RBSE Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 10 Living Creatures Exploring their Character

Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics Class 6 Questions And Answers

RBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10 Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics Question Answer

Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics Class 6 Question Answer - Intext

Question 1. How would you now categorise a seed, as living or non-living?
Answer: A seed is categorized as a living thing. This is because a seed has the potential to grow into a new plant under suitable conditions. It contains a tiny embryo that is alive, even though it may be dormant.
In simple words: A seed is living because it can grow into a plant. It just needs the right conditions like water and warmth to start growing.

🎯 Exam Tip: When categorizing things as living or non-living, think about their ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and respire.

Let Us Enhance Our Learning

Question 1. List the similarities and differences in life cycles of plants and animals.
Answer:
**Similarities in the life cycle of plants and animals:**
1. Both plants and animals have many stages in their life cycles.
2. Both grow and develop over a period of time.
3. Reproduction happens in both plants and animals to continue their species. The cycle ensures new life forms emerge.
**Differences in the life cycle of plants and animals:**
1. The life cycle of plants typically starts from a seed, while the life cycle of animals often begins with an egg.
2. Plants continue to grow throughout their entire life, but animals usually grow only for a specific period.
3. The growth processes in animals are generally more complex when compared to plants.
In simple words: Both plants and animals grow, develop, and make new babies. Plants start from seeds and grow all their life, while animals start from eggs and stop growing after some time.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing life cycles, focus on key biological processes like birth, growth, reproduction, and death, and how they differ between kingdoms.

Question 2. The table on the next page shows some data. Study the data and try to find out examples appropriate for the conditions given in the second and third columns. If you think that an example for any of the conditions given below is not possible, explain, why?
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the key characteristics of living things: growth, respiration, movement, reproduction, excretion, and response to stimuli. Non-living things lack one or more of these.

Question 3. You have learnt that different conditions are required for seed germination. How can we use this knowledge for proper storage of grains and pulses?
Answer: Seeds need water, air, soil, and light to germinate. To store cereals and pulses properly, we must keep them in conditions where there is no moisture, no excess air, and no light. This stops them from sprouting or getting spoiled. Proper storage keeps them safe until they are needed.
In simple words: Seeds need water and air to grow. So, to store grains and pulses, we keep them dry and away from too much air and light so they do not start growing early.

🎯 Exam Tip: Proper storage conditions for seeds are the opposite of germination conditions to prevent premature sprouting and spoilage.

Question 4. You have learnt that a tail is present in a tadpole but it disappears as it grows into a frog. What is the advantage of having a tail in the tadpole stage?
Answer: In the tadpole stage, the tail helps them swim in water. Tadpoles live completely in water, so their tail is very important for moving around and finding food. As they grow into frogs and move to land, they no longer need the tail for swimming.
In simple words: Tadpoles have a tail to help them swim easily in water. It's like their personal propeller.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the physical features of an animal at each life stage to its environment and needs at that particular stage.

Question 6. What are the similarities and distinguishing features in the life cycles of a mosquito and a frog?
Answer:
**Similarities:**
1. The life cycle of both mosquitoes and frogs begins with an egg.
2. Both creatures have a larval stage in their life cycle.
3. The initial period of life for both mosquitoes and frogs is spent in water. This watery beginning is crucial for their early development.
**Distinguishing features:**
1. Mosquitoes have a pupa stage in their life cycle, but frogs do not have such a stage.
2. Adult mosquitoes live in the air, while adult frogs can live both in water and on land.
In simple words: Both mosquitoes and frogs start as eggs and have a baby stage that lives in water. But mosquitoes have a pupa stage that frogs don't. Also, grown-up mosquitoes live in the air, while grown-up frogs live in both water and on land.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing life cycles, clearly list the common stages and then highlight the unique stages or habitats for each organism.

Question 7. A plant is provided with all the conditions suitable for its growth (Fig.). Draw what you expect to see in the shoot and the root of the plant after one week. Write down the reasons.
Answer: After one week, the plant's shoot will be seen bending and growing upwards, towards the light. The root, on the other hand, will bend and grow downwards, into the soil. This happens because the shoot always grows towards the source of light (positive phototropism), and the root always grows away from light and towards gravity (positive geotropism), helping it find water and nutrients.
*A diagram showing a plant kept sideways, with the shoot bending upwards and the root bending downwards would illustrate this.*
In simple words: The plant's shoot will grow up towards the light, and its root will grow down into the soil. Plants always grow towards light and roots always grow downwards to find water.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that plant shoots exhibit positive phototropism (growing towards light) and negative geotropism (growing upwards), while roots show negative phototropism (growing away from light) and positive geotropism (growing downwards).

Question 8. Tara and Vijay set up the experiment shown in the picture (Fig.). What do you think they want to find out? How will they know if they are correct?
Answer: Tara and Vijay likely want to find out if plants grow in a particular direction based on how they receive light. They are trying to see how the plant grows when light comes from all directions (as in case 'a' and 'b') or from only one direction (as in case 'c'). They will know if they are correct by observing that the shoots of the plant grow upwards, towards the light, and the roots grow downwards, regardless of the initial setup. This shows the plant's natural response to light and gravity.
*A diagram showing three pots: (a) upright in all-direction light, (b) inverted in all-direction light, (c) upright in one-direction light. All would show shoots growing up and roots growing down.*
In simple words: Tara and Vijay want to see if plants grow in a certain direction, like towards light. They will check if the plant shoots always grow up and roots always grow down, no matter how the pot is placed or where the light comes from.

🎯 Exam Tip: When designing or analyzing experiments on plant growth, always consider the factors influencing direction, primarily light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism).

RBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10 Important Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. An example of insectivorous plant is-
(a) Drosera
(b) Bougainvillea
(c) Chrysanium
(d) Sunflower
Answer: (a) Drosera
In simple words: Drosera is a plant that eats insects to get extra food it needs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that insectivorous plants, like Drosera, Venus flytrap, and pitcher plants, are adapted to trap and digest insects, usually due to living in nutrient-poor soils.

Question 2. Which plant's leaves suddenly shrink when they are touched?
(a) Casuarina
(b) Mimosa
(c) Amla
(d) Petunia
Answer: (b) Mimosa
In simple words: The Mimosa plant's leaves fold up quickly when you touch them.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Mimosa pudica (touch-me-not plant) is a classic example of thigmonasty, a plant's non-directional movement response to touch or vibration.

Question 3. Which of the following is non-living?
(a) Student
(b) Insect
(c) Mosquito
(d) Water
Answer: (d) Water
In simple words: Water is not alive; it does not grow, breathe, or reproduce like students, insects, or mosquitoes do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between living and non-living things by recalling the seven life processes: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition.

Question 5. What is necessary for seed germination?
(a) Air
(b) Water
(c) Light
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: Seeds need air, water, and sometimes light to start growing into a plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: While all three are generally important, remember that some seeds do not require light for germination; adequate temperature is also a critical factor.

Question 6. Which stage of mosquito lives in water?
(a) Larva and adult
(b) Larva and pupa
(c) Pupa and adult
(d) Egg and adult
Answer: (b) Larva and pupa
In simple words: The baby mosquito, called a larva, and the next stage, called a pupa, both live in water before becoming an adult mosquito.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the full life cycle of common insects like mosquitoes and butterflies, especially identifying the stages that live in different habitats.

Question 7. How many stages are there in the life cycle of a silkworm?
(a) 4
(b) 3
(c) 2
(d) 5
Answer: (a) 4
In simple words: A silkworm goes through four main stages in its life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult moth.

🎯 Exam Tip: The life cycle of a silkworm is a classic example of complete metamorphosis, involving four distinct stages.

Question 8. Correct sequence of events in the life cycle of frog is-
(a) Egg, froglet, tadpole, adult
(b) Tadpole, egg, froglet, adult
(c) Egg, tadpole, froglet, adult
(d) Adult, froglet, tadpole, egg
Answer: (c) Egg, tadpole, froglet, adult
In simple words: A frog's life starts as an egg, then it becomes a tadpole, then a froglet, and finally a grown-up frog.

🎯 Exam Tip: Visualizing the life cycle can help remember the order: eggs laid in water, aquatic tadpole, developing froglet, and finally the adult frog.

Question 10. (i) Coleus (ii) Petunia (iii) Calendula (iv) Zinnia, which of the following plant requires darkness to germinate?
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i) and (iv)
Answer: (c) (iii) and (iv)
In simple words: Calendula and Zinnia seeds need to be in the dark to sprout and start growing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Some seeds, like Calendula and Zinnia, are "dark germinators," meaning light can inhibit their germination, so always check specific plant requirements.

Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Insectivorous plants are dependent on ................. for their nutrition.
Answer: insects
In simple words: Plants that eat insects depend on insects for their food.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that insectivorous plants primarily get nitrogen and other nutrients from insects, not energy, as they still perform photosynthesis.

Question 2. All living beings respond to .................
Answer: stimuli
In simple words: All living things react to changes around them.

🎯 Exam Tip: A stimulus is any change in the environment that causes a response in an organism.

Question 3. Removal of waste products from the body is called .................
Answer: excretion
In simple words: Getting rid of waste from the body is called excretion.

🎯 Exam Tip: Excretion is one of the fundamental life processes, vital for maintaining an organism's internal balance.

Question 4. The outer covering of the seed is called .................
Answer: seed coat
In simple words: The hard outside layer of a seed is called the seed coat.

🎯 Exam Tip: The seed coat protects the embryo and its food supply from damage and drying out.

True/False

Question 1. Flowers in plants bloom only during the day. (True/False)
Answer: False
In simple words: Not all flowers open during the day; some open at night.

🎯 Exam Tip: Many factors influence flowering time, including light, temperature, and pollinators, leading to variations in blooming schedules.

Question 2. All living beings reproduce. (True/False)
Answer: True
In simple words: Every living thing makes new living things like itself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reproduction is a defining characteristic of life, ensuring the continuation of species.

Question 3. When a plant is kept upright, the shoot grows upwards and root grows downwards. (True/False)
Answer: True
In simple words: If a plant stands straight up, its stem goes up, and its roots go down.

🎯 Exam Tip: This illustrates phototropism (shoots towards light) and geotropism (roots towards gravity), fundamental plant growth responses.

Question 4. All seeds need light to germinate. (True/False)
Answer: False
In simple words: Not all seeds need light to sprout; some actually need darkness.

🎯 Exam Tip: While some seeds need light to germinate (positive photoblastic), others require darkness (negative photoblastic), and many are indifferent.

Match The Words Given In Column-I With Column-II

Question 1. Match the words given in Column-I with Column-II
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly understand the definition of each term (stimulation, excretion, respiration, reproduction) to correctly match them with their corresponding descriptions.

Question 2. Match the words given in Column-I with Column-II
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on linking each item in Column-I to its most direct or characteristic association in Column-II, especially regarding life stages and plant structures.

Question 1. What is reproduction?
Answer: Reproduction is the process where living beings create new living things of their own kind. It is how life continues from one generation to the next, making sure the species does not die out.
In simple words: Reproduction is when living things make new babies like themselves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that reproduction is essential for the continuity of species, not just for individual survival.

Question 2. What is meant by germinated seed?
Answer: A germinated seed is one from which a sprout has started to grow. This means the seed has absorbed water, and the tiny plant inside has begun to emerge and develop into a seedling.
In simple words: A germinated seed is a seed that has started to grow and has a tiny sprout coming out.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that germination is the first step in a plant's life cycle, initiated by specific environmental conditions.

Question 3. What do living beings need for their growth and development?
Answer: Living beings need food, also known as nutrition, for their growth and development. Food provides the energy and building blocks necessary for cells to divide, tissues to form, and the organism to increase in size and mature.
In simple words: Living things need food to grow bigger and develop properly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect food/nutrition directly to energy and material for growth and the overall process of development.

Question 4. How do plants respire?
Answer: Plants respire through tiny pores found on the surface of their leaves, which are called stomata. These stomata allow gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide to move in and out of the plant, helping it breathe. They also have lenticels on stems for gas exchange.
In simple words: Plants breathe through very small holes on their leaves called stomata.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention stomata as the primary sites of gas exchange in leaves, crucial for both respiration and photosynthesis.

Question 5. What is excretion?
Answer: Excretion is the process by which living beings remove waste products from their bodies. These waste products are often harmful and need to be eliminated to maintain health and proper bodily function.
In simple words: Excretion is when living things get rid of waste from their bodies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define excretion as the removal of metabolic waste products, distinguishing it from egestion (removal of undigested food).

Question 6. Do plants also excrete?
Answer: Yes, plants also excrete. They get rid of excess water and minerals, often in the form of tiny droplets on the surface of their leaves. This process is called guttation or transpiration, which helps to remove waste and regulate water content.
In simple words: Yes, plants do excrete. They get rid of extra water and minerals through their leaves as small drops or vapor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide examples of how plants excrete, such as transpiration (water vapor) and guttation (liquid droplets), or storing wastes in old leaves that fall off.

Question 7. What is 'stimulus'?
Answer: A stimulus is any object or event that causes an organism to respond. It is a change in the environment that can trigger a reaction from a living being, like a loud noise, light, or touch.
In simple words: A stimulus is anything that makes a living thing react or respond.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that stimuli can be internal or external and are crucial for an organism's survival and interaction with its environment.

Question 9. When is a plant considered dead?
Answer: A plant is considered dead when it stops growing and its life activities gradually come to an end, even when all the necessary conditions like water, light, and nutrients are available. It means the plant can no longer carry out its vital functions.
In simple words: A plant is dead when it stops growing and all its life processes stop, even if it has water and light.

🎯 Exam Tip: Dying plants will show symptoms like wilting, discolored leaves, and lack of new growth, even with proper care.

Question 10. Which stages do mosquitoes pass through in their life cycle?
Answer: Mosquitoes pass through four stages in their life cycle: (i) egg, (ii) larva, (iii) pupa, and (iv) adult stage. Each stage looks very different from the others, which is a process called complete metamorphosis.
In simple words: Mosquitoes go through four stages: first an egg, then a larva, then a pupa, and finally a grown-up mosquito.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the stages of a mosquito's life cycle is important for understanding how to control mosquito populations and prevent diseases they carry.

Question 11. Why do mosquito larvae and pupae repeatedly come to the surface of water?
Answer: Mosquito larvae and pupae live in water, but they still need air to breathe. That is why they repeatedly come to the surface of the water. They have special tubes or siphons to take in oxygen from the air above the water.
In simple words: Mosquito larvae and pupae come to the water surface many times because they need to get air to breathe.

🎯 Exam Tip: This adaptation makes mosquito control effective by disturbing the water surface or adding oil to block air access for larvae and pupae.

Question 12. What is known as a spawn?
Answer: A spawn is known as a cluster of frog eggs that look like a jelly-like substance. These eggs are laid in water and are protected by the jelly until they hatch into tadpoles. Spawns are typically found in shallow, calm water bodies.
In simple words: A spawn is a bunch of frog eggs that are held together by a jelly-like material.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding terms like 'spawn' helps differentiate the early life stages of amphibians from other animals.

Question 13. Which stages are found in the life cycle of a frog?
Answer: In the life cycle of a frog, four main stages are found: (i) egg, (ii) tadpole, (iii) froglet, and (iv) adult stages. Each stage shows significant changes in form and habitat as the frog grows.
In simple words: A frog's life cycle has four stages: egg, tadpole, froglet, and adult frog.

🎯 Exam Tip: The frog life cycle is an excellent example of metamorphosis, where an aquatic larva transforms into a semi-aquatic or terrestrial adult.

Question 14. Who ensures the continuity of living beings?
Answer: The process of reproduction ensures the continuity of living beings. Through reproduction, new individuals are created, allowing a species to survive and continue existing over many generations, preventing extinction.
In simple words: Reproduction makes sure that living things continue to exist and do not disappear.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reproduction is one of the essential characteristics of life, fundamental for the survival of a species.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Do plants also show movements? Give examples.
Answer: Although plants do not move from one place to another like animals, they do show certain types of movements. For example:
1. The blooming of flowers is an example of movement in plants. Many flowers open in the morning and close at night.
2. Climber plants also show movement by winding themselves around any object placed close to them, like a support or another plant. This movement helps them grow upwards.
In simple words: Yes, plants move, but not by walking. Flowers opening and closing, and climbing plants wrapping around things, are examples of plant movements.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between movement (any change in position or orientation) and locomotion (moving from one place to another). Plants exhibit movement but not locomotion.

Question 2. What are the common characteristics found in all living beings?
Answer: The essential features found in all living beings include:
1. **Movement:** They can change position or orientation, even if not physically moving from place to place.
2. **Nutrition:** They need to eat or make food to get energy.
3. **Growth:** They increase in size and develop over time.
4. **Respiration:** They breathe or exchange gases to release energy from food.
5. **Excretion:** They remove waste products from their bodies.
6. **Response to Stimuli:** They react to changes in their environment.
7. **Reproduction:** They produce new individuals of their own kind.
8. **Death:** All living beings eventually die.
In simple words: All living things move, eat, grow, breathe, get rid of waste, react to changes, make new babies, and eventually die.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the seven life processes (MRS GREN - Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition) as key characteristics of living organisms.

Question 3. Tell about two types of excretion in animals?
Answer: Animals excrete waste in different ways. Two common types of excretion in animals are:
1. **Sweat:** This is released from the body as a waste material and contains water and salts. Sweating helps to regulate body temperature and remove excess salts.
2. **Urine:** This is also formed as a product of excretion in animals and contains urea, a nitrogenous waste product. Urine is primarily produced by the kidneys and removed from the body.
In simple words: Animals get rid of waste in two ways: through sweat, which is water and salt from the skin, and through urine, which contains a waste called urea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that different excretory products (like sweat, urine, carbon dioxide) are removed through different organs (skin, kidneys, lungs).

Question 4. How can the life cycle of mosquitoes be interrupted? Explain by example.
Answer: The life cycle of mosquitoes can be interrupted by sprinkling kerosene on stagnant water. Kerosene forms a thin layer on the surface of the water. This layer prevents air from reaching the mosquito larvae and pupae that live in the water. As a result, the larvae and pupae are unable to inhale air and die, stopping the mosquito from growing into an adult. This is an effective way to control mosquito populations.
In simple words: We can stop mosquitoes from growing by putting kerosene on still water. The kerosene makes a layer that stops baby mosquitoes from breathing air, so they die.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on targeting the aquatic stages (larvae and pupae) of mosquitoes for effective interruption of their life cycle, as they are vulnerable to surface interventions.

Question 5. When is a living being considered dead?
Answer: A living being is considered dead when all its vital life functions, such as growth, respiration, reproduction, and response to stimuli, permanently cease. This means it can no longer maintain its biological processes or interact with its environment, regardless of external conditions.
In simple words: A living thing is dead when it stops all its life activities like breathing, growing, and reacting.

🎯 Exam Tip: The absence of all seven life processes (MRS GREN) is the definitive indicator of death for an organism.

Question 6. Is sunlight essential for germination of seeds?
Answer: Generally, most seeds do not require light for germination; in fact, some even need darkness to sprout. However, after germination, once the seed has sprouted, sunlight becomes essential for the growth of the young plant (bud or seedling) to perform photosynthesis and develop properly.
In simple words: Most seeds do not need light to sprout, but after they sprout, sunlight is very important for the baby plant to grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between germination requirements (which vary greatly by species) and seedling growth requirements (where light is almost universally essential for photosynthesis).

Question 7. Draw a labelled diagram of a germinated seed of a bean.
Answer: A germinated bean seed would show the seed coat, which is the outer protective layer, and the embryo inside. The embryo would have a small root (radicle) emerging downwards and a small shoot (plumule) emerging upwards, indicating that germination has begun. The cotyledons (seed leaves) would also be visible, providing food for the young plant.
*A simple diagram showing a bean seed with its seed coat broken, a radicle growing downwards, and a plumule growing upwards. The cotyledons are visible inside.*
In simple words: You would draw a bean seed with its outer skin, and a tiny root growing down and a tiny shoot growing up from inside.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice labeling the key parts of a germinating seed: seed coat, radicle, plumule, and cotyledons.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Do plants also respond to stimuli? Explain by example.
Answer: Yes, plants definitely respond to stimuli, even though they do not move around like animals. They show various types of movements and changes in response to environmental cues. Here are some examples:
1. **Touch-me-not plant (Mimosa pudica):** When you touch its leaves, they quickly fold inwards and droop. This is a rapid response to the stimulus of touch.
2. **Sleep movements:** Some plants, like the Amla tree or certain flowering plants, fold their leaves or close their flowers after sunset and open them again in the morning. This is a response to the light-dark cycle.
3. **Night-blooming flowers:** The flowers of some plants, like the evening primrose or night-blooming jasmine, open only at night, responding to the absence of daylight and presence of specific pollinators.
4. **Phototropism:** Plant shoots grow towards a light source, while roots often grow away from it. This growth towards or away from light is a response to the light stimulus.
5. **Geotropism:** Plant roots grow downwards into the soil in response to gravity, which helps them anchor the plant and find water and nutrients. This is a response to gravity.
In simple words: Yes, plants react to things like touch or light. The touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched. Some flowers open in the day and close at night, or only open at night. Also, plant stems grow towards light, and roots grow downwards because of gravity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide diverse examples of plant responses, categorizing them by the type of stimulus (e.g., touch, light, gravity) to show a comprehensive understanding.

Question 2. Explain the role of light and darkness in seed germination with an example.
Answer: The role of light and darkness in seed germination varies greatly depending on the plant species.
1. **Light:** Some seeds are "positive photoblastic," meaning they need light to germinate. For example, lettuce seeds often require exposure to light to sprout. The light signal ensures that the seeds germinate on or very near the soil surface, where their tiny seedlings can immediately begin photosynthesis. Light affects phytochromes, plant pigments that play a role in germination.
2. **Darkness:** Other seeds are "negative photoblastic" and require darkness to germinate. Examples include Calendula and Zinnia. These seeds sprout best when buried under a layer of soil, which provides the necessary dark conditions. This adaptation prevents them from germinating on the surface where they might dry out or be exposed to predators before establishing roots.
Generally, most seeds are indifferent to light and can germinate in either light or dark as long as other conditions (water, temperature, oxygen) are met. However, once germinated, all seedlings need light for photosynthesis and proper growth.
In simple words: Some seeds need light to sprout, like lettuce, so they grow on top of the soil. Other seeds, like Calendula and Zinnia, need darkness to sprout and grow best when buried. But after sprouting, all baby plants need light to grow strong.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between "photoblastic" seeds (light-sensitive for germination) and "non-photoblastic" seeds (light-insensitive), and always mention the importance of light for photosynthesis after germination.

Question 4. Explain the life cycle and importance of silkworm.
Answer: The life cycle of a silkworm has four main stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult moth. First, the eggs hatch into tiny larvae, which are also called caterpillars. These larvae eat a lot and grow bigger. Then, they make a special thread-like material and wrap it around themselves to form a pupa. This stage helps them transform into an adult moth. The thread made by the silkworm larva is very useful. It is collected and used to make beautiful silk clothes. This makes silkworms very important for the textile industry.
In simple words: Silkworms go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva spins a thread, which we use to make silk clothes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the four stages of the silkworm's life cycle in order: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Also, know why they are important for humans.

Question 5. Explain movement in plants with the example of insectivorous plant.
Answer: Plants do show movement, and a good example is seen in insectivorous plants. These special plants get their food, or nutrition, by catching insects. For instance, the Drosera plant, also known as sundew, has saucer-shaped leaves. These leaves have many sticky, hair-like parts of different lengths. When an insect lands on these sticky hairs, the hairs quickly move inwards and trap the insect. This movement helps the plant catch its prey.
In simple words: Insectivorous plants like Drosera move their sticky hairs to catch insects for food. This shows that plants can move too, even if they don't walk around.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining plant movement, an insectivorous plant is a strong example because their movements are very visible and clear.

Question 6. "Even though plants do not move from one place to another, they still show motility.” Explain the statement.
Answer: The statement means that while plants don't walk or run from one place to another like animals, they still make different kinds of movements. For example, flowers open up during the day and close at night. Another example is insectivorous plants, which move parts of their leaves to trap insects for food. Also, climbing plants, like vines, will twist and grow around any support nearby. These actions show that plants have their own ways of moving.
In simple words: Plants don't walk, but they do move their parts, like flowers opening, insect-trapping leaves, or climbers wrapping around things.

🎯 Exam Tip: To explain plant motility, always give clear examples like flower blooming, insect trapping, or climbing growth.

Essay Type Questions

Question 1. Describe those common characteristics which differentiate living beings from non-living things?
Answer: Living things are different from non-living things because they show several key characteristics: 1. **Movement:** All living beings can move. Even if plants do not change their location, they show movements like bending towards light or closing leaves. 2. **Growth:** Living beings increase in size and change over time. 3. **Nutrition:** They need food for energy, growth, and development. This food helps them stay healthy and active. 4. **Respiration:** All living things breathe to stay alive. They take in air (or gases) and release other gases. Plants have tiny openings on their leaves called stomata for this purpose. 5. **Excretion:** Living beings remove waste products from their bodies. Animals excrete sweat and urine, while plants release excess water and minerals as small droplets from their leaves. 6. **Response to Stimuli:** They react to changes around them, such as light, touch, or temperature. 7. **Reproduction:** Living beings create new individuals of their own kind. This process is important for continuing their species.
In simple words: Living things move, grow, eat, breathe, remove waste, react to changes, and make more of themselves. Non-living things do none of these.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing characteristics, provide a short explanation for each point. Using clear headings for each characteristic can also help score better.

Question 3. How does sunlight affect the direction of growth of different parts of a plant? Explain by drawing a labelled diagram.
Answer: Sunlight greatly influences how different parts of a plant grow. Plants generally grow towards light (phototropism), while roots grow away from light and towards gravity (geotropism). 1. **Plant kept upright with sunlight from all directions:** If a plant is standing straight and gets light from all sides, its roots will grow downwards into the soil. At the same time, its shoot (stem and leaves) will grow straight upwards, reaching for the light. 2. **Plant placed upside down with sunlight from all directions:** If the plant is turned upside down, the roots will still bend and grow downwards towards the ground. The shoot will also bend and grow upwards, trying to reach the light. This shows how strong the plant's response to light and gravity is.
In simple words: Sunlight guides plant growth. Shoots always grow towards light, and roots always grow downwards, even if the plant is placed upside down.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing plant growth, remember that shoots show positive phototropism (grow towards light) and negative geotropism (grow away from gravity), while roots show negative phototropism (grow away from light) and positive geotropism (grow towards gravity).

Question 4. Explain the life cycle of a plant by drawing a diagram.
Answer: The life cycle of a plant starts when a seed begins to sprout, a process called germination. After germination, the plant goes through several stages of growth and development. These stages include growing leaves, stems, and eventually producing flowers. The flowers then develop into fruits that contain new seeds. These new seeds, when planted, can germinate and grow into new plants, continuing the cycle. Every seed holds the potential for a complete new life cycle.
In simple words: A plant's life starts as a seed, grows into a plant, makes flowers, then fruits with new seeds, and then those seeds start new plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the sequence of stages: seed, germination, growth, flowering, fruit formation, and new seed production.

Question 5. Explain the life cycle of a mosquito by drawing a diagram.
Answer: Mosquitoes go through a complete life cycle with four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The cycle begins with an egg, which is often laid on or near water. This egg hatches into a larva, sometimes called a "wriggler," which lives in water. The larva then changes into a pupa, which is also aquatic. Finally, the pupa develops into an adult mosquito, which can fly. After emerging, the adult mosquito may rest on the water's surface before flying off. Adult mosquitoes typically live for about 10 to 15 days, with female mosquitoes laying new eggs to restart the cycle.
In simple words: Mosquitoes have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. They start as eggs in water, grow into larvae and pupae in water, and then become flying adults that lay new eggs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that mosquitoes have complete metamorphosis, meaning four distinct stages. Knowing that the first three stages are water-based is crucial for understanding mosquito control.

Question 6. Describe the life cycle of a frog with a diagram.
Answer: The life cycle of a frog involves four main stages: egg, tadpole, froglet, and adult frog. It starts when a female frog lays eggs, which appear in jelly-like clusters called spawn, usually in water. These eggs hatch into larvae known as tadpoles. Initially, tadpoles have a tail and no legs, breathing through gills and living fully in water. As they grow, they develop hind legs, and later front legs. The tadpole then changes into a froglet. During this stage, its tail gradually shortens and disappears, and its legs become stronger. Finally, the froglet fully develops into an adult frog, which can live both in water and on land.
In simple words: Frogs start as eggs called spawn, hatch into tadpoles that live in water, then change into froglets that lose their tails, and finally grow into adult frogs that can live on land and in water.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the transformation stages: egg (spawn), tadpole (aquatic, gills, tail), froglet (tail shortens, legs develop), and adult frog (no tail, strong legs, lives on land and water).

RBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10 Notes

• Everything around us can be sorted into two groups: living things and non-living things.
• Living things have key features: they move, eat, grow, breathe, remove waste, react to changes, make more of their own kind, and eventually die. If something lacks any of these, it's considered non-living.
• When a seed begins to sprout and a tiny shoot comes out, it is called a germinated seed. For seeds to germinate, they need enough water, air, and the right light or dark conditions.
• As seeds germinate, the roots usually grow downwards into the soil, while the shoots (stem and leaves) grow upwards towards the light.
• A plant's life journey begins with seed germination. It then goes through many steps of growing and changing. This includes making flowers and producing new seeds. The new seeds from this plant will then start new plants, continuing the cycle.
• Mosquitoes go through a life cycle of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Frogs also have several life stages: eggs, tadpoles, froglets, and adult frogs.
• Some living creatures, like mosquitoes and frogs, change a lot as they grow through their life cycles. Their body shape, structure, and even where they live (their habitat) can be very different in each stage.