Our Environment

Facts that Matter

Environment: The surrounding in which a living being lives is called its enviro
ent.
.5 nvironment can be divided into two types:
bf
(a)Biotic Environment: The living beings in an environment are the compoc
17 biotic environment.
For
abiotic environment.
Environment: The non-livine things make the
6) Abiotic
25 kample; air, water, soil, light, temperature, etc.
the main components of biotio
biolc

Components of Biotic Environment: Following are

31 environment: food.
Producers: Green called producers because they prepare their ow
plants are
(1) their food is called photosynthesis.
Durin
The process by which green plants prepare
39 from sunlight, carbon dioxide
from
a
photosynthesis, green plant takes energy chlorophyll to make o
in the presence of
water from soil. Then the plant uses them also formed
durng
which a green plant makes and oxygen gas is
15 Gucose 1s the food

this process.

2 dioxide + Water
sunlight++chlorophyll
Sunlight chlorophyl Glucose +Oxygen
Carbon
directly takes
food. An herbivore
depend green plants for
Consumers: Animals
takes food from green plants,
on
(2) a carnivore indirectly
food from green plants, while viz. primary
consumers
ana

be divided into two main categories,

consumers can
So,
secondary consumers.
are broken into
9 their dead remains
and plants die,
When animals
and bacteria carry out
3) Decomposers: decomposition. Fungi
This process is called necessary
for
is
simple substances. as decomposers.
Decomposition
decomposition and hence are known
environment.
to the
returning the raw materials
broken down into simple substances by
which can be fruit
Materials: Materials cloth, vegetable,
Biodegradable materials. Example: paper,
are called biodegradable
microorganisms
broken down into simple
peels, etc. which cannot be
Materials: Materials Example: glass, iron,
Non-biodegradable materials.
non-biodegradable
are called
substances microorganisms
by
tin, plastic, etc. brown or black soil-like substance.
turns into a dark
kitchen waste is highly beneficial for
Compost: The farm and contains simple
substances. Compost
This is called compost. Compost
soil fertility. earthworms is called vermicompost.
made with the help of
Vermicompost: Compost fertilizer and soil conditioner.
nutrient-rich, organic
Vermicompost is excellent,
Environment
Components of Abiotic biological activities. Living
all living beings for various
(1) Water: Water is required by
water.
survive without
beings cannot method in which rainwater is
Rainwater harvesting is a
Rainwater Harvesting: useful for places which get scanty rainfall and
and stored for later use. This is
collected can be collected
often have to suffer from
shortage of water. Rainwater from rooftop
5
 in an
underground tank. This water can be treated so that it can
be safely use
Rainwater harvesting can also be used for recharging the e
groundwater.
(2) Air: Air is also essential for all living beings. All living
beings need oxygen
respiration. Without air, we cannot survive for more than a few seconds. Oxygen a=
many other gases, which are present in air, are
important for our survival.
(3) Light: Sun is the ultimate source of
light for us. Green plants utilize solar ener.
during photosynthesis. Thus, all of us get food because
animals behave differently to light. Some animals areof sunlight. Different plantsa
active during day, while
others are active during night. som
4) Temperature: The degree of hotness or
coldness is expressed in terms of
is neither to0 high nor too low. This is temperatura
The temperature on the earth
support life. Moderate temperature is good for just ideal t
live at very hot or very cold living beings, but some living
beings a
places as well.
5) Soil: Soil is important for
plants because they grow on soil. Soil provides a base
green plants. Additionally, soil is a
reservoir of water and minerals for plants. fo
also home to many creatures. Soil is

INTERACTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Food Chain: Plants and animals
interact with each other for food. This
shown by a flow chart which is called food chain. relationship can be
Food chain shows the transfer of
plants to other living beings. This is also known as energy chain. energy from
Grass Deer
Producer Lion
Primary consumer Secondary consumer
Mineral Cycle: The bodies of all living
beings are made up of many minerals. These
minerals are obtained from the abiotic environment.
When a living being dies, these minerals
returned to the environment, through are
decomposition.
the abiotic and biotic environment. This Thus, a continuous
cycle is formed between
cycle is called mineral cycle.
Dead
Dead Plants
and Animals

Animals
Droppings
Animals
(Consumers) Decomposers
(microbes)
Green Plants
producers) Minerals

Soil
Balance between
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide: Animals and
give out carbon
also adds carbon
dioxide during the
process of respiration. The
plants take in oxygen and
dioxide to the burning of coal, wood and petrol
up carbon dioxide and give out atmosphere. But during process of photosynthesis, plants
the
of oxygen and oxygen.
carbon dioxide in the
In this way a balance is
maintained between the amountuse
6
SCIENCE-VI
atmosphere.
 Carbon dioxide

Burning
Respiration or Photosynthesis
Combustion

Oxygen

Words that Matter

Environment: The surrounding of a living being is called its environment.
Biotie: The living beings make the biotic component of environment.
of environmen.
non-living things make the abiotic component
Abiotic: The
be seen by naked
cannot
so small that they
Microorganisms: The living heings which are
eyes are called microorganisms. food and that
because they prepare
their own
Producer: Green plants are called producers
food is utilized by all other living beings.
c o n s u m e r : Herbivores are
called primary c o n s u m e r s .
Primary
called secondary consumers.
Carnivores are
Secondary c o n s u m e r : food is called photosynthesis.
which plants prepare their
Photosynthesis: The process by
green
is the main food
carbon, and hydrogen. Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate: Compounds of oxygen

made by green plants for

of Chlorophyll is necessary
present in green parts plants.
Chlorophyll: The green pigment
photosynthesis. which contain chlorophyll. Chloroplast is the site of
coloured plants
Chloroplast: The green
photosynthesis.
are called autotrophs.
which make their own food
Autotrophs: Organisms for food are called heterotrophs.
which depend on other organisms
Heterotrophs: Organisms and animals into simple
changing dead remains of plants
Decomposition: The process of
substances is called
decomposition.
which carry out decomposition.
Decomposer: The organisms
remains. These
animals eat dead bodies of animals and thus clear the dead
Scavengers: Some
crow, etc.
animals are called scavengers, e.g. vulture, jackal,
Biodegradable: Materials which can be decomposed by microorganisms are called
biodegradable.
Non-biodegradable: Materials which cannot be decomposed by microorganisms are called
non-biodegradable.
Compost: The dark soil like material which is obtained after decomposition of farm or kitchen
waste is called compost.

OUR ENVIRONMENT 7
 Vermicompost: Compost which is prepared with the
help of earthworms is
vermicompost
Rainwater Harvesting:
Collection and storage of rainwater for
calleg
call

groundwater recharge is called rainwater harvesting. future use and

Groundwater: The water which is available below the surface of earth is

for
called
groundwatater.
Nocturnal Animal: Animals which remain active during night are called nocturnal
Diurnal Animal: Animals which remain animal.
Temperature: The measure
active during day are called diurnal
animals. als
of degree of coldness or hotness is called
Terrestrial Animals: Animals which live on land. temperature.
Aquatic Animals: Animals which live in water.
Terrestrial Plants: Plants which grow on land.
Aquatic Plants: Plants which grow in water.
Food Chain: The chain of
to animals is called
living beings through which food is transferred from
food chain. green plants
Energy Chain: The chain of living beings
various living beings is called through which energy from sunlight is transterred
energy chain. Food chain and to
Mineral Cycle: The continuous energy chain are the same.
cycle through which minerals are
environment to biotic
environment and back to the abiotic supplied from abiotie
environment is called mineral cycle.
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED
sOMETHING TO KNOW
A. Fill in the
blanks.
1. Plastic is ...
....as it cannot be
2. We must broken down
into simpler
say NO' to ...
... and use...... substances in nature.
3. The flowers
of the. ......bloom with sunrise and close or...
****.

4. after sunset.
. .and..... ...are
5. ..
among animals found only in cold
the atmosphere.
and..
...processes help in balancing regions.
Ans. 1. Non-biodegradable
of carbon dioxide and oxygen in
2.
Polythene bags, jute bags, cloth
3. Morning glory bags
4. Polar bear,
penguin
5. Respiration, photosynthesis
B. Write True or False for the
1.
Herbivores can prepare their following statements.
2. food.
own
Fungi and bacteria are
3. The sunflower faces the east in organisms that can be easily seen by the human
4. the
Camels do not have morning. eye, by itself.
5. Soil is sweat glands.
an
Ans. 1. important biotic component of our environment.
False, 2.
False, 3.
8 True, 4. True, 5. False
SCIENCE-V
C. Tick () the correct option.
1. Biotie environment
ineludes-
(a) only the producers and the consumers
(6) only the consumers and decomposers
the decomposers and the producers
e) only
(d) producers, consumers as well as decomposers
2. The group of organisms, which convert light for making food, are called-
(a) autotrophs (6) heterotrophs
(c) decomposers (d) scavengers
3. Decomposers include-
(a) bacteria only (6) fungi only
c)bacteria as well as Fungi (d) only the scavengers
4. Which of the following is not biodegradable? (d) aluminium foil
(c) earthworm
(a) vegetables (6) fruits
5. Vermicomposting is done by- (d) aquatic animals

(c) worm8
(a) fungus (6) bacteria
desert 1 8
6. An animal, that is not affected
much by the heat of the (d) lion
c) cow
(a) fats (6) camel 3. (c) Both
above 2. (a) Autotrophs
Ans. 1. (d) All of the 5. (c) Worms
6. (b) Camel
4. d)Aluminium foil
in brief.
D. Answer the following questions
different types of wastes? can be
used
1. Why should we segregate while some are not.
Biodegradable waste
Thus,
a r e biodegradable, sent for recycling.
Ans. Some wastes wastes c a n be
the non-biodegradable in reducing
to make compost.
Some of
waste and can also help
c a n help in proper
management of
segregation of waste
environment.
the burden on the
of the term 'vermicomposting. earthworms.
2. Write the meaning with the help of
is the process of preparing compost decomposition of dead
Ans. Vermicomposting
This helps the decomposers in
Earthworms loosen
and turn the soil.
earthworms hasten the
rate of decomposition.
remains. Thus, of photosynthesis?
of air gets 'used-up' during the process
3. Which component of photosynthesis.
dioxide (CO,) is essential for the process
Ans. Carbon to save the environment.
five activities that can help
4. Suggest any
to save environment are
as follows:
activities which can be done
Ans. Five
(a) Don't plastic bags.
use
the road or into the river.
Don't throw garbage
on
(6)
(c) Stop deforestation.

(d)Plant more trees.

of vehicles to reduce air pollution.
Minimize the use
(e) and carbon dioxide,
a balance, between the amounts of oxygen
5. How does nature maintain
in the atmosphere?

During respiration, both plants and animals take in oxygen from the atmosphere and give
Ans.
out carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
When wood, coal and petrol are burnt, then
carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in
carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Thus, nature maintains a balance between the amount
of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

OUR ENVIRONMENT 9
 questions.
E. Answer the following
1. Distinguish between:

(a) autotrophs and heterotrophs

Ans Autotrophs Heterotrophs

They make their own food. They cannot make their own food.
Chlorophyll is present in them. Chlorophyll is absent in them.

Example: Green plants Example: Animals

b) decomposers and scavengers

Ans.
Decomposers Scavengers
Decomposers are microorganisms. Scavengers are large animals.

They change dead remains into simple They eat away dead remains, but don't
substances. change them into simple substances.
Examples: fungi, bacteria Examples: vulture, crow, jackal, etc.
2. State the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. Give one
example of each.

Ans. Biodegradable materials Non-biodegradable materials

They can be turned into simple substances They cannot be turned into simple
by microorganisms. substances by microorganisms.
They come from abiotic sources.
They come from living beings.
Example: fruit peel Example:glass
3. How does decomposition of dead animals turn out to be useful?
Ans. Decomposition of dead animals is useful in many ways. We know that decomposition
is a process through which dead remains are converted into simple substances. These
simple substances are returned to the abiotic environment. Thus, decomposition help
in maintaining a balance of minerals in the environment. Moreover, had there been ne
decomposition, the whole earth would have been full of dead bodies. This would have lef
no space for living beings.
4. Why is rain water harvesting a 'ray of hope' for overcoming the present 'scarcity of wate=
in cities?
Ans. Water scarcity is a big problem in most of the cities. This has happened because d
growing demand of water. Depletion of groundwater level has reduced the supply of wate
Through rainwater harvesting, we can create a pool of surplus water which can be use
from underground tank. This water can also help in recharging groundwater. Thus, it ca
be said that rain water harvesting is a ray of
hope for today's scarcity of water in cities.
5. Why do buffaloes cool themselves in water
during summer?
Ans. The skin of buffalo is black and black colour absorbs
heat. This makes the skin of buta
too hot during summer. Moreover, buffaloes do
not have too many sweat glands wh
could help in keeping its skin cool. So, buffaloes cool
themselves in water during sumn
0 SCIENCE-VI
 6. Draw a diagram that shows the
relationship between the biotic and abiotic components of
the environment.
Ans.

Dead Plants
andAnimals
Animals
Droppings

Animals Decomposers
(consumers) (microbes)

Green Plants
Minerals
(producers)
Soil

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

from their neighbours for
Suchi's mother not approve of her idea of taking help
did
exhibition. She told her that she
should do her work
making models for her school
then helped and guided Suchi to design very
herself with confidence and honesty. She models w e r e
items from old newspapers. Suchi's
useful, interesting and attractive
a s they were in tune
with the concepts of reuse' and recycle'.
very much appreciated
Suchi's mother.
1. State the values conveyed by
Ans. Selfhelp and respect for nature.
of a material.
2. Give one example of recycling'
make door mats and carpets.
My mother uses old clothes
to
Ans.
suggests one or more ideas,
with your friends in which each
one
3. Have a group discussion
or 'reuse'.
in tune with the idea of recycling
Ans. Do it yourself.

SOMETHING TO DO
1. Imagine a scenario
the
The government is planning to ban
the use of plastic bags. For a debate over
called. The
formed. A meeting of the committee is being
same, a committee was
members of the committee are:
A government representative
A head of shopkeeper's association
A plastic bag manufacturer

A cloth bag manufacturer

An environmentalist
OUR ENVIRONMENT 11
 Prepare, and present, a skit projecting the likely views of the members
ers who
attended the meeting.
Ans. Government Representative: The government is committed to protect the environme
We will make every effort to stop the use of plastic bags.
nment.
Head of Shopkeeper's Association: We also need to participate in this great effort. W
will educate our customers to bring jute bags.
Plastic Bag Manufacturer: I will lose my livelihood. Government should devise some
Some
mechanism to properly dispose plastice waste. What will happen to my family and m
my
workers?
Cloth Bag Manufacturer: It will definitely help the environment. We will make more

bags to help this cause.

An Environmentalist: Environment is more important than anyone's livelihood. We
should come forward to protect the environment at any cost.
2. The waste segregation methods, adopted by two neighnbours, Ramesh and
Suresh are shown here in the form of the pie charts. Study the pie charts
carefully and a n s w e r the questions that follow.

metal kitchen
metal
pitchen waste waste
waste
& plastic
waste
paper
waste waste plastic
waste

Waste disposed off by Ramesh Waste disposed off by Suresh

1. Name the two items of waste, disposed off by Ramesh, that needs to be separated from one
another.

Ans. Kitchen and plastic waste

2. Identify the biodegradable materials disposed off by Suresh.
Ans. Paper waste, kitchen waste
3. Of the two, who, according to you, is more eco-friendly and why?
Ans. Suresh has properly segregated the waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Hence, he appears to be more eco-friendly than Ramesh.
3. Solve the following crossword
puzzle with the help of given clues.
Clues
Across
a. Do not make their own food. b. Non-living components.
c. Meat-eaters.
d. Vulture is a.
e.
Compost prepared by worms.
Down
f. Plant eaters.
g. Morning glory. h. A desert animal.
i. Decomposable material.
j. Helps in recycling of minerals.
12 ScIENCE-VI
 Ans.

H D
a-HETEROTROPHS
RM
bA BI0T|IC

O
AB
hCA RNIVORES
AE D
Ma- SCAVENGER O
E G M
eVERMICOMPOST

D
B R
L
E
MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

I.Fill in the blanks.

1. The surroundings of a living
being is called its....
environment.
the
2. Plants and animals compose
. . . . . . . . . . .

. . environment.

3. Soil, water and air compose the.

their food by a process called
. . .

4. Green plants prepare

because of the pigment.
5. The colour of leaves is green of photosynthesis.
is also formed at the end
6. Apart from carbophydrate,
. . . . . . . .

raw materials for photosynthesis.

*****
. . . . . . . are the
and...

the role o f . . . . in the environment.

8. Fungi and bacteria play . Consumer.
9. Cow is an example of ....

. Consumer.
10. Lion is an example of .

wastes.
11. Fruit and vegetable peels are... ***°******

waste.
12. Plastic bag is an example o f . . . .

13. ....*. .. animals are active during night.

14. ...animals are active during day.
15. Aluminium can be .... .....many times.

Ans. 1. Environment 2. biotie 3. Abiotic

4. Photosynthesis 5. Chlorophyll 6. Oxygen
7. Carbon dioxide, water 8. Decomposer 9. Primary
10. Secondary 11. Biodegradable 12. Non-biodegradable
13. Nocturnal 14. Diurnal 15. Recycled

OUR ENVIRONMENT 13
 correct option.
H. Tick () the
an example of producer?
1. Which of these is
(a) Deer (6) Lion (c) Fungus (d) Grass

2. Which of these is example of primary consumer?

an

(a) Deer 6) Lion (c) Eagle (d) Frog

3. Which is the ultimate source of energy for us?
a) Petrol (6) Electricity (c) Green plants (d) Sun
4. Which of these would always be at the top of food chain?
a) Deer 6) Lion (c) Monkey (d) Bacteria
5. Which of these would always be at the bottom of food chain?
(a) Deer (6) Tiger C) Grass (d) Grasshopper
6. What is the colour of the bin which is meant for biodegradable waste?
(a) Red c) Blue (d) Yellow
(6) Green
7. What is the colour of the bin which is meant for reeyclable waste?
(a) Red (6) Green c)Blue (d) Yellow

8. Which of these is not environment friendly?

(a) Paper bag (a) Deer c)Cloth bag d) Polythene bag
Ans. 1. (d) Grass 2. (a) Deer 3. () Sun 4. 6) Lion

5. (c) Grass 6. (6) Green 7. (c) Blue 8. (d) Polythene bag

l. Answer the following questions.

1. What do you understand by environment? What are the main types of environment?
Explain in brief.
Ans. The surrounding of a living being is called its environment.

The main types of the environment are as follows:

.Biotie Environment: The living beings in an environment are the components of
biotic environment.
Abiotic Environment: The non-living things make the abiotie environment. For
example: air, water, soil, light, temperature, etc.
2. What do you understand by producers in an environment? Explain.
Ans. Green plants are called producers because they prepare their own food. The process by
which green plants prepare their food is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis,
green plant takes energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide from air and water from soil. Then
the plant uses them in the presence of chlorophyll to make food. Glucose is the food which
a green plant makes and oxygen gas is also formed during this process.

3. Explain rainwater harvesting.

Ans. Rainwater harvesting is a method in which rainwater is collected and stored for later use
This is useful for places which get scanty rainfall and often have to suffer from shortage o
water. Rainwater from rooftop can be collected in an underground tank. This water can De

treated so that it can be safely used. Rainwater harvesting can also be used for rechargns
the groundwater

14 SCIENCE-VI
 4. Explain decomposers.
into simple substances. This
Ans. When animals and plants die, their dead remains are broken
out decomposition and hence are
process is called decomposition. Fungi and bacteria carry to the
raw materials
Known as decomposers. Decomposition is necessary for returning the
environment.
5. How is air essential to living beings?
need oxygen for respiration. without
Ans. Air i8 essential for all living beings. AIl living beings and many other gases,
whicn
for than few seconds. Oxygen
a
air, we cannot survive more

present in air, are important

are for our survival.
food chain?
6. What is food chain? What happens in
a
can be shown by
a

food. This relationship

Ans. Plants and animals interact
with each other for from plants
transfer of energy
called food chain. Food chain shows the
flow chart which is
chain.
to other living beings. This is
also known as energy
Lion
Grass Deer Secondary c o n s u m e r

Primary consumer
Producer

7. What do you
understand by mineral cycle? minerals. These
minerals obtained are

living beings are

made up of many
these minerals
are
returned
to
Ans. The bodies of all being dies, between the
environment. When a living is formed
from the abiotic continuous cycle
decomposition. Thus, a
mineral cycle.
the environment through This cycle is called
environment.
abiotic environment and biotic
environment? food
plants important to the plants prepare
their own

8. How are green environment. Green for

important to the plants are necessary
Ans. Green plants
are very Thus, green
utilised by all other
living beings. carbon dioxide and release oxygen,
and this food is take beings.
all other living beings. Green plants essential for respiration by living
survival of is plants
We know that oxygen the environment,
green
photosynthesis. carbon dioxide in
during and
the balance of oxygen
By maintaining of all living beings. Non-Government
Organisations
help in survival Organisations
they
and
mention how help, e.g.
the of G o v e r n m e n t
names e n v i r o n m e n t . Also
9. Find out managing the colleges, railway
which help in in public places (schools,
(NGOs) banned smoking
Government has
Central
stations, trains, etc.)
Ans. Government Organizations: help in managing
and thus
excreta and garbage

Railways manage
disposal of human
the environment.
plants in forests
and helps in saving
after animals and
The Department of
Forest looks
the environment.
Non-Government Organizations: makes biogas fromn
toilets. It also
builds and manages public
International
Sulabh
awareness
about
human excreta. works to increase
(People for
Ethical Treatment of Animals)
life of animals.
PETA
animals and helps
in improving the step to
Do you think it is good
a
cruelty against of plastic bags.
banned use
governments have
10. Few state threat
environment? Give your opinion. pose a big
save
and non-recyclable. Hence, they
are non-biodegradable for plastic bags to
Ans. Plastic bags it may take thousands of years
scientists,
the environment. As per
to
degrade.
OUR ENvIRONMENT 15
 popular in recent times
and empty plastiic bags can
.Plastic bags have become very
seen strown all over the places.
sewers which results
in overflowing drains
Plastie bags often choke the
animals. Such animals
Plastic bags are sometimes swallowed by stray die because
dio

choking.
In the context of above observations, I think it is a good step to ban plastic bass
bags.
V. Projects
1. Visit a nearby park or a garden. Make a list of biotic and abiotic components Dresond
park sent int
2. In this lesson, you have read about food chain. This can also be represented in the f.
food pyramid. Make a food pyramid; showing the environment in a forest. form
3. Visit a pond near your school or home. List the
organisms you can identify and m
possible food chain. mal
Ans. Some organisms which can be identified
in a pond are: fish, crab, frog, duck, crane. ete
A food chain in a
pond:
Aquatic plants Small fish Big Big fish
4. Visit
Crane
a zo0 with your
parents or teachers. Make
them into herbivores and a list of animals kept there and class
Ans.
carnivores.
Herbivores in a zoo: Deer, giraffe, monkey,
Carnivores in a rabbit, elephant, zebra, etc.
zoo: Tiger, lion, leopard,
wildcat, jackal, etc.