CLASS 6 · SCIENCE · CHAPTER 10

Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

Simple answers to all nine end questions, with clear examples for the chapter activities and learning prompts.

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Textbook pages 203–205

Question 1

List the similarities and differences in life cycles of plants and animals.

Steps only

Both grow, reproduce, and die. Plants often pass from seed to adult plant to new seeds; animals pass from egg or newborn to young to adult.

Answer

Both grow, reproduce, and die. Plants often pass from seed to adult plant to new seeds; animals pass from egg or newborn to young to adult.

Question 2

Give examples for each combination: (1) does not grow and does not respire; (2) does not grow but respires; (3) grows but does not respire; (4) grows and respires. If a combination has no example, explain why.

Steps only

1. Stone 2. Adult human 3. Salt crystal 4. Young plant

Answer

1. Stone 2. Adult human 3. Salt crystal 4. Young plant

Question 3

How can we use our knowledge of seed germination for proper storage of grains and pulses?

Steps only

Dry grains well and store them in clean, covered containers away from moisture.

Answer

Dry grains well and store them in clean, covered containers away from moisture.

Question 4

What is the advantage of having a tail in the tadpole stage?

Steps only

The tail helps a tadpole swim and steer in water.

Answer

The tail helps a tadpole swim and steer in water.

Question 5

Charan says a wooden log is non-living because it cannot move. Charu says it is living because it came from a tree. Give arguments for or against their statements.

Steps only

The log came from a living tree but no longer carries out life processes, so it is non-living.

Answer

The wooden log is non-living: it came from a tree but no longer carries out life processes.

Question 6

What are the similarities and distinguishing features in the life cycles of a mosquito and a frog?

Steps only

Mosquito: egg → larva → pupa → adult. Frog: egg → tadpole → froglet → adult. Both change as they grow, but their stages and habitats differ.

Answer

Mosquito: egg → larva → pupa → adult. Frog: egg → tadpole → froglet → adult.

Question 7

A plant is laid along the ground with suitable growing conditions. What will its root and shoot look like after one week? Explain why.

Steps only

The root bends downwards; the shoot bends upwards and towards light.

Answer

Root: downwards. Shoot: upwards, towards light.

Question 8

What do Tara and Vijay want to find out with the experiment shown? How can they check whether their idea is correct?

Steps only

Observe moist seedlings placed upright and upside down. Roots should bend down; shoots should bend up.

Answer

They are testing the directions of root and shoot growth. Observe seedlings over several days; roots bend down and shoots bend up.

Question 9

Design an experiment to check whether temperature affects seed germination.

Steps only

Use equal seeds and moisture in identical containers at different safe temperatures; keep other conditions the same and compare sprouts.

Answer

Change only temperature, then compare how many seeds germinate.

Chapter activities and learning prompts

Textbook pages 184–202, 205

Question Activity 10.1

Give examples of living and non-living things around you, with a reason for each choice.

Steps only

Pigeon and plant: living. Pencil and car: non-living; a car's movement does not make it alive.

Answer

Pigeon and plant are living; pencil and car are non-living.

Question Section 10.1

Give three examples of a stimulus and the body's quick response. What makes chhui-mui leaves fold?

Steps only

Hot surface → pull away; loud sound → turn; bright light → blink. Touch makes chhui-mui leaves fold.

Answer

A stimulus causes a response. For example, touch makes chhui-mui leaves fold.

Question Section 10.1

Is a seed living or non-living? Give a reason.

Steps only

A healthy seed is living because its embryo can grow into a plant in suitable conditions.

Answer

A healthy seed is living.

Question Activity 10.2

Which bean seeds germinate in the four pots: A, without water; B, with excess water; C, moist soil in darkness; D, moist soil in sunlight? Why?

Steps only

A: no water, no germination. B: too little air, no or poor germination. C and D: water and air, so germination.

Answer

Bean seeds germinate in C and D; they need water and air, not sunlight, to begin germinating.

Question Section 10.2

What other conditions may affect seed germination?

Steps only

Suitable temperature and the right amount of water and air matter; light needs differ between seeds.

Answer

Temperature, water, air, seed health, and sometimes light affect germination.

Question Activity 10.3

What happens to the roots and shoots of upright and inverted seedlings, and when light comes from one side?

Steps only

Roots grow down. Shoots grow up and bend towards one-sided light.

Answer

Root: downwards. Shoot: upwards and towards light.

Question Activity 10.4

Describe the main changes in a bean plant as it grows from a seed and produces the next generation.

Steps only

Seed → seedling → mature plant → flowers → pods with seeds → new plants.

Answer

A bean seed grows into a plant that produces flowers, pods, and new seeds.

Question Section 10.5.1

Why should stagnant water be removed, and what is the order of a mosquito's life stages?

Steps only

Remove standing water safely to reduce breeding. Mosquito: egg → larva → pupa → adult.

Answer

Egg → larva → pupa → adult; removing standing water helps prevent breeding.

Question Activity 10.5

How could you find whether a mosquito larva or pupa comes first without separating them from the container?

Steps only

Safely observe the same covered container each day. A larva changing into a pupa shows larva comes first.

Answer

Observe safely without opening the container; larva changes into pupa, then adult.

Question Activity 10.6

Describe the frog's life cycle, its habitat changes, and how its features help at different stages.

Steps only

Spawn/eggs → embryo → tadpole → tadpole with legs → froglet → adult frog.

Answer

Tadpoles swim with tails; froglets grow legs; adult frogs live on land and in water.

Question Section 10.5

Name young ones of five animals and say whether non-living things have young ones.

Steps only

Kitten, puppy, calf, lamb, tadpole. Non-living things do not have young ones.

Answer

Examples are kitten, puppy, calf, lamb, and tadpole; non-living things do not reproduce.

Question Section 10.5

How does an animal life cycle differ from a plant life cycle?

Steps only

Animals grow from egg or newborn to adult. Plants grow from seed to adult plant and make new seeds.

Answer

Animals produce young; plants produce seeds. Their growth stages differ.

Question Learning further

Can plants grow without germinating seeds? Give examples.

Steps only

Yes: potato tubers, onion bulbs, and rose or sugarcane cuttings can grow into plants.

Answer

Plants such as potato, onion, rose, and sugarcane can grow from plant parts.

Question Learning further

Does the environment affect insect life cycles? List some factors.

Steps only

Temperature, food, water, shelter, light, and breeding places affect insects.

Answer

Yes. Environment affects insect growth and survival.

Question Let us create

Add a few lines to the frog poem to show stages in its development.

Steps only

Eggs → tadpoles → legged tadpoles → froglets → adult frogs.

Answer

Use original lines that describe eggs, tadpoles, froglets, and adult frogs.