Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 6
Science
Chapter 10
Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics — 50 Short Answer Q&A
CBSE Board Examinations
Follow NCERT wording where possible; use examples and keywords in answers.
How to use this resource
- Short answer questions: 2–3 mark style — answer in 2–4 sentences.
- Write the keyword(s) first, then expand with a brief explanation or example.
- Practice writing answers in your own words and memorise the key terms (MRSGREN).
Basics: Living vs Non-living
1
Define a living organism.
A living organism is a being that performs life processes like nutrition, respiration, growth, reproduction, excretion and response to stimuli.
2
List any four life processes.
Movement, respiration, nutrition and reproduction.
3
Why are viruses not considered living by some scientists?
Viruses cannot carry out life processes independently and need a host cell to reproduce, so they are often considered non-living.
4
Give one reason a car is non-living despite moving.
A car moves but cannot respire, grow, reproduce or carry out metabolic activities on its own, so it is non-living.
5
What is the meaning of MRSGREN?
MRSGREN is a mnemonic for life processes: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.
Movement & Tropisms
6
Differentiate locomotion and movement of parts.
Locomotion is whole-body movement from place to place (animals). Movement of parts is local movement like plant roots growing or leaves folding.
7
What is phototropism?
Phototropism is growth of plant parts toward or away from light, e.g., stems bending toward sunlight.
8
Name an organism that shows rapid movement on touch.
Mimosa pudica (touch-me-not) folds its leaves when touched.
9
How do roots show movement?
Roots grow downward showing geotropism, a movement in response to gravity.
10
Give an example of animal movement and its purpose.
Birds fly to search for food and escape predators; movement helps in feeding and protection.
Respiration
11
Define respiration.
Respiration is the chemical process by which organisms break down food to release energy.
12
Differentiate breathing and cellular respiration.
Breathing is the physical intake and release of air; cellular respiration is the biochemical release of energy from food inside cells.
13
Which gas is required for respiration?
Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration in most organisms.
14
What gas is released during respiration?
Carbon dioxide is released as a waste product during respiration.
15
Mention one sign of respiration in humans.
Breathing (inhalation and exhalation) is a visible sign of respiration.
Sensitivity & Response
16
What is sensitivity?
Sensitivity is the ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in the environment.
17
Give one example of a response to stimulus in animals.
Withdrawing your hand quickly after touching a hot object is a response to heat stimulus.
18
How do plants respond to light?
Plants bend toward light (positive phototropism) to maximise photosynthesis.
19
What is a simple experiment to show plant response?
Place a potted plant near a window and observe its stem bending toward the light over days.
20
How do animals sense danger quickly?
Animals use senses like sight and hearing to detect threats and react rapidly.
Growth & Development
21
What is growth?
Growth is the irreversible increase in size and number of cells in an organism.
22
Give one example of growth in animals.
A puppy growing into an adult dog shows growth.
23
Why is nutrition essential for growth?
Nutrition supplies energy and building materials required for cell division and growth.
24
Does repair of a broken bone count as growth?
Yes, repair involves growth of new cells and tissues to heal the bone.
25
How can students observe growth in plants?
Germinate seeds in a transparent container and record root and shoot length over days to observe growth.
Reproduction
26
Define reproduction.
Reproduction is the process by which organisms produce new individuals of the same kind.
27
Contrast sexual and asexual reproduction briefly.
Sexual reproduction involves two parents and genetic variation; asexual involves one parent and produces genetically similar offspring.
28
Give one example of asexual reproduction in plants.
Vegetative propagation, such as new plants from runners in strawberry, is a form of asexual reproduction.
29
Why is reproduction important for species?
Reproduction ensures continuation and survival of a species across generations.
30
What role do seeds play in plant reproduction?
Seeds contain the embryo and stored food, allowing growth of a new plant under suitable conditions.
Nutrition
31
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the process of obtaining and using food for growth, energy and repair.
32
Differentiate autotrophs and heterotrophs.
Autotrophs make their own food (e.g., plants via photosynthesis); heterotrophs obtain food by consuming other organisms.
33
Name one autotrophic organism.
Green plants are autotrophic as they perform photosynthesis.
34
Give an example of heterotrophic nutrition.
Animals eating plants or other animals is heterotrophic nutrition; e.g., cows eat grass.
35
What is photosynthesis in one line?
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to make food from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen.
Excretion
36
What is excretion?
Excretion is the removal of waste products from metabolic processes to maintain internal balance.
37
Name one excretory product in plants.
Oxygen produced during photosynthesis is released by plants and can be considered a byproduct.
38
How do humans excrete solid waste?
Solid waste is eliminated from the body through the process of defecation via the digestive tract.
39
How is carbon dioxide removed from animals?
Carbon dioxide produced during respiration is removed by breathing out (exhalation).
40
Why is excretion important?
Excretion prevents toxic accumulation of wastes and keeps the internal environment stable (homeostasis).
Classification: Vertebrates & Invertebrates
41
What defines a vertebrate?
A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone or vertebral column.
42
List the five main groups of vertebrates.
Fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
43
Define invertebrates.
Invertebrates are animals that lack a backbone, such as insects, worms and molluscs.
44
Give two examples of invertebrates.
Examples: Earthworms and butterflies (insects).
45
Mention one distinctive feature of birds.
Birds have feathers and most lay eggs; many can fly using wings.
Application, Tests & Revision Tips
46
Provide one simple test to check if a thing is living.
Check for growth or movement over time, such as observing if a seed germinates and sprouts.
47
How to remember life processes quickly for exams?
Use the mnemonic MRSGREN or make flashcards with one-line definitions and examples.
48
Give one example of how knowledge of living things is useful in daily life.
Understanding nutrition helps in choosing a balanced diet for healthy growth and energy.
49
What should you include in a 3-mark answer?
Write a short definition, one key point and give a brief example or reason — be concise and precise.
50
One final exam tip for this chapter?
Practice short examples for each life process and learn a few clear examples of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Short Answer Type Questions CBSE Class 6 Science – Chapter Wise Study Materials Based on NCERT