The Living Organisms Characteristics and Habitats Class 6 Questions and Answers

🌿 The Living Organisms Characteristics and Habitats Class 6 Questions and Answers

NCERT Chapter 9 with Detailed Solutions

Master The Living Organisms — Characteristics and Habitats for Class 6 Science with comprehensive questions and answers covering characteristics of living things, habitats, adaptations, biotic and abiotic components, and types of habitats. Each answer is explained in simple, student-friendly language for CBSE exams.

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The Living Organisms — Characteristics & Habitats

NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 9

📘 Quick Reference: The Living Organisms — Characteristics and Habitats

Living Organisms: Organisms that possess characteristics like growth, respiration, reproduction, response to stimuli, excretion, and need for food and water.
Characteristics of Living Things:
- Growth: Increase in size and mass over time.
- Respiration: Taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide to release energy.
- Reproduction: Producing young ones of their own kind.
- Response to Stimuli: Reacting to changes in the environment.
- Excretion: Removal of waste products from the body.
- Need for Food and Water: For energy, growth, and repair.
- Movement: Change in position or location.
Habitat: The natural home or environment where an organism lives, gets food, water, shelter, and space to reproduce.
Types of Habitats:
- Terrestrial Habitats: Land-based (forests, deserts, mountains, grasslands).
- Aquatic Habitats: Water-based (ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans).
- Aerial Habitats: Air-based (birds, insects).
Components of Habitat:
- Biotic Components: Living things (plants, animals, microorganisms).
- Abiotic Components: Non-living things (air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature).
Adaptations: Special features or behaviours that help organisms survive in their habitat.
- Desert Plants (Cactus): Spiny leaves, thick stems, deep roots.
- Desert Animals (Camel): Hump for fat storage, long legs, ability to conserve water.
- Aquatic Plants: Air spaces in stems, roots for anchoring.
- Aquatic Animals (Fish): Gills for breathing, streamlined body, fins for swimming.
Acclimatisation: Adjusting to a new environment over a short period. Example: We feel hot in summer and shiver in winter but adjust over time.

Key Points Summary Table:

Concept	Key Point
Growth	Increase in size and mass
Respiration	Oxygen in, Carbon dioxide out
Habitat	Natural home of an organism
Biotic Components	Living things
Abiotic Components	Non-living things
Adaptation	Special features for survival
Acclimatisation	Short-term adjustment

💡 Study Tip

Look around your neighbourhood and observe different living things — plants in a garden, birds on trees, fish in an aquarium, insects in soil. Ask yourself: What features help them survive there? For example, a fish has gills to breathe underwater, and a cactus has spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss. Also, try to compare your own adjustment to weather — how you wear warm clothes in winter and light clothes in summer — that's acclimatisation! Learning through observation makes this chapter easy and fun.

Question 1

What is a habitat?

✅ Answer:

A habitat is the natural home or environment where an organism lives.

Question 2

Name two characteristics of living organisms.

✅ Answer:

Growth and respiration are two characteristics of living organisms.

Question 3

What are biotic components?

✅ Answer:

Biotic components are the living things present in a habitat, such as plants and animals.

Question 4

What are abiotic components?

✅ Answer:

Abiotic components are the non-living things present in a habitat, such as air, water, soil, and sunlight.

Question 5

What is adaptation?

✅ Answer:

Adaptation is the presence of special features or behaviours that help organisms survive in their habitat.

Question 6

Name one desert plant and one desert animal.

✅ Answer:

Cactus (plant) and camel (animal) are found in deserts.

Question 7

What is the function of gills in fish?

✅ Answer:

Gills help fish to breathe underwater by taking in oxygen dissolved in water.

Question 8

What is acclimatisation?

✅ Answer:

Acclimatisation is the short-term adjustment of an organism to a new environment.

Question 9

Why do fish have a streamlined body?

✅ Answer:

Fish have a streamlined body to reduce water resistance while swimming.

Question 10

What are the two main types of habitats?

✅ Answer:

The two main types of habitats are terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water).

Question 11

Where does a camel store fat?

✅ Answer:

A camel stores fat in its hump.

Question 12

What helps a fish to swim in water?

✅ Answer:

Fins and a streamlined body help a fish to swim in water.

Question 13

What are the breathing organs of fish?

✅ Answer:

Fish breathe through gills.

Question 14

Why does a cactus have spines?

✅ Answer:

Cactus has spines to reduce water loss through transpiration.

Question 15

What is the role of air in a habitat?

✅ Answer:

Air provides oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Question 16

Name two aquatic plants.

✅ Answer:

Lotus and hydrilla are two aquatic plants.

Question 17

What is the function of roots in aquatic plants?

✅ Answer:

Roots in aquatic plants help to anchor the plant to the soil underwater.

Question 18

Why do aquatic plants have air spaces in their stems?

✅ Answer:

Air spaces help aquatic plants to float and exchange gases easily.

Question 19

Name one animal that lives both on land and in water.

✅ Answer:

Frog lives both on land and in water (amphibian).

Question 20

What are the components of a habitat?

✅ Answer:

A habitat has biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

Question 21

Why do desert animals like snakes and lizards stay in burrows during the day?

✅ Answer:

They stay in burrows to escape the scorching heat of the desert during the day.

Question 22

What type of habitat is a pond?

✅ Answer:

A pond is an aquatic habitat.

Question 23

How does a camel survive without water for many days?

✅ Answer:

A camel survives because it stores fat in its hump, which provides energy and water when needed.

Question 24

Why do mountain plants have cone shapes?

✅ Answer:

Cone-shaped mountain plants help snow to slide off and prevent damage.

Question 25

What are the three types of habitats based on location?

✅ Answer:

Terrestrial (land), aquatic (water), and aerial (air) habitats.

Question 26

Why do some animals migrate?

✅ Answer:

Animals migrate to find food, water, or a better climate to survive.

Question 27

What is the function of the swim bladder in fish?

✅ Answer:

The swim bladder helps fish to control their buoyancy and stay at different depths.

Question 28

Name one animal found in mountain habitats.

✅ Answer:

Yak is found in mountain habitats.

Question 29

Why do leaves of some plants have a waxy coating?

✅ Answer:

A waxy coating helps to reduce water loss through the leaves, especially in desert plants.

Question 30

What is the difference between a habitat and a niche?

✅ Answer:

A habitat is the physical place where an organism lives, while a niche is the role or function of that organism in its habitat.

Question 1

What is a habitat? Name the different types of habitats with examples.

✅ Answer:

A habitat is the natural home of an organism where it lives, gets food, water, and shelter.

Types of habitats:

Terrestrial (Land): Forests, deserts, mountains, grasslands.
Aquatic (Water): Ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans.
Aerial (Air): Birds and insects.

Question 2

What are the main characteristics of living organisms?

✅ Answer:

Living organisms show the following characteristics:

Growth: Increase in size and mass.
Respiration: Exchange of gases to release energy.
Reproduction: Producing young ones.
Response to Stimuli: Reacting to changes.
Excretion: Removal of wastes.
Need for Food and Water: For energy and growth.
Movement: Change in position.

Question 3

What are biotic and abiotic components of a habitat? Give two examples of each.

✅ Answer:

Biotic Components: Living things in a habitat.
Examples: Plants, animals, microorganisms.

Abiotic Components: Non-living things in a habitat.
Examples: Air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature.

Question 4

How is a camel adapted to live in a desert?

✅ Answer:

A camel is adapted to the desert because:

It has a hump to store fat (which provides energy and water).
It has long legs to walk on hot sand.
It can survive without water for many days.
It has thick skin to protect from heat.

Question 5

How is a fish adapted to live in water?

✅ Answer:

A fish is adapted to water because:

It has gills to breathe underwater.
It has a streamlined body to reduce water resistance.
It has fins to swim and balance.
It has a swim bladder to control buoyancy.

Question 6

How is a cactus adapted to survive in a desert?

✅ Answer:

A cactus is adapted to the desert because:

It has spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss.
Its stem is thick and green to store water and make food.
It has deep roots to absorb water from deep soil.
It has a waxy coating on its stem to prevent water loss.

Question 7

Why do some animals migrate? Give one example.

✅ Answer:

Animals migrate to find food, water, or a better climate when conditions in their habitat become unfavourable.

Example: Siberian cranes migrate from Siberia to India during winter.

Question 8

How do aquatic plants adapt to live in water?

✅ Answer:

Aquatic plants adapt to water by:

Having air spaces in stems to float.
Having roots for anchoring in the soil.
Having thin, flexible stems to move with water currents.
Having leaves with a waxy coating to repel water.

Question 9

What is acclimatisation? Give one example.

✅ Answer:

Acclimatisation is the short-term adjustment of an organism to a new environment.

Example: When we go to a hill station, we may feel breathless initially, but our body adjusts after a few days.

Question 10

Why do mountain goats have strong hooves?

✅ Answer:

Mountain goats have strong hooves to grip the rocky surface and climb steep slopes easily. This helps them to move safely in mountain habitats.

Question 11

How does a frog survive in both land and water?

✅ Answer:

A frog is an amphibian and is adapted to live both on land and in water:

It has webbed feet for swimming.
It has strong hind legs for jumping on land.
It can breathe through lungs on land and through moist skin in water.

Question 12

Why do desert plants have deep roots?

✅ Answer:

Desert plants have deep roots to absorb water from deep underground, as water is scarce in deserts. This helps them survive in dry conditions.

Question 13

What are the special features of fish that help them to swim?

✅ Answer:

Fish have the following features for swimming:

Streamlined body to reduce resistance.
Fins for propulsion and balance.
Strong tail for forward movement.
Swim bladder to control depth.

Question 14

Why is sunlight important for a habitat?

✅ Answer:

Sunlight is important because:

It provides energy for photosynthesis in plants.
It helps in maintaining temperature in a habitat.
It enables animals to see and move around.

Question 15

How are roots of mangroves adapted to survive in saline water?

✅ Answer:

Mangroves are adapted to saline water by:

Breathing roots (pneumatophores) that stick out of the water for oxygen.
Special root cells that filter out salt from the water.
Ability to tolerate high salinity.

Question 1

Explain the characteristics of living organisms with examples.

✅ Answer:

Characteristics of Living Organisms:

1. Growth:
Living organisms grow in size and mass over time. Example: A seed grows into a plant; a baby grows into an adult.

2. Respiration:
Living organisms take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide to release energy from food. Example: Humans breathe through lungs; fish use gills.

3. Reproduction:
Living organisms produce young ones of their own kind. Example: Birds lay eggs; plants produce seeds.

4. Response to Stimuli:
Living organisms react to changes in their environment. Example: The sunflower turns towards the sun; we blink when something comes near our eyes.

5. Excretion:
Living organisms remove waste products from their body. Example: Humans excrete urine and sweat; plants release oxygen.

6. Need for Food and Water:
Living organisms need food for energy, growth, and repair, and water for survival. Example: Plants make food through photosynthesis; animals eat plants or other animals.

7. Movement:
Living organisms show movement. Example: Animals move from place to place; plants show movement towards light.

These characteristics distinguish living organisms from non-living things.

Question 2

What is a habitat? Explain the biotic and abiotic components of a habitat with examples.

✅ Answer:

Habitat:
A habitat is the natural home or environment where an organism lives. It provides food, water, shelter, and space for reproduction.

Components of a Habitat:

1. Biotic Components:
These are the living things in a habitat.
Examples: Plants, animals, birds, insects, microorganisms.

2. Abiotic Components:
These are the non-living things in a habitat.
Examples: Air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, rocks.

How They Interact:

Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (abiotic) to make food (biotic).
Animals eat plants or other animals (biotic) for energy.
Decomposers break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil (abiotic).

Examples of Habitats:

Pond Habitat: Biotic — fish, frogs, lotus; Abiotic — water, sunlight, soil.
Desert Habitat: Biotic — cactus, camel, snake; Abiotic — sand, heat, little water.
Forest Habitat: Biotic — trees, deer, tiger; Abiotic — soil, air, water.

Question 3

Explain the adaptations of desert plants and animals.

✅ Answer:

Adaptations of Desert Plants:

1. Cactus:

Spines instead of leaves: Reduce water loss through transpiration.
Thick, green stem: Stores water and makes food.
Deep roots: Absorb water from deep underground.
Waxy coating: Prevents water loss from the stem.

2. Other Desert Plants:

Some plants have small, thick leaves to reduce water loss.
Some plants shed their leaves during dry periods.

Adaptations of Desert Animals:

1. Camel:

Hump: Stores fat, which provides energy and water.
Long legs: Walk on hot sand without burning.
Thick skin: Protects from extreme heat.
Ability to conserve water: Survives without water for days.

2. Snakes and Lizards:

Burrows: Stay underground during the day to escape heat.
Nocturnal behaviour: Come out at night when it is cooler.

3. Desert Rats:

Produce concentrated urine to conserve water.

Question 4

Explain the adaptations of aquatic plants and animals.

✅ Answer:

Adaptations of Aquatic Plants:

1. Floating Plants (e.g., Lotus, Water Lily):

Air spaces in stems: Help them float.
Broad, flat leaves: Help in floating and absorbing sunlight.
Waxy coating: Repels water and prevents rotting.

2. Submerged Plants (e.g., Hydrilla):

Thin, flexible stems: Move with water currents.
Roots: Anchor the plant to the soil.
Leaves: Absorb nutrients directly from water.

Adaptations of Aquatic Animals:

1. Fish:

Gills: Breathe underwater by absorbing dissolved oxygen.
Streamlined body: Reduces water resistance.
Fins: Help in swimming and balancing.
Swim bladder: Controls depth in water.

2. Frogs (Amphibians):

Webbed feet: Help in swimming.
Moist skin: Exchange gases in water.
Strong hind legs: Jump on land.

3. Whales and Dolphins (Mammals):

Lungs: Breathe air when they come to the surface.
Streamlined body: Swim efficiently.
Thick layer of fat (blubber): Keeps them warm.

Question 5

How do plants and animals adapt to mountain habitats?

✅ Answer:

Adaptations of Mountain Plants:

Cone shape: Trees like pine and fir have a cone shape so that snow slides off easily.
Needle-like leaves: Reduce water loss and withstand cold.
Deep roots: Anchor plants on steep slopes.
Waxy coating: Protects from cold and water loss.

Adaptations of Mountain Animals:

Yak: Has thick fur to keep warm; strong hooves to walk on rocky terrain.
Snow Leopard: Thick fur, large paws for walking on snow, and a long tail for balance.
Mountain Goat: Strong hooves to grip rocks; thick fur for warmth.
Bears: Hibernate during winter to survive cold and food scarcity.

Behavioural Adaptations:

Animals migrate to lower altitudes during winter.
Some animals grow a thick layer of fur in winter.

Question 6

Explain the difference between acclimatisation and adaptation.

✅ Answer:

Acclimatisation vs Adaptation:

Acclimatisation:

It is a short-term adjustment to a new environment.
It happens within the lifetime of an organism.
It is reversible — when the organism returns to its original environment, the adjustment is lost.
Example: A person from the plains feels breathless in the mountains but adjusts after a few days.

Adaptation:

It is a long-term change that develops over many generations.
It is genetic and passed from parents to offspring.
It is permanent — the organism is born with it.
Example: Fish have gills to breathe underwater; camels have humps to store fat.

Key Difference:
Acclimatisation is a temporary, individual adjustment, while adaptation is a permanent, evolutionary change in a species.

Question 7

Describe the different types of terrestrial habitats with examples.

✅ Answer:

Types of Terrestrial Habitats:

1. Forest Habitat:

Features: Dense trees, plenty of rainfall, rich biodiversity.
Plants: Teak, sal, bamboo, ferns.
Animals: Deer, tiger, elephant, monkeys, birds.

2. Desert Habitat:

Features: Very little rainfall, extreme temperatures, sandy soil.
Plants: Cactus, date palm, acacia.
Animals: Camel, snake, lizard, desert rat.

3. Mountain Habitat:

Features: High altitude, cold climate, rocky terrain.
Plants: Pine, fir, deodar, rhododendron.
Animals: Yak, snow leopard, mountain goat, bear.

4. Grassland Habitat:

Features: Large open areas covered with grass, moderate rainfall.
Plants: Grasses, shrubs, few trees.
Animals: Zebra, giraffe, lion, deer, grasshopper.

Question 8

What are the different types of aquatic habitats? Explain with examples.

✅ Answer:

Types of Aquatic Habitats:

1. Freshwater Habitat:

Features: Low salt content; includes ponds, lakes, rivers, streams.
Plants: Lotus, water hyacinth, hydrilla, algae.
Animals: Fish, frogs, snails, insects, turtles.

2. Marine Habitat (Ocean):

Features: High salt content; includes seas and oceans.
Plants: Seaweeds, algae, phytoplankton.
Animals: Whales, dolphins, sharks, starfish, octopus.

3. Brackish Water Habitat (Estuaries):

Features: Mix of fresh and salt water; found where rivers meet the sea.
Plants: Mangroves, salt-tolerant grasses.
Animals: Crabs, oysters, some fish, shrimp.

Adaptations in Aquatic Habitats:

Fish have gills for breathing.
Aquatic plants have air spaces for floating.
Marine animals have thick blubber for warmth.

Question 9

Why is it important to protect habitats? What are the threats to natural habitats?

✅ Answer:

Importance of Protecting Habitats:

Habitats provide food, water, and shelter to living organisms.
They maintain the balance of nature.
They support biodiversity (variety of life).
They help in climate regulation and nutrient cycling.

Threats to Natural Habitats:

Deforestation: Cutting down trees destroys forest habitats.
Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution harm living organisms.
Urbanisation: Building cities and roads destroys natural habitats.
Climate Change: Global warming affects habitats like polar regions and coral reefs.
Overexploitation: Hunting and fishing beyond sustainable limits.
Industrialisation: Factories release harmful chemicals into the environment.

How to Protect Habitats:

Plant more trees and create national parks and sanctuaries.
Reduce pollution by using eco-friendly products.
Conserve water and energy.
Spread awareness about the importance of habitats.

Question 10

Explain how living organisms depend on each other in a habitat.

✅ Answer:

Interdependence of Living Organisms in a Habitat:

Living organisms in a habitat are connected through various relationships:

1. Food Chain:

Plants (producers) make food using sunlight.
Herbivores (plant-eaters) eat plants.
Carnivores (flesh-eaters) eat herbivores.
Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle.

2. Food Web:

Many food chains interconnect to form a food web, showing complex feeding relationships.

3. Symbiosis:

Mutualism: Both organisms benefit. Example: Lichens (algae + fungi).
Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected. Example: Barnacles on whales.
Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed. Example: Mosquito on humans.

4. Decomposers:

Break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil.
Example: Bacteria, fungi, earthworms.

5. Competition:

Organisms compete for food, water, and space.

Conclusion:
Every organism in a habitat plays a role. The balance of a habitat depends on the interdependence of all living and non-living components.

📘 Quick Revision: The Living Organisms — Characteristics and Habitats

Living Organisms: Show growth, respiration, reproduction, response to stimuli, excretion, need for food and water, and movement.
Habitat: Natural home of an organism.
Types of Habitats: Terrestrial (land), Aquatic (water), Aerial (air).
Components: Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living).
Adaptations: Special features for survival.
Desert Plants (Cactus): Spines, thick stem, deep roots, waxy coating.
Desert Animals (Camel): Hump, long legs, thick skin, water conservation.
Aquatic Plants: Air spaces, waxy coating, flexible stems.
Aquatic Animals (Fish): Gills, streamlined body, fins, swim bladder.
Mountain Plants: Cone shape, needle-like leaves.
Mountain Animals (Yak): Thick fur, strong hooves.
Acclimatisation: Short-term adjustment to a new environment.
Adaptation: Long-term, genetic change over generations.