Case Study-Diversity in the Living World-Class 6-Science

Passage Reading OR Case Study-Chapter 2-Diversity in the Living World-Class 6-Science

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Case Study 1: The Nature Walk and Observations

It is a pleasant morning after yesterday’s refreshing rain. Dr. Raghu and Maniram Chacha have been invited to the school by the science teacher, Madam Sulekha, to facilitate an exciting nature walk. Dr. Raghu is a scientist at the nearby Research Laboratory, and Maniram Chacha is an expert in mimicking bird calls and identifying a variety of plants and animals. The objective of this walk is to experience the beauty and variety of plants and animals in nature. The students are excited and curious to learn from them. They carry a notebook, a pen, and a water bottle to record their observations.

Questions and Answers:

1.    Why did the students go on a nature walk?

Answer: To observe and understand the variety of plants and animals in nature.

2.    Who accompanied the students on the nature walk?

Answer: Dr. Raghu, a scientist, and Maniram Chacha, an expert in birds and plants.

3.    What did students carry for their observations?

Answer: A notebook, a pen, and a water bottle.

4.    Why is biodiversity important in nature?

Answer: It helps maintain the balance of different species in the environment.

5.    What is the role of Maniram Chacha in the nature walk?

Answer: He mimicked bird calls and identified different plants and animals.

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Case Study 2: 

Q1: Which plant in the table has a soft and thin stem?
Q2: How are the leaves of the Tulsi plant arranged?
Q3: Which plant mentioned in the table has pinkish-purple flowers?
Q4: What is the special feature of the Neem plant as mentioned in the table?
Q5: Based on the table, which plant has a hard and thick stem?

Answer: 1 The Common grass has a soft and thin stem.

Answer: 2 The leaves of the Tulsi plant are arranged in pairs in opposite directions.

Answer: 3The Tulsi plant has pinkish-purple flowers.

Answer: 4 The Neem plant has leaves with smooth surfaces.

Answer: 5 The Neem plant has a hard and thick stem.

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Case Study 3:

Q1: Which plant in the table is classified as a tree?
Q2: What is the height category of the Rose plant?
Q3: How is the stem of the Tomato plant different from the Mango plant?
Q4: Which plant has its branches higher up on the stem?
Q5: What are the three plant groups mentioned in the table?

Answer:1: The Mango plant is classified as a tree.

Answer:2: The Rose plant falls under the Medium height category.

Answer:3: The Tomato plant has a green and tender stem, while the Mango plant has a brown and hard stem.

Answer:4: The Mango plant has its branches higher up on the stem.

Answer:5: The three plant groups mentioned in the table are Tree (Mango), Shrub (Rose), and Herb (Tomato).

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Case Study 4: Diversity in Plants and Animals

As they walk, students explore the variety of plants and animals. Dr. Raghu advises them to notice different smells in the park and emphasizes respecting all living creatures. Maniram Chacha encourages them to listen to different sounds. They observe grasses, bushes, large trees, birds, butterflies, and monkeys. They record their observations in notebooks. Dr. Raghu explains that each bird has a unique chirp, which is an example of diversity in nature.

Questions and Answers

1. What did students observe on the nature walk?

Answer: Different plants, birds, butterflies, and monkeys.

2. Why did Dr. Raghu ask students to notice smells in the park?

Answer: To help them understand different characteristics of plants.

3. What is an example of diversity in birds?

Answer: Each bird has a unique chirping sound.

4. How did students record their observations?

Answer: They noted them in their notebooks.

5. Why is it important to respect nature while observing it?

Answer: To avoid disturbing animals and plants and maintain ecological balance.

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Case Study 5: Experiment – Observing Different Leaves and Stems

Students collect various leaves and stems during their nature walk. They compare them and observe differences in their shapes, sizes, and textures. Some leaves have smooth surfaces, while others are rough. Stems also differ in thickness and color. They record their findings in a table. The teacher explains that these differences help in classifying plants into different groups.

Questions and Answers: 

1. What did students collect during their nature walk?

Answer: Different leaves and stems.

2. How do leaves differ from each other?

Answer: They vary in shape, size, and texture.

3. Why is it important to classify plants?

Answer: It helps in understanding their characteristics and uses.

4. What are some differences observed in stems?

Answer: Some are thick, others are thin; some are green, while others are brown.

5. How did students record their observations?

Answer: They filled a table with details about different plants.

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Case Study 6: Grouping of Plants

Plants can be grouped based on different features such as stem type, leaf shape, and venation. Some plants have soft stems, while others have woody stems. Leaves may have smooth edges or be serrated. Plants also differ in the arrangement of flowers. The teacher explains that grouping helps in studying plants systematically.

Questions and Answers:

1. What are the different ways to group plants?

Answer: Based on stem type, leaf shape, and venation.

2. What are the two types of venation in leaves?

Answer: Reticulate and parallel venation.

3. Why do some plants have woody stems?

Answer: Woody stems provide strength and support to tall plants.

4. How does grouping help in studying plants?

Answer: It makes classification easier and helps in understanding plant diversity.

5. What is an example of a plant with parallel venation?

Answer: Grass.

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Case Study 7: Observing Animal Movements

Students record the movement of different animals they observe. They see birds flying, ants crawling, and dogs walking. They note that different animals use different body parts for movement. The teacher explains that body structure helps animals adapt to their habitats.

Questions and Answers: 

1. Which animals did students observe moving differently?

Answer: Birds flying, ants crawling, and dogs walking.

2. What body part helps birds to fly?

Answer: Wings.

3. Why do animals move differently?

Answer: Their movement depends on their body structure and habitat.

4. Which animal uses its entire body to move?

Answer: A snake. 

5. What is the main function of fins in fish.

Answer: To help them swim in water.

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Case Study 8: Experiment – Comparing Root Systems

Students dig out different plants and examine their roots. Some have a single main root (taproot), while others have thin, spreading roots (fibrous roots). They compare these roots with the venation of leaves and find that plants with taproots have reticulate venation, while plants with fibrous roots have parallel venation.

Questions and Answers: 

1. What are the two types of root systems?

Answer: Taproot and fibrous root systems.

2. Which type of root is found in neem plants?

Answer: Taproot.

3. How is root type related to leaf venation?

Answer: Taproots are found in plants with reticulate venation, and fibrous roots in plants with parallel venation.

4. What is an example of a plant with a fibrous root system?

Answer: Maize.

5. Why do fibrous roots spread widely?

To absorb more water and nutrients from the soil.

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Case Study 9: Adaptations in Camels

Camels live in deserts and have adaptations like long legs, wide hooves, and a hump that stores fat. They excrete dry dung, produce less urine, and can survive for long periods without water.

Questions and Answers:

1. How do camels survive in the desert?

Answer: They store fat in their humps, excrete dry dung, and produce less urine.

2. What helps camels walk on sand?

Answer: Wide, padded hooves.

3. Why do camels have long legs?

Answer: To keep their bodies away from the hot desert sand.

4. What happens to the camel’s hump when food is scarce?

Answer: It shrinks as stored fat is used for energy.

5. How do camels conserve water?

Answer: By sweating very little and producing minimal urine.

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Case Study 10: Know the Scientist – Janaki Ammal 

Janaki Ammal (1897–1984) was an Indian botanist dedicated to environmental work and helped to document and preserve India’s rich plant biodiversity. She played a key role in the ‘Save Silent Valley’ movement. As the head of the Botanical Survey of India, she initiated programmes to document the plant diversity of India.

Questions and Answers: Janaki Ammal

1. Who was Janaki Ammal?

Answer: She was an Indian botanist known for her work in biodiversity and conservation.

2. What was her role in the ‘Save Silent Valley’ movement?

Answer: She helped protect the Silent Valley rainforest in Kerala from deforestation.

3. What did she do as the head of the Botanical Survey of India?

Answer: She started projects to document India’s plant species.

4. How did her research help improve agriculture?

Answer: She worked on improving sugarcane varieties for better growth in India.

5. Why is Janaki Ammal’s work important for biodiversity?

Answer: Her research helped in the conservation of plants and the environment.

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Case Study11: Know the Scientist – Salim Ali

Salim Ali (1896–1987) travelled across India to observe diversity in birds. He prepared a list of birds and documented their travel routes and habitats. He recorded the regions with high diversity of birds and took measures to conserve these regions. Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Mandya, Karnataka are examples of regions he preserved. He wrote a landmark series of 10 books on birds of the Indian Subcontinent. He is referred to as the ‘Birdman of India’. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1976.

Questions and Answers: Salim Ali

1. Why is Salim Ali called the ‘Birdman of India’?

Answer: Because of his extensive research on birds and their behavior.

2. What did Salim Ali study about birds.

Answer: He studied their migration, habitats, and importance in nature.

3. How did his work help in bird conservation?

Answer: His research led to the protection of bird sanctuaries like Keoladeo and Ranganathittu.

4. Which award was given to Salim Ali for his contribution?

Answer: The Padma Vibhushan.

5. How did he help preserve India’s biodiversity?

Answer: By spreading awareness about birds and promoting conservation projects.

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