Class 6 Science Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World Notes & Summary in English for CBSE students
CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Notes & Summary in English for “Diversity in the Living World” (based on NCERT textbook Curiosity ).
Chapter 2 – Diversity in the Living World
(Complete Notes + Concept-wise Explanation + Summary CBSE Class 6 Science – Curiosity Book)
Chapter Overview – Chapter 2 Diversity in the Living World
This chapter teaches us:
- The variety of plants and animals around us
- How to observe, compare, and group them
- Important features like stems, leaves, roots, flowers, movements
- What habitat, adaptations, biodiversity, monocots, dicots, terrestrial and aquatic organisms mean
- How living organisms survive in different surroundings
1. Introduction to Diversity
Meaning of Diversity
- The word “diversity” means variety.
- It refers to the numerous types of plants and animals found around us.
Examples of Diversity
During a nature walk, we can observe:
- Tall trees, small grass, bushes
- Different animals – crow, cow, ants, butterflies, monkeys
- Various sounds – bird chirping, rustling leaves
- Different movements – flying, walking, jumping, crawling
Conclusion:
Nature is full of countless living organisms, each having unique features.
2. Diversity in Plants
2.1 Observable Features in Plants
When observing plants, we notice differences in:
- Stem – thin/thick, soft/hard, green/brown
- Leaves – shape, size, arrangement, colour
- Flowers – colour, fragrance, shape
- Roots – taproot/fibrous
- Height – tall/medium/short
2.2 Based on Height and Stem: Herbs, Shrubs, Trees
Herbs
- Short-height plants
- Soft, green stems (tender)
- Example: Tomato, mint, coriander
Shrubs
- Medium-height
- Hard, woody, thin stems
- Many branches near the ground
- Example: Rose, hibiscus
Trees
- Tallest plants
- Hard, thick, woody stems
- Branches appear higher on the stem
- Example: Mango, neem, banyan
2.3 Leaf Venation
Reticulate Venation
- Net-like vein pattern
- Seen in dicot plants
- E.g., hibiscus, mango, bean
Parallel Venation
- Veins run parallel
- Seen in monocot plants
- E.g., grasses, banana, wheat
2.4 Root Types
Taproot
- One main root
- Smaller side roots
- Found in dicots
- Example: Mustard, chickpea, hibiscus
Fibrous Root
- Thin roots arising from the stem base
- Found in monocots
- Example: Grass, wheat, maize
2.5 Types of Seeds
Dicot Seeds
- Two cotyledons (split into two parts)
- Reticulate venation
- Taproot
- Example: Chickpea, bean
Monocot Seeds
- One cotyledon
- Parallel venation
- Fibrous root
- Example: Maize, wheat
3. Diversity in Animals
3.1 Features to Observe
Animals differ in:
- Shape and size
- Body covering
- Colour
- Type of movement
- Habitat
- Diet
3.2 Movement of Animals
Different animals use different organs for movement:
| Animal | Movement | Body part used |
|---|---|---|
| Ant | Walk | Legs |
| Fish | Swim | Fins |
| Pigeon | Fly & walk | Wings, legs |
| Grasshopper | Jump | Legs |
| Snake | Slither | Entire body |
| Goat | Walk & jump | Legs |
4. Plants & Animals in Different Surroundings
Different regions have different biodiversity:
4.1 Deserts
Features:
- Very hot during day
- Very cold at night
- Less water
Plants (Example: Cactus)
- Thick, fleshy stems that store water
- Reduced leaves or spines
- Wax coating to reduce water loss
Animals (Example: Camel)
- Hot desert camel:
- Long legs
- Wide hooves (walking on sand)
- One hump
- Cold desert camel (Ladakh):
- Shorter legs
- Two humps
- Thick hair (for cold)
4.2 Mountains
Plants
- Deodar trees – cone-shaped, sloping branches (snow slides off)
- Rhododendron – height varies based on region
Animals
- Mountain goats have strong hooves and thick fur
4.3 Oceans
Animals with streamlined bodies live here:
- Fish
- Whales
- Dolphins
Streamlined bodies help in swimming.
5. Habitat & Adaptation
Habitat
The natural home of a plant or animal.
Types of Habitats
- Terrestrial – land (forest, grassland, mountain)
- Aquatic – water (pond, river, ocean)
- Amphibians – live on land & water (e.g., frog)
Adaptation
Special features that help organisms survive.
Examples:
- Fish: fins & gills
- Camel: water storage, long legs
- Cactus: spines, water-storing stem
- Deodar: cone shape
6. Biodiversity & Its Importance
Biodiversity
Variety of plants and animals in a region.
Importance
- Maintains balance in nature
- Plants give food & shelter
- Animals help in seed dispersal
- Each has a role in the ecosystem
Threats
- Habitat destruction
- Deforestation
- Pollution
Conservation Efforts
- Project Tiger
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project
- Protected areas
- Community-protected Sacred Groves
Chapter Keywords (With Easy Meaning)
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Variety of plants & animals |
| Grouping | Arranging things by common features |
| Herb | Small plant with soft stem |
| Shrub | Medium plant with hard, thin stems |
| Tree | Tall plant with woody stem |
| Taproot | Single main root |
| Fibrous root | Many thin roots |
| Venation | Leaf vein pattern |
| Parallel venation | Veins run parallel |
| Reticulate venation | Net-like veins |
| Monocot | Seed with one cotyledon |
| Dicot | Seed with two cotyledons |
| Habitat | Natural home of an organism |
| Adaptation | Features helping survival |
| Terrestrial | Living on land |
| Aquatic | Living in water |
| Amphibian | Lives on land & water |
Full Chapter Summary (Short & Crisp)
- The world is full of different plants and animals → this variety is biodiversity.
- Plants differ in stems, leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds.
- Plants can be grouped as herbs, shrubs, trees, monocots, dicots, parallel or reticulate venation plants.
- Animals move differently and use different body parts like fins, legs, wings.
- Organisms live in different habitats based on environmental conditions.
- Special features that help living things survive are called adaptations.
- Examples: camel, cactus, deodar, fish, mountain goat.
- Damage to habitats leads to loss of biodiversity.
- Conservation efforts include Project Tiger, Cheetah Project, and Sacred Groves.
- We must protect biodiversity for the survival of all living beings.