HOTS Questions: The Living Organisms - Characteristics & Habitats | Class 6: Additional Practice PDF Download

Q1: List the features of a lion, which help to make it "a hunter of the grasslands"
Ans: Lions have several features that make them effective hunters in grasslands:

• Camouflage: Lions have a tawny coat that blends well with the grass, helping them hide from prey until they get close for an ambush.
• Sharp Senses: Lions have keen eyesight to spot prey from afar, acute hearing to detect movement, and a good sense of smell to locate potential prey.
• Powerful Body: Their strong muscles and limbs allow them to chase and overpower fast-running prey like deer or antelope.
• Claws and Teeth: Lions possess retractable claws for gripping and sharp teeth for tearing flesh, aiding in catching and killing prey.
• Social Behavior: Lions hunt in groups called prides, which enables them to take down larger prey like buffaloes or zebras.

Q2: Compare the roots and leaves of a plant on land and an aquatic plant.
Ans:

• Roots: Land plants have deep roots for stability and to reach water. Aquatic plants have roots that can float and absorb nutrients from water.
• Leaves: Land plants have broad leaves for photosynthesis and specialized structures to prevent water loss. Aquatic plants have thin leaves to reduce resistance in water and may float on the surface.

Q3: What are the features of a cactus plant that help it flourish in the desert?
Ans: Cactus plants thrive in the desert due to these features:

• Water Storage: They have thick stems that store water for survival during dry periods.
• Reduced Leaves: Small or absent leaves minimize water loss through transpiration.
• Thick Cuticle: A waxy layer on the stem reduces evaporation.
• Spines: Spines prevent water loss and protect against herbivores.
• CAM Photosynthesis: Cacti use a special type of photosynthesis to conserve water.

Q4: How is a camel adapted to life in a desert?
Ans: Camels have special adaptations for desert life:

• Water Storage: They can store water in their humps, which helps them survive long periods without drinking.
• Reduced Water Loss: Camels sweat less and have concentrated urine, conserving water.
• Insulating Coat: Their thick fur protects them from the scorching heat during the day and cold nights.
• Nostrils: They can close their nostrils to prevent sand from entering during sandstorms.
• Tolerating High Temperatures: Camels can endure high body temperatures without becoming dehydrated.
• Digestive System: Their stomachs can handle thorny desert plants.

Q5: How is a fish adapted to life in water?
Ans: Fish are well-adapted to their aquatic habitat:

• Streamlined Body: Their shape reduces water resistance, making swimming easier.
• Fins: Fins help in steering, balancing, and propelling through water.
• Gills: Fish have gills to extract oxygen from water, allowing them to breathe.
• Swim Bladder: Many fish have a swim bladder that helps control their buoyancy.
• Scales: Scales protect their bodies and reduce friction while swimming.
• Sense Organs: Fish have sensitive lateral lines to detect vibrations and changes in water pressure.

Q6: How do animals like rats and snakes survive in a desert?
Ans: Animals like rats and snakes survive in the desert through these adaptations:

• Nocturnal Behavior: They are active during cooler nights to avoid extreme daytime heat.
• Burrowing: Many desert animals dig burrows to escape heat and predators.
• Water-efficient Metabolism: They have adapted to use minimal water, obtaining moisture from their food.
• Camouflage: Rats and snakes have colors that blend into the desert environment.
• Adapted Diet: They feed on small prey or plants suited to the desert's conditions.

These adaptations enable them to find food, water, and shelter while minimizing their exposure to the desert's challenges.

Q7: What is the basic unit of life? Explain its structure and functions.
Ans: The basic unit of life is a cell. A cell has three main parts: cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. The cell membrane is like a protective covering that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance where various cell activities occur. The nucleus is like the control center of the cell, containing the genetic material (DNA) that guides the cell's functions.

Q8: Differentiate between unicellular and multicellular organisms with examples.
Ans: Unicellular organisms are made up of a single cell, while multicellular organisms are made up of many cells. In unicellular organisms, a single cell performs all the necessary functions for survival. For example, Amoeba and Paramecium are unicellular organisms. In multicellular organisms, different cells perform specialized functions. For instance, humans and animals like dogs and cats are multicellular organisms where cells group together to form tissues and organs for specific tasks.

Q9: Explain the terms 'habitat' and 'adaptation' with examples.
Ans: A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives. It provides all the necessary conditions for the survival of that organism. For example, a pond can be the habitat of frogs. Adaptation refers to the special features or characteristics that help an organism survive in its habitat. For instance, the webbed feet of frogs are adaptations that allow them to swim in water efficiently.

Q10: Describe the characteristics that distinguish living organisms from non-living things. Provide examples to support your answer.
Ans: Living organisms possess certain characteristics that set them apart from non-living things. These characteristics include organization, growth, response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, and metabolism. For instance, living organisms are made up of cells, they grow by increasing in size and complexity, they respond to their environment (such as plants bending toward light), they reproduce to create offspring, they adapt to changing conditions (like animals growing thicker fur in cold climates), and they perform metabolic activities like obtaining energy from food.