CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 9: The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings NCERT Solutions

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CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 9, The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings, introduces students to the incredible diversity of life and the environments that support it. We explore the concept of habitats, understanding how different plants and animals are uniquely suited to survive in specific places like deserts or water bodies. The chapter highlights the amazing adaptations that allow organisms to thrive, whether on land or in water. We also learn about the essential non-living components of these habitats, such as soil, water, and air, and how they influence life. Furthermore, the chapter helps us identify the key characteristics that define living things, differentiating them from inanimate objects. These solutions offer clear explanations and examples to grasp these fundamental biological concepts, aiding in a solid understanding of the living world around us.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectScience
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 9: The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'The Living Organisms and Their Surroundings,' focuses on understanding habitats and adaptations. It covers the definitions of habitat, terrestrial and aquatic environments, and the abiotic components that influence them. The solutions explain how specific features help organisms survive in their environments and differentiate between living and non-living things, including examples of non-living items exhibiting characteristics of life. This chapter's exercises are designed to reinforce basic ecological concepts.

Learning outcomes

  • Define habitat and explain its importance for living organisms.
  • Identify and describe adaptations of plants and animals in different habitats.
  • Distinguish between terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
  • Recognize the role of abiotic factors in a habitat.
  • Differentiate between living and non-living things.
  • Provide examples of non-living things exhibiting characteristics of living organisms.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Habitat
  • Living Organisms
  • Surroundings
  • Adaptations
  • Deserts
  • Cactus Adaptations
  • Terrestrial Habitat
  • Aquatic Habitat
  • Abiotic Factors
  • Biotic Factors
  • Characteristics of Living Things
  • Non-living Things

Important topics

  • Definition and types of habitats
  • Adaptations for survival in different environments
  • Distinction between terrestrial and aquatic habitats
  • Role of abiotic factors
  • Identifying living vs. non-living things

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What is a habitat?
Solution: A habitat refers to the natural home or dwelling place of an organism. It encompasses the entire environment where a plant or animal lives, providing everything it needs to survive, such as food, water, air, shelter, and protection. Different types of organisms can coexist and share the same habitat, relying on its resources for their survival and well-being.

Question 2

How are cactus plants adapted to survive in a desert environment?
Solution: Cactus plants exhibit several remarkable adaptations to thrive in the arid desert conditions:
  1. Reduced Water Loss: Their leaves are modified into spines, which significantly minimizes water loss through transpiration.
  2. Photosynthesis in Stem: The stem is thick, green, and fleshy, taking over the function of photosynthesis, which is usually performed by leaves.
  3. Water Retention: The stem is covered with a thick, waxy layer that helps to prevent evaporation and conserve water.
  4. Deep Root System: Cactus plants develop extensive root systems that penetrate deep into the soil to access scarce groundwater resources.
These adaptations collectively enable the cactus to survive with minimal water.

Question 3

Fill in the blanks with appropriate terms:

(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 _____ habitat.

(c) The habitats of plants and animals that live in water are called _____ habitat.

(d) Soil, water and air are the _____ factors of a habitat.

(e) Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them, are called ______.

Solution:
  1. The presence of specific features, which enable a plant or an animal to live in a particular habitat, is called adaptation.
  2. The habitats of the plants and animals that live on land are called terrestrial habitat.
  3. The habitats of plants and animals that live in water are called aquatic habitat.
  4. Soil, water and air are the abiotic factors of a habitat.
  5. Changes in our surroundings that make us respond to them, are called stimuli.

Question 4

Identify which of the following items are non-living: Plough, Mushroom, Sewing machine, Radio, Boat, Water hyacinth, Earthworm.
Solution: The non-living things from the given list are: Plough, Sewing machine, Radio, Boat. These items do not exhibit the characteristics of life, such as growth, reproduction, or response to stimuli.

Question 5

Provide an example of a non-living thing that shows any two characteristics of living things.
Solution: A bus is an example of a non-living thing that shows two characteristics of living things: movement and consumption of energy. A bus moves from one place to another, and it requires fuel (like petrol or diesel) to operate, which is a form of energy consumption.

Question 6

From the list of non-living things below, identify those that were once part of a living thing: Butter, Leather, Soil, Wool, Electric bulb, Cooking oil, Salt, Apple, Rubber.
Solution: The non-living things from the list that were once part of a living organism are:
  • Butter: Derived from milk, which comes from animals.
  • Leather: Made from the skin of animals.
  • Wool: Obtained from the fleece of sheep or other animals.
  • Cooking oil: Extracted from plants (like seeds) or sometimes animals.
  • Apple: A fruit, which is part of a plant.
  • Rubber: Natural rubber is derived from the latex of rubber trees.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing habitat with environment.
  • Not clearly explaining the specific adaptations for survival.
  • Incorrectly classifying items as living or non-living.
  • Failing to identify abiotic factors correctly.

Revision tips

  • Create flashcards for key terms like 'habitat', 'adaptation', 'terrestrial', and 'aquatic'.
  • Draw diagrams of different habitats and label the adaptations of organisms found there.
  • Make a list of living and non-living things, and then a separate list of non-living things that show characteristics of life.
  • Review the definitions of abiotic factors and provide examples for each.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary function of a habitat for an organism?

Q2. Which of the following is a key adaptation of a cactus in a desert?

Q3. Plants and animals living on land are said to inhabit which type of habitat?

Q4. Which of these is an abiotic factor of a habitat?

Q5. Which non-living thing listed was once part of a living organism?

Frequently asked questions

What is a habitat according to NCERT Class 6 Science?

A habitat is the dwelling place or home of an organism, which includes the surroundings where it lives and finds its food, water, air, shelter, and other necessities.

How do cactus plants survive in deserts?

Cactus plants have adaptations like spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss, a thick waxy stem to retain water, and deep roots to absorb groundwater.

What is the difference between terrestrial and aquatic habitats?

Terrestrial habitats are found on land (like forests, deserts), while aquatic habitats are found in water (like oceans, rivers, lakes).

What are abiotic factors?

Abiotic factors are the non-living components of a habitat, such as soil, water, air, sunlight, and temperature, which are essential for the survival of organisms.

Can non-living things show characteristics of living things?

Yes, some non-living things can exhibit certain characteristics of living things, like movement or energy consumption. For example, a bus moves and uses fuel for energy.

Which of the listed items are non-living?

The non-living things from the list are plough, sewing machine, radio, and boat, as they do not possess the fundamental characteristics of life.

Important links

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