Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics – Important Questions and Answers
Premium CBSE Class 6 Science revision post based on the chapter Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics. Includes living and non-living things, characteristics of living beings, movement, growth, nutrition, respiration, excretion, response to stimuli, reproduction, death, seed germination, growth and movement in plants, life cycle of plants, life cycle of mosquito, life cycle of frog, case studies, HOTS questions, diagram-based questions, FAQs, and an interactive quiz.
Short Introduction
We see many things around us, such as pencils, books, cars, plants, birds, insects and animals. Some are living, while others are non-living. Living beings show special characteristics such as movement, growth, nutrition, respiration, excretion, response to stimuli, reproduction and death. This chapter also explains seed germination, movement in plants, and the life cycles of plants, mosquitoes and frogs.
Chapter Overview
Living and Non-living
Living beings show life processes, while non-living things do not show these essential features.
Characteristics of Living Beings
Living beings move, need food, grow, respire, excrete, respond to stimuli, reproduce and die.
Movement in Plants
Plants do not move from place to place, but they show movements such as opening of flowers and bending towards light.
Seed Germination
Germination of bean seeds requires the right amount of water and air. Sunlight is needed after germination for growth.
Life Cycle of a Plant
A seed germinates, grows into a plant, produces flowers and fruits, forms seeds and completes its life cycle.
Life Cycle of Animals
Mosquitoes and frogs pass through different life stages before becoming adults.
Important Concept Flow
These features help us identify living beings.
Water softens the seed coat and air supports life processes inside the seed.
Roots grow downwards, while shoots grow upwards and move towards sunlight.
This is the life cycle of a bean plant.
This is the life cycle of a mosquito.
This is the life cycle of a frog.
Important Keywords with Meanings
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Living being | An organism that shows life processes such as growth, respiration, excretion and reproduction. |
| Non-living thing | A thing that does not show essential characteristics of life. |
| Movement | Change in position or movement of body parts shown by living beings. |
| Nutrition | The process of taking food needed for growth and development. |
| Growth | Increase in size or development of a living being. |
| Breathing | The process of taking air in and giving air out. |
| Respiration | A life process of which breathing is a part. |
| Stomata | Tiny pores on leaves that help plants take air in and out. |
| Excretion | Removal of waste products from the body. |
| Stimulus | Anything or any event that prompts a living being to respond. |
| Response | The reaction of a living being to a stimulus. |
| Reproduction | The process by which living beings produce new ones of their own kind. |
| Death | The condition when all life activities gradually come to an end. |
| Germination | The process by which a seed develops into a sprout or seedling. |
| Seed coat | The outer covering of a seed. |
| Embryo | The tiny baby plant inside the seed. |
| Seedling | A young plant that develops from a germinated seed. |
| Root | The part of a plant that generally grows downward into the soil. |
| Shoot | The part of a plant that generally grows upward and towards sunlight. |
| Life cycle | The complete sequence of stages through which a living being passes in its life. |
| Larva | An early young stage in the life cycle of some animals, such as mosquito. |
| Pupa | A stage in the life cycle of mosquito between larva and adult. |
| Tadpole | The young aquatic stage of a frog with a tail. |
| Froglet | A young frog-like stage that still has some features of tadpole. |
| Spawn | A cluster of frog eggs found in water. |
| Crescograph | A machine built by Jagadish Chandra Bose to record plant growth and responses. |
Very Short Answer Questions
1. Name two types into which objects around us can be categorised.
Answer: Living and non-living.
2. Give one example of a living being.
Answer: Pigeon.
3. Give one example of a non-living thing.
Answer: Pencil.
4. Is movement alone enough to call something living?
Answer: No, movement alone is not enough because cars also move but are non-living.
5. Do plants move from one place to another?
Answer: No, plants do not usually move from one place to another.
6. Do plants show movement?
Answer: Yes, plants show movements such as opening of flowers and bending towards light.
7. Name one insectivorous plant mentioned in the chapter.
Answer: Drosera.
8. Why do living beings need food?
Answer: Living beings need food for growth and development.
9. What is breathing?
Answer: Breathing is the process of taking air in and giving air out.
10. Breathing is part of which process?
Answer: Respiration.
11. What are stomata?
Answer: Stomata are tiny pores on leaves that help plants take air in and out.
12. What is excretion?
Answer: Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body.
13. Give one waste product excreted by animals.
Answer: Urine.
14. What is a stimulus?
Answer: A stimulus is anything or any event that prompts a living being to respond.
15. Give one example of a stimulus.
Answer: Touching a hot cup of tea.
16. Name a plant that folds its leaves on touching.
Answer: Touch-me-not or chhui-mui plant.
17. What is reproduction?
Answer: Reproduction is the process of producing new ones of one’s own kind.
18. Why is reproduction necessary?
Answer: Reproduction is necessary for the continuity of life.
19. What is germination?
Answer: Germination is the process in which a seed turns into a sprout or seedling.
20. What two conditions are essential for bean seed germination?
Answer: Right amount of water and air.
21. Is sunlight essential for germination of most seeds?
Answer: No, most seeds do not require light for germination.
22. Which part of a plant generally grows downward?
Answer: Root.
23. Which part of a plant generally grows upward?
Answer: Shoot.
24. Name the four stages in mosquito life cycle.
Answer: Egg, larva, pupa and adult mosquito.
25. Name the young stage of frog with a tail.
Answer: Tadpole.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why is a pencil non-living but a pigeon living?
Answer: A pencil does not grow, respire, need food, excrete, reproduce or respond like a living being. A pigeon shows life processes such as movement, nutrition, respiration, excretion, response, reproduction and death. Therefore, a pigeon is living while a pencil is non-living.
2. Why is movement alone not enough to identify a living being?
Answer: Movement alone is not enough because non-living things like cars can also move. To identify a living being, we must check other characteristics such as growth, respiration, nutrition, excretion, response to stimuli and reproduction.
3. How do plants show movement?
Answer: Plants do not move from place to place, but they show movements. Flowers open, climbers wind around nearby supports, shoots bend towards sunlight, and insectivorous plants such as Drosera move their hair-like structures to trap insects.
4. What is the role of nutrition in living beings?
Answer: Nutrition provides food and energy needed for growth, development and life processes. All living beings need nutrition to survive and grow.
5. Explain breathing in animals.
Answer: In breathing, air moves from outside into the body during inhalation and moves out of the body during exhalation. Breathing is part of respiration.
6. How do plants respire?
Answer: Plants respire through tiny pores called stomata present on the surface of leaves. These pores help plants take air in and out.
7. What is excretion? Give examples.
Answer: Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body. In animals, sweat and urine are examples of excretory products. Plants may excrete excess water and minerals as small droplets on leaves.
8. What is response to stimuli?
Answer: Response to stimuli means reacting to changes or events in the surroundings. For example, we quickly move our hand away after touching a hot object. The touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched.
9. Why is reproduction important?
Answer: Reproduction is important because it produces new individuals of the same kind. It maintains the continuity of life on Earth.
10. When is a living being said to be dead?
Answer: A living being is said to be dead when it cannot show essential life processes even when resources like food, air and water are available.
11. Is a seed living or non-living?
Answer: A seed is living because under suitable conditions it can germinate, grow and develop into a new plant. It remains inactive until it gets proper conditions.
12. Why do seeds need water for germination?
Answer: Water softens the seed coat and helps the embryo inside the seed to develop into a plant. Water also helps the seed carry out processes needed for growth.
13. Why do seeds need air for germination?
Answer: Seeds need air for respiration during germination. Air present in spaces between soil particles helps the seed and young root grow properly.
14. Why is excess water harmful for seed germination?
Answer: Excess water fills spaces between soil particles and reduces availability of air. Without enough air, seeds may not germinate properly.
15. What happens when a plant gets light from one direction only?
Answer: The shoot bends and grows towards the direction of light, while the root continues to grow downward.
Long Answer Questions
1. Write the essential characteristics of living beings.
Answer: Living beings share some common characteristics:
- They show movement.
- They need food for nutrition.
- They grow and develop.
- They respire.
- They excrete waste products.
- They respond to stimuli.
- They reproduce to produce new ones of their own kind.
- They eventually die.
These features help us distinguish living beings from non-living things.
2. Explain movement as a characteristic of living beings with examples.
Answer: Movement is an important characteristic of living beings, but it should not be used alone to identify life. Animals move from one place to another. Birds fly, fish swim and humans walk. Plants do not move from place to place, but they show movements. Flowers open, climbers wind around supports, Drosera traps insects by moving hair-like structures, and shoots bend towards sunlight. Thus, living beings show movement in different ways.
3. Explain respiration and excretion in living beings.
Answer: Respiration is a life process needed by all living beings. Breathing is a part of respiration. In animals, air moves into the body during inhalation and moves out during exhalation. Plants also respire through tiny pores called stomata on leaves. Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body. Animals excrete waste through sweat and urine. Plants may excrete excess water and minerals as droplets on leaves. All living beings respire and excrete.
4. Explain response to stimuli with examples from animals and plants.
Answer: A stimulus is anything or any event that causes a living being to respond. If we step on a thorn, we quickly lift our foot. If we touch a hot cup, we pull back our hand. These are responses to stimuli. Plants also respond to stimuli. The touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched. Some plants fold their leaves after sunset. Shoots grow towards light. Thus, both animals and plants respond to stimuli.
5. Explain the essential conditions for germination of bean seeds.
Answer: Bean seeds require the right amount of water and air for germination. Water softens the seed coat and helps the embryo develop into a plant. Air is needed for respiration. The air present in spaces between soil particles helps the seed germinate and allows roots to grow. Excess water prevents air from reaching the seed. Most seeds do not require light for germination, but after germination, sunlight is needed for further growth of the seedling.
6. Explain the experiment with four pots to find conditions required for seed germination.
Answer: Four identical pots are taken with garden soil and bean seeds. Pot A is kept in sunlight without water. Pot B is kept in sunlight with excess water. Pot C has moist soil and is kept in darkness. Pot D has moist soil and is kept in sunlight. Seeds in Pot A do not germinate because water is absent. Seeds in Pot B do not germinate properly because excess water reduces air availability. Seeds in Pot C may germinate because water and air are available, showing that light is not essential for germination of most seeds. Seeds in Pot D germinate well because proper water and air are available.
7. Explain growth and movement of roots and shoots.
Answer: Roots and shoots grow in specific directions. When a plant is upright, roots grow downward and shoots grow upward. When a plant is kept inverted, the root bends and still grows downward, while the shoot bends and grows upward. If light comes from only one direction, the shoot grows towards light, while the root continues to grow downward. This shows that plants respond to gravity and sunlight.
8. Describe the life cycle of a bean plant.
Answer: The life cycle of a bean plant begins with a seed. Under suitable conditions, the seed germinates and forms a seedling. Leaves appear, and the plant grows. Later, flowers appear. After flowering, fruits or pods are formed. The pods contain seeds. These seeds can germinate and give rise to a new generation of bean plants. After completing its life activities, the plant becomes yellow, dries and dies.
9. Describe the life cycle of a mosquito.
Answer: A mosquito passes through four stages in its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult mosquito. The adult female mosquito lays eggs directly on or near water. The egg develops into a larva. The larva grows into a pupa. The pupa transforms into an adult mosquito. The adult mosquito rests briefly on the water surface and flies away. The adult female again lays eggs, and the cycle continues.
10. Describe the life cycle of a frog.
Answer: The life cycle of a frog begins with eggs laid in water as spawn. The egg develops into an embryo. The embryo becomes a tadpole with a tail and no legs. Later, the tadpole develops legs. It becomes a froglet, which starts looking like a small frog but may still live partly in water. Finally, it loses its tail completely and becomes an adult frog. Adult frogs live both in water and on land.
Case-Study Based Questions
Case Study 1: Shell of a Snail
Avadhi notices some shells during a morning walk and tries to pick them up. Her mother explains that the shell may be home to a living snail and is a part of its body.
Q1. Why should Avadhi not pick up the shell carelessly?
Answer: The shell may contain a living snail and may be part of its body.
Q2. Is lack of visible movement enough to call something non-living?
Answer: No, a living being may not show visible movement at every moment.
Q3. Name two characteristics that can help identify a living being.
Answer: Growth and respiration.
Case Study 2: Car and Pigeon
A student says a car is living because it moves. Another student says a pigeon is living because it moves and grows.
Q1. Is the car living?
Answer: No, a car is non-living.
Q2. Why is movement alone not enough?
Answer: Non-living things such as cars can also move with external help or machines.
Q3. Why is the pigeon living?
Answer: A pigeon grows, needs food, respires, excretes, responds and reproduces.
Case Study 3: Seed Germination Pots
Four pots with bean seeds are kept under different conditions: no water, excess water, moist soil in dark, and moist soil in sunlight.
Q1. Which condition is most suitable for bean seed germination?
Answer: Moist soil with availability of air is most suitable.
Q2. Why do seeds in excess water not germinate properly?
Answer: Excess water reduces air availability in soil spaces.
Q3. Is sunlight essential for germination of most seeds?
Answer: No, most seeds do not require light for germination.
Case Study 4: Plant Kept in a Box
A seedling is kept inside a box that allows sunlight to enter only from one small hole.
Q1. In which direction will the shoot grow?
Answer: The shoot will grow towards the light.
Q2. In which direction will the root grow?
Answer: The root will grow downward.
Q3. What does this show?
Answer: It shows that plants respond to sunlight and roots grow downward.
Case Study 5: Mosquito Breeding
Students find larvae and pupae in stagnant water near planted pots. They observe that larvae and pupae repeatedly come to the water surface.
Q1. Why do mosquito larvae and pupae come to the surface?
Answer: They come to the surface to take air for respiration.
Q2. Why should stagnant water be removed?
Answer: Stagnant water allows mosquitoes to lay eggs and complete their life cycle.
Q3. Name the four stages of mosquito life cycle.
Answer: Egg, larva, pupa and adult mosquito.
Assertion-Reason Questions
Choose the correct option:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation.
C. Assertion is true but Reason is false.
D. Assertion is false but Reason is true.
1. Assertion: A car is non-living though it moves. Reason: Movement alone is not enough to identify a living being.
Answer: A
2. Assertion: Plants are living beings. Reason: Plants show growth, respiration, excretion and response to stimuli.
Answer: A
3. Assertion: Drosera is an insectivorous plant. Reason: It traps insects using sticky hair-like structures.
Answer: A
4. Assertion: All living beings need food. Reason: Food is needed for growth and development.
Answer: A
5. Assertion: Plants do not respire. Reason: Plants have stomata on leaves.
Answer: D
6. Assertion: Sweat and urine are related to excretion. Reason: Excretion removes waste products from the body.
Answer: A
7. Assertion: Touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched. Reason: It responds to a stimulus.
Answer: A
8. Assertion: Seeds need excess water for germination. Reason: Excess water improves air supply in soil.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are false.
9. Assertion: Shoots grow towards sunlight. Reason: Plants can respond to light.
Answer: A
10. Assertion: Mosquito larvae and pupae come to the water surface. Reason: They require air to respire.
Answer: A
Competency-Based and Critical Thinking / HOTS Questions
1. A wooden log cannot move. Does this alone prove that it is non-living?
Answer: No. Lack of movement alone is not enough. However, a wooden log is non-living because it no longer grows, respires, excretes, responds or reproduces. It is obtained from a tree that was once living.
2. Why is a seed considered living even though it does not show visible movement?
Answer: A seed is living because it contains an embryo and can germinate into a new plant under suitable conditions. It remains inactive until it gets proper water, air and favourable conditions.
3. How can knowledge of seed germination help in storing grains and pulses?
Answer: Grains and pulses should be stored in dry containers because moisture can support germination or spoilage. Keeping them dry prevents germination and protects them during storage.
4. Why does the breathing rate increase after running?
Answer: Running increases the body’s need for energy. The body needs more air for respiration, so the breathing rate increases.
5. Why should stagnant water not be allowed near homes?
Answer: Mosquitoes lay eggs on or near stagnant water. Larvae and pupae develop in water. Removing stagnant water disrupts mosquito breeding and helps prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.
6. Why does kerosene oil sprayed on stagnant water kill mosquito larvae and pupae?
Answer: Kerosene forms a thin layer over water and separates water from air. Larvae and pupae cannot breathe through the surface, so they die.
7. What is the advantage of a tail in the tadpole stage?
Answer: The tail helps the tadpole swim in water. This is useful because the tadpole stage lives in water.
8. How does the habitat of a frog change during its life cycle?
Answer: Frog eggs and tadpoles live in water. Froglets begin to spend some time on land. Adult frogs can live both in water and on land.
9. How is the life cycle of a mosquito different from that of a frog?
Answer: A mosquito has egg, larva, pupa and adult stages. A frog has spawn, embryo, tadpole, froglet and adult stages. Mosquito adults fly, while adult frogs live both in water and on land. Both show major changes in body form.
10. Why is reproduction called necessary for continuity of life?
Answer: Living beings eventually die. Reproduction produces new individuals of the same kind, so life continues from one generation to the next.
Diagram-Based Questions
Diagram 1: Living vs Non-living
Living
Plant, pigeon, snail, mosquito, frog
Non-living
Pencil, book, car, chair, electric bulb
Question: Why is a pigeon living but a book non-living?
Answer: A pigeon shows life processes such as growth, respiration and reproduction, while a book does not.
Diagram 2: Conditions for Seed Germination
Question: Why is excess water not suitable?
Answer: Excess water blocks air spaces in soil, reducing air availability for the seed.
Diagram 3: Direction of Root and Shoot Growth
Root
Grows downward
Shoot
Grows upward and towards light
Question: What happens if a plant is kept inverted?
Answer: The root bends and grows downward, while the shoot bends and grows upward.
Diagram 4: Life Cycle of Bean Plant
Question: Which stage produces seeds for the next generation?
Answer: The fruit or pod stage produces seeds for the next generation.
Diagram 5: Life Cycles of Mosquito and Frog
Mosquito
Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
Frog
Spawn → Embryo → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult
Question: Which stage of mosquito comes after larva?
Answer: Pupa.
Quick Revision Box
- Objects around us can be living or non-living.
- Living beings move, need food, grow, respire, excrete, respond, reproduce and die.
- Movement alone is not enough to classify something as living.
- Plants do not move from place to place but show movements.
- Drosera is an insectivorous plant that traps insects.
- Climbers wind around nearby support.
- Living beings need food for growth and development.
- Breathing is part of respiration.
- Plants respire through stomata.
- Removal of waste products is called excretion.
- A stimulus causes a response in living beings.
- Touch-me-not plant folds leaves when touched.
- Reproduction maintains continuity of life.
- A seed is living because it can germinate.
- Bean seed germination requires right amount of water and air.
- Most seeds do not require light for germination.
- After germination, sunlight is needed for further growth.
- Roots grow downward.
- Shoots grow upward and towards sunlight.
- The life cycle of a bean plant includes seed, germination, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds.
- Mosquito life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult.
- Frog life cycle: spawn, embryo, tadpole, froglet, adult frog.
- Larvae and pupae of mosquitoes come to water surface for air.
- Jagadish Chandra Bose built the crescograph to study plant responses.
Important Exam Tips
Interactive Quiz
Choose the correct answer and click submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are living beings?
Living beings are organisms that show life processes such as growth, nutrition, respiration, excretion, response, reproduction and death.
2. Why is a car non-living though it moves?
A car is non-living because it does not grow, respire, excrete, reproduce or respond like a living being.
3. Do plants show movement?
Yes, plants show movements such as opening of flowers, folding of leaves, winding of climbers and bending of shoots towards light.
4. What is respiration?
Respiration is a life process of which breathing is a part. All living beings respire.
5. What is a stimulus?
A stimulus is anything or any event that causes a living being to respond.
6. What is germination?
Germination is the process by which a seed turns into a sprout or seedling.
7. What conditions are needed for bean seed germination?
Bean seeds need the right amount of water and air for germination.
8. What is the life cycle of a plant?
The life cycle of a plant includes seed, germination, seedling, plant, flower, fruit and seeds.
9. What are the stages in the life cycle of a mosquito?
The stages are egg, larva, pupa and adult mosquito.
10. What are the stages in the life cycle of a frog?
The stages include spawn, embryo, tadpole, froglet and adult frog.
Final Conclusion
The chapter Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics teaches us how to identify living beings and understand their life processes. Living beings move, grow, need food, respire, excrete, respond to stimuli, reproduce and die. Seeds germinate under suitable conditions, plants show growth and movement, and both plants and animals pass through life cycles. By understanding these characteristics, students can clearly distinguish living beings from non-living things and appreciate the diversity of life around them.
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