Diversity in the Living World – Important Questions and Answers
Premium CBSE Class 6 Science revision post based on the chapter Diversity in the Living World. Includes biodiversity, grouping of plants and animals, herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers, creepers, venation, roots, monocots, dicots, animal movement, habitats, adaptations, conservation, case studies, HOTS questions, FAQs, and an interactive quiz.
Short Introduction
The living world around us is full of variety. We see different plants, birds, insects, animals, leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, habitats and movements. This variety is called biodiversity. The chapter explains how students can observe plants and animals during a nature walk, record their features, group them on the basis of similarities and differences, understand adaptations, and protect biodiversity.
Chapter Overview
Biodiversity
The variety of plants and animals found in a region contributes to the biodiversity of that region.
Grouping
Plants and animals can be grouped on the basis of common features, similarities and differences.
Plant Groups
Plants can be grouped as herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers based on stem, height and growth pattern.
Leaves, Roots and Seeds
Leaf venation, root type and number of cotyledons help us group plants as monocots and dicots.
Animal Movement
Animals move in different ways using body parts such as legs, wings, fins and other structures.
Habitat and Adaptation
Plants and animals have special features called adaptations that help them survive in their habitats.
Important Concept Flow
Nature walks help students observe, record and compare living organisms.
Example: Chickpea, kidney bean, hibiscus and radish.
Example: Wheat, maize, grass and lemongrass.
Desert, mountain, ocean and forest organisms show different adaptations.
Important Keywords with Meanings
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Diversity | Variety found among living organisms. |
| Biodiversity | The variety of plants and animals found in a particular region. |
| Observation | Carefully noticing features of plants, animals and surroundings. |
| Grouping | Arranging things into groups based on common features. |
| Similarity | A feature that is common between two or more organisms. |
| Difference | A feature that is not the same between organisms. |
| Herb | A small plant with a soft, green and tender stem. |
| Shrub | A medium-sized plant with many hard woody stems branching close to the ground. |
| Tree | A tall plant with a hard, thick and woody stem; branches usually arise higher up. |
| Climber | A plant with weak stem that needs support to climb. |
| Creeper | A plant with weak stem that creeps along the ground. |
| Veins | Thin lines seen on leaves. |
| Venation | The pattern of veins on a leaf. |
| Reticulate venation | Net-like pattern of veins on both sides of a thick middle vein. |
| Parallel venation | Pattern in which leaf veins run parallel to one another. |
| Taproot | A root system with one main root and smaller side roots. |
| Fibrous root | A root system with many similar-sized thin roots arising from the base of the stem. |
| Cotyledon | A seed leaf or seed part that stores food for the young plant. |
| Dicot plant | A plant whose seed has two cotyledons; usually has taproot and reticulate venation. |
| Monocot plant | A plant whose seed has one cotyledon; usually has fibrous roots and parallel venation. |
| Movement | Changing place or position, such as walking, flying, crawling, swimming or jumping. |
| Habitat | The place where a plant or animal lives. |
| Terrestrial habitat | A land habitat such as forest, desert, grassland or mountain. |
| Aquatic habitat | A water habitat such as pond, lake, river or ocean. |
| Amphibian | An animal that can live both on land and in water, such as frog. |
| Adaptation | A special feature that helps a plant or animal survive in its habitat. |
| Sacred grove | A traditionally protected patch of forest conserved by local communities. |
| Conservation | Protection and careful use of biodiversity and natural habitats. |
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What is biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity is the variety of plants and animals found in a particular region.
2. What is grouping?
Answer: Grouping is arranging things into groups based on common features.
3. Why do we group plants and animals?
Answer: We group plants and animals to understand and study them easily.
4. Name three plant groups based on height and stem.
Answer: Herbs, shrubs and trees.
5. What is a herb?
Answer: A herb is a small plant with a soft and green stem.
6. Give one example of a herb.
Answer: Tomato plant is an example of a herb.
7. What is a shrub?
Answer: A shrub is a medium-sized plant with hard woody stems branching close to the ground.
8. Give one example of a shrub.
Answer: Rose plant is an example of a shrub.
9. What is a tree?
Answer: A tree is a tall plant with a hard, thick and woody stem.
10. Give one example of a tree.
Answer: Mango is an example of a tree.
11. What are climbers?
Answer: Climbers are plants with weak stems that need support to climb.
12. What are creepers?
Answer: Creepers are plants with weak stems that creep along the ground.
13. What are veins?
Answer: Veins are thin lines seen on leaves.
14. What is venation?
Answer: Venation is the pattern of veins on a leaf.
15. What is reticulate venation?
Answer: Reticulate venation is a net-like pattern of veins on a leaf.
16. What is parallel venation?
Answer: Parallel venation is a pattern in which veins run parallel to each other.
17. What is a taproot?
Answer: Taproot is a root system with one main root and small side roots.
18. What is a fibrous root?
Answer: Fibrous root is a bunch of similar-sized thin roots arising from the base of the stem.
19. What are dicot plants?
Answer: Dicot plants have seeds with two cotyledons.
20. What are monocot plants?
Answer: Monocot plants have seeds with one cotyledon.
21. What is habitat?
Answer: Habitat is the place where a plant or animal lives.
22. What is an adaptation?
Answer: Adaptation is a special feature that helps an organism survive in its habitat.
23. What are terrestrial habitats?
Answer: Terrestrial habitats are land habitats such as forests, deserts and mountains.
24. What are aquatic habitats?
Answer: Aquatic habitats are water habitats such as ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans.
Short Answer Questions
1. What should students observe during a nature walk?
Answer: Students should observe different plants, insects, birds and animals. They should also observe stems, leaves, flowers, smells, sounds, weather conditions, places where animals live, food they eat and how they move.
2. Why should we not disturb plants and animals during observation?
Answer: Plants and animals are living beings and are part of biodiversity. We should observe them carefully without harming them, plucking leaves or flowers, or disturbing their natural activities.
3. How do plants show diversity?
Answer: Plants show diversity in height, stem type, leaf shape, leaf arrangement, flowers, colour, smell, roots and seeds. Some are herbs, some are shrubs, some are trees, while others are climbers or creepers.
4. How do animals show diversity?
Answer: Animals show diversity in size, shape, colour, food habits, habitat, body parts and movement. Some animals walk, some fly, some swim, some crawl and some jump.
5. Why is grouping useful?
Answer: Grouping makes it easier to understand and study plants and animals. It helps us compare organisms based on similarities and differences.
6. How are trees different from herbs?
Answer: Trees are tall plants with hard, thick, brown and woody stems. Their branches usually arise higher up. Herbs are small plants with soft, green and tender stems.
7. How are shrubs different from trees?
Answer: Shrubs are medium-sized plants with many hard woody stems branching close to the ground. Trees are taller and usually have one thick main stem with branches higher up.
8. What is the relation between reticulate venation and roots?
Answer: Generally, plants with reticulate venation have taproots. Examples include hibiscus, sadabahar, chickpea and radish.
9. What is the relation between parallel venation and roots?
Answer: Generally, plants with parallel venation have fibrous roots. Examples include grass, wheat, maize and lemongrass.
10. Differentiate between monocot and dicot plants.
Answer: Monocot plants have one cotyledon, parallel venation and fibrous roots. Dicot plants have two cotyledons, reticulate venation and taproots.
11. How do animals move?
Answer: Animals move in different ways. Ants walk using legs, birds walk and fly using legs and wings, fish swim using fins, goats walk and jump using legs, and houseflies walk and fly using legs and wings.
12. Why do plants and animals differ from region to region?
Answer: Plants and animals differ from region to region because environmental conditions such as temperature, water availability, landform and climate are different in different regions.
13. Why can cactus survive in a desert?
Answer: Cactus has thick and fleshy stems that store water. This helps it survive in deserts where very little water is available.
14. Why are deodar trees conical with sloping branches?
Answer: Deodar trees grow in mountains where there is frequent snowfall. Their conical shape and sloping branches help snow slide off easily.
15. What happens when habitats are damaged?
Answer: When habitats are damaged, plants and animals lose their homes, food and other resources. This leads to loss of biodiversity.
Long Answer Questions
1. Explain biodiversity with examples from the chapter.
Answer: Biodiversity means the variety of plants and animals found in a particular region. During a nature walk, students observe grasses, bushes, trees, birds, butterflies, monkeys and insects. Birds have different chirps, plants have different leaves and flowers, and animals have different foods and movements. This variety shows biodiversity. Each organism has a role. For example, trees provide food and shelter to birds, while animals may help in seed dispersal.
2. Explain how plants can be grouped as herbs, shrubs and trees.
| Plant Group | Main Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Herb | Small plant with soft, green and tender stem. | Tomato |
| Shrub | Medium-sized plant with hard woody stems branching close to the ground. | Rose |
| Tree | Tall plant with hard, thick and woody stem; branches arise higher up. | Mango |
3. Explain reticulate and parallel venation with examples.
Answer: The pattern of veins on a leaf is called venation. In reticulate venation, veins form a net-like pattern on both sides of a thick middle vein. Hibiscus leaf is an example. In parallel venation, veins run parallel to one another. Banana leaf and grass leaf show parallel venation.
4. Explain taproot and fibrous root systems.
Answer: In a taproot system, there is one main root and small side roots arise from it. Mustard, hibiscus, chickpea and radish have taproots. In a fibrous root system, many similar-sized thin roots arise from the base of the stem. Grass, wheat, maize and lemongrass have fibrous roots.
5. Describe the relation among seed type, root type and leaf venation.
| Plant Type | Seed | Leaf Venation | Root Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dicot | Two cotyledons | Reticulate venation | Taproot | Chickpea, kidney bean, radish, hibiscus |
| Monocot | One cotyledon | Parallel venation | Fibrous roots | Maize, wheat, grass, lemongrass |
6. How can animals be grouped based on movement?
Answer: Animals can be grouped on the basis of how they move and which body parts they use. Ants walk using legs. Goats walk and jump using legs. Pigeons and houseflies walk and fly using legs and wings. Fish swim using fins. Some animals crawl, hop, fly, swim, run or jump. Movement helps animals search for food, escape danger and find shelter.
7. Explain adaptations with examples of cactus, deodar and camel.
Answer: Adaptations are special features that help plants and animals survive in their habitat.
- Cactus: It has thick and fleshy stems that store water in deserts.
- Deodar: It has a conical shape and sloping branches so snow slides off easily in mountains.
- Hot desert camel: It has long legs, wide hooves, a hump for storing food and loses very little water.
- Cold desert camel: It has shorter legs, two humps and long hair to survive cold winters.
8. Explain terrestrial, aquatic and amphibian organisms.
Answer: Plants and animals that live on land live in terrestrial habitats. Examples include forests, deserts, grasslands and mountains. Plants and animals that live in water live in aquatic habitats. Examples include ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans. Some animals such as frogs can live both on land and in water. Such animals are called amphibians.
9. Why is conservation of biodiversity important?
Answer: Biodiversity must be protected because plants and animals depend on one another. Habitat damage causes loss of homes, food and resources for living organisms. This can reduce the population of animals such as Bengal Tiger, Cheetah and Great Indian Bustard. Projects such as Project Tiger, Cheetah Reintroduction Project and protected areas help conserve biodiversity.
10. Write a note on sacred groves and their importance.
Answer: Sacred groves are traditionally protected patches of forests found in different parts of India. They may be small or large and contain many plants and animals, including medicinal plants. Local communities protect them and do not allow cutting trees, harming animals or disturbing the area. Sacred groves are community-protected treasures of biodiversity.
Case-Study Based Questions
Case Study 1: Nature Walk
Students go on a nature walk with their teacher. They observe grasses, tulsi, hibiscus, neem, birds, butterflies and ants. They record their observations in notebooks.
Q1. What scientific skill are students using?
Answer: They are using observation and recording skills.
Q2. Why should they not pluck leaves and flowers?
Answer: They should respect living organisms and avoid disturbing biodiversity.
Q3. What does the variety of plants and animals show?
Answer: It shows biodiversity.
Case Study 2: Hibiscus Leaf and Grass Leaf
A student observes that a hibiscus leaf has a net-like pattern of veins, while grass has veins running parallel to each other.
Q1. What type of venation is seen in hibiscus?
Answer: Reticulate venation.
Q2. What type of venation is seen in grass?
Answer: Parallel venation.
Q3. What type of root is generally found in grass?
Answer: Fibrous roots.
Case Study 3: Radish from Kitchen Garden
Manu’s mother pulls out a radish from the soil and tells him that radish is a root.
Q1. What type of root is radish?
Answer: Radish is a taproot.
Q2. What type of venation would radish leaves show?
Answer: Reticulate venation.
Q3. Is radish likely to be monocot or dicot?
Answer: Radish is likely to be a dicot plant.
Case Study 4: Camel in Desert
A camel living in the hot desert of Rajasthan has long legs, wide hooves, dry dung, little urine and does not sweat much.
Q1. Why does the camel have wide hooves?
Answer: Wide hooves help the camel walk on sand without sinking.
Q2. Why can camel survive without water for many days?
Answer: It loses very little water because it excretes little urine, has dry dung and does not sweat much.
Q3. What are these special features called?
Answer: They are called adaptations.
Case Study 5: Habitat Loss
A forest is cut down for roads and buildings. After some years, fewer birds, insects and animals are seen in that area.
Q1. What happened to the habitat?
Answer: The habitat was damaged or destroyed.
Q2. What does habitat damage lead to?
Answer: It leads to loss of homes, food and other resources for organisms.
Q3. What is the final result?
Answer: Loss of biodiversity.
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: Biodiversity means variety of plants and animals in a region. Reason: A park may have grasses, trees, insects, birds and animals.
Answer: A
2. Assertion: Grouping helps us study organisms easily. Reason: Grouping is based on similarities and differences.
Answer: A
3. Assertion: Mango is a herb. Reason: Mango has a soft green stem.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are false. Mango is a tree with a hard woody stem.
4. Assertion: Rose is a shrub. Reason: It has hard woody stems that branch close to the ground.
Answer: A
5. Assertion: Hibiscus leaf has reticulate venation. Reason: Reticulate venation forms a net-like pattern of veins.
Answer: A
6. Assertion: Grass has taproot. Reason: Plants with parallel venation generally have fibrous roots.
Answer: D
7. Assertion: Chickpea is a dicot seed. Reason: Chickpea seed has two cotyledons.
Answer: A
8. Assertion: Fish uses fins for movement. Reason: Fins help fish swim in water.
Answer: A
9. Assertion: Cactus can survive in deserts. Reason: Its thick fleshy stem stores water.
Answer: A
10. Assertion: Habitat damage can cause loss of biodiversity. Reason: Plants and animals lose homes, food and resources when habitats are damaged.
Answer: A
Competency-Based and Critical Thinking / HOTS Questions
1. A plant has reticulate venation. Predict its root type and seed type.
Answer: It will generally have taproot and dicot seed with two cotyledons.
2. A plant has fibrous roots. What type of venation is it likely to have?
Answer: It is likely to have parallel venation.
3. Why can’t fish survive without water?
Answer: Fish is adapted to aquatic habitat. It uses fins for swimming and needs water to live. Without water, it cannot survive.
4. Why is the body of fish streamlined?
Answer: A streamlined body helps fish move easily through water by reducing resistance.
5. Why are biodiversity levels different in desert and forest?
Answer: Desert and forest have different environmental conditions such as water, temperature and vegetation. Therefore, different plants and animals survive there.
6. A plant has a weak stem but grows upward using support. What is it called?
Answer: It is called a climber.
7. Why do deodar trees not have flat spreading branches like many trees in plains?
Answer: Deodar trees grow in snowy mountain regions. Their conical shape and sloping branches help snow slide off easily.
8. Why does a hot desert camel have long legs?
Answer: Long legs keep the camel’s body away from hot sand and help it walk in the desert.
9. Why should sacred groves be protected?
Answer: Sacred groves protect many plants and animals, including medicinal plants. They conserve biodiversity through community protection.
10. If forests are cut for comfortable human life, how can it affect us later?
Answer: It can reduce biodiversity, destroy habitats, increase heat, reduce rainfall, cause soil erosion and disturb the balance of nature. Humans may also lose useful plants, animals and natural resources.
Diagram-Based Questions
Diagram 1: Plant Grouping
Question: Which group does mango belong to?
Answer: Mango belongs to the tree group.
Diagram 2: Leaf Venation
Reticulate Venation
Net-like veins
Example: Hibiscus
Parallel Venation
Parallel veins
Example: Grass
Question: Which venation is seen in banana leaf?
Answer: Parallel venation.
Diagram 3: Root Types
Taproot
One main root with side roots
Example: Mustard
Fibrous Roots
Bunch of similar thin roots
Example: Grass
Question: Which root system is usually found in dicot plants?
Answer: Taproot system.
Diagram 4: Monocot and Dicot Relation
Question: Wheat belongs to which group?
Answer: Wheat is a monocot plant.
Diagram 5: Habitat-Based Grouping
Question: Frog belongs to which group?
Answer: Frog is an amphibian.
Quick Revision Box
- Biodiversity means variety of plants and animals in a region.
- Plants and animals should be observed without disturbing them.
- Grouping is based on similarities and differences.
- Grouping makes study of plants and animals easier.
- Herbs are small plants with soft green stems.
- Shrubs are medium-sized plants with hard woody stems branching near the ground.
- Trees are tall plants with thick, hard and woody stems.
- Climbers need support to climb.
- Creepers creep along the ground.
- Venation means pattern of veins on leaves.
- Reticulate venation is net-like.
- Parallel venation has parallel veins.
- Taproot has one main root with side roots.
- Fibrous roots are many similar thin roots.
- Dicots have two cotyledons, reticulate venation and taproot.
- Monocots have one cotyledon, parallel venation and fibrous roots.
- Animals move using legs, wings, fins and other body parts.
- Habitat is the place where an organism lives.
- Adaptations help organisms survive in their habitats.
- Terrestrial habitats are land habitats.
- Aquatic habitats are water habitats.
- Frogs are amphibians because they live both on land and in water.
- Habitat damage causes loss of biodiversity.
- Sacred groves are community-protected treasures of biodiversity.
Important Exam Tips
Interactive Quiz
Choose the correct answer and click submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety of plants and animals found in a particular region.
2. Why is grouping important?
Grouping helps us study plants and animals easily by comparing their similarities and differences.
3. What is the difference between herbs, shrubs and trees?
Herbs are small with soft green stems, shrubs are medium-sized with hard woody stems near the ground, and trees are tall with thick woody stems.
4. What is venation?
Venation is the pattern of veins on a leaf.
5. What is the difference between reticulate and parallel venation?
Reticulate venation is net-like, while parallel venation has veins running parallel to one another.
6. What is the difference between taproot and fibrous root?
Taproot has one main root with side roots, while fibrous root has many similar thin roots from the base of the stem.
7. What is the difference between monocot and dicot plants?
Monocots have one cotyledon, parallel venation and fibrous roots. Dicots have two cotyledons, reticulate venation and taproots.
8. What is habitat?
Habitat is the place where a plant or animal lives and gets food, water, air, shelter and other needs.
9. What is adaptation?
Adaptation is a special feature that helps a plant or animal survive in a particular habitat.
10. Why should biodiversity be protected?
Biodiversity should be protected because habitat damage leads to loss of homes, food and resources for plants and animals.
Final Conclusion
The chapter Diversity in the Living World teaches us to observe the living world carefully and respectfully. Plants and animals show great variety in their structures, movements, roots, leaves, seeds, habitats and adaptations. Grouping helps us understand this diversity better. Since habitat damage causes loss of biodiversity, we must protect plants, animals and their habitats so that our planet remains full of life.
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