Chapter 9

The Living Organisms And Their Surroundings

 

Habitat And Adaptation

Organisms that can process all the biological processes are called living organisms. We can see organisms in our surroundings such as plants, dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc. There are many unique types of plants and animals living in the seas and the deserts. Let us talk about two main animals inhabiting these regions: the fish and camel.

Living Organisms Class 6 Science Chapter 9- Description of the chapter and topics covered in it

The camel's body structure helps it endure the harsh desert conditions. Its long legs help keep its body away from the warmth of sand. They do not sweat, drink less water and can go very long without water.

The body structure of fish is shallow and streamlined, which allows them to swim effortlessly. Fish have greasy scales, which aid in relaxed movement through the water. Fish can live in salty seawater. With the help of very small examples, you can now learn that the body structure of an animal depends on their habitat.

Animals have some features that help them live in any condition. For example, different animals adapted according to their environment. But this adaptation does not take place in a short period; it takes many years for an animal to get familiar with their habitat. Animals which are not able to adapt themselves die. The consequence is the diversity of organisms existing in different habitats.

Habitat is a term that refers to the environments where an organism lives such that their living life depends on water, food, air, and shelter. Habitat is a dwelling place for animals, including nonliving and living components. A variety of animals and plants have the same habitat and have dissimilar topographies that help them survive in their habitat.

There are two main types of habitats in Living Organisms Class 6 Science Chapter 9: terrestrial habitat and aquatic habitat.

Terrestrial habitat - Terrestrial habitats include land and mainly have four types: forests, grassland, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands. Terrestrial habitat also includes artificial habitats like farm services. Both plants and animals are influenced by moisture because it is present in soil or comes down as rain or snow. Examples of terrestrial habitat plants are mesophyte, xerophyte, etc., and examples of terrestrial animals are birds, camels, ants, earthworms and many more.

Aquatic habitat - Aquatic animals live under water, in aquatic (underwater) habitats. These habitats include floodplains, wetlands, estuaries, pools, lakes, and oceans.  

All living things in a habitat come under the biotic components. And all non-living things come under abiotic components of the habitat. And the abiotic components are very important and useful for the survival of the biotic components. Examples of biotic components are animals and plants, and the example abiotic components are rocks, soil, water, etc.

Digestion is the process by which living organisms take in food and produce energy. Humans take in food, and then the digestion process starts and breaks down food particles into smaller parts. The whole body absorbs these minerals, vitamins of food and then, energy is released.

Respiration

Respiration is the sum total of the processes in which the oxygen reaches the cells, and water and carbon dioxide are eliminated. Oxygen is utilised to produce energy. Plants inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. 

Reproduction

Reproduction is the process through which all species produce offspring who are genetically identical to themselves. This can only be accomplished by living organisms. Plants and animals reproduce in different ways, and the process ensures the continued existence of a species.

Excretion

The terms excretion and ingestion are diametrically opposed to one another. Organisms receive food into their bodies via ingestion, but they expel food from their bodies through excretion. Organisms need nourishment in order to survive and develop, as well as to repair themselves. Minerals, vitamins, and proteins are all important. The body absorbs the necessary particles of food, and the excretion process removes the remaining waste. All the waste  is expelled from the body in faeces. This process is also called egestion. All metabolic waste is removed during this excretion process. But this process is a little different in humans and animals. The excretory products in humans are ammonia, carbon dioxide, urea, uric acid, guanine, and creatine. In animals, the excretory products are ammonia, carbon dioxide, urea, uric acid, guanine, and creatine.

What is a habitat?
The place where the organism lives is called habitat. Habitat is the dwelling place for organisms.

How does a cactus adapt to survive in a desert?
The cactus survives in the desert because it has thicker leaves. These thicker leaves do not allow water to evaporate. That is why the cactus easily adapted itself to survive in a desert. They have modified stems that perform photosynthesis and conserve water. Their roots go very deep in the soil.

Give an example of a non-living thing that shows two characteristics of a living thing.
The truck is an example of a non-living entity that exhibits two traits that are common to living things: movement and utilisation of energy. It may travel from one location to another, much like living organisms, and it needs energy (in the form of petrol) to carry out its functions.

Make a list of the features that all living creatures have in common.

Following are the characteristics of a living organism -

  • Food intake
  • Respiration
  • Response to stimuli
  • Reproduction
  • Growth
  • Death

Explain why surviving in the grassland is more vital for creatures. (Hint: There are few trees or hiding spots for animals in grassland ecosystems.)
In small grasses, predators can easily locate their prey. So, these animals have to run fast to reach a safe place and escape from their predators. Thus, speed is important for survival in the grasslands for animals that live there.

What are stimuli?
The changes that occur in our surroundings that make us respond to them are called stimuli.

Name some plants found in the mountains.
The plants found in the mountains are Pinus, Oaks, and Deodars.

Name a few plants that live in ponds.
Plants that live in pounds are Hydrilla, Hyacinth, Lotus, etc.

What is the function of gills?
Gills are present in the fish’s body; they help the fish intake oxygen dissolved in water.

Name some habitats around us.

Ans: Some habitats around us are:

  • Forests
  • Grassland
  • Mountains
  • Ponds
  • Oceans

Name some organisms that are found in deserts.

Ans:  Cacti and camels are found in deserts.

Which animal is called the ship of desert?

Ans: Camel is called the ship of desert

What are the components of a habitat?

Ans: Abiotic and biotic are two components of habitat.

What is excretion?

Ans: Excretion is the process of eliminating all waste matter from the body.

What are the two types of reproduction?

Ans: Sexual and asexual are the two types of reproduction.

Do plants follow the process of excretion?

Ans: Yes, plants also follow the process of excretion.

Do animals move?

Ans: Yes animals move from one place to another.

Do plants move?

Ans:  No, plants are fixed to their respective locations.

All life processes are not exactly the same. The most important ones are respiration, excretion, metabolism, reproduction, transportation, etc. They facilitate the living of an organism. Habitat, where an organism lives and adapts, plays a very crucial role in the life of the organism. Living organisms adapt their needs according to the habitat in which they reside. Losing a habitat may lead to the death of a species.

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