Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 — The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings
Key Concepts at a Glance
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Living organisms | Beings that show life processes — nutrition, respiration, growth, reproduction, excretion, movement, and response to stimuli |
| Habitat | The natural surroundings where an organism lives; provides food, shelter, and conditions for survival |
| Adaptation | Specific features or habits that help an organism survive in its particular habitat |
| Biotic components | The living parts of a habitat — plants, animals, and microorganisms |
| Abiotic components | The non-living parts of a habitat — rocks, soil, air, water, sunlight, temperature |
| Terrestrial habitat | A habitat on land — forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains |
| Aquatic habitat | A habitat in water — ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans |
| Camouflage | An adaptation where an organism blends with its surroundings to hide from predators or prey |
| Hibernation | A state of reduced activity and metabolic rate that some animals enter during winter to conserve energy |
| Excretion | The process of removing waste products from the body of a living organism |
| Respiration | The process of breaking down food to release energy in living organisms |
| Stimulus (plural: stimuli) | Any change in the environment that causes a living organism to react |
Intext Questions (with Answers)
Intext Question 1 (Page 84)
What are the differences between living and non-living things?
| Feature | Living Things | Non-living Things |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition | Need food for energy | Do not need food |
| Respiration | Breathe and release energy from food | Do not respire |
| Growth | Grow from young to adult | Do not grow (increase in size is not true growth) |
| Movement | Show movement (may be slow or fast) | Do not move on their own |
| Response to stimuli | Respond to light, heat, touch, etc. | Do not respond to stimuli |
| Reproduction | Produce young ones | Do not reproduce |
| Excretion | Remove waste from body | No excretion |
| Lifespan | Have a definite lifespan — birth, growth, death | No lifespan |
Intext Question 2 (Page 86)
What is a habitat? Give some examples.
A habitat is the natural home or surroundings where an organism lives. It provides the organism with food, water, shelter, and other conditions necessary for survival.
Examples of habitats:
- Forest — home to deer, tigers, elephants, snakes, and many birds
- Desert — home to camels, lizards, snakes, cacti
- Pond — home to fish, frogs, lotus, duckweed
- Ocean — home to whales, sharks, dolphins, seaweed
- Mountain — home to mountain goats, snow leopards, pine trees
Intext Question 3 (Page 87)
How are cactus adapted to survive in a desert?
Cactus has the following adaptations for desert life:
1. Leaves modified into spines — reduces surface area, minimises water loss through transpiration 2. Thick, fleshy stem — stores water for long dry periods 3. Green stem — performs photosynthesis (since leaves are spines) 4. Deep roots — reach water deep underground 5. Waxy coating on stem — prevents water loss by evaporation
These adaptations help the cactus survive in hot, dry desert conditions where water is scarce.
Intext Question 4 (Page 89)
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The presence of specific features, which enable a plant or an animal to live in a particular habitat, is called \_\_\_\_\_\_.
(b) The habitats of plants and animals that live on land are called \_\_\_\_\_\_ habitat.
(c) The habitats of plants and animals that live in water are called \_\_\_\_\_\_ habitat.
(d) Soil, water and air are the \_\_\_\_\_\_ factors of a habitat.
(e) Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them are called \_\_\_\_\_\_.
Intext Question 5 (Page 90)
Which of the things in the following list are non-living? Plough, mushroom, sewing machine, radio, boat, water hyacinth, earthworm.
Non-living things: Plough, sewing machine, radio, boat.
Living things: Mushroom, water hyacinth, earthworm.
Intext Question 6 (Page 91)
Explain why speed is important for survival in the grasslands for animals that live there. (Hint: There are few hiding places.)
In grasslands, there are very few trees or places to hide. This means:
1. Predators can spot prey easily — there are no dense forests or bushes to hide behind. 2. Prey must run fast to escape — deer, rabbits, and zebras need speed to escape predators like lions and cheetahs. 3. Predators must also be fast — lions and cheetahs must run fast to catch their prey before it escapes. 4. Speed is a survival adaptation — in open grasslands, the slowest animals get caught, and the slowest predators starve. Speed is therefore essential for both predators and prey.
Intext Question 7 (Page 92)
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic components of a habitat? Give examples.
| Feature | Biotic Components | Abiotic Components |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Living parts of a habitat | Non-living parts of a habitat |
| Examples | Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria | Rocks, soil, air, water, sunlight, temperature, humidity |
| Dependence | Depend on abiotic components for survival | Do not depend on biotic components |
| Interaction | Interact with other biotic and abiotic factors | Provide conditions for biotic components to survive |
Intext Question 8 (Page 93)
Do you think the fish is adapted to live in water? How?
Yes, fish are well-adapted to live in water. Their adaptations include:
1. Streamlined body — reduces water resistance, helps swim easily 2. Fins — help in swimming, balancing, and changing direction 3. Gills — extract dissolved oxygen from water for breathing 4. Scales — protect the body and reduce water resistance 5. Air bladder — helps maintain buoyancy and stay at a desired depth 6. Eyes on the sides of the head — give a wide field of vision to detect predators
Intext Question 9 (Page 93)
What are the common features of all living organisms?
All living organisms share the following common features:
1. Nutrition — All living organisms need food for energy and growth. 2. Respiration — All living organisms break down food to release energy. 3. Growth — All living organisms grow from young to adult. 4. Movement — All living organisms show some kind of movement (animals move from place to place; plants show movement of parts). 5. Response to stimuli — All living organisms respond to changes in their surroundings. 6. Reproduction — All living organisms produce young ones of their kind. 7. Excretion — All living organisms remove waste products from their body. 8. Lifespan — All living organisms have a definite lifespan — they are born, grow, and eventually die.
Intext Question 10 (Page 94)
List the various biotic and abiotic components you find in a pond habitat.
Biotic components of a pond:
- Plants — lotus, water lily, duckweed, hydrilla, water hyacinth
- Animals — fish, frog, turtle, snail, water insects, dragonfly
- Microorganisms — bacteria, algae
Abiotic components of a pond:
- Water
- Dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in water
- Sunlight
- Temperature of water
- Soil/mud at the bottom
- Rocks and pebbles
Exercise Questions (with Answers)
Exercise Question 1
What is a habitat?
A habitat is the natural surroundings or environment in which a plant or animal lives. It provides the organism with everything it needs to survive — food, water, shelter, air, and suitable conditions for growth and reproduction.
Types of habitats:
- Terrestrial habitats — on land (forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains)
- Aquatic habitats — in water (ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans)
- Arboreal habitats — in trees (some birds, monkeys)
Each habitat has specific conditions (temperature, rainfall, soil type) that determine which organisms can live there.
Exercise Question 2
How are living organisms dependent on the non-living things in their habitat? Discuss.
Living organisms depend on non-living (abiotic) things in their habitat in several important ways:
1. Air (oxygen and carbon dioxide): Animals breathe oxygen from air; plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. 2. Water: All living organisms need water for body processes. Plants absorb water from soil; animals drink water or get it from food. 3. Sunlight: Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis to make food. Animals depend on plants directly or indirectly for food. 4. Soil: Plants grow in soil and get minerals from it. Many animals live in soil (earthworms, ants). 5. Temperature: The temperature of a habitat determines which organisms can survive there. Polar bears survive in cold; camels survive in heat. 6. Rocks and minerals: Provide shelter and raw materials. Some organisms live under rocks.
Without abiotic components, biotic components cannot survive. All life processes depend on non-living factors.
Exercise Question 3
Which of the following are aquatic habitats and which are terrestrial habitats? — Pond, tree, ocean, desert, mountain, river, grassland.
| Habitat | Type |
|---|---|
| Pond | Aquatic |
| Tree | Terrestrial |
| Ocean | Aquatic |
| Desert | Terrestrial |
| Mountain | Terrestrial |
| River | Aquatic |
| Grassland | Terrestrial |
Exercise Question 4
Match the following:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (a) Desert | (i) Fish |
| (b) Mountain | (ii) Camel |
| (c) Ocean | (iii) Deer |
| (d) Grassland | (iv) Snow leopard |
| (e) Pond | (v) Frog |
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (a) Desert | (ii) Camel |
| (b) Mountain | (iv) Snow leopard |
| (c) Ocean | (i) Fish |
| (d) Grassland | (iii) Deer |
| (e) Pond | (v) Frog |
Exercise Question 5
Which of the following is an adaptation of a camel for survival in a desert?
(a) Thick fur on the body ✓ (b) Long legs and padded hooves ✓ (c) Streamlined body (d) Gills for breathing
Exercise Question 6
Why do frogs live near water?
Frogs live near water for the following reasons:
1. Reproduction: Frogs lay their eggs in water. The eggs hatch into tadpoles (larvae) which live in water and have gills for breathing. 2. Skin moisture: Frogs have moist skin through which they absorb oxygen. If their skin dries up, they cannot breathe properly. 3. Body temperature: Frogs are cold-blooded and need water to regulate their body temperature. 4. Food: Frogs feed on insects found near water bodies. 5. Tadpole development: Tadpoles are fully aquatic and cannot survive on land until they metamorphose into adult frogs.
Exercise Question 7
State whether the following statements are True or False:
(a) Several kinds of plants and animals may share the same habitat.
(b) All aquatic plants are the same.
(c) The presence of specific features or certain habits which enable an organism to live in its habitat is called adaptation.
(d) Deserts are the only habitats where animals live.
Exercise Question 8
Explain how animals like dolphins and whales, which breathe air, can survive in water.
Dolphins and whales are mammals that breathe air, yet they live in water. They survive through these adaptations:
1. Blowhole — They have a blowhole on top of their head to breathe air when they come to the water surface. 2. Hold breath — They can hold their breath for a long time underwater (dolphins up to 8-10 minutes; whales up to 90 minutes). 3. Streamlined body — Their body shape reduces water resistance and helps them swim efficiently. 4. Blubber (thick fat layer) — Insulates their body from cold water. 5. Powerful tail and fins — Help them swim quickly to the surface when they need to breathe. 6. Efficient lungs — Their lungs can exchange more oxygen per breath than land mammals.
Exercise Question 9
What are the adaptations of a mountain goat (ibex) for living in cold mountain habitats?
Mountain goats have several adaptations for cold, mountainous habitats:
1. Thick fur or hair — Insulates the body and keeps it warm in freezing temperatures. 2. Strong hooves — Help them climb steep, rocky slopes without slipping. 3. White or grey coat — Camouflages with the snow and rocks, protecting them from predators. 4. Stocky body — Compact body shape reduces surface area and conserves heat. 5. Short ears and tail — Reduces heat loss from extremities. 6. Strong legs — Help them jump and climb on steep, uneven terrain.
Exercise Question 10 (MCQ)
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
(a) Growth ✓ (b) Reproduction ✓ (c) Crystallisation ✗ (d) Respiration ✓
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
MCQ 1
Which of the following is an abiotic component?
(a) Tree ✗ (b) Bacteria ✗ (c) Water ✓ (d) Fungi ✗
Water is non-living and hence an abiotic component. Tree, bacteria, and fungi are all living organisms (biotic components).
MCQ 2
The process of getting rid of waste products from the body is called:
(a) Respiration ✗ (b) Nutrition ✗ (c) Excretion ✓ (d) Reproduction ✗
Excretion is the removal of waste products (like urea, carbon dioxide, sweat) from the body of a living organism.
MCQ 3
A fish can survive in water because it has:
(a) Lungs ✗ (b) Gills ✓ (c) Wings ✗ (d) Fins only ✗
Fish have gills that extract dissolved oxygen from water, enabling them to breathe underwater. Fins help in movement, but gills are essential for respiration.
MCQ 4
Which adaptation helps a polar bear survive in the Arctic?
(a) Thin fur ✗ (b) White fur and thick layer of fat ✓ (c) Streamlined body ✗ (d) Long legs ✗
White fur provides camouflage in snow, and the thick fat layer (blubber) insulates the body against extreme cold.
MCQ 5
Which of the following is a terrestrial habitat?
(a) Pond ✗ (b) Ocean ✗ (c) Forest ✓ (d) Lake ✗
A forest is a land-based (terrestrial) habitat. Pond, ocean, and lake are all aquatic habitats.
MCQ 6
Camels have long legs because:
(a) They need to run fast ✗ (b) Long legs keep their body away from the hot sand ✓ (c) They live in mountains ✗ (d) They need to swim ✗
In deserts, the sand gets extremely hot. Long legs lift the camel's body higher above the hot ground, preventing overheating.
Common Mistakes
1. Confusing growth with increase in size: A crystal grows larger, but this is not true growth. Growth in living organisms involves increase in cell number and body complexity, not just adding material.
2. Thinking all movement means life: Vehicles move but are not alive. Movement in living organisms is self-driven and internal, while non-living things move only due to external forces.
3. Calling mushroom non-living: Mushrooms are living organisms (fungi). They grow, reproduce, and carry out all life processes. Students often mistake them for non-living because they do not move visibly.
4. Confusing hibernation with death: Hibernation is a state of reduced activity, not death. The animal is alive but conserving energy. Breathing and heartbeat slow down but do not stop.
5. Forgetting that plants also respond to stimuli: Many students think only animals respond to stimuli. Plants also respond — they grow towards light (phototropism), roots grow towards water (hydrotropism), and touch-me-not (Mimosa) leaves fold when touched.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] Can you list at least 7 characteristics of living organisms?
- [ ] Can you define habitat and give 3 examples each of terrestrial and aquatic habitats?
- [ ] Can you explain the difference between biotic and abiotic components with examples?
- [ ] Can you describe at least 3 adaptations of a camel for desert survival?
- [ ] Can you describe at least 3 adaptations of a fish for aquatic life?
- [ ] Can you explain why speed is important for survival in grasslands?
- [ ] Can you define adaptation and give examples from different habitats?
- [ ] Can you distinguish between living and non-living things based on life processes?