Science · Class 6
The Living Organisms
Characteristics of living things; habitat and adaptation.
4 sections15–25 min read6 MCQs · 2 examples
Chapter Overview
Living organisms share characteristics: they move, respire, grow, respond to stimuli, reproduce, and excrete. This chapter distinguishes living from non-living and covers habitats and adaptation.
Characteristics of Living Beings
- Nutrition, respiration, growth, excretion
- Response to stimuli (touch-me-not plant folds leaves)
- Reproduction
- Definite lifespan and death
Habitat and Adaptation
- Habitat: place where organism lives (desert, ocean, forest)
- Aquatic adaptation: streamlined body, fins (fish)
- Desert adaptation: water storage, reduced leaves (cactus)
- Mountain adaptation: thick fur (yak, snow leopard)
Biotic and Abiotic
- Biotic: living components (plants, animals)
- Abiotic: non-living (water, air, sunlight, soil, temperature)
Solved Examples
Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.
Living or non-living?
Is a seed living or non-living? Explain.
- 1Dry seed seems inactive — non-living
- 2Given water and warmth, it germinates
- 3Shows growth and respiration — living
Answer
Living (dormant until conditions favour growth)
Adaptation
How is a camel adapted to desert life?
- 1Stores fat in hump (energy and water source)
- 2Long eyelashes and closed nostrils against sand
- 3Passes little urine; does not sweat much
Answer
Water conservation and sand protection
Key Points to Remember
- ✓ All living things need food and water
- ✓ Adaptation is a slow change over generations
- ✓ Same organism may show different responses to different stimuli
Exam Tips
- • List characteristics of living organisms
- • Give habitat examples with adaptations
- • Distinguish biotic and abiotic factors
Practice MCQs — The Living Organisms
Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.
Question 1 of 6Score: 0/0
Which is NOT a characteristic of living things?