Class 6 Science Chapter 4 Question Answers - Getting to Know Plants

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What are the three main categories of plants based on their features?
Ans: Herbs, shrubs, and trees.

Q2: Name an example of a herb and a shrub.
Ans: 

• Herb: Mint
• Shrub: Pomegranate

Q3: What is the function of root hairs in plants?
Ans: Root hairs help plants absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Q4: Explain the difference between taproots and fibrous roots.
Ans: Taproots have one main root with fine roots attached, while fibrous roots have many thin roots growing from the base.

Q5: What is the main function of the stem in a plant?
Ans: The stem carries water from the roots to other parts of the plant and transports food from the leaves.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the characteristics of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Provide examples of each.
Ans: 

• Herbs are small plants with soft stems, usually having one main stem. They have shallow roots, and examples include mint and spinach.
• Shrubs are larger with many woody stems, deep roots, and examples include pomegranate and rose.
• Trees are tall, have a broad woody stem, many branches, and deep roots, with examples like mango and banyan.

Q2: Explain the functions of the root system and the shoot system in a plant.

Ans: 

• The root system anchors the plant, absorbs water, and minerals. It has root hairs for water absorption.
• The shoot system consists of the stem, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. The stem transports water and food, while leaves perform photosynthesis.

Q3: Discuss the different types of modifications seen in roots and stems of plants.

Ans: 

• Roots can be modified to store food (e.g., carrots), provide extra support (e.g., maize with prop roots), or store water (e.g., cacti).
• Stems can be modified to store food (e.g., potatoes), provide support (e.g., grapevines with tendrils), or even store water and make food (e.g., cacti).

Q4: Explain the process of photosynthesis in leaves.
Ans:  Photosynthesis is the process where leaves use chlorophyll, sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce food in the form of sugar. Oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

Q5: What are complete flowers, and what are their different parts? How do they enable plant reproduction?
Ans: 

• Complete flowers have all four parts: sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil.
• Sepals protect the bud and hold the petals during flowering.
• Stamens are male parts producing pollen, while the pistil is the female part with stigma, style, and ovary containing ovules.
• Complete flowers aid in plant reproduction as they can develop into fruits with seeds.