CBSE Class 6 General Knowledge

Unit 5: Environment & Ecology

Lesson: Environment and Ecosystem

📘 Study Module: Environment and Ecosystem

1. Introduction

The environment includes everything that surrounds us and affects our life. It provides air, water, food, and shelter to living beings. An ecosystem shows how living and non-living components of the environment interact with each other.

2. Meaning of Environment

The environment is the surroundings in which plants, animals, and humans live. It includes natural elements like air, water, land, plants, and animals, as well as human-made elements like buildings and roads.

3. Components of Environment

The environment has two main components:

• Biotic components – living things such as plants, animals, and humans
• Abiotic components – non-living things such as air, water, soil, sunlight, and temperature

Both components are necessary for life.

4. Meaning of Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the non-living environment. It shows the relationship between plants, animals, and their surroundings.

5. Types of Ecosystems

Ecosystems are mainly of two types:

• Natural ecosystems – forests, ponds, deserts, oceans
• Artificial ecosystems – gardens, farms, parks, aquariums

Each ecosystem supports life in its own way.

6. Food Chain

A food chain shows how food and energy pass from one organism to another. It usually starts with plants and ends with animals.

7. Importance of Environment and Ecosystem

The environment and ecosystems support life on Earth. They maintain balance in nature. Protecting them is important for survival of all living beings.

📝 Questions and Answers

A. Short Answer Questions

(One sentence each)

1. What is the environment?
   Answer: The environment is the surroundings in which living beings live.
2. Name two components of the environment.
   Answer: Biotic and abiotic components.
3. What are biotic components?
   Answer: Biotic components are living things like plants and animals.
4. What are abiotic components?
   Answer: Abiotic components are non-living things like air and water.
5. What is an ecosystem?
   Answer: An ecosystem is the interaction between living and non-living components.
6. Give one example of a natural ecosystem.
   Answer: A forest is a natural ecosystem.
7. Give one example of an artificial ecosystem.
   Answer: A garden is an artificial ecosystem.
8. What is a food chain?
   Answer: A food chain shows how energy flows from one organism to another.
9. Who are producers in an ecosystem?
   Answer: Green plants are producers.
10. Why is the environment important?
    Answer: The environment provides resources needed for life.

B. Long Answer Questions

(3–5 sentences each)

11. Explain the meaning of environment.
    Answer: The environment is everything that surrounds living organisms. It includes natural elements like air, water, land, plants, and animals. It also includes human-made things. The environment supports life on Earth.
12. Describe the components of the environment.
    Answer: The environment has biotic and abiotic components. Biotic components include plants, animals, and humans. Abiotic components include air, water, soil, sunlight, and temperature. Both are necessary for survival.
13. What is an ecosystem? Explain with an example.
    Answer: An ecosystem is a system formed by interaction between living and non-living things. A pond ecosystem includes fish, plants, water, and sunlight. All these components depend on each other. Together they form an ecosystem.
14. Describe different types of ecosystems.
    Answer: Ecosystems can be natural or artificial. Natural ecosystems occur naturally, such as forests and oceans. Artificial ecosystems are created by humans, such as farms and gardens. Both support living organisms.
15. Explain the food chain.
    Answer: A food chain shows the flow of energy in an ecosystem. It starts with plants called producers. Animals that eat plants are consumers. Each organism depends on another for food.
16. Why are plants important in an ecosystem?
    Answer: Plants are producers that make food using sunlight. They provide food to animals. Plants release oxygen needed for breathing. They form the base of the food chain.
17. How do animals depend on the environment?
    Answer: Animals depend on the environment for food, water, and shelter. They also depend on plants and other animals. A healthy environment supports animal life. Damage to the environment affects animals.
18. Explain the role of abiotic components.
    Answer: Abiotic components support life by providing basic needs. Sunlight helps plants make food. Water is needed for all living beings. Air and soil are essential for survival.
19. Why should we protect the environment?
    Answer: The environment supports all forms of life. Pollution and deforestation harm ecosystems. Protecting the environment ensures clean air and water. It helps preserve biodiversity.
20. How does an ecosystem maintain balance?
    Answer: An ecosystem maintains balance through interactions among organisms. Producers, consumers, and decomposers work together. Energy flows through food chains. Balance keeps the ecosystem stable.

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(With Answers and Detailed Explanations)

1. The environment includes ______.
   a) only plants
   b) only animals
   c) living and non-living things
   d) buildings only
   Answer: c) living and non-living things
   Explanation: Environment includes both biotic and abiotic components.
2. Which of the following is a biotic component?
   a) Air
   b) Water
   c) Soil
   d) Plant
   Answer: d) Plant
   Explanation: Plants are living organisms.
3. Which of the following is an abiotic component?
   a) Animal
   b) Human
   c) Water
   d) Plant
   Answer: c) Water
   Explanation: Water is non-living.
4. An ecosystem is a relationship between ______.
   a) plants only
   b) animals only
   c) living and non-living things
   d) humans only
   Answer: c) living and non-living things
   Explanation: Ecosystem includes both components.
5. Which is a natural ecosystem?
   a) Garden
   b) Farm
   c) Forest
   d) Aquarium
   Answer: c) Forest
   Explanation: Forest occurs naturally.
6. Which is an artificial ecosystem?
   a) Desert
   b) Ocean
   c) Pond
   d) Park
   Answer: d) Park
   Explanation: Park is man-made.
7. Who are producers in a food chain?
   a) Animals
   b) Humans
   c) Plants
   d) Decomposers
   Answer: c) Plants
   Explanation: Plants produce food.
8. Which component provides energy to plants?
   a) Soil
   b) Water
   c) Sunlight
   d) Air
   Answer: c) Sunlight
   Explanation: Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis.
9. Which organism eats plants?
   a) Carnivore
   b) Herbivore
   c) Decomposer
   d) Producer
   Answer: b) Herbivore
   Explanation: Herbivores eat plants.
10. A food chain always begins with ______.
    a) animals
    b) decomposers
    c) plants
    d) humans
    Answer: c) plants
    Explanation: Plants are producers.
11. Which of the following is NOT a component of the environment?
    a) Air
    b) Water
    c) Soil
    d) Television
    Answer: d) Television
    Explanation: Television is not part of the natural environment.
12. Which ecosystem is made by humans?
    a) Forest
    b) Desert
    c) Garden
    d) Ocean
    Answer: c) Garden
    Explanation: Garden is artificial.
13. Why are abiotic components important?
    a) They eat food
    b) They make food
    c) They support life
    d) They cause pollution
    Answer: c) They support life
    Explanation: Abiotic components provide basic needs.
14. Which gas is essential for breathing?
    a) Carbon dioxide
    b) Oxygen
    c) Nitrogen
    d) Hydrogen
    Answer: b) Oxygen
    Explanation: Oxygen is needed for respiration.
15. Which ecosystem includes fish and water plants?
    a) Desert
    b) Forest
    c) Pond
    d) Mountain
    Answer: c) Pond
    Explanation: Pond is an aquatic ecosystem.
16. What happens if one part of an ecosystem is disturbed?
    a) Nothing changes
    b) Balance is affected
    c) Ecosystem grows
    d) Pollution stops
    Answer: b) Balance is affected
    Explanation: All parts are interdependent.
17. Which living beings help break down dead plants and animals?
    a) Producers
    b) Consumers
    c) Decomposers
    d) Herbivores
    Answer: c) Decomposers
    Explanation: Decomposers recycle nutrients.
18. Environment helps living beings to ______.
    a) sleep
    b) survive
    c) play
    d) travel
    Answer: b) survive
    Explanation: Environment provides life-supporting resources.
19. Cutting trees affects the ______.
    a) food chain
    b) ecosystem
    c) environment
    d) all of these
    Answer: d) all of these
    Explanation: Deforestation affects all.
20. Protecting the environment helps to ______.
    a) increase pollution
    b) destroy habitats
    c) maintain balance in nature
    d) waste resources
    Answer: c) maintain balance in nature
    Explanation: Protection preserves ecological balance.

✅ End of Lesson

Prepared strictly in accordance with the NCERT syllabus and CBSE Class 6 examination standards.