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Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

Chapter Review

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

This chapter helps students understand the basic characteristics that distinguish living organisms from non-living things. It explains how living beings grow, breathe, respond to their surroundings, reproduce, and complete their life cycles. The chapter also introduces seed germination, plant growth, and the life cycles of plants and animals through simple observations and activities. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Chapter Review

This chapter review provides a quick revision of all the important concepts, scientific terms, and key facts required for school examinations and concept building.

Introduction

Everything around us can be grouped into two categories—living things and non-living things. Animals, birds, insects, plants, and human beings are living organisms because they perform various life processes. Objects like chairs, books, pencils, stones, and vehicles are non-living because they do not carry out these life processes. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

What are Living Things?

Living things are organisms that perform essential life activities such as growth, respiration, nutrition, movement, excretion, reproduction, and response to changes in their surroundings. These characteristics together help us identify whether something is alive.

What are Non-living Things?

Non-living things do not perform life processes. They cannot grow, reproduce, breathe, or respond to stimuli on their own. Although some non-living objects such as cars or robots can move, their movement depends on external energy and not on biological processes.

Characteristics of Living Organisms

All living organisms share certain common features. The presence of these characteristics helps us distinguish living things from non-living things.

• They require food for energy and growth.
• They grow in size and develop with time.
• They breathe through the process of respiration.
• They remove waste materials from the body.
• They respond to changes in their surroundings.
• They reproduce to produce young ones.
• They show movement either from place to place or within their body.
• They have a definite life span and eventually die.

Movement in Living Organisms

Movement is one of the important characteristics of living organisms. Animals move from one place to another in search of food, shelter, or protection. Plants usually remain fixed at one place, but they also show movements. Flowers open and close, climbers coil around supports, and insectivorous plants like Drosera trap insects by moving their leaves. Therefore, movement is not limited to walking or running alone. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Growth

Growth means a permanent increase in the size of a living organism. Every living organism grows with time. A child grows into an adult, and a seed develops into a complete plant. Growth is one of the most reliable characteristics of living beings.

Nutrition

Living organisms need food to obtain energy, repair damaged tissues, and support growth and development. Animals obtain food from plants or other animals, while green plants prepare their own food through photosynthesis.

Respiration

Respiration is the process by which living organisms release energy from food. Humans and animals breathe through lungs or other respiratory organs, while plants exchange gases through tiny pores called stomata present on their leaves. Respiration takes place throughout life. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Excretion

Excretion is the removal of waste materials produced inside the body. Human beings remove wastes through urine and sweat. Plants also remove excess water and certain waste substances through different parts of their bodies.

Response to Stimuli

A stimulus is any change in the surroundings that causes a living organism to react. Living organisms respond quickly to different stimuli such as light, heat, touch, sound, or danger. For example, the leaves of the touch-me-not plant fold when touched, showing that plants are also sensitive to their environment. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Reproduction

Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce new individuals of their own kind. It ensures the continuation of species from one generation to the next.

Death

Every living organism has a definite life span. When all life processes stop permanently despite the availability of food, water, and air, the organism is said to be dead.

Important Definitions

The following definitions are important for examinations and quick revision.

Term	Definition
Living Organism	An organism that performs all life processes.
Non-living Thing	An object that does not perform life processes.
Growth	Permanent increase in size and development.
Nutrition	Process of obtaining and using food.
Respiration	Process of releasing energy from food.
Excretion	Removal of waste materials from the body.
Stimulus	Any change that causes a living organism to respond.
Response	The reaction of an organism to a stimulus.
Reproduction	Production of young ones of the same kind.

Quick Chapter Highlights

These points are useful for last-minute revision before examinations.

• Living organisms perform all essential life processes.
• Movement alone does not prove that something is living.
• Plants also show movement and respond to stimuli.
• Food provides energy for growth and survival.
• Respiration occurs in both plants and animals.
• Excretion removes harmful waste materials.
• Reproduction ensures continuity of life.
• Every living organism has a life cycle.
• All living organisms eventually die.
• The combination of all life processes distinguishes living things from non-living things.

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

NCERT TextBook Questions With Answers

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

The following NCERT textbook exercise is prepared according to the latest NCERT Curiosity textbook and CBSE pattern. The answers are written in simple, original, and student-friendly language to help learners understand the concepts clearly and prepare effectively for examinations.

NCERT Textbook Exercise

Read each question carefully and write the answers in your own words wherever possible.

Question 1. List the similarities and differences in the life cycles of plants and animals.

Answer:

Similarities:

• Both begin life from a new stage (seed or egg/newborn).
• Both grow and develop through different stages.
• Both reproduce to continue their species.
• Both have a definite life span and eventually die.

Differences:

Plants	Animals
Life cycle usually begins from a seed.	Life cycle begins from an egg or a newborn.
Plants remain fixed at one place.	Most animals move from place to place.
Plants prepare their own food.	Animals depend on other organisms for food.

Question 2. Study the given table and identify suitable examples for each condition. If any condition is not possible, explain why.

Does it Grow?	Does it Respire?	Answer
No	No	Stone, chair or table (non-living object)
No	Yes	Not possible because respiration is a characteristic of living organisms, and living organisms also grow.
Yes	No	Not possible because every living organism that grows also carries out respiration.
Yes	Yes	Plant, human being, dog, bird, or any other living organism.

Question 3. You have learnt that different conditions are required for seed germination. How can we use this knowledge for proper storage of grains and pulses?

Answer:

Grains and pulses should be stored in clean, dry, and airtight containers. Moisture should be avoided because water and air together may cause seeds to germinate or encourage the growth of fungi and insects. Proper storage keeps food grains safe for a longer time. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Question 4. You have learnt that a tail is present in a tadpole but it disappears as it grows into a frog. What is the advantage of having a tail in the tadpole stage?

Answer:

The tail helps the tadpole swim easily in water. As the tadpole develops legs and gradually changes into a frog, the tail is no longer needed and disappears. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Question 5. Charan says that a wooden log is non-living as it cannot move. Charu counters it by saying that it is living because it is made of wood obtained from trees. Give your arguments in favour of or against the two statements.

Answer:

Charan is correct. A wooden log is a non-living object because it does not grow, respire, reproduce, respond to stimuli, or perform any life process. Although it comes from a living tree, once separated from the tree it no longer remains alive.

Question 6. What are the similarities and distinguishing features in the life cycles of a mosquito and a frog?

Answer:

Similarities:

• Both begin life from eggs.
• Both pass through different stages before becoming adults.
• Both undergo noticeable changes during development.

Differences:

Mosquito	Frog
Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult	Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult Frog
Has a pupal stage.	Does not have a pupal stage.
Adult insect can fly.	Adult frog lives both on land and in water.

Question 7. A plant is provided with all the conditions suitable for its growth. Draw what you expect to see in the shoot and the root after one week. Give reasons.

Answer:

The shoot will grow upward towards light, while the root will grow downward into the soil. The shoot shows positive response to light, whereas the root grows downward to absorb water and minerals and to anchor the plant firmly in the soil. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Question 8. Tara and Vijay set up the experiment shown in the figure. What do you think they want to find out? How will they know if they are correct?

Answer:

They want to investigate whether plants respond to the direction of light. If the shoot bends towards the opening through which sunlight enters while the root continues to grow downward, it shows that plants respond to light. Their observations will confirm the result of the experiment. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Question 9. Design an experiment to check whether temperature affects seed germination.

Answer:

Procedure:

• Take two identical pots containing the same type of seeds.
• Provide equal amounts of water and air to both pots.
• Keep one pot at normal room temperature and the other in a very cold place.
• Observe both pots for several days.

Observation:

The seeds kept at a suitable temperature will germinate normally, while those kept at a very low temperature will germinate slowly or may not germinate.

Conclusion:

Suitable temperature is an important factor affecting seed germination.

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

Extra Questions Examination Based

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

The following important questions are prepared according to the latest NCERT Curiosity textbook and the latest CBSE competency-based pattern. These questions help students revise important concepts and prepare effectively for school examinations.

Important Questions with Answers

Practice the following questions regularly to strengthen your understanding of the chapter.

One Mark Questions

Question 1. What is a living organism?

Answer: A living organism is a living thing that performs life processes such as growth, respiration, reproduction, and response to stimuli.

Question 2. Name any two characteristics of living things.

Answer: Growth and respiration.

Question 3. What is germination?

Answer: Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a young plant under suitable conditions.

Question 4. Name two essential conditions required for seed germination.

Answer: Water and air.

Question 5. Is sunlight essential for the germination of most seeds?

Answer: No. Most seeds do not require sunlight for germination, but sunlight is needed for the growth of seedlings.

Question 6. What is a stimulus?

Answer: A stimulus is any change in the surroundings that causes a living organism to respond.

Question 7. What is respiration?

Answer: Respiration is the process by which living organisms release energy from food.

Question 8. Name the first stage in the life cycle of a mosquito.

Answer: Egg.

Question 9. What is the young stage of a frog called?

Answer: Tadpole.

Question 10. Why do living organisms reproduce?

Answer: They reproduce to continue their own species.

Two Mark Questions

Question 1. Differentiate between living and non-living things.

Answer:

Living Things	Non-living Things
Perform life processes.	Do not perform life processes.
Grow and reproduce.	Do not grow or reproduce.

Question 2. Why do seeds need water during germination?

Answer: Water softens the seed coat and activates the embryo, allowing it to begin growth and develop into a seedling.

Question 3. Why is air necessary for seed germination?

Answer: Seeds require oxygen from the air for respiration, which provides energy needed for germination.

Question 4. Why is a wooden log considered non-living?

Answer: A wooden log does not perform life processes such as growth, respiration, or reproduction, so it is considered non-living.

Question 5. Write two similarities between the life cycles of plants and animals.

Answer:

• Both begin life from a new stage such as a seed or an egg.
• Both grow, reproduce, and finally die.

Three Mark Questions

Question 1. Explain the conditions required for seed germination.

Answer:

• Seeds require sufficient water.
• Seeds need air for respiration.
• Suitable temperature is necessary.
• Most seeds do not require sunlight for germination, but seedlings need sunlight for further growth.

Question 2. Explain how plants respond to light.

Answer:

Plant shoots grow towards the source of light, while roots usually grow downward into the soil. This response helps the plant receive maximum sunlight for photosynthesis and absorb water and minerals through the roots.

Question 3. Describe the life cycle of a mosquito.

Answer:

A mosquito passes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage has a different body structure. The adult female mosquito lays eggs near water, and the cycle repeats.

Question 4. Describe the life cycle of a frog.

Answer:

A frog's life cycle begins with eggs. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which gradually develop legs and lungs. They become froglets and finally develop into adult frogs that live both on land and in water.

Question 5. Explain why growth alone cannot be used to identify living things.

Answer:

Some non-living things, such as crystals, may appear to increase in size under certain conditions. Therefore, an object is considered living only if it performs all essential life processes such as respiration, reproduction, excretion, and response to stimuli along with growth.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms.

Answer:

Living organisms show several common characteristics. They obtain food for energy, grow and develop, respire, remove waste materials, respond to changes in the environment, reproduce, and eventually die. These characteristics help us distinguish living organisms from non-living things.

Question 2. Explain the process of seed germination and the conditions required for it.

Answer:

Seed germination begins when a seed receives sufficient water, air, and a suitable temperature. Water softens the seed coat and activates the embryo. The embryo starts growing, the root emerges first, followed by the shoot. Most seeds do not require sunlight for germination, but sunlight is essential for the healthy growth of the young plant.

Question 3. Compare the life cycles of a plant, a mosquito, and a frog.

Answer:

Plant	Mosquito	Frog
Seed → Seedling → Adult Plant → Flower → Fruit → Seed	Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult	Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → Adult Frog

All three life cycles involve growth, development, reproduction, and continuation of the species, but the stages differ according to the organism.

Question 4. Explain the importance of studying life cycles.

Answer:

Studying life cycles helps us understand how living organisms grow, reproduce, and survive. It also helps farmers improve crop production, supports scientists in controlling harmful insects such as mosquitoes, and enables us to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Question 5. Explain how the characteristics of living organisms help us distinguish them from non-living things.

Answer:

Living organisms perform essential life processes such as nutrition, respiration, growth, movement, excretion, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Non-living things do not perform these activities. Although some non-living objects may move with external force, they cannot grow, reproduce, or respond like living organisms. Therefore, the presence of all life processes helps us identify living organisms correctly.

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

40 Important MCQs with Answers

Chapter 10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics

The following multiple-choice questions are prepared according to the latest NCERT Curiosity textbook and CBSE competency-based pattern. They cover conceptual understanding, observations, life cycles, seed germination, and characteristics of living organisms.

40 Important MCQs with Answer Key

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. Which of the following is a living organism?

(A) Stone (B) Tree (C) Chair (D) Table

2. Which characteristic is common to all living organisms?

(A) They can fly (B) They perform life processes (C) They make their own food (D) They have legs

3. Which of the following is a non-living thing?

(A) Butterfly (B) Mushroom (C) Rock (D) Fish

4. The permanent increase in the size of a living organism is called

(A) Respiration (B) Growth (C) Reproduction (D) Nutrition

5. Living organisms require food mainly to obtain

(A) Water (B) Energy (C) Air (D) Light

6. The process of releasing energy from food is called

(A) Digestion (B) Respiration (C) Excretion (D) Germination

7. Which life process removes waste materials from the body?

(A) Growth (B) Nutrition (C) Excretion (D) Reproduction

8. Which of the following is a stimulus?

(A) Light (B) Heat (C) Touch (D) All of these

9. The folding of the leaves of the touch-me-not plant is an example of

(A) Reproduction (B) Response to stimuli (C) Respiration (D) Germination

10. Which process helps in the continuation of a species?

(A) Respiration (B) Reproduction (C) Excretion (D) Digestion

11. The process by which a seed develops into a young plant is called

(A) Germination (B) Pollination (C) Fertilisation (D) Respiration

12. Which of the following is essential for seed germination?

(A) Water (B) Air (C) Suitable temperature (D) All of these

13. Most seeds do not require ________ for germination.

(A) Water (B) Air (C) Sunlight (D) Temperature

14. Which part of the seed emerges first during germination?

(A) Flower (B) Root (C) Leaf (D) Fruit

15. The shoot of a young plant generally grows

(A) Downward (B) Towards light (C) Inside the soil (D) Towards water only

16. Roots mainly grow

(A) Towards sunlight (B) Downward into the soil (C) Sideways only (D) Upward

17. Plants prepare their own food by

(A) Respiration (B) Photosynthesis (C) Germination (D) Excretion

18. Which pores help plants exchange gases?

(A) Xylem (B) Phloem (C) Stomata (D) Root hairs

19. Which stage comes immediately after the egg in the frog's life cycle?

(A) Adult Frog (B) Froglet (C) Tadpole (D) Pupa

20. A tadpole lives mainly in

(A) Air (B) Soil (C) Water (D) Trees

21. Which stage comes after the larva in the mosquito's life cycle?

(A) Egg (B) Adult (C) Pupa (D) Tadpole

22. The complete life cycle of a mosquito is

(A) Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult

(B) Egg → Tadpole → Adult

(C) Seed → Plant → Flower

(D) Egg → Adult → Larva

23. Which animal undergoes metamorphosis?

(A) Cow (B) Frog (C) Cat (D) Goat

24. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?

(A) Growth (B) Respiration (C) Photosynthesis (D) Reproduction

25. Photosynthesis is carried out mainly by

(A) Animals (B) Green plants (C) Fungi (D) Humans

26. Which living organism does not move from one place to another?

(A) Dog (B) Fish (C) Plant (D) Bird

27. Plants respond to light by

(A) Producing flowers immediately

(B) Bending their shoots towards light

(C) Stopping growth

(D) Changing into seeds

28. Which condition is NOT required for seed germination?

(A) Air (B) Water (C) Suitable temperature (D) Fertiliser

29. Which of the following is an example of a non-living object?

(A) Bird (B) Fish (C) Wooden chair (D) Tree

30. Which process provides energy needed by living organisms?

(A) Germination (B) Respiration (C) Reproduction (D) Pollination

31. A wooden log is considered non-living because it

(A) Cannot move by itself

(B) Does not perform life processes

(C) Is brown in colour

(D) Is made of wood

32. The touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched because it

(A) Sleeps during the day

(B) Responds to stimuli

(C) Needs water

(D) Is drying up

33. Which of the following grows into an adult frog?

(A) Seedling (B) Tadpole (C) Larva (D) Pupa

34. Which stage appears just before the adult mosquito?

(A) Egg (B) Larva (C) Pupa (D) Tadpole

35. The first leaves that appear after germination are called

(A) Roots (B) Cotyledons/Seed leaves (C) Flowers (D) Fruits

36. Which statement is correct?

(A) All living things can make their own food.

(B) Every living organism grows and reproduces.

(C) Only animals respire.

(D) Plants do not respond to stimuli.

37. Which factor helps us identify a living organism most accurately?

(A) Colour

(B) Size

(C) Performance of life processes

(D) Shape

38. The life cycle of a flowering plant begins with a

(A) Fruit (B) Flower (C) Seed (D) Root

39. Why should grains be stored in dry containers?

(A) To make them heavier

(B) To prevent seed germination and fungal growth

(C) To increase their size

(D) To change their colour

40. Which statement is correct?

(A) Non-living things reproduce.

(B) Plants do not grow.

(C) Living organisms have a definite life cycle.

(D) Stones respire.

Answer Key

1-B, 2-B, 3-C, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-C, 8-D, 9-B, 10-B,
11-A, 12-D, 13-C, 14-B, 15-B, 16-B, 17-B, 18-C, 19-C, 20-C,
21-C, 22-A, 23-B, 24-C, 25-B, 26-C, 27-B, 28-D, 29-C, 30-B,
31-B, 32-B, 33-B, 34-C, 35-B, 36-B, 37-C, 38-C, 39-B, 40-C.