Diversity in Living Organisms Question Answers: NCERT Class 9 Science

Welcome to the Chapter 7 - Diversity in Living Organisms, Class 9 Science - NCERT Solutions page. Here, we provide detailed question answers for Chapter 7 - Diversity in Living Organisms.The page is designed to help students gain a thorough understanding of the concepts related to natural resources, their classification, and sustainable development.

Our solutions explain each answer in a simple and comprehensive way, making it easier for students to grasp key topics and excel in their exams. By going through these Diversity in Living Organisms question answers, you can strengthen your foundation and improve your performance in Class 9 Science. Whether you're revising or preparing for tests, this chapter-wise guide will serve as an invaluable resource.

We all have seen varieties of organisms in our surroundings. These creatures are nothing but diversity. How these organisms evolve is still a mystery but evolution explains that due to change in environment the organism adapted according to change that lead to formation of species. In this chapter we will reveal more about taxonomy of organisms given by many scientists so let's get more knowledge of this wonderful world with varieties of organisms.

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Exercise 1

  • Q1

    Why do we classify organisms?

    Ans:

    Organisms are classified into different groups in order to identify any specific organisms i,e for easier and convenient study of different organisms. At a time we can study the characteristics of a large number of organisms and the relationship between them.


    Q2

    Give three examples of the range of variations that you see in life-forms around you.

    Ans:

    Examples of range of variations observed in daily life are:

    (i) Variation in size: size of organisms can vary from microscopic bacteria to giant redwood trees (about 100 metres).

    (ii) Variation in lifespan: lifespan varies from organisms to organisms i.e for bacteria it is of few hours whereas in case of large trees it can be thousands of years .

    (iii) Variation in body colour: most of the organisms (insects, flowers, birds)  show a vast range of colours to attract and protect from predators.


Exercise 2

  • Q1

    Which do you think is a more basic characteristic for classifying organisms?

    (a) the place where they live.
    (b) the kind of cells they are made of. Why?

    Ans:

    The more basic characteristic for classifying organisms is the kind cells they are made of because there are a number of organisms which are living in a common habitat but they belong to different taxonomic groups. Organisms can be classified into eukaryotes (protista, fungi, plants and animals) and prokaryotes (monera) on the basis of cell type.


    Q2

    What is the primary characteristic on which the first division of organisms is made?

    Ans:

    The primary characteristic on which the first division of organisms is made is the nature / kind  of the cell - prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Nature of the cell includes the presence or absence of membrane-bound organelles. Therefore, on the basis of this fundamental characteristic, we can classify all living organisms into two broad categories of eukaryotes (protista, fungi, plantae, animalia) and prokaryotes (monera). Then, further classification is made on the basis of cellularity or modes of nutrition, sexual reproduction and phylogenetic relationship.


    Q3

    On what bases are plants and animals put into different categories?

    Ans:

    Plants and animals are put in different categories on the basis of whether the organisms produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis (plants). But, locomotion is considered as the characteristic feature that separates animals from plants. This is because the absence of locomotion in plants gave rise to many structural changes such as the presence of a cell wall (for protection), the presence of chloroplasts (for photosynthesis) etc.


Exercise 3

  • Q1

    Which organisms are called primitive and how are they different from the so-called advanced organisms?

    Ans:

    Primitive organisms are those  which have a simple body structure (lower organisms) and ancient body design  that have not changed much. The organisms that have acquired more complex structure and body design are known as advanced organisms or higher organisms. For example, an Amoeba is more primitive as compared to a starfish. Amoeba has a simple body structure and primitive features as compared to a starfish. Hence, an Amoeba is considered more primitive than a starfish.


    Q2

    Will advanced organisms be the same as complex organisms? Why?

    Ans:

    The advanced organisms will be the same as complex organisms . It is not always true that an advanced organism will have a complex body structure. This is because there is a possibility that over the evolutionary time, complexity in body design will increase.


Exercise 4

Exercise 5

  • Q1

    Which division among plants has the simplest organisms?

    Ans:

    Thallophyta or algae is the division of plants that has the simplest organisms. This group includes plants, which do not contain a well differentiated plant body. Their body is not differentiated into roots, stems, and leaves.


    Q2

    How are pteridophytes different from the phanerogams?

    Ans:
    Pteridophyta Phanerogams
    The reproductive organs of pteridophytes are inconspicuous or less differentiated. The reproductive organs of phanerogams are well developed.
    Pteridophytes have naked embryos that are called spores. Phanerogams produce seeds which consist of embryo and stored food.
    Example:  Ferns, Marsilea, Equisetum, etc. Example:  Pinus, Cycas, fir, etc.

     


    Q3

    How do gymnosperms and Angiosperms differ from each other?

    Ans:
    Gymnosperm Angiosperm
    Gymnosperms  are non-flowering plants. Angiosperms are flowering plants.
    The plants of seeds of this group bear naked seeds and are usually perennial, evergreen and woody. The seeds develop inside an organ which is modified to become a fruit.
    Example: Pinus, Cedar, fir, Cycas, etc. Example: Coconut, palm, mango, etc.

     


Exercise 6

  • Q1

    How do poriferan animals differ from coelenterate animals?

    Ans:
    Porifera Coelenterate
    They are non-motile and found attached to rocks. They either live in colonies (corals) or have a solitary life-span (Hydra).
    The body of Porifera is made up of a single layer of cells. The body of Coelenterate is made up of two layers of cells.
    Example : Spongilla, Euplectella, etc. Example : Hydra, sea anemone, corals, etc.

     


    Q2

    How do annelid animals differ from arthropods?

    Ans:
    Annelids Arthropods
    The true body cavity called ‘coelom‘ is present. The body cavity is present. It contains blood called ‘haemocoel’.
    The body is divided into several identical segments. The body is divided into a few specialized segments.

     


    Q3

    What are the differences between amphibians and reptiles?

    Ans:
    Amphibian Reptiles
    Respiration is either through gills or lungs. Respiration is through lungs.
    The skin of Amphibian is moist and soft. The skin of Reptiles is hardened.
    They lay eggs in water. They lay eggs on land.
    Example : frogs, toads, and salamanders. Example: lizards, snakes, turtles, chameleons, etc.

     


    Q4

    What are the differences between animals belonging to the Aves group and those in the mammalia group?

    Ans:
    Aves Mammals
    Their body is covered with feathers and they possess a beak. They do not have feathers and the beak is also absent and their body is covered with hairs.
    The bones are hollow for flying. No hollow bones.

     


Exercise 7

  • Q1

    What are the advantages of classifying organisms?

    Ans:

    Therefore, classification serves the following advantages:

    (i) It determines the evolutionary relationship by establishing the gradually increasing complexity of form and structure in different groups of organisms .

    (ii) It helps in understanding millions of life forms in detail.

    (iii) It also helps in the development of other life sciences.


    Q2

    How would you choose between two characteristics to be used for developing a hierarchy in classification?

    Ans:

    For classifying an organism in a hierarchical model, we choose the fundamental characteristic among several other characteristics. For example, plants differ from animals in having chloroplast and lacking locomotion. But, only locomotion is considered as the basic or fundamental feature that is used to distinguish between plants and animals. This is because the absence of locomotion in plants gave rise to many structural changes such as the presence of a cell wall for protection, and the presence of chloroplast for photosynthesis.


    Q3

    Explain the basis for grouping organisms into five kingdoms.

    Ans:

    The five kingdoms proposed by R.H. Whittaker are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

    The basis for grouping organisms into five kingdoms is as follows:

    (i) On the basis of Cell type, all living organisms are divided into two broad categories of eukaryotes and prokaryotes . This division led to the formation of kingdom Monera, which includes all prokaryotes.

    (ii) On the basis of body organisation, organisms can be classified into cellular tissue, organ and organ system level. Unicellular eukaryotes form kingdom Protista, and multicellular eukaryotes form kingdom Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

    (iii) Animals are then separated on the basis of presence or absence of a cell wall.

    (iv) On the basis of mode of nutrition , since fungi and plants both contain a cell wall, they are separated into different kingdoms. Fungi have heterotrophic mode of nutrition, whereas plants have autotrophic mode of nutrition. This results in the formation of the five kingdoms.


    Q4

    What are the major divisions in the Plantae? What is the basis for these divisions?

    Ans:

    The kingdom Plantae is divided into five main divisions: Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

    The classification depends on the following criteria:

    • Differentiated / Undifferentiated plant body

    • Presence / absence of vascular tissues

    • With/without seeds

    • Naked seeds/ seeds inside fruits

    (i)  Thallophyta : these are simple , thalloid and undifferentiated body parts. They do not have roots, stems and leaves.

    (ii)  Bryophyta : their plant body is more differentiated and has root ,stem and leaf-like body parts. They do not have vascular tissue.

    (iii)  Pteridophyta : they have true root, stem and leaf. They possess well differentiated vascular tissue.

    (iv)  Gymnosperm : the plants in which ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall i.e naked - seeded plants.

    (v) Angiosperm : seeds are enclosed in fruits.


    Q5

    How are the criteria for deciding divisions in plants different from the criteria for deciding the subgroups among animals?

    Ans:

    Our experts will give the answer soon.


    Q6

    Explain how animals in Vertebrata are classified into further subgroups.

    Ans:

    Animals in Vertebrates are classified into five classes:

    (i) Class Pisces: This class includes fish such as Scoliodon, tuna, rohu, shark, etc. These animals mostly live in water. Hence, they have special adaptive features such as a streamlined body, presence of a tail for movement, gills, etc. to live in water.

    (ii) Class Amphibia: The amphibians have adopted to live both on land and water. They respire with the help of gills, lungs and through skins. They are cold - blooded animals. They lay eggs and development through larval stages. e.g : Frog, Salamander etc.

    (iii) Class Reptilia: The class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion. The body of a reptile is covered with dry and cornified skin to prevent water loss . They are cold - blooded animals. They lay eggs on land. e.g : Snakes, Chameleon etc.

    (iv) Class Aves: The characteristics features of aves are the presence of feathers. Most of them have feathers. Their forelimbs are modified into wings for flight, while hind limbs have scales modified for walking and clasping. They are warm blooded and lay eggs. e.g : Crow, Pigeon etc.

    (v) Class Mammalia: The most unique mammalian characteristic is presence of milk producing glands by which the young ones are nourished. Their skin has hair as well as sweat glands to regulate their body temperature. e.g : Humans, Lions, Dogs etc.


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