Living Organisms Characteristics and Habitats
Key Words
Organisms- Living creatures in Earth are called Organisms.
Saline- Salty, containing salt. The sea water is saline.
Habitat of A Living Organism:- Habitat is the place of an organism where it dwells. The Habitat provides food, shelter, and all the conditions favorable for living to that living organism. Habitat is the home of an organism.
Terrestrial Habitat- Terrestrial Habitat is the habitat on the surface of Earth (Land). The Deserts, Grasslands, Mountainous regions, Plateau are all examples of a Terrestrial Habitat.
Aquatic Habitat-Aquatic Habitat is the Habitat on water bodies of the Earth. The Sea, Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, Ponds, are all examples of an Aquatic Habitat.
Biotic Components- The living components of a habitat are called Biotic Components of that Habitat. Eg.- The living organisms both plants and animals are biotic components of a Habitat.
Abiotic Components- The non living components of a habitat are called Abiotic Components of that Habitat. Eg- Water, Rocks, Air, Sunlight are all abiotic components of a habitat.
Germination- The conversion of a seed into small seedling is called Germination.
Desert- Desert is an example of a terrestrial Habitat. It is the place on Earth which is covered with sand all around.
Mountain Regions- Mountain regions are an example of Terrestrial Habitat. It is the region on Earth which have high altitudes and cooler temperature. The Himalayas is an example of Mountainous region.
Grass Lands- Grass lands are also Terrestrial habitats. These are the lands full of Grass. These have highest number of organisms in them. Plants as well as animals are found in abundance in such places.
Prey- The organisms which are often the target of predators are called prey. They are the main source of food for the carnivorous and omnivorous animals.
Predators- The lions, Tigers, and all carnivorous animals and plants are called predators. They feed on other organisms for their food.
Respiration- Respiration is a process of inhalation and exhalation of components of air. The plants breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, while the animals breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
Stimuli- Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them are called stimuli.
Excretion- The process of releasing / getting rid of wastes by organisms is known as excretion.
Reproduction- The process of production of species of their own kind by the organisms is called reproduction.
NCERT Questions and Answers
- What is a Habitat?
Answer- Habitat is a home (dwelling place) of Living organisms. It provides food, shelter, water air and other basic needs to the organisms living there.
- How are Cactus adapted to survive in a desert?
Answer- The Cactus adapt to survive in desert, Cactus has either no leaves or very small leaves in the form of spines. This helps in reducing loss of water in the form of transpiration. Also the stems of Cactus are covered with a thick waxy layer, which helps to retain water in the tissue of it.
- Fill up the blanks:
a) The presence of specific features, which enable a plant or an animal to live in a particular habitat, is called
b) The Habitats of the plants and animals that live on land are called as terrestrial habitats.
c) The Habitats of the plants and animals that live on water are called as aquatic habitats.
d) Soil, Water and air are abiotic factors of a habitat.
e) Changes in surroundings that make us respond to them, are called
- Which of the following in the list are non- living?
Plough, Mushroom, Sewing machine, Radio, Boat, Water Hyacinth, Earthworm.
Answer- Non living things- Plough,Sewing machine, Radio, Boat
- Give an example of a non living thing, which shows any two characteristics of living things.
Answer- Moon is a heavenly body and a non-living thing. It seems to show two characteristics of living things which are- Moon seems to move by its own, Moon seems to grow.
- Which of the following non-living things were once a part of living things:
Butter, Leather, Soil, Wool, Electric Bulb, Cooking oil, Salt, Apple, Rubber.
Answer- Leather (Animals), Wool (Animals), Cooking Oil (Plants), Apple (Plant), Rubber (Plant).
- List the characteristics of living organisms.
Answer-
a) Living organisms grow.
b) Living organisms need food and water for their growth and development.
c) Living organisms respire.
d) Living organisms respond to stimuli.
e) Living organisms can move by their own.
f) Living organisms excrete out waste products.
g) Living organisms reproduce their own species.
h) Living organisms are composed of cells.
8. Explain why speed is important for survival in the grasslands for animals that live there?
Answer- Grasslands are big lands full of grass, greenery but lesser number of trees. There are few places to hide. A predator cannot hide itself and has to hunt by running with speed. Also the prey will have to run longer distances with speed so as to save its life from predator.
Additional Questions
(Living Organisms Characteristics and Habitat)
- What is the surrounding around a living organism where it lives is called?
Answer- The surrounding around a living organism where it lives is called a HABITAT.
- What all do a habitat provide to living organisms?
Answer- A habitat provides food, shelter, water, environment and all the helpful things for the organism to live there.
- What is the habitat of people living on land is called?
Answer- Terrestrial Habitat
- What is the habitat of aquatic animals called?
Answer- Aquatic Habitat
- What all are the characteristics of living organisms?
Answer-
a) They need food to survive, grow and develop.
b) They grow.
c) They respond to stimuli.
d) They Respire.
e) They Reproduce.
f) They excrete out waste products.
g) They move by their own.
6. Name a few organisms which has desert as their habitats.
Answer- Scorpion, Camel, Snakes, Lizards etc.
- Name a few organisms which has oceans as their habitats.
Answer- Whales, Sharks , Dolphins, Seal, Octopus, Jelly Fish etc.
- Name a few organisms which has North Pole as their habitats.
Answer- Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, Seal , Snow wolf etc.
- Name a few organisms which has South Pole as their habitats.
Answer- Penguins, Albatross, Seals etc.
- Name a few organisms which has rivers as their habitats.
Answer- Turtles, Small Fish, Crocodiles, etc.
- Can a tiger survive on deserts? Why?
Answer- No, it will be difficult for tigers to survive on deserts because there is scarcity of animals as preys in deserts and the climate is hot there.
- Write three sentences on your habitats?
Answer- Habitat provides us food, shelter and water.
Habitat has congenial environment for surviving.
Habitat is suitable for aged as well as off springs of the species living there.