2-
The Living World
Q 1. Fill in the blanks with the
proper words from the brackets :
Ans.
1) The
process by which plants make their own food is called photosynthesis.
2) To
inhale oxygen and to exhale carbon dioxide is called respiration.
3) The
elimination of waste substances from the body is called excretion.
4) The
ability to respond to an event is called stimuli to responsiveness
5) On completing
their lifespan. every living thing dies.
Q 2. What helps them to breathe?
(1) A fish - gills
(2) A snake – lungs
(3) A crane - lungs aided with air sacs
(4) An earthworm - skin (cuticle)
(5) Man - lungs, diaphragm helps in breathing tiny
pores on the leaves
(6) A banyan tree – tiny pores on the leaves
(7) A caterpillar – spiracles.
Q 3. Write the uses of the following
animals and plants :
Animals
: Honey bees, sharks, yaks. sheep. earthworms, dogs. bivalves. horses, mice
Plants
: Ginger, mango, eucalyptus. babul (acacia), teak spinach aloevera, turmeric
holy basil karanja, moh, mulberry grapevine.
Ans.
Animals
: (1) Honey bees : Honey bees collect nectar from the flowers and convert it
into
honey,
Honey is stored in a bee hive Bee-wax and honey are the useful products for us.
Honey can be used in confectionery and as medicine. Honey bees help in pollination
of the plants and thus are helpful for farmers and orchard owners
(2)
Sharks : Shark-liver oil is obtained from sharks. Shark meat is also used as food.
Shark fins are in great demand in foreign countries as it is considered as a
delicacy. Skin of shark is used for making some items. Shark meat is also used
in cattle and poultry feed
(3)
Yaks : Yaks are mainly used as a beast of burden and a means of transport in hilly
and snowclad regions. In Nepal and Tibet, yaks are used for ploughing the
fields. Yak-meat is consumed in some remote areas. Yak milk and the cheese
known as Churpi as well as yak butter are widely used in Tibet. Yak dung is
used as fuel.
(4) Sheep : Sheep provides us with wool At
some places sheep meat is used as food. Sheep milk is used by the shepherd
community. From the excreta Or pellets of sheep. a good quality fertilizer is
obtained. Since sheep have the habit of grazing, they are used for clearing the
vegetation
(5)
Earthworms : Earthworms wriggle through the soil. They help in decomposition
or
dead and decaying remains of animals and plants. They loosen the soil with the
help of earthworms. vermicomposting of the degradable wastes is also done. Due
to earthworms. Soil becomes fertile. Therefore, they are considered as friends
of farmers.
(6)
Dogs : Dog is a loyal and faithful animal and considered as the best friend of Man.
Dog guards the house and properties of his owner Sniffer dogs are trained to
track narcotics and explosives. Due to this they are in the team of police and
army. Dogs play with children and entertain them. Dogs are also used for
medical research.
(7) Bivalves
: Bivalve is the soft bodied animal inside the two shells. These shells are
made up of calcium carbonate. These shells have multiple uses. Decorative
articles are made from these. The crushed shells are also used in building
material. In medicinal preparations the shells are used. The soft animal inside
the shell is considered as delicacy Pearls are cultured inside the shell of
bivalve called pearl oyster
(8) Horses
Horse is used as means of transport since olden days. They also draw carts and
carriages. In army and police force too, horses are used. Racing of horses is
also a sport.
(9)Mice : Mice are more harmful than being
useful. They destroy the food and also
cause
transmission of diseases like plague. However, they are used in biology labs as
the experimental animals.
Plants:
(1)Ginger:
Ginger is used in various dishes. It is also used as a popular medicine. Ginger
extract is a remedy for all kinds of aches and pains. Dried ginger powder (Sunth)
is of great medicinal value. As a home remedy, ginger and sunth are safely used
against headache, nausea, acidity.
(2) Mango
: Mango is considered as the king of fruits. Mangoes ripen during summer
season. They contain very high level of vitamin A and fructose sugar. Various
products are prepared from mangoes, such as mango juice. pulp. ice cream,
squash, pickles, etc. Leaves of mango tree arc considered to be sacred by
Hindus. They are used in religious events.
(3) Eucalyptus
: The oil obtained from leaves of the tree have medicinal value. Even the dried
leaves are of some use. The Eucalyptus oil is a remedy for cold and fever. It
is also used as an astringent. It wards off the foul smell. The bark of the
eucalyptus tree is also used. Its stem is used for making paper.
(4) Babul
(Acacia) : The leaves and legumes of the Babul tree arc used as cattle feed.
The delicate twigs of this tree are used for cleaning teeth. Due to thorny
mature, the branches of Babul are used for making compounds and enclosures. The
gum oozing out from the barks of the tree is in great demand. The wood of babul
is very tough and hence used in shipbuilding
(5) Teak : Teak wood is used for making
furniture. Teak is therefore in great demand Wood from teak is used in house
building for making doors and windows. To supply this demand the Indian Forest
Department cultivates teak trees on a large scale.
(6)
Spinach: Spinach is a very popular green leafy vegetable. It contains many Vitamins
and minerals and is rich in iron. Consuming spinach regularly keeps us in good
health. Spinach is said to enhance health of heart and it also boosts the
memory. It is also a good remedy to relieve constipation.
(7)
Aloe vera : Aloe vera is a medicinal plant. The sap and juice of Aloevera is
very effective against different skin infections, cuts, bruises. burns and
wounds. Consuming aloevera juice regularly gives relief in digestive
complaints. Aloe vera is also used in treatment of diabetes and cancer. The gel
of aloc vera is used in cosmetic products,
(8)
Turmeric : Turmeric is regularly used in daily cooking. It has many medicinal properties.
Turmeric is effective in wound healing as it has antiseptic properties. It is
also a germicidal. It is used in cosmetics Cough and cold can be effectively cured
by consuming milk with turmeric powder in it.
(9)
Holy basil : Holy basil is a medicinal herb. In the Hindu religion. holy basil
is
considered to be very auspicious. Juice obtained from Ieaves of basil plant
cures many diseases. Basıl plant keeps the insects away. In olden days, every
courtyard used to have a basil plant. The dried stems of basil yield beads,
which are used by saints. In Ayurveda. many medicines are prepared from Basil
In Thailand. basil is used in cooking for a particular flavour. From 'Karpur
Tulsi' variety of basil, the oil is extracted.
(10)
Karanja : (Pongamia pinnata)
From
the tree, fruits, leaves, roots. bark. seeds and twigs of Karanja, oil is
extracted. Ayurvedic medicines which are effective on a variety of diseases are
obtained from Karanja tree and seeds of Karanja. Karanja is also used for the
manufacture of biodiesel. Karanja is also used as fuel wood.
(11)
Moh : (Madhuca longifolia)
The
trees of Moh are seen in the forested areas. From the seeds and flowers of Moh
tree medicines and other extracts are obtained. The oil from Moh tree is
effective in headache. Skin infections and rheumatism. In Gadchiroli district
of Maharashtra. jam is prepared from the flowers of Moh tree. Among tribal
folk, wine made from Mon is very popular.
(12) Mulberry
: The Mulberry tree is of special importance for the occupation of sericulture
Silkworm feeds on mulberry Ieaves during its development. Then it converts
itself into a cocoon. From the cocoon, sulk is obtained. Therefore for every
sericulture unit, cultivation of mulberry trees is considered to be an
important task. The fruits of Mulberry are eaten fresh or in dried form. Wine from
mulberry fruits is extracted.
(13) Grapevine : The popular grapes are the
fruits of grapevine. Grapes are eaten
fresh
or are dried to make raisins from them. Medicines are also manufactured from
grapes. Wine is prepared from grapes. The seedless grapes from Maharashtra are
exported.
Q. 4. Answer the following questions:
(1) What are the differences between plants and
animals?
Ans. Plants
Animals
(1)
Plants prepare their own food with (1) Animals cannot prepare their own
the
help of sunlight and chlorophyll.
food. They obtain food from plants on
Hence
they are called autotrophs
other animals. Hence they are called heterotrophs.
(2)
Plants show some movements but (2)
Animals show various movements and
they
cannot change their place on change their place on their own
will.
their
own.
(3)
Plants show growth till they are alive. (3) Animals show growth only till a
The
growth does not stop in between
specific period
(4) Plants have chlorophyll and they can (4) Animals do not have chlorophyll thus
perform photosynthesis. they
cannot perform photosynthesis.
(5)
Plants use minute pores situated on (5)
Animals have respiratory organs for
their
leaves and stem for respiration.
respiration
(6)
Plants do not have specialized
(6) Animals have excretory organs for
excretory
organs. They throw out excretion.
unwanted
waste through leaves or
bark.
(7) Plants reproduce with the help of 7) Animals reproduce either by laying
seeds. stem or leaves. eggs or by Living birth to young ones.
(2) What are the similarities between plants
and animals?
Ans.
Plants and animals are both living things. Most of the characteristics of
living things are seen in both of them. Growth, respiration, excretion,
responsiveness to stimuli and reproduction are the common characteristics in
both of them. Plant body is also made
p of
cells just like that of the animal body. Thus, both have cellular structure.
Animals and plants both need water and nutrients for survival.
(3) How is the plant kingdom useful to us?
Ans.
We use plant materials in most of our daily routine. Plants provide us with
food in the form of grains, fruits, vegetables, etc. Some plants like Vasaka,
Hirda, Behada. Asparagus are of medicinal importance which we use as home
remedies for minor illnesses. Some plants are used for industrial purposes
Plants provide us with timber and wood which are used in making furniture and
houses. Plants like cotton and jute provide us with fibres. In this way all the
basic needs of man i. e. food, shelter and clothing are fulfilled by plants.
(4) How is the animal kingdom useful to us?
Ans.
Domesticated animals are useful to us in many ways. Animals provide us with
food in the form of milk. meat, eggs, etc. The occupations like poultry, dairy.
fishery are dependent on animals. Animals like oxen horse and camel are used
for transportation Earthworm helps in decomposition of wastes and makes the
soil fertile. It is thus a friend of the farmers. Some insects like honey bees.
Lac insect, Silk moth are useful to mankind.
(5)
What makes living things different from non-living things?
Ans.
In living things we can see growth, feeding, respiration excretion,
responsiveness to stimuli. movement and reproduction Living beings also show
death. All such characteristics are not seen in non-living things. This marks
the difference between living and non-living things.
Q .5 What
are the peculiarities of the movements of these living things ?
Living
things : Snakes, Tortoises Kangaroos. Eagles. Chameleons, Frogs, Dolphins.
Ants, Rattle snakes, Grasshoppers. Earthworms, Gulmohur. Sweet potato creeper.
Ans.
(1)
Snakes : Snakes do not have legs. They creep on the ground. By contraction and
relaxation of their body muscles they move from one place to another.
(2)
Tortoises : Tortoise have claws on their limbs. They too creep on the ground
with a very slow speed. They cannot move fast as their shell is very bulky and heavy
which makes their movement clumsy and slow
(3)
Kangaroos : The two powerful hind limbs and a supporting tail makes kangaroo
jump from one place to another. It can move faster due to this jumping habit.
(4)
Eagles : Eagles can fly high in the sky. The wings of eagles are strong and
powerful. The tapering body is highly adapted for flight.
(5)
Chameleons : All the four limbs of chameleon are comparatively shorter and weak
a Their body is bully. Therefore they creep with their four legs and the
movement is also supported by their tail and claws.
(6)
Frogs: Frogs are seen in the vicinity of water. When in water they swim with
the help of hind limbs. There is also a web membrane between the digits of the
limbs. When on land they jump with the help of two hind limbs. These are
muscular and powerful
The
front two forelimbs help in balancing during movements.
(7)
Dolphins : Dolphin is an inhabitant of seas. It can efficiently swim with the
help of Nippers and streamlined body. Since it is a mammal, it cannot breathe
in the water and thus for every inhalation and exhalation it rises to the
surface of water. It looks like as if it is trying to jump out. One can easily
notice a jumping dolphin when the sea is calm.
(8)
Ants : Ant, being an insect, has six legs. It can walk fast on these six legs.
(9)
Rattle snakes: Rattlesnake glides al a great speed through the sand. Its movements
are popularly known as slide windings. The snake moves on its sides when it is
gliding further
(10)
Grasshoppers : Grasshoppers fly in the sky with the help of two pairs of wings,
Moreover, they have three pairs of walking legs, out of which the third and
last pair is very strong. The first two pairs of legs helps in balancing the
body while the strong third pair helps to jump Grasshopper can even jump a
distance of one metre due to its modified and strong legs
(11)
Earthworms : Earthworms have cuticle over the body. There are small structures
called setae. With the help of setae, cuticle and muscles earthworms can
wriggle through the soil.
(12)
Gulmohur: Gulmohur is a large tree. It cannot change its place. Throughout the
day its leaflets are spread out in horizontal fashion. But at the sunset they
droop down and close. Towards the stimulus of sunlight the leaflets show the
responsiveness.
(13)
Sweet potato creeper : Creeper needs support. Since the stem is very delicate,
it tries to find some support and then goes on spreading. If there is no
support the sweet potato creeper is seen spreading on the ground. As soon as
there is any support it tries to bend towards it.
Q .6 Write in detail about how the
plants and animals found in your surroundings prove useful or harmful.
Ans.
There are many plants and animals in our surroundings. Some of them are useful
to us therefore we domesticate and take care of such animals. Some of them are
harmful. we try to regulate their population by keeping control
Similarly
the useful plants are cultivated and taken care of, but the harmful plants are eradicated
from our vicinity. We remove the Parthenium and weeds from the garden.
•
Useful animals : For farming and transport we need oxen, horse, yak, camel; for
milk we keep cows and buffaloes, we obtain meat from fowl and goats; pets such
as dog and cats are all useful animals.
-
Harmful animals : Mosquitoes. flies. fleas. lice and similar such insects spread
the diseases. Some insects spread skin infections. Rats and mice destroy our
food. Poisonous is like snakes and scorpions can kill a person. Wild animals
like leopards can kill pets, domestic animals or even human beings if they
enter the human settlements. Elephants and monkeys from nearby forested areas
can cause damage to crops and fruit trees.
-
Useful plants : The food which we consume daily is obtained from plants. Rice, chapattis.
bread, fruits and vegetables all are obtained from plants. Agriculture and horticulture
are entirely dependent on plants.
- Harmful plants · Pods of nettle, colocassia
leaves cause itching. Plants like oleander and lantana have very strong
repelling odour. The Datura plant is poisonous. Some weeds
destroy
farmlands. Some algae show uncontrolled growth in the water bodies and may destroy
it completely.
