and Animals
* Grouping helps in understanding the diversity around us.
* Plants and animals are grouped based on similar and different features.
#### Grouping Plants
* Based on stem and height:
* **Trees**: Tall, thick, woody stems (e.g., mango).
* **Shrubs**: Medium height, multiple stems from the base (e.g., rose).
* **Herbs**: Small, soft, green stems (e.g., tomato).
* **Climbers and Creepers**: Weak stems needing support or spreading on ground.
* Based on **leaf venation**:
* **Reticulate venation**: Net-like veins (e.g., hibiscus).
* **Parallel venation**: Veins run parallel (e.g., banana, grass).
* Based on **roots**:
* **Taproot**: One main root with branches (e.g., mustard).
* **Fibrous root**: Bunch of thin roots (e.g., grass).
* Based on **seed type**:
* **Dicotyledons (Dicots)**: Two cotyledons, taproot, reticulate venation (e.g., chickpea).
* **Monocotyledons (Monocots)**: One cotyledon, fibrous root, parallel venation (e.g., maize).
#### Grouping Animals
* Based on **movement and body parts used**:
* Walking, flying, jumping, swimming — using legs, wings, fins.
* Based on **habitat**:
* Animals grouped as **terrestrial** (land), **aquatic** (water), and **amphibians** (both land and water).
* Other group features include size, color, structure, and diet.
### 4. Plants and Animals in Different Surroundings
* Biodiversity differs from region to region.
* **Desert**: Cactus stores water; camels have long legs and hooves for walking on sand.
* **Mountains**: Deodar trees have sloping branches to shed snow; mountain animals like goats and rhododendrons have adaptations to withstand cold and wind.
* **Ocean**: Fish have streamlined bodies; whales are large aquatic mammals.
* **Cold deserts**: Camels have two humps, long hair, and short legs to adapt to snow and food scarcity.
### 5. Adaptations and Habitat
* **Adaptation**: Special features in plants or animals that help them survive in a specific environment.
* **Habitat**: Natural place where a plant or animal lives and fulfills its needs.
#### Types of Habitats
* **Terrestrial**: Land-based (e.g., forests, deserts, mountains)
* **Aquatic**: Water-based (e.g., ponds, rivers, oceans)
* **Amphibians**: Live in both land and water (e.g., frogs)
### 6. Importance of Biodiversity and Conservation
* Damage to habitats leads to biodiversity loss.
* Conservation efforts include:
* **Project Tiger**
* **Cheetah Reintroduction Project**
* **Protected areas** for Great Indian Bustard
* **Sacred groves**: Community-protected forest patches that preserve biodiversity.
---
## New Terms and Simple Definitions
| Term | Definition |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Biodiversity | Variety of living beings in an area |
| Habitat | Place where a plant or animal lives |
| Adaptation | Special feature that helps in survival |
| Taproot | One main thick root with small side roots |
| Fibrous root | Group of thin roots growing from stem base |
| Reticulate venation | Net-like pattern of veins in a leaf |
| Parallel venation | Veins running parallel in a leaf |
| Monocot | Plant with one seed part (cotyledon) |
| Dicot | Plant with two seed parts (cotyledons) |
| Amphibians | Animals that live both on land and in water |
| Terrestrial | Living on land |
| Aquatic | Living in water |
| Herb | Small plant with soft green stem |
| Shrub | Medium-sized plant with woody stem |
| Tree | Tall plant with thick woody trunk |
---
## Practice Questions
### Easy (3)
1. **Which of the following is a plant with parallel venation?**
a) Rose
b) Grass
c) Mango
d) Hibiscus
**Answer**: b) Grass
*Explanation*: Grass has parallel lines in its leaves.
2. **What kind of root does a chickpea plant have?**
a) Fibrous
b) Creeper
c) Taproot
d) None
**Answer**: c) Taproot
*Explanation*: Chickpea is a dicot plant with taproot.
3. **Which of the following is an aquatic animal?**
a) Goat
b) Crow
c) Fish
d) Camel
**Answer**: c) Fish
*Explanation*: Fish live in water.
### Medium (2)
4. **How can plants be grouped based on stem and height?**
a) Monocots and Dicots
b) Roots and Flowers
c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees
d) Leaves and Fruits
**Answer**: c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees
*Explanation*: Based on stem and height, plants are grouped as herbs, shrubs, and trees.
5. **What is the role of sloping branches in mountain trees like deodar?**
**Answer**: To let the snow slide off easily.
*Explanation*: Sloping branches prevent snow accumulation and damage.
### Difficult (3)
6. **What relation exists between leaf venation and root type?**
**Answer**: Plants with reticulate venation have taproots; those with parallel venation have fibrous roots.
7. **Why do camels in the cold desert of Ladakh have two humps?**
**Answer**: To store food for survival in harsh winters when food is scarce.
8. **Why do rhododendrons show different heights in different regions?**
**Answer**: Due to adaptation — they adjust their size based on the wind and climate of the region.
### Very Difficult (2)
9. **If a plant has fibrous roots, what kind of seed and venation does it likely have? Explain.**
**Answer**: It likely has a monocot seed with parallel venation.
*Explanation*: Monocots have one cotyledon, fibrous roots, and parallel leaf veins.
10. **How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity? Give two consequences.**
**Answer**: It causes loss of food and shelter for animals, leading to species decline and imbalance in nature.
*Explanation*: Damaged habitats can lead to extinction and disrupt the ecosystem.
---
## Overview
In this chapter, students explore the wide variety of plants and animals that exist in nature. Through nature walks, observations, comparisons, and classification activities, students learn how biodiversity varies across regions and how to group living organisms based on their features. The chapter introduces concepts such as adaptation, habitat, and biodiversity, promoting awareness of conservation and interdependence among living beings.
## Key Topics Covered
### 1. Observing Nature
* A nature walk is organized with a scientist and a local expert.
* Students observe different kinds of plants (grasses, bushes, trees) and animals (birds, butterflies, monkeys).
* Dr. Raghu and Maniram Chacha guide students to respect and carefully observe nature.
* Focus is given to sounds (like bird chirping) and variety in plants and animals — demonstrating biodiversity.
### 2. Diversity in Plants and Animals
#### Activity-Based Observation
* Students record types of plants by examining stem type, leaf shape and arrangement, flower color, and any special features.
* Similarly, animals are recorded based on where they live, what they eat, how they move, and unique behaviors.
#### Observational Tables
* **Plants**: Observations include stem thickness, leaf shape, and flower color.
* **Animals**: Observations include habitat (tree, soil, etc.), diet (insects, seeds), and movement (walking, flying, crawling).
### 3. Grouping of Plants and Animals
* Grouping helps in understanding the diversity around us.
* Plants and animals are grouped based on similar and different features.
#### Grouping Plants
* Based on stem and height:
* **Trees**: Tall, thick, woody stems (e.g., mango).
* **Shrubs**: Medium height, multiple stems from the base (e.g., rose).
* **Herbs**: Small, soft, green stems (e.g., tomato).
* **Climbers and Creepers**: Weak stems needing support or spreading on ground.
* Based on **leaf venation**:
* **Reticulate venation**: Net-like veins (e.g., hibiscus).
* **Parallel venation**: Veins run parallel (e.g., banana, grass).
* Based on **roots**:
* **Taproot**: One main root with branches (e.g., mustard).
* **Fibrous root**: Bunch of thin roots (e.g., grass).
* Based on **seed type**:
* **Dicotyledons (Dicots)**: Two cotyledons, taproot, reticulate venation (e.g., chickpea).
* **Monocotyledons (Monocots)**: One cotyledon, fibrous root, parallel venation (e.g., maize).
#### Grouping Animals
* Based on **movement and body parts used**:
* Walking, flying, jumping, swimming — using legs, wings, fins.
* Based on **habitat**:
* Animals grouped as **terrestrial** (land), **aquatic** (water), and **amphibians** (both land and water).
* Other group features include size, color, structure, and diet.
### 4. Plants and Animals in Different Surroundings
* Biodiversity differs from region to region.
* **Desert**: Cactus stores water; camels have long legs and hooves for walking on sand.
* **Mountains**: Deodar trees have sloping branches to shed snow; mountain animals like goats and rhododendrons have adaptations to withstand cold and wind.
* **Ocean**: Fish have streamlined bodies; whales are large aquatic mammals.
* **Cold deserts**: Camels have two humps, long hair, and short legs to adapt to snow and food scarcity.
### 5. Adaptations and Habitat
* **Adaptation**: Special features in plants or animals that help them survive in a specific environment.
* **Habitat**: Natural place where a plant or animal lives and fulfills its needs.
#### Types of Habitats
* **Terrestrial**: Land-based (e.g., forests, deserts, mountains)
* **Aquatic**: Water-based (e.g., ponds, rivers, oceans)
* **Amphibians**: Live in both land and water (e.g., frogs)
### 6. Importance of Biodiversity and Conservation
* Damage to habitats leads to biodiversity loss.
* Conservation efforts include:
* **Project Tiger**
* **Cheetah Reintroduction Project**
* **Protected areas** for Great Indian Bustard
* **Sacred groves**: Community-protected forest patches that preserve biodiversity.
---
## New Terms and Simple Definitions
| Term | Definition |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Biodiversity | Variety of living beings in an area |
| Habitat | Place where a plant or animal lives |
| Adaptation | Special feature that helps in survival |
| Taproot | One main thick root with small side roots |
| Fibrous root | Group of thin roots growing from stem base |
| Reticulate venation | Net-like pattern of veins in a leaf |
| Parallel venation | Veins running parallel in a leaf |
| Monocot | Plant with one seed part (cotyledon) |
| Dicot | Plant with two seed parts (cotyledons) |
| Amphibians | Animals that live both on land and in water |
| Terrestrial | Living on land |
| Aquatic | Living in water |
| Herb | Small plant with soft green stem |
| Shrub | Medium-sized plant with woody stem |
| Tree | Tall plant with thick woody trunk |
---
## Practice Questions
### Easy (3)
1. **Which of the following is a plant with parallel venation?**
a) Rose
b) Grass
c) Mango
d) Hibiscus
**Answer**: b) Grass
*Explanation*: Grass has parallel lines in its leaves.
2. **What kind of root does a chickpea plant have?**
a) Fibrous
b) Creeper
c) Taproot
d) None
**Answer**: c) Taproot
*Explanation*: Chickpea is a dicot plant with taproot.
3. **Which of the following is an aquatic animal?**
a) Goat
b) Crow
c) Fish
d) Camel
**Answer**: c) Fish
*Explanation*: Fish live in water.
### Medium (2)
4. **How can plants be grouped based on stem and height?**
a) Monocots and Dicots
b) Roots and Flowers
c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees
d) Leaves and Fruits
**Answer**: c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees
*Explanation*: Based on stem and height, plants are grouped as herbs, shrubs, and trees.
5. **What is the role of sloping branches in mountain trees like deodar?**
**Answer**: To let the snow slide off easily.
*Explanation*: Sloping branches prevent snow accumulation and damage.
### Difficult (3)
6. **What relation exists between leaf venation and root type?**
**Answer**: Plants with reticulate venation have taproots; those with parallel venation have fibrous roots.
7. **Why do camels in the cold desert of Ladakh have two humps?**
**Answer**: To store food for survival in harsh winters when food is scarce.
8. **Why do rhododendrons show different heights in different regions?**
**Answer**: Due to adaptation — they adjust their size based on the wind and climate of the region.
### Very Difficult (2)
9. **If a plant has fibrous roots, what kind of seed and venation does it likely have? Explain.**
**Answer**: It likely has a monocot seed with parallel venation.
*Explanation*: Monocots have one cotyledon, fibrous roots, and parallel leaf veins.
10. **How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity? Give two consequences.**
**Answer**: It causes loss of food and shelter for animals, leading to species decline and imbalance in nature.
*Explanation*: Damaged habitats can lead to extinction and disrupt the ecosystem.
---
Diversity in the Living World
Overview
In this chapter, students explore the wide variety of plants and animals that exist in nature. Through nature walks, observations, comparisons, and classification activities, students learn how biodiversity varies across regions and how to group living organisms based on their features. The chapter introduces concepts such as adaptation, habitat, and biodiversity, promoting awareness of conservation and interdependence among living beings.
Key Topics Covered
1. Observing Nature
- A nature walk is organized with a scientist and a local expert.
- Students observe different kinds of plants (grasses, bushes, trees) and animals (birds, butterflies, monkeys).
- Dr. Raghu and Maniram Chacha guide students to respect and carefully observe nature.
- Focus is given to sounds (like bird chirping) and variety in plants and animals — demonstrating biodiversity.
2. Diversity in Plants and Animals
Activity-Based Observation
- Students record types of plants by examining stem type, leaf shape and arrangement, flower color, and any special features.
- Similarly, animals are recorded based on where they live, what they eat, how they move, and unique behaviors.
Observational Tables
- Plants: Observations include stem thickness, leaf shape, and flower color.
- Animals: Observations include habitat (tree, soil, etc.), diet (insects, seeds), and movement (walking, flying, crawling).
3. Grouping of Plants and Animals
- Grouping helps in understanding the diversity around us.
- Plants and animals are grouped based on similar and different features.
Grouping Plants
-
Based on stem and height:
- Trees: Tall, thick, woody stems (e.g., mango).
- Shrubs: Medium height, multiple stems from the base (e.g., rose).
- Herbs: Small, soft, green stems (e.g., tomato).
- Climbers and Creepers: Weak stems needing support or spreading on ground.
-
Based on leaf venation:
- Reticulate venation: Net-like veins (e.g., hibiscus).
- Parallel venation: Veins run parallel (e.g., banana, grass).
-
Based on roots:
- Taproot: One main root with branches (e.g., mustard).
- Fibrous root: Bunch of thin roots (e.g., grass).
-
Based on seed type:
- Dicotyledons (Dicots): Two cotyledons, taproot, reticulate venation (e.g., chickpea).
- Monocotyledons (Monocots): One cotyledon, fibrous root, parallel venation (e.g., maize).
Grouping Animals
-
Based on movement and body parts used:
- Walking, flying, jumping, swimming — using legs, wings, fins.
-
Based on habitat:
- Animals grouped as terrestrial (land), aquatic (water), and amphibians (both land and water).
-
Other group features include size, color, structure, and diet.
4. Plants and Animals in Different Surroundings
- Biodiversity differs from region to region.
- Desert: Cactus stores water; camels have long legs and hooves for walking on sand.
- Mountains: Deodar trees have sloping branches to shed snow; mountain animals like goats and rhododendrons have adaptations to withstand cold and wind.
- Ocean: Fish have streamlined bodies; whales are large aquatic mammals.
- Cold deserts: Camels have two humps, long hair, and short legs to adapt to snow and food scarcity.
5. Adaptations and Habitat
- Adaptation: Special features in plants or animals that help them survive in a specific environment.
- Habitat: Natural place where a plant or animal lives and fulfills its needs.
Types of Habitats
- Terrestrial: Land-based (e.g., forests, deserts, mountains)
- Aquatic: Water-based (e.g., ponds, rivers, oceans)
- Amphibians: Live in both land and water (e.g., frogs)
6. Importance of Biodiversity and Conservation
-
Damage to habitats leads to biodiversity loss.
-
Conservation efforts include:
- Project Tiger
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project
- Protected areas for Great Indian Bustard
-
Sacred groves: Community-protected forest patches that preserve biodiversity.
New Terms and Simple Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Variety of living beings in an area |
| Habitat | Place where a plant or animal lives |
| Adaptation | Special feature that helps in survival |
| Taproot | One main thick root with small side roots |
| Fibrous root | Group of thin roots growing from stem base |
| Reticulate venation | Net-like pattern of veins in a leaf |
| Parallel venation | Veins running parallel in a leaf |
| Monocot | Plant with one seed part (cotyledon) |
| Dicot | Plant with two seed parts (cotyledons) |
| Amphibians | Animals that live both on land and in water |
| Terrestrial | Living on land |
| Aquatic | Living in water |
| Herb | Small plant with soft green stem |
| Shrub | Medium-sized plant with woody stem |
| Tree | Tall plant with thick woody trunk |
Practice Questions
Easy (3)
-
Which of the following is a plant with parallel venation? a) Rose b) Grass c) Mango d) Hibiscus Answer: b) Grass Explanation: Grass has parallel lines in its leaves.
-
What kind of root does a chickpea plant have? a) Fibrous b) Creeper c) Taproot d) None Answer: c) Taproot Explanation: Chickpea is a dicot plant with taproot.
-
Which of the following is an aquatic animal? a) Goat b) Crow c) Fish d) Camel Answer: c) Fish Explanation: Fish live in water.
Medium (2)
-
How can plants be grouped based on stem and height? a) Monocots and Dicots b) Roots and Flowers c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees d) Leaves and Fruits Answer: c) Herbs, Shrubs, Trees Explanation: Based on stem and height, plants are grouped as herbs, shrubs, and trees.
-
What is the role of sloping branches in mountain trees like deodar? Answer: To let the snow slide off easily. Explanation: Sloping branches prevent snow accumulation and damage.
Difficult (3)
-
What relation exists between leaf venation and root type? Answer: Plants with reticulate venation have taproots; those with parallel venation have fibrous roots.
-
Why do camels in the cold desert of Ladakh have two humps? Answer: To store food for survival in harsh winters when food is scarce.
-
Why do rhododendrons show different heights in different regions? Answer: Due to adaptation — they adjust their size based on the wind and climate of the region.
Very Difficult (2)
-
If a plant has fibrous roots, what kind of seed and venation does it likely have? Explain. Answer: It likely has a monocot seed with parallel venation. Explanation: Monocots have one cotyledon, fibrous roots, and parallel leaf veins.
-
How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity? Give two consequences. Answer: It causes loss of food and shelter for animals, leading to species decline and imbalance in nature. Explanation: Damaged habitats can lead to extinction and disrupt the ecosystem.