At Bodhiclasses, we help young minds explore the natural world through thoughtful, activity-based learning. This guide provides accurate, easy-to-understand answers to textbook questions from Chapter 10 of Class 6 Science — “Living Creatures: Exploring Their Characteristics”. Read on to clarify your concepts, strengthen your exam preparation, and develop scientific thinking.
1. List the similarities and differences in life cycles of plants and animals.
| Criteria | Plants | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities | Both grow, reproduce, and go through life stages | Both grow, reproduce, and go through life stages |
| Differences | Start from a seed; no visible movement; reproduction through seeds, spores, or cuttings | Start from eggs or live birth; most animals show movement; reproduce sexually (mostly) |
| Example | Bean plant: Seed → Seedling → Plant → Fruit/Seeds | Frog: Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult Frog |
2. Analyze the table:
| S. No. | Does it grow? | Does it respire? | Example | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No | No | Rock, Plastic | Non-living; shows no sign of life |
| 2 | No | Yes | Not possible | Respiration is a life process; if it respires, it must grow |
| 3 | Yes | No | Not possible | Growth needs energy from respiration |
| 4 | Yes | Yes | Human, Plant | Living; shows all major characteristics |
Conclusion: Cases 2 and 3 are not biologically possible because growth and respiration are interlinked life processes.
3. How can we use knowledge of seed germination for proper storage of grains and pulses?
We know that seeds need water, air, and warmth to germinate. Hence, to store grains and pulses properly:
- Keep them dry (no moisture)
- Store in airtight containers (limit air contact)
- Store in cool places (avoid warmth)
This prevents unwanted germination and spoilage.
4. What is the advantage of having a tail in the tadpole stage?
The tail in a tadpole helps it swim efficiently in water. It acts as a locomotion organ during the early aquatic life stage before the frog develops legs for jumping on land.
5. Charan says a wooden log is non-living. Charu says it’s living. Who is correct and why?
Charan is correct. A wooden log is non-living. Though it came from a living tree, once it is cut, it can no longer grow, respire, reproduce, or respond to stimuli.
Charu’s reasoning is flawed — origin from a living source does not make something still alive.
6. Similarities and differences in the life cycles of a mosquito and a frog:
| Aspect | Mosquito | Frog |
|---|---|---|
| Stages | Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult | Egg (spawn) → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult |
| Similarity | Both undergo metamorphosis | Both have aquatic larvae stages |
| Difference | Larva and pupa float on water surface | Tadpoles swim and gradually transform |
| Habitat Change | Lives in water as larva; air as adult | Lives in water first, then land as adult |
7. A plant provided with proper conditions (Fig. 10.9) — what happens in one week?
If placed horizontally on the ground:
- The shoot will bend upward (towards light – phototropism)
- The root will grow downward (towards gravity – geotropism)
Reason: Even when tilted, the plant senses light and gravity and adjusts its direction to survive.
8. Tara and Vijay’s experiment (Fig. 10.10) – What are they trying to find out?
They want to test if light affects plant growth direction.
- If light comes from one side, the plant’s shoot will bend toward the light.
They know they are correct if:
- The plant bends in the direction of the light source from the hole in the box.
9. Design an experiment to check if temperature affects seed germination.
Objective: To test the effect of temperature on seed germination.
Materials:
- 3 sets of seeds (e.g., beans)
- Cotton/soil, water
- 3 containers
- Thermometer
- Refrigerator, room temperature space, and warm sunlit place
Steps:
- Place seeds in each container with moist cotton.
- Keep:
- One in the fridge (cold)
- One at room temperature
- One in a warm area (sunlight)
- Observe for 5–7 days.
Expected Result:
Seeds in room temperature or slightly warm area will germinate fastest. Cold temperatures slow down germination.
