Maharashtra Board Class 6 Science Chapter 3 Diversity in Living Things and their Classification PDF Download

Diversity in Living Things and their Classification

In which spheres of the earth do living things exist?

The geographical conditions at different places on the earth are very different. We find that living things exist in all these diverse conditions. When we live in a certain place, we adjust to the conditions there. Various types of living things have survived because of their ability to adjust themselves to the conditions in their surroundings.

Method of Nutrition in Plants

Plants make their own food in sunlight. Such plants are called autotrophic plants. For example, the hibiscus, pomegranate, periwinkle, etc. Some plants like funguses, loranthus, dodder use other plants for food and are said to be heterotrophic. Plants like the pitcher plant even consume insects. They are insectivorous.

Diversity in Plants

Various types of plants are found in many places around us. Some plants like grass are short, while others are tall and have a canopy. Some plants grow underwater, while some others float on water. We find that some plants grow even in deserts. Moreover, we find that there is a lot of variety in the same type of plant. For example, there are different varieties of rice or wheat, different types of roses, and mangoes of different flavours. Some plants grow even without stems, leaves or roots. These are very different from ordinary plants. Let us study this diversity among plants.

Are the plants and animals that you have seen all alike?

Teacher's Note

In India, we see many types of plants around us - from rice fields to coconut trees. Each plant looks different but they all grow from seeds.

Exam Trick

Remember: Plants can be tall like trees or short like grass. Just look at the height of the stem to know what type of plant it is.

Points to Remember

Plants make their own food using sunlight.
Some plants eat insects and are called insectivorous.
Plants come in many different sizes and shapes.
Different plants grow in different places.
Plants have many varieties within the same type.

Need for Classification of Plants

Up to now, information about lakhs of plants has been collected. While studying the diversity in plants, they are classified for the sake of convenience on the basis of the similarities and differences in their structure, their organs and their other characteristics.

The Structure of a Plant

Plant structure can generally be divided into two parts - the stem which grows above the ground and the root which grows below the ground surface.

The root, stem and leaves are the main parts of plants. From time to time, plants bear flowers for reproduction. Flowers are transformed into fruits. Fruits have seeds. Seeds give rise to new plants.

The Stem

The height, shape and size of a plant depends upon the stem. The stem carries out the functions of production, conduction and storage of food. In some plants, it has the function of reproduction. It gives support to other parts of the plant.

The Root

Roots hold the soil firmly and anchor the plant. The main functions of the root are to absorb and transport water and nutrients from the soil. The roots of the carrot and radish also store food. There are two types of roots: taproot and fibrous root.

The Leaf

The leaf is flat. It plays an important role in the production of food. Leaves are mainly of two types: simple and compound leaves.

The Flower

This is the most attractive part of a plant. It is connected to the stem by a stalk which may be long or short. A flower has a typical colour and shape. The flower is an important means of reproduction.

The Fruit

Fruits have different shapes. Fruits contain one or more seeds. The pods of beans and peas are actually fruits.

Teacher's Note

Every part of a plant has a special job. The roots drink water, the stem holds it up, and the leaves make food. In India, we can see all these parts in a mango tree.

Exam Trick

Remember: Roots go down, stems go up. Roots absorb water, leaves make food. Just think about what each part does to remember it.

Points to Remember

Roots grow below the ground and absorb water.
The stem grows above the ground and holds the plant up.
Leaves make food for the plant using sunlight.
Flowers help the plant make seeds.
Fruits protect the seeds inside them.

Need for Classification of Plants

Up to now, information about lakhs of plants has been collected. While studying the diversity in plants, they are classified for the sake of convenience on the basis of the similarities and differences in their structure, their organs and their other characteristics.

Classification of Plants

We can easily notice the differences in the shape and height of the plants in our surroundings. It is easy to classify the plants on the basis of this observation.

The scientist Carolus Linnaeus made the first scientific classification of plants. Initially, it was his method of classification that was used by all.

1. What are the similarities between a mango, a banyan and a tamarind tree?

Trees

Some plants grow tall. Their stem, or trunk, is hard and strong. They have branches at some height above the ground. They bear flowers and fruit for many years. Such plants are called trees. Trees are tall, big and perennial, i.e., they live for many years.

Teacher's Note

Trees are the biggest plants. The mango tree and neem tree in India are great examples of trees that live for many, many years.

Exam Trick

Remember: Trees have hard trunks and live for many years. Think of a banyan tree in your village - it is very old and very big.

Points to Remember

Trees are very tall plants.
They have hard and strong stems.
They live for many years.
They produce flowers and fruit every year.
Branches start high above the ground.

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