Class 6 Science Diversity in the Living World Notes

Class 6 Science Diversity in the Living World Notes

Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World

Introduction

The world around us is full of living organisms—plants, animals, and microorganisms. They all differ in shape, size, structure, and habits. Studying these differences is called diversity in the living world. Understanding diversity helps us classify, study, and protect organisms.

1. What is Biodiversity?

  • Biodiversity means the variety of living organisms on Earth.
  • Includes animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
  • Helps maintain balance in nature.

2. Classification of Living Organisms

Scientists classify living organisms into groups based on similarities:

  1. Plants: Trees, herbs, shrubs, creepers, climbers.
  2. Animals: Vertebrates (with backbone) and invertebrates (without backbone).

Example of Animal Groups:

  • Mammals – Humans, lions, cows
  • Birds – Sparrows, eagles
  • Fish – Goldfish, shark
  • Reptiles – Snakes, lizards
  • Amphibians – Frogs, salamanders
  • Insects – Butterflies, ants

3. Importance of Classification

  • Makes studying organisms easier.
  • Helps in identifying and naming species.
  • Useful in agriculture, medicine, and research.

4. Kingdoms of Life

Living organisms are classified into five main kingdoms:

  1. Monera: Bacteria
  2. Protista: Amoeba, Paramecium
  3. Fungi: Mushrooms, yeast
  4. Plantae: All plants
  5. Animalia: All animals

5. Adaptations

  • Organisms have special adaptations to survive in their habitats.
  • Examples: Camels in deserts, fish in water, cacti with thick stems.

6. Key Points to Remember

  • Diversity exists in every part of the living world.
  • Classification is necessary to understand organisms systematically.
  • Adaptations help organisms survive in different environments.
  • Humans benefit from studying diversity for medicine, agriculture, and ecology.

Questions

1. Very Short Answer (1 mark)

  1. What is biodiversity?
  2. Name two invertebrates.
  3. Give an example of a mammal.
  4. Name one plant climber.
  5. What is the importance of classification?
  6. Give an example of an adaptation in animals.
  7. What are vertebrates?
  8. Name one microorganism.
  9. Which kingdom does yeast belong to?
  10. Why is diversity important for humans?

2. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

  1. Which of the following is an invertebrate?
    a) Lion
    b) Spider
    c) Elephant
    d) Frog
  2. Plants that live for many years are called:
    a) Herbs
    b) Shrubs
    c) Trees
    d) Creepers
  3. Camels have thick skin to survive in:
    a) Water
    b) Forests
    c) Desert
    d) Mountains
  4. The kingdom Monera includes:
    a) Animals
    b) Bacteria
    c) Fungi
    d) Plants
  5. Which of the following is a bird?
    a) Snake
    b) Crow
    c) Frog
    d) Fish

3. Fill in the Blanks

  1. Organisms with a backbone are called __________.
  2. Amoeba belongs to the kingdom __________.
  3. Shrubs are smaller than __________.
  4. Adaptations help organisms to __________ in their habitat.
  5. Butterflies are classified as __________.

4. True/False Type

  1. All plants are trees. (True/False)
  2. Fungi can make their own food. (True/False)
  3. Frogs are amphibians. (True/False)
  4. Classification helps scientists identify organisms. (True/False)
  5. Microorganisms are visible to the naked eye. (True/False)

5. Short Answer Questions (2–3 marks)

  1. Define biodiversity in your own words.
  2. Name two types of animals based on the presence or absence of backbone.
  3. Give two examples of herbs and shrubs each.
  4. How do adaptations help organisms survive?
  5. What is the difference between trees and climbers?

6. Long Answer Questions (4–5 marks)

  1. Explain the importance of classifying living organisms.
  2. Describe the main differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
  3. Explain the five kingdoms of life with examples.
  4. How do humans benefit from studying biodiversity?
  5. Give examples of adaptations in animals and plants.

7. Higher-Order Thinking (HOT) & Application

  1. A plant grows on a wall with long stems and leaves. How would you classify it and why?
  2. Some animals live in extreme cold regions. Give examples and describe their adaptations.
  3. How does loss of biodiversity affect humans?

8. Passage-Based Questions

Read the passage and answer:
Living organisms show great variety in size, structure, and habits. Classification helps organize this diversity and make it easier to study.

  1. Why do living organisms show diversity?
  2. How does classification help scientists?
  3. Give one example of structural adaptation.

Answer Key

1. Very Short Answer

  1. Variety of living organisms on Earth.
  2. Spider, Earthworm, Cockroach, Snail
  3. Lion, Cow, Human
  4. Money plant, Pumpkin, Grapevine
  5. Makes studying organisms easier and systematic.
  6. Camel stores water and has thick skin; Fish has gills; Cactus has thick stems.
  7. Animals with a backbone.
  8. Bacteria, Amoeba, Paramecium
  9. Fungi
  10. Helps in medicine, agriculture, and ecological balance.

2. MCQ Answers

  1. b) Spider
  2. c) Trees
  3. c) Desert
  4. b) Bacteria
  5. b) Crow

3. Fill in the Blanks

  1. vertebrates
  2. Protista
  3. trees
  4. survive
  5. insects

4. True/False

  1. False
  2. False
  3. True
  4. True
  5. False

5. Short Answer

  1. Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on Earth.
  2. Vertebrates (with backbone) and Invertebrates (without backbone).
  3. Herbs: Tulsi, Mint; Shrubs: Hibiscus, Rose
  4. Adaptations help organisms survive by providing features suited to their environment.
  5. Trees are tall, woody plants with a single main stem; Climbers grow on other plants for support.

6. Long Answer

  1. Classification helps organize the vast variety of organisms, makes identification easier, and helps in research, agriculture, and medicine.
  2. Vertebrates have a backbone; invertebrates do not. Vertebrates include mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles. Invertebrates include insects, worms, mollusks, etc.
  3. Five kingdoms:
    • Monera – Bacteria
    • Protista – Amoeba, Paramecium
    • Fungi – Mushrooms, Yeast
    • Plantae – Trees, Herbs, Shrubs
    • Animalia – Mammals, Birds, Fish
  4. Humans benefit in medicine, agriculture, food production, and understanding ecosystems.
  5. Adaptations: Camel – water storage, thick skin; Fish – gills, fins; Cactus – thick stems, spines; Birds – hollow bones, wings.

7. HOT & Application

  1. It is a climber because it grows on a support structure.
  2. Polar bears – thick fur, fat layers; Penguins – streamlined body, feathers for insulation.
  3. Loss of biodiversity reduces food variety, medicines, and ecosystem balance.

8. Passage-Based

  1. Due to differences in size, structure, and habits.
  2. Helps organize, identify, and study organisms efficiently.
  3. Camel’s thick skin, fish gills, cactus spines.