Diversity in Living World – Short Answer Type Questions

A. Basics of Diversity (1–8)

1. What is biological diversity?
   Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of all living organisms in an area — including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms.
2. Why is biodiversity important?
   Biodiversity provides food, oxygen, medicines and ecological balance; different organisms play roles that support life on Earth.
3. Define an organism in simple words.
   An organism is any living being that carries out life processes like growth, nutrition, respiration and reproduction.
4. What is meant by classification?
   Classification is arranging organisms into groups based on similarities to make their study easier and systematic.
5. Give one simple example showing diversity.
   In a garden you can find trees, herbs, climbers, insects and birds — all different kinds of living things coexisting.
6. What is a species (simple definition)?
   A species is a group of organisms that are very similar and can produce young ones of the same kind.
7. How does classification help scientists and students?
   It helps to identify, name and study organisms systematically and remember their features easily.
8. Name the main groups of organisms you study in Class 6.
   Plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms.

B. Characteristics of Living Organisms (9–16)

9. Name any three common characteristics of living things.
   Growth, respiration, and reproduction are common features of living organisms.
10. What is growth in living organisms?
    Growth is an increase in size or number of cells of an organism over time.
11. Explain nutrition in simple words.
    Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain and use food to gain energy and build tissues.
12. What is respiration?
    Respiration is the process of releasing energy from food, usually involving oxygen.
13. What does sensitivity or responsiveness mean?
    It means the ability of organisms to react to changes in their surroundings, such as moving away from danger.
14. Why is reproduction necessary for living organisms?
    Reproduction ensures that a species continues by producing new individuals of the same kind.
15. What is excretion?
    Excretion is the removal of harmful waste products produced in the body during metabolism.
16. Give an example of movement in plants and animals.
    Plants: leaves bend toward light; Animals: a cat walking or a bird flying.

C. Plants (17–26)

17. How do plants make their food?
    Plants make food by photosynthesis using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide, and chlorophyll in leaves helps this process.
18. What is chlorophyll and why is it important?
    Chlorophyll is a green pigment in leaves that captures sunlight for photosynthesis.
19. Name five types of plants based on habit and give one example each.
    Trees (mango), shrubs (rose), herbs (basil), climbers (money plant), creepers (pumpkin).
20. What are the main parts of a typical flowering plant?
    Root, stem, leaves, flower, fruit and seed are the main parts of a flowering plant.
21. What is the function of roots?
    Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and minerals from the soil.
22. What role does the stem play?
    The stem supports the plant and transports water, minerals and food between roots and leaves.
23. Why are leaves important?
    Leaves are the main sites of photosynthesis and also help in exchange of gases.
24. Where are seeds formed?
    Seeds are formed inside the fruit after fertilization of flowers.
25. Explain the difference between a climber and a creeper.
    Climbers use support to grow upwards (e.g., pea plant); creepers spread along the ground (e.g., pumpkin).
26. Give one simple activity to observe plant parts.
    Collect a leaf and a stem, draw and label them, and observe stomata under magnification if available.

D. Animals (27–36)

27. What are animals and how do they get food?
    Animals are living beings that cannot make their own food; they obtain food by eating plants, other animals or both.
28. Define vertebrates in one line.
    Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone or spinal column.
29. Define invertebrates briefly.
    Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone, such as insects, worms and jellyfish.
30. Name three groups of vertebrates with an example each.
    Birds (sparrow), mammals (cow), fishes (goldfish).
31. What is an insect? Give one example.
    An insect is a small animal with six legs and usually wings, e.g., butterfly.
32. How do herbivores, carnivores and omnivores differ?
    Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat other animals, omnivores eat both plants and animals.
33. Mention one adaptation of aquatic animals.
    Fishes have gills to breathe underwater and fins to swim efficiently.
34. Why are limbs/appendages important for animals?
    Limbs help in movement, obtaining food, defence and other activities needed for survival.
35. Give one classroom activity to learn about local animals.
    Create a chart listing five local animals with their habitats and main food sources.
36. Mention one reason why mammals are important.
    Mammals often care for their young and are sources of milk, wool and other resources useful to humans.

E. Fungi & Microorganisms (37–44)

37. What are fungi? Give two examples.
    Fungi are organisms that absorb food from dead or living matter; examples include mushroom and yeast.
38. Why are fungi placed in a separate group from plants?
    Fungi do not have chlorophyll and cannot make their own food by photosynthesis; they obtain food by absorption.
39. What is a microorganism?
    A microorganism is a living organism so small that it can only be seen with a microscope, such as bacteria, some fungi and protozoa.
40. Give one beneficial use of microorganisms.
    Yeast is used in bread making and some bacteria help in making curd and fermenting foods.
41. Give one harmful effect of microorganisms.
    Certain bacteria and viruses can cause diseases in humans, plants and animals.
42. How can microorganisms be observed safely in class?
    Under teacher supervision using prepared slides and a microscope, following hygiene and safety rules.
43. Explain briefly how fungi help in nutrient recycling.
    Fungi decompose dead plants and animals, breaking them down into simpler substances that return to the soil as nutrients.
44. What is fermentation and which microorganism helps in it?
    Fermentation is a process where microorganisms like yeast convert sugars into alcohol or acids, used in bread and beverages.

F. Classification, Habitat & Conservation (45–50)

45. What basic features do we use to classify organisms at the Class 6 level?
    Observable features such as body structure, mode of nutrition (producer/consumer/decomposer), presence of backbone, and habitat are used for simple classification.
46. What is a habitat? Give two examples.
    A habitat is the natural place where an organism lives, e.g., pond for a frog and tree canopy for birds.
47. What is an adaptation? Provide one example.
    An adaptation is a feature that helps an organism survive in its habitat, e.g., cactus has thick stems to store water in deserts.
48. Why should we conserve biodiversity? Give two short reasons.
    To preserve resources like food and medicines, and to maintain ecological balance and healthy environments.
49. Mention two simple ways students can help conserve local biodiversity.
    Plant native trees and avoid littering or polluting ponds and soils.
50. How does classification make learning about organisms easier?
    By grouping similar organisms together classification reduces complexity and helps in comparing and studying them systematically.

Study tip: Learn these short answers to build strong basics. Try converting some answers into labelled diagrams or one-paragraph explanations to prepare for longer questions.

These Short Questions with Answers are designed strictly as per the NCERT syllabus, making them ideal for CBSE Class 6 board exams standard.