Practice Worksheet for Class 6 Science: Curiosity NCERT book Ch - 2 Diversity in the Living World

Answer: B. Variety of living organisms on Earth

Answer: C. Desert

Answer: C. Humps for storing fat

Answer: C. Water

Answer: C. Amphibians

Answer: C. Creepers

Answer: B. A single thick main root with smaller side roots

Answer: C. Fins and streamlined body

Answer: B. Thick fur and layer of fat

Answer: B. Desert

Answer: C. Carrot

Answer: B. Monocot plants

Answers

1. living organisms
2. habitat
3. gills
4. terrestrial 
5. climbers
6. fat
7. amphibian
8. tap root

Answers

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Answer. a) Plants and animals live comfortably in their habitat because they develop adaptations (special features) that help them survive in the conditions of that habitat.

b) Biodiversity of a region refers to the variety of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) found in that region.

c)

• Fish:

  1. Streamlined body for easy movement in water.
  2. Gills for breathing in water.

• Fly:

  1. Wings for flying in air.
  2. Light body with compound eyes for better vision.

d)

• Mountain Camel:

  1. Thick fur to protect from cold.
  2. Bulkier body to withstand low temperatures.

• Desert Camel:

  1. Thin fur to tolerate heat.
  2. Long legs and ability to store fat in humps to survive in hot deserts.

Answers

1. Chickpea = Dicot; Maize = Monocot.
2. Dicot = 2 cotyledons, reticulate venation, tap root.
   Monocot = 1 cotyledon, parallel venation, fibrous root.
3. Dicots have tap root systems (e.g., Mango, Mustard).
4. Example: Monocot = Wheat; Dicot = Mango.

Plants can be classified in different ways, mostly based on their size, stem type, leaf venation, and root system.

a) Based on Size and Nature of Stem:

• Herbs: These are small plants with soft, green, and flexible stems. They usually live for a short period.
  Example: Mint, spinach, grass, coriander.
• Shrubs: These are medium-sized plants with woody stems that are not very thick. Their branches start near the ground.
  Example: Rose, hibiscus, tulsi.
• Trees: These are big and tall plants with hard, thick, and woody stems called trunks. Their branches are found high up on the stem.
  Example: Mango tree, banyan tree, neem.
• Climbers: Plants with weak stems that cannot stand upright on their own; they climb up supports.
  Example: Money plant, pea plant, grapevine.
• Creepers: Plants with weak stems that grow along the ground.
  Example: Pumpkin, watermelon, bottle gourd.

b) Based on Leaf Venation:

• Reticulate Venation: Leaves have net-like veins.
  Example: Mango, hibiscus, rose.
• Parallel Venation: Veins run parallel to each other.
  Example: Grass, wheat, banana.

c) Based on Root System:

• Tap Root System: One main thick root grows deep in the soil with smaller side roots.
  Example: Mango, carrot, hibiscus.
• Fibrous Root System: A bunch of thin, similarly sized roots grow from the base of the stem.
  Example: Grass, wheat, onion.

These classifications help us to understand and identify plants better based on what we observe around us.

Biodiversity means the variety of living things—plants, animals, micro-organisms—in a particular area or on the planet.

Importance of biodiversity:

• Biodiversity provides us with food, oxygen, medicines, raw materials, and many more resources.
• It helps in maintaining natural balance and the food chain in nature.
• Each species, no matter how small, has an important role. If any species disappears, it can affect many others.

Roles of plants in maintaining biodiversity:

• Plants provide food and oxygen to many animals, birds, and even humans.
• They give shelter to birds and small creatures.
• Some plants attract insects for pollination; others protect the soil from erosion.

Roles of animals:

• Animals help in pollination (bees, butterflies).
• Some animals act as seed dispersers by carrying seeds away.
• Animals like earthworms improve soil fertility.
• Each animal also serves as food for other animals (as part of the food chain), helping to maintain balance.

For example, in a forest, there are many different trees, bushes, herbs, insects, birds, and animals all living together. If even one type of organism disappears, it can disturb this balance. Protecting biodiversity is necessary so that forests, rivers, and all forms of life continue to exist and provide benefits to us and the environment.

Adaptation is the special feature or behavior that helps an organism to survive in its natural habitat.

a) Desert Adaptations:

• Cactus plant: Has thick, fleshy stem to store water; leaves are changed to spines to reduce water loss and protect from animals; waxy covering prevents water loss.
• Camel: Has a hump to store fat which can be turned into water/energy; long eyelashes and closable nostrils to protect from sand; broad, flat feet to walk on sand; thick skin resists heat.

b) Mountain Adaptations:

• Deodar tree: Conical shape and sloping branches so snow slides off easily, leaves are needle-shaped to reduce water loss, can withstand cold.
• Himalayan animals (e.g., snow leopard): Thick fur to keep warm, strong limbs to walk on snow.

c) Aquatic Adaptations:

• Fish: Have a streamlined body to move easily in water; fins to swim; gills to breathe underwater.
• Whale: Streamlined body for swimming, thick fat layer (blubber) for warmth.

These adaptations help living beings to survive harsh climate, get food, escape from enemies, and reproduce successfully in their unique habitats.