class 6 science chapter 2 notes
Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Diversity in the Living World from Curiosity – easy notes, concepts, NCERT book solutions, important questions and worksheet. Learn about the diversity of living organisms, their features, habitats and classification in simple language.
Class 6 Science
Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Easy Notes, Concepts and Book Solutions
Chapter Introduction
Nature is full of different kinds of plants and animals. They differ in their size, shape, colour, food, movement, habitat and many other features. This variety is called biodiversity.
In this chapter, we learn how plants and animals can be observed, compared and grouped. We also learn how living things survive in different surroundings.
2.1 Diversity in Plants and Animals Around Us
During a nature walk, we may see grasses, bushes, trees, birds, butterflies, insects, monkeys and many other living things.
Different birds may have different sounds. Plants may have different stems, leaves and flowers. Animals may live in different places and eat different kinds of food.
Different plants can have different forms and features.
Activity 2.1: Let us explore and record
- Plan a nature walk with your teacher to a park or nearby forest.
- Observe plants, insects, birds and other animals.
- Observe the weather conditions.
- Collect only fallen leaves or flowers if permitted.
- Do not disturb plants or animals.
- Record your observations.
Features of Plants
Plants may differ in:
Examples of Plants
| Plant | Stem | Leaves | Flowers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass | Soft and thin | Long and narrow | Greenish |
| Tulsi | Hard and thin | Opposite arrangement | Pinkish purple |
| Hibiscus | Hard | Broad leaves | Large and colourful |
| Neem | Hard and thick | Compound leaves | Small flowers |
Features of Animals
Animals also show great diversity. They live in different places, eat different foods and move in different ways.
| Animal | Place | Food | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow | Tree | Insects and other food | Flies and walks |
| Ant | Soil and burrows | Leaves, seeds and insects | Walks |
| Cow | Land | Grass and leaves | Walks |
| Fish | Water | Different aquatic food | Swims |
Biodiversity
The variety of plants and animals found in a particular region is called biodiversity.
2.2 How to Group Plants and Animals?
Plants and animals can be grouped according to their similarities and differences.
Examples of grouping criteria include:
2.2.1 How to Group Plants?
Herbs
Herbs are usually small plants with soft and green stems. Example: Tomato.
Shrubs
Shrubs are medium-sized plants with hard woody stems. Their branches usually start close to the ground. Example: Rose.
Trees
Trees are tall plants with hard, thick and woody stems. Their branches generally start higher above the ground. Example: Mango.
Climbers and Creepers
Climbers have weak stems and need support to grow upward. Creepers have weak stems and spread along the ground.
Herbs, shrubs and trees differ mainly in height and stem.
Grouping Plants Based on Height and Stem
| Plant | Height | Stem | Branches | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | Tall | Brown, hard, thick | Higher up | Tree |
| Rose | Medium | Brown, hard, thin | Close to ground | Shrub |
| Tomato | Short | Green, tender, thin | Close to ground | Herb |
Leaf Venation
The pattern of veins on a leaf is called venation.
Reticulate Venation
Veins form a net-like pattern. Example: Hibiscus.
Parallel Venation
Veins run parallel to one another. Examples: Banana and grass.
Leaves can show reticulate or parallel venation.
Types of Roots
Taproot
A taproot has one main root with smaller side roots. Example: Mustard.
Fibrous Root
Fibrous roots are a bunch of similar-sized thin roots. Example: Grass.
Taproot has one main root; fibrous roots form a bunch.
Relation Between Root and Leaf Venation
| Plant type | Leaf venation | Root | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dicot | Generally reticulate | Taproot | Two cotyledons |
| Monocot | Generally parallel | Fibrous roots | One cotyledon |
Dicots and Monocots
A seed may contain one or two cotyledons.
Dicot
Seeds have two cotyledons. Example: chickpea.
Monocot
Seeds have one cotyledon. Example: maize.
2.2.2 How to Group Animals?
Animals can be grouped according to their movement, body structure, shape, size, colour, food habits and habitat.
| Animal | Movement | Body parts used |
|---|---|---|
| Ant | Walks | Legs |
| Goat | Walks and jumps | Legs |
| Pigeon | Walks and flies | Legs and wings |
| Housefly | Walks and flies | Legs and wings |
| Fish | Swims | Fins |
2.3 Plants and Animals in Different Surroundings
Examples
- Cactus has thick and fleshy stems that can store water.
- Deodar trees have a conical shape and sloping branches.
- Fish have streamlined bodies and fins for swimming.
- Camels have special features that help them survive in deserts.
A cactus has features that help it survive in a dry region.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats
Terrestrial Habitat
A habitat on land is called a terrestrial habitat.
Examples: forest, desert, grassland and mountains.
Aquatic Habitat
A habitat in water is called an aquatic habitat.
Examples: pond, lake, river and ocean.
Amphibians
Animals that can live both on land and in water are called amphibians. Example: Frog.
Loss of Biodiversity
When habitats are damaged, plants and animals may lose their homes, food and other resources. This can cause a loss of biodiversity.
Ways to Protect Biodiversity
- Protect forests and natural habitats.
- Plant and protect trees.
- Do not disturb wild animals.
- Reduce unnecessary cutting of forests.
- Keep surroundings clean.
- Protect local plants and animals.
Important Keywords
Chapter Summary
- Plants and animals show a large variety called biodiversity.
- Plants and animals can be grouped using common features.
- Plants can be grouped into herbs, shrubs and trees.
- Plants may have taproots or fibrous roots.
- Leaves may have reticulate or parallel venation.
- Dicots generally have taproots and reticulate venation.
- Monocots generally have fibrous roots and parallel venation.
- Animals can be grouped according to their movement and other features.
- Adaptations help living things survive in their surroundings.
- The place where an organism lives is called its habitat.
- Land habitats are terrestrial habitats.
- Water habitats are aquatic habitats.
- Damage to habitats can cause loss of biodiversity.
- We should protect biodiversity.
Let Us Enhance Our Learning – Book Solutions
All textbook questions are kept in their original wording.
(a) Wheat (b) Kidney beans
Wheat is a monocot. It generally has fibrous roots and parallel venation.
Kidney bean is a dicot. It has a taproot and reticulate venation.
| Plant | Root | Leaf venation |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | Fibrous | Parallel |
| Kidney bean | Taproot | Reticulate |
Horse, Dolphin, Frog, Sheep, Crocodile, Squirrel, Whale, Earthworm, Pigeon, Tortoise
A B C
| A – Aquatic | B – Terrestrial | C – Both |
|---|---|---|
|
Dolphin Whale |
Horse Sheep Squirrel Earthworm Pigeon |
Frog Crocodile Tortoise |
Radish has a taproot.
Its leaves show reticulate venation.
Both are goats and have four legs, hair and similar basic body structures.
Mountain goats have features suited to cold and rocky mountain regions. Goats living in plains have features suited to warmer, flatter surroundings.
These differences are mainly due to adaptation to different surroundings.
One possible basis is whether the animal has feathers or not.
| Group 1 – Have feathers | Group 2 – Do not have feathers |
|---|---|
| Pigeon | Cow, cockroach, bat, tortoise, whale, fish, grasshopper, lizard |
This is only one possible way of grouping the animals.
Cutting forests destroys habitats of plants and animals. It can reduce biodiversity and affect the balance of nature.
We can address this challenge by protecting forests, planting trees, reducing unnecessary cutting of trees, creating protected areas and using natural resources carefully.
(a) Mountain Goat (b) Goat found in the plains
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Plant
Does it have leaves?
Does it have reticulate venation?
A
B
The flowchart first selects plants having leaves and then checks whether their leaves have reticulate venation.
A: A plant with leaves and reticulate venation, such as hibiscus.
B: A plant with leaves but without reticulate venation, such as grass, which has parallel venation.
Sanjay can ask questions such as:
- How tall is the hibiscus plant?
- Is its stem hard or soft?
- Is its stem woody?
- Where do its branches arise?
- Does it have several branches close to the ground?
These questions help decide whether the plant has the features of a shrub.
| Group | Type of seed | Type of root | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Dicot | Taproot | |
| B | Monocot | Fibrous roots |
(a) What other similarities do plants of group A have?
(b) What other similarities do plants of group B have?
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| A – Dicot, taproot | Chickpea, mustard, kidney bean |
| B – Monocot, fibrous roots | Wheat, maize, grass |
(a) Plants of group A generally have reticulate venation and seeds with two cotyledons.
(b) Plants of group B generally have parallel venation and seeds with one cotyledon.
(a) Duck (b) Pigeon
Webbed feet
The duck has webbed feet. The toes are connected by a thin skin, unlike the separate toes of a pigeon.
Webbed feet help the duck to swim in water.
Webbed feet help a duck move efficiently in water.
Important Activities – Quick Understanding
Activity 2.2: Let us appreciate
Students think about one plant and one animal they have observed, draw them and discuss their features.
Activity 2.3: Let us group
Pictures of plants and animals are collected and grouped according to common features such as height, habitat, food or movement.
Activity 2.4: Let us group
Plants are observed for their height, stem colour, hardness, thickness and branching pattern.
Activity 2.5: Let us compare
Different leaves are compared to identify their venation.
Activity 2.6: Let us find out
Roots of small plants are observed carefully and the plants are replanted after observation.
Activity 2.7: Let us relate and analyse
Root type and leaf venation are observed together to find a possible relationship.
Activity 2.8: Let us compare
Chickpea and maize seeds are compared to observe the number of cotyledons.
Activity 2.9: Let us find out
Animals are grouped according to their movement and body parts used for movement.
Activity 2.10: Let us compare and analyse
Plants and animals from deserts, mountains, oceans, forests and other regions are compared.
Quick Revision
| Term | Easy Meaning |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Variety of plants and animals in a region. |
| Grouping | Arranging things according to common features. |
| Herb | Small plant with a soft green stem. |
| Shrub | Medium-sized woody plant with branches near the ground. |
| Tree | Tall plant with a hard, thick woody stem. |
| Venation | Pattern of veins on a leaf. |
| Taproot | One main root with smaller side roots. |
| Fibrous roots | Many thin roots of similar size. |
| Dicot | Plant whose seed has two cotyledons. |
| Monocot | Plant whose seed has one cotyledon. |
| Adaptation | Feature that helps an organism survive in its surroundings. |
| Habitat | Place where an organism lives. |
| Terrestrial | Living on land. |
| Aquatic | Living in water. |
| Amphibian | Animal that can live on land as well as in water. |
Easy Memory Tricks
Think: D-T-R
Think: M-F-P
Looking for a practice worksheet?Try this easy and useful worksheet for chapter 2 to practise what you have learned. It includes important questions and activities to help you check your understanding, strengthen your concepts and prepare better for exams
Class 6 Science Chapter 2, Diversity in the Living World, Curiosity Class 6 Science, Class 6 Science Curiosity, NCERT Class 6 Science, Class 6 Science notes, Class 6 Science solutions, Diversity in the Living World questions and answers, Class 6 Science worksheet, living organisms, habitats, classification, diversity in living world.
Download Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Worksheet