All questions of The Living Organisms - Characteristics and Habitats for Class 6 Exam

Abiotic and Biotic Components of Environment

The environment is composed of both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. Biotic components include all living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, while abiotic components include non-living elements such as soil, water, air, sunlight, and temperature.

Explanation:

- Organism: An organism is a living entity that is part of the biotic component of the environment. It refers to any individual living thing, whether it is a plant, animal, or microorganism. Organisms interact with other living and non-living components of the environment.

- Soil: Soil is a non-living component of the environment and is considered part of the abiotic component. It consists of mineral particles, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms. Soil is essential for the growth of plants and provides them with nutrients and support.

- Water: Water is another crucial abiotic component of the environment. It is necessary for the survival of all living organisms. Water is involved in various biological processes, including transportation of nutrients, regulation of body temperature, and maintenance of cell structure.

- Air: Air is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases. It is a vital abiotic component of the environment, as it provides oxygen for breathing and is involved in processes such as respiration and photosynthesis.

Conclusion:

The correct answer is option 'A' - Organism. Organisms are part of the biotic component of the environment, as they are living entities. The abiotic components of the environment include soil, water, and air, which are non-living elements necessary for the survival of organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Fish scales provide a protective layer that shields the fish from
injuries.
THUS, THE ANSWER IS C

And Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
b)If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
c)If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
d)If Assertion is false but Reason is true.

Answer:
a) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

The environment consists of both biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors refer to all living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, while abiotic factors refer to non-living components such as air, water, sunlight, soil, temperature, and physical factors like rocks and mountains.

Biotic Environment:
- Plants: Plants are an essential part of the biotic environment. They provide oxygen, food, and habitats for various organisms. They are the primary producers in the food chain, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
- Animals: Animals play a crucial role in the environment. They are consumers and help in pollination, seed dispersal, and decomposition. They also maintain the balance in the ecosystem through predation and competition.
- Microorganisms: Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protists. They are present in every ecosystem and perform vital functions like decomposing dead organisms, recycling nutrients, and fixing nitrogen.

Abiotic Environment:
- Air: Air is a mixture of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and others. It is essential for respiration and photosynthesis in plants and animals.
- Water: Water is essential for life. It provides habitats, acts as a solvent, regulates temperature, and is necessary for various metabolic processes in organisms.
- Sunlight: Sunlight is the primary source of energy for all living organisms. It is crucial for photosynthesis in plants and drives various ecological processes.
- Soil: Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It provides nutrients and acts as a medium for plant growth and anchorage.
- Temperature: Temperature affects the growth and survival of organisms. Different organisms have specific temperature ranges in which they thrive.
- Physical Factors: Physical factors like rocks, mountains, and landforms influence the distribution and behavior of organisms. They provide habitats and affect the flow of water and air.

Conclusion:
The environment is a complex system where both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors interact and influence each other. The presence and interaction of biotic and abiotic components create a balanced and sustainable ecosystem. Understanding the various components of the environment is crucial for studying and conserving our natural resources.

How Fishes Move in Water

Fishes are able to move in water efficiently due to their unique anatomical features. One of the key features that help fishes move around in water is their fins and tails.

Fins

Fishes have various types of fins that play different roles in their movement.
- Dorsal fins help fishes to keep their balance and prevent rolling.
- Pectoral fins are used for steering and stopping.
- Pelvic fins help fishes to control their depth in the water.
- Anal fins assist in stabilizing the fish's body.

Tails

The tail of a fish, also known as the caudal fin, is the main propeller for their movement.
- The tail moves from side to side, creating thrust and propelling the fish forward.
- The shape of the tail varies among different species of fish, affecting their swimming speed and agility.

Combined Movement

By using their fins for steering and stabilizing and their tails for propulsion, fishes are able to navigate through the water with precision.
- The coordination between the fins and tail allows fishes to swim in various directions, change their speed, and escape predators.

In conclusion, the fins and tails of fishes work together to provide them with the necessary agility and speed to move effectively in water. These adaptations have evolved over time to help fishes survive in their aquatic environment.

Understanding Aquatic Respiration
Aquatic animals, such as fish, amphibians, and some invertebrates, primarily use gills for respiration. This specialized organ allows them to extract oxygen from water, which is essential for their survival.
How Gills Work
- Gills are feathery structures located on the sides of the head or body of aquatic animals.
- They contain thin membranes that are rich in blood vessels, creating a large surface area for gas exchange.
- When water passes over the gills, oxygen diffuses from the water into the blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the water.
Why Gills are Essential
- Aquatic environments have lower oxygen concentrations compared to air, making the efficiency of gills crucial.
- Gills enable continuous oxygen absorption even when the animal is stationary, as water flows over them.
Comparison with Other Respiratory Organs
- Lungs: Used by terrestrial animals (like mammals) to breathe air; not effective in water.
- Nostrils: Primarily for air-breathing animals; not applicable for most aquatic animals.
- Legs: Some amphibians may use their skin for respiration, but this is not their primary method.
Conclusion
In summary, gills are the primary respiratory organs for aquatic animals, allowing them to thrive in water environments by efficiently extracting oxygen necessary for their metabolic processes. Understanding this helps us appreciate the adaptations these animals have developed to survive in their habitats.

Understanding Aquatic Habitats
Aquatic habitats are ecosystems primarily located in water, where organisms thrive in a unique environment. The correct answer to the question is option 'C', which is a pond.
What is an Aquatic Habitat?
- Aquatic habitats can be divided into two main categories: freshwater and marine.
- They provide a home for a diverse range of organisms, including fish, amphibians, insects, and various plant species.
Why is a Pond an Aquatic Habitat?
- Water Presence: A pond is a body of water smaller than a lake, characterized by shallow depths. It is essential for the survival of aquatic organisms.
- Biodiversity: Ponds host various aquatic life forms such as frogs, turtles, fish, and numerous plant species like lily pads and algae.
- Ecosystem Functions: Ponds play vital roles in ecological processes like nutrient cycling, providing habitats, and supporting food webs.
Why the Other Options are Not Aquatic Habitats
- Forest: Characterized by trees and terrestrial life forms; lacks the aquatic ecosystem features.
- Grassland: Dominated by grasses and land animals, it does not contain significant water bodies.
- Mountain: Composed of rocky terrains and elevation changes, with limited water habitats.
Conclusion
In summary, a pond is a quintessential example of an aquatic habitat due to its water content, biodiversity, and ecological significance, distinguishing it from forests, grasslands, and mountains.

Ocean is the answer because terrestrial habitat are the habitat which in related to forest,land,animals and ocean and land are different and both has different properties so all the option are related to land,forest and more except ocean

The primary function of the cactus's spines is to reduce water loss. In the desert environment, where water is scarce, cactus plants have adapted by modifying their leaves into spines. This adaptation minimizes the surface area from which water can evaporate, helping the plant conserve moisture. The cactus's thick, waxy stem and deep roots also contribute to its ability to survive in arid conditions.

Yaks have hair to keep them warm.
Explanation:
- Yaks are a species of large, long-haired mammals that are native to the Himalayan region of Asia.
- Hair is an important adaptation that helps yaks survive in their cold and harsh environments.
- The hair on a yak's body provides insulation, helping to retain body heat and keep them warm.
- Yaks have a thick double coat of hair consisting of a coarse outer layer and a soft inner layer.
- The outer layer of hair helps to protect the yak from the elements, such as snow, wind, and rain.
- The inner layer of hair acts as an insulating layer, trapping warm air close to the yak's body.
- The combination of these two layers of hair helps to keep the yak warm in extremely cold temperatures.
- Yaks also have longer hair around their necks and shoulders, forming a "mane" that provides additional insulation and protection.
- This hair also helps to keep the yak's skin dry by repelling moisture.
- Yaks have evolved to have hair as their primary defense against the cold, unlike other animals that may have feathers, scales, or shells.

1. Camel - Desert: Camels are well adapted to live in desert environments. They can survive with little water and have thick fur that helps insulate them from the heat.
2. Germs - Air: Germs, or microorganisms, can be found in the air, especially in dust and aerosols. They can spread diseases through the air, making this pairing correct.
3. Polar bear - Snow: Polar bears are native to Arctic regions, where there is a lot of snow and ice. They are excellent swimmers and primarily hunt seals on the sea ice, making this pairing accurate.
4. Whale - River: This pairing is incorrect because whales are marine animals that live in oceans. While some smaller species, like dolphins, can enter rivers, true whales do not typically inhabit freshwater rivers.

Abiotic components of a habitat are non-living factors that influence the living organisms within an ecosystem. These components include factors such as temperature, sunlight, water, soil, and air. Among the given options, water is the only abiotic component.

Water as an abiotic component of habitat:
- Water is essential for the survival of all living organisms. It serves as a medium for many biological processes and is necessary for the functioning of cells and tissues.
- It provides a habitat for various aquatic organisms such as fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants.
- Water availability and quality influence the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem. Different species have different requirements for water, and its availability can determine the presence or absence of certain species.
- Water plays a crucial role in regulating temperature within an ecosystem. It has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release heat without significant temperature changes. This helps maintain stable temperatures in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
- Water also acts as a solvent, allowing many substances to dissolve and be transported within an organism's body or throughout the environment. It facilitates the movement of nutrients and minerals in the soil, which are essential for plant growth.
- Additionally, water contributes to the physical structure of habitats. It shapes the landscape through erosion and deposition, creating various landforms such as rivers, lakes, and valleys.

In contrast, the other options given - Tulsi, Snail, and Bacteria - are all living organisms and thus biotic components of a habitat. Tulsi is a plant, snail is an animal, and bacteria are microorganisms. Biotic components interact with abiotic components to form complex ecosystems.

Introduction:
The tree in hilly areas is a unique ecosystem that adapts to the specific conditions of hilly terrain. These trees have certain characteristics that help them thrive in these environments. This response will discuss the statements given in the question and explain why each statement is true.

Explanation:

Statement a) These trees are normally cone shaped:
- One of the characteristics of trees in hilly areas is their cone-shaped structure. This shape helps the trees withstand strong winds that are often present in hilly regions.
- The cone-shaped structure of these trees allows wind to pass through them easily, reducing the risk of branches breaking or the entire tree toppling over.
- Additionally, the cone shape helps the tree shed snow more easily, preventing excess weight on the branches that could cause them to snap.

Statement b) They have sloping branches:
- Sloping branches are another adaptation of trees in hilly areas.
- Sloping branches help the tree withstand heavy snowfall. When snow accumulates on the branches, the sloping shape allows the snow to slide off more easily, preventing the branches from breaking under the weight.
- This adaptation is essential for the survival of these trees in regions with frequent snowfall.

Statement c) The leaves of some of these trees are needle-like:
- Many trees in hilly areas have needle-like leaves.
- Needle-like leaves have several advantages in hilly environments. They often have a waxy coating that helps reduce water loss through evaporation, allowing the tree to conserve water in dry and windy conditions.
- The needle-like leaves also minimize the surface area exposed to the wind, reducing the risk of excessive moisture loss.
- Furthermore, needle-like leaves are better adapted for shedding snow, as the narrow shape prevents snow from accumulating and weighing down the branches.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, all the statements given in the question are true. The tree in hilly areas is cone-shaped, has sloping branches, and some of these trees have needle-like leaves. These characteristics are adaptations that help the trees survive in the challenging conditions of hilly regions, including strong winds, heavy snowfall, and dry environments.

The removal of waste substances from the body is called excretion.

Excretion is the process by which waste substances, produced as a result of various metabolic activities, are removed from the body. These waste substances can be harmful if they accumulate in the body, so excretion is necessary to maintain a healthy internal environment.

Importance of excretion:
Excretion plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, which is the body's ability to regulate and maintain a stable internal environment. It helps in the removal of harmful metabolic waste products, toxins, and excess substances from the body. Some of the key waste substances that are eliminated through excretion include:

1. Carbon dioxide: During cellular respiration, carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. It is transported through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it is eliminated by exhalation.

2. Nitrogenous wastes: These are produced by the breakdown of proteins and nucleic acids. The main nitrogenous waste in humans is urea, which is formed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys in the form of urine.

3. Excess water and salts: The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of water and electrolytes in the body. They filter the blood, reabsorb necessary substances, and excrete excess water and salts through urine.

Organs involved in excretion:
Several organs are involved in the excretory process, each performing specific functions:

1. Skin: The skin helps in the excretion of sweat, which contains water, salts, and small amounts of urea. Sweating helps regulate body temperature and eliminates certain waste products.

2. Lungs: Carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, is eliminated through exhalation. The respiratory system plays a crucial role in gas exchange, ensuring the removal of carbon dioxide and the intake of oxygen.

3. Liver: The liver is responsible for the breakdown of toxins and the synthesis of urea. It detoxifies harmful substances and converts them into less toxic forms that can be eliminated from the body.

4. Kidneys: The kidneys are the primary excretory organs in the body. They filter waste products, excess water, and salts from the blood to produce urine. The urine is then transported to the bladder for storage and eventually eliminated from the body through the urethra.

Conclusion:
Excretion is a vital process for maintaining a healthy internal environment. It involves the removal of waste substances from the body, which are produced as a result of various metabolic activities. The organs involved in excretion, such as the skin, lungs, liver, and kidneys, play specific roles in eliminating waste products and maintaining homeostasis.

Animals are not abiotic factors; they are biotic factors. Abiotic factors include non-living components of the environment, such as water, soil, and air, which affect the living organisms within a habitat. Biotic factors, on the other hand, include all the living organisms in an ecosystem.

Introduction:
Cactus plants are well-known for their ability to survive in harsh and arid environments. They have adapted to live in regions with very little water and high temperatures. As a result, cactus plants are commonly found in deserts around the world.

Desert Environment:
Deserts are characterized by extremely dry conditions, receiving very little rainfall throughout the year. The lack of water makes it difficult for most plants to survive in these regions. However, cactus plants have evolved to thrive in such environments.

Adaptations of Cactus Plants:
Cactus plants have several adaptations that enable them to survive in deserts:

1. Succulent Stem: Cacti store water in their thick and fleshy stems. This allows them to retain water for long periods and withstand drought conditions.

2. Reduced Leaves: Cactus plants have modified their leaves into spines or scales to minimize water loss through transpiration. This adaptation helps them conserve water and reduce the risk of dehydration.

3. Shallow and Widespread Root System: Cacti have shallow roots that spread out horizontally near the surface of the soil. This allows them to quickly absorb any available water, even from light rainfall or morning dew.

4. Waxy Outer Layer: The outer layer of cactus plants is covered with a thick, waxy substance called cuticle. This cuticle helps to prevent water loss through evaporation.

5. Camouflage: Some cacti have a greenish-gray coloration that helps them blend in with the surrounding desert environment. This camouflage helps protect them from predators and reduces the amount of sunlight they absorb, minimizing water loss.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, cactus plants are primarily found in deserts due to their remarkable adaptations to survive in arid conditions. Their succulent stems, reduced leaves, shallow root systems, waxy outer layer, and camouflage allow them to thrive in regions with little water and high temperatures. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 'D' - deserts.

Sunlight, water, and air are abiotic components.

Explanation:
Sunlight, water, and air are essential factors for the survival of living organisms. They are considered abiotic components because they are non-living elements that affect the living organisms in an ecosystem. Let's discuss each of these components in detail:

1. Sunlight:
- Sunlight is a form of energy that comes from the sun.
- It provides the primary source of energy for almost all life on Earth through the process of photosynthesis.
- Plants and other autotrophic organisms use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
- This glucose is then utilized by plants as a source of energy to carry out various life processes.
- Sunlight also plays a crucial role in maintaining temperature, seasonal changes, and the water cycle.

2. Water:
- Water is another essential abiotic component for life.
- It is required by all living organisms for various physiological processes.
- Water is a universal solvent and is involved in various chemical reactions within cells.
- It helps in the transportation of nutrients and waste products within organisms.
- Water also plays a vital role in regulating body temperature and maintaining the moisture content of organisms.

3. Air:
- Air is the mixture of gases present in the Earth's atmosphere.
- It consists mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases.
- Oxygen is crucial for the process of respiration, which provides energy to living organisms.
- Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis in plants.
- Air also carries other substances such as pollen, spores, and pollutants that can affect the health of organisms.

In conclusion, sunlight, water, and air are abiotic components because they are non-living elements that are vital for the survival of living organisms. They provide energy, nutrients, and other essential factors necessary for the functioning of ecosystems.

In grasslands, animals need to be fast primarily to escape from predators. With few trees or places to hide, speed becomes a crucial adaptation for survival. Fast-running animals can evade predators more effectively, increasing their chances of survival in an open and exposed habitat.

Forests are an example of terrestrial habitats. Terrestrial habitats are environments found on land, as opposed to aquatic habitats, which are found in water. Examples of terrestrial habitats include forests, grasslands, and deserts, where various plants and animals have adapted to live and thrive.

Explanation:

Introduction:
Gills are specialized organs that aquatic animals use to extract oxygen from water. They are found in a variety of aquatic animals, but not all animals that live in water have gills.

Dolphin:
Dolphins are mammals and do not have gills. They are warm-blooded animals that breathe air, just like humans. Dolphins have lungs, which they use to take in oxygen from the air. When a dolphin swims to the surface of the water, it exhales through its blowhole and inhales fresh air. This allows them to survive in aquatic environments while still needing to breathe air.

Squids and Octopus:
Both squids and octopuses are cephalopods, which are a type of mollusk. They do have gills and use them to extract oxygen from water. These animals have a specialized structure called a gill lamella, which helps them efficiently extract oxygen from water. Squids and octopuses are able to pump water over their gills and extract the oxygen needed for respiration.

Fish:
Fish are the most common animals with gills. They have gill arches that support their gill filaments, where gas exchange takes place. Water flows over the gill filaments, and oxygen is extracted from the water while carbon dioxide is released. Fish are able to extract oxygen from water due to their gills, which allows them to live and survive in aquatic environments.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, out of the given options, the animal that does not have gills is the dolphin. Dolphins are mammals and have lungs to breathe air, unlike squids, octopuses, and fish that have gills for extracting oxygen from water.