A. Choose the correct option.
- Orchids are commonly found in
a. Tropical rainforests - The type of forests that have very low temperatures, often below zero degrees
b. Boreal forests - Rock-like structures made of colonies of small marine invertebrates
b. Coral reefs - An adaptation commonly found in temperate forests
a. Pointed leaf tips - An example of migration
b. Arctic tern - Some insects in rainforests have unusually bright colours to
b. Warn predators that they are poisonous
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.
- Most trees in temperate forests shed their leaves once a year.
- The marine habitat consists of salt water bodies on Earth.
- A lotus has leaves with waxy coating to prevent them from rotting.
- Mangroves grow in regions where salt water mixes with fresh water.
- A polar bear has padded feet to move easily on snow.
C. Give two examples of the following.
- Animals in boreal forests: Squirrels, Chipmunks
- Animals that hibernate: Bats, Bears
- Evergreen trees: Peepal, Neem
- Plants whose stems are swollen and store water: Cactus, Aloe vera
- Animals that can run very fast to escape predators: Deer, Cheetah
- Aquatic plants: Lotus, Water lily
D. Answer the following questions.
1. Define ‘habitat’. Write the names of the major habitats on Earth.
Answer:
A habitat is the natural home or environment of an animal or plant where it lives and grows.
The major habitats on Earth are forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, polar regions, and aquatic habitats.
2. Describe all the major habitats of the Earth in two sentences each. Also, give an example of a plant and an animal found in each.
Answer:
- Forest: A habitat with many trees and animals. Example: Plant – Teak, Animal – Deer.
- Desert: A dry area with very little rain. Example: Plant – Cactus, Animal – Camel.
- Grassland: A region covered with grass and few trees. Example: Plant – Tall grass, Animal – Lion.
- Mountains: Cold regions with snow and rocky land. Example: Plant – Pine, Animal – Yak.
- Polar regions: Extremely cold areas covered with ice. Example: Plant – Moss, Animal – Polar bear.
- Aquatic: Water habitats like rivers and oceans. Example: Plant – Lotus, Animal – Fish.
3. Differentiate between the three main types of forests found on Earth. Give two examples of plants and animals found in each.
| Type of Forest | Climate | Examples of Plants | Examples of Animals |
| Tropical Rainforest | Hot and wet | Orchids, Ferns | Monkeys, Parrots |
| Temperate Forest | Mild climate | Oak, Maple | Deer, Fox |
| Boreal Forest | Cold and snowy | Pine, Spruce | Squirrel, Wolf |
4. What do you understand by the term ‘adaptation’?
Answer:
Adaptation is a special feature or change in plants and animals that helps them survive in their surroundings.
For example, a camel has long legs and can live without water for many days.
5. Give one example of how animals are adapted to live in rainforests.
Answer:
Monkeys have long arms and tails that help them swing from tree to tree. This helps them find food and stay safe from predators.
6. With the help of an example, explain what camouflage is. How does it help animals to survive in grasslands?
Answer:
Camouflage is the ability of animals to blend with their surroundings.
For example, a lion’s body color matches the dry grass in grasslands, which helps it hide and hunt easily.
7. With the help of an example, explain how plants have adapted themselves to survive in boreal forests.
Answer:
In boreal forests, trees like pine have needle-shaped leaves with wax coating. This helps them reduce water loss and prevents snow from collecting on the leaves.
8. Explain how a camel and a cactus are able to survive in regions with little or no water.
Answer:
A camel stores fat in its hump and can live many days without water. It also has long eyelashes to protect its eyes from sand.
A cactus stores water in its thick stem and has spines instead of leaves to stop water loss.
9. Discuss some of the ways in which a polar bear is adapted to live in polar regions.
Answer:
A polar bear has thick white fur and a layer of fat to keep it warm. Its white color helps it hide in snow, and its large paws help it walk on ice easily.
10. Discuss any two adaptations shown by freshwater plants.
Answer:
- Plants like lotus have waxy leaves that prevent water from sticking to them.
- Plants like water hyacinth have air spaces in their leaves that help them float on water.