NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 – The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings 

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 are prepared by the subject matter experts at Extramarks, as per the latest CBSE syllabus. The detailed answers in the solutions assist students in solving the NCERT textbook exercises precisely and prepare for the exams in a better way. The NCERT Solutions will also help students build a strong foundation for advanced topics which they will study in higher classes.

NCERT Class 6 Science Other Chapters Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 – The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings

9.1 Organisms and the surroundings where they live 

There are different landscapes and terrains on Earth. Many living organisms have made these terrains as their home. Creatures that live on these lands are called organisms. A surprising fact is that the opening of a volcano is also home to multiple organisms. The house you live in may contain many living organisms. The places in which animals live is called habitat. Living organisms depend on these habitats for their food, air, water, shelter, etc. 

9.2 Habitat and Adaptation 

You will get an idea about the habitat in the first chapter, but what do we understand by adaptation? Plants and animals keep changing to adjust to the surroundings they live in. This helps them to survive in their habitat. This is called adaptation. You can observe this on your own. The next time you go out, take a look at plants and animals in different regions. You can notice a change in them at different places. 

Think about the plants and animals that live under the water in the sea, ocean,rivers, lakes etc. They use dissolved air in the water to breathe. Plants and animals in deserts live accordingly to breathe air from their surroundings. 

9.3 A Journey Through Different Habitats 

Desserts – Due to lack of water, the leaves of plants in the desert shrink to spines. This prevents the loss of water during transpiration. Rats and snakes live in burrows to protect themselves from the outside heat and only come out in the evenings.  

Mountains – In this region, the trees are cone shaped and have thorns on them to prevent the accumulation of snow and rainwater. Animals that live in this region have thick fur, which protects them from the cold weather. 

Grasslands –  Plants in this region are lush green during the rainy season and turn pale and brown during the dry season. Animals live here according to the changing seasons and hence these areas are regarded as one of the most productive landscapes.

Aquatic/marine habitats – Marine habitats support aquatic life – Living organisms that live in the water and have gills in their bodies. These organisms adapt themselves to live underwater.  

Fresh Water – Living organisms that cannot live in salty water, make freshwater as their home. These include ponds, lakes, and rivers, etc.

9.4 Living Things Around Us 

The earth has both living organisms and nonliving things. Living organisms perform several functions to survive like moving, breathing, reproducing, consume food and water to grow, whereas non-living things cannot perform these functions.

As living things are made up of cells and tissues, they are subject to change and growth. The cells and tissues continue to grow in numbers and different. The mechanism of respiration might change depending on the adaptation.

Living cells change themselves according to situations. Hence living cells respond to stimuli. Stimuli help living organisms to adapt according to changing surroundings. Every living organism has a reproductive system. Living organisms have cells and tissues, which grow and reproduce new ones of their kind which increases the number of living organisms in their region. 

All living organisms consume food to grow. The digestive system converts the food we eat into the simplest form, once all the nutrients have been absorbed, the organisms get rid of the waste through excretion. In plants, excretion is known as secretion. 

Not all living things can move. Plants, bushes, and trees don’t move around as they are anchored to the ground through roots and prepare their own food through photosynthesis. 

However,  animals, being heterotrophs, have to move around in search of their food. 

Key Features for NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9

NCERT solutions can help students to score good marks in their exams. Let’s look at the key features of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9, which make them a recommended study material for students:

  • The solution covers all the chapter-end questions along with their detailed answers.
  • The solutions are prepared by subject matter experts as per the latest CBSE guidelines.
  • The solutions are precise and comprehensive.
  • The solutions are easy to access through the website and app.

Q.1 What is a habitat?

Ans- Habitat is a place or environment where an organism lives. Habitat fulfills the requirement of food, shelter, air, water and other needs of an organism that are necessary for its survival.

Q.2 How are cactus adapted to survive in a desert?

Ans- Cactus is adapted to survive in the hot and dry conditions of a desert. Following are the adaptations that help a cactus to survive in desert:

1. Leaves of cactus are present in the form of spine to reduce water loss by transpiration.

2. Roots of cactus are very long that go deep inside the soil to absorb water.

3. Stem of cactus has a thick waxy coating that helps in water retention.

Q.3 Fill up the blanks

(a) The presence of specific features, which enable a plant or an animal to live in a particular habitat, is called _______.
(b) The habitats of plants and animals that live on land are called _____habitat.
(c) The habitats of plants and animals that live in water are called _______ habitat.
(d) Soil, water and air are the ______ factors of a habitat.
(e) Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them, are called _________.

Ans-

(a) The presence of specific features, which enable a plant or an animal to live in a particular habitat, is called adaptation.
(b) The habitats of plants and animals that live on land are called terrestrial habitat.
(c) The habitats of plants and animals that live in water are called aquatic habitat.
(d) Soil, water and air are the abiotic factors of a habitat.
(e) Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them, are called stimuli.

Q.4 Which of the things in the following list are nonliving?

Ans- Plough, Mushroom, Sewing machine, Radio, Boat, Water hyacinth, Earthworm

In the above mentioned list, plough, sewing machine, radio and boat, are nonliving.

Q.5 Give an example of a non-living thing, which shows any two characteristics of living things?

Ans- Vehicles such as cars, buses, etc. show following two characteristics of living things:

1. Movement, and

2. Energy requirement

Q.6 Which of the non-living things listed below, were once part of a living thing?

Ans- Butter, Leather, Soil, Wool, Electric bulb, Cooking oil, Salt, Apple, Rubber

The non-living things butter, leather, wool, cooking oil, apple and rubber were once part of a living thing.

Q.7 List the common characteristics of the living things.

Ans- Following are common characteristics of living things:

  1. Growth
  2. Feeding
  3. Respiration
  4. Excretion
  5. Movement
  6. Reproduction
  7. Response to stimuli

Q.8 Explain why speed is important for survival in the grassland for animals that live there. (Hint: There are few trees or places for animals to hide in grasslands habitats.)

Ans- In grasslands, mainly grasses are found with very few trees. Big carnivores such as lions, tigers, etc. feed upon their preys that are found in these grasslands. It is very easy to find their prey in these regions, as there is hardly any space to hide. Preys are left with only one choice that is running from their predators. Hence, to protect themselves from their predators, preys adapt themselves by increasing their speed and increase their chance of survival in these regions.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. State the difference between regions of deserts and seas?

There is a shortage of water in the desert, which leads to more sand and dry areas. Desert is hot in the day and cold at night. Organisms living in deserts have very little access to water. 

To the contrary, Sea has abundant water, and that is why many plants and animals live in them. The aquatic plants and animals have special mechanisms, which help them in absorbing the oxygen dissolved in water.

2. Is adaptation possible in a short span of time?

No, adaptation is not a simple process. It takes a lot of time for living organisms to adapt to their surroundings. 

3. Are the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 enough for exam preparations?

Yes, the NCERT solutions are enough for exam preparations. The study materials provide precise solutions to textbook questions. Students can refer to the solutions to understand the right way of answering a question in the exam, which will ensure good marks in exams.

4. Mention the various types of habitats?

Our environment is made up of different types of habitats for living organisms to live in. Following are the types of habitats and examples of living organisms that live there:

  • Habitats on land are called terrestrial habitats.

Grasslands – Lion, deer, etc.

Deserts – Camels, snakes, cactus, etc.

Mountain regions – snow leopards, yak, etc.  

  • Habitats that are found in water are called aquatic habitats.

Oceans – Squids, octopus, etc.

Ponds and lakes – Frogs

5. What are biotic and abiotic components?

The ecosystem has two components – biotic and abiotic components. Living things such as plants, animals etc. that breathe air and consume food are biotic components. Non living things such as water, rocks, soil etc. that dont breathe air or consume food are abiotic components.

6. What are the features that all living things have in common?

All living organisms show certain features that are similar to each other. These features are common functions that the body of living organisms perform to survive which is not seen in non-living organisms. The common features in living organisms are that they breathe, they consume food, excrete and respire, they respond to stimulus, reproduce, grow and move.