The second chapter, Diversity in the Living World, opens on a pleasant morning after rain. Dr. Raghu, a scientist from a nearby research laboratory and Maniram Chacha, an elderly local expert who is brilliant at identifying plants and animals and skilled at mimicking bird calls, have been invited to the school by the science teacher, Madam Sulekha, to lead an exciting nature walk. As they walk, Dr. Raghu advises the students to notice the variety of smells in the park and emphasizes the importance of respecting all living creatures and observing them without disturbing them. Everything students learn in Chapter 2 about grouping plants, classifying animals, understanding habitats and adaptations is discussed through what Dr. Raghu and Maniram Chacha observe during the nature walk.
This chapter introduces students to the large variety of living things on Earth, from grasses to birds and explains how scientists understand this diversity by grouping and classifying organisms based on their shared features. NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 2 provide clear, step-by-step answers to all the questions in the Curiosity textbook for 2026-27. These solutions follow the latest CBSE Board Class 6 Science syllabus and are designed to help students understand concepts thoroughly.
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Download the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Diversity in the Living World (Curiosity) PDF for free and study anytime, even without an internet connection. These solutions are prepared according to the latest CBSE 2026-27 syllabus and provide clear, step-by-step answers to every NCERT exercise question, making revision quick and exam preparation more effective.
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NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 2 (Curiosity)
Find accurate and easy-to-understand NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Diversity in the Living World (Curiosity). Prepared according to the latest CBSE 2026-27 syllabus, these step-by-step answers help students revise concepts, complete homework and prepare confidently for exams.
Q. Here are two types of seeds. What differences do you find among the roots and leaf venation of their plants?
(a) Wheat (b) Kidney bean
Answer: The roots and leaf venation of wheat and kidney bean plants are different because they belong to different groups of flowering plants.
| Plant | Root System | Leaf Venation |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | Fibrous root system | Parallel venation |
| Kidney bean | Taproot system | Reticulate venation |
Explanation:
- Wheat is a monocot plant. It has a fibrous root system, in which many thin roots grow from the base of the stem. Its leaves have parallel venation, where the veins run side by side.
- Kidney bean is a dicot plant. It has a taproot system, consisting of one main root with smaller side roots. Its leaves show reticulate venation, where the veins form a network.
Final Answer
- Wheat: Fibrous roots and parallel venation.
- Kidney bean: Taproot and reticulate venation.
Q. Names of some animals are given below. Group them based on their habitats. Write the names of aquatic animals in the area marked 'A' and terrestrial animals in the area marked 'B'. Enter the names of animals living in both habitats in part 'C'.
Horse, Dolphin, Frog, Sheep, Crocodile, Squirrel, Whale, Earthworm, Pigeon, Tortoise
Answer:
A - Aquatic Animals
- Dolphin
- Whale
B - Terrestrial Animals
- Horse
- Sheep
- Squirrel
- Earthworm
- Pigeon
C - Animals Living Both on Land and in Water
- Frog
- Crocodile
- Tortoise
Explanation: Animals are grouped according to the place where they naturally live.
- Aquatic animals live in water.
- Terrestrial animals live on land.
- Some animals spend their lives in both water and on land, so they belong to the common section.
Q. Manu's mother maintains a kitchen garden. One day, she was digging out radish from the soil. She told Manu that radish is a kind of root. Examine a radish and write what type of root it is. What type of venation would you observe in the leaves of the radish plant?
Answer: Radish is a taproot because it has one thick main root that grows downward and stores food.
The leaves of the radish plant have reticulate venation, where the veins form a net-like pattern.
Final Answer:
- Type of root: Taproot
- Leaf venation: Reticulate venation
Explanation: Radish is a dicot plant. Most dicot plants have a taproot system and leaves with reticulate venation.
Q. Look at the image of a mountain goat and a goat found in the plains. Point out the similarities and differences between them. What are the reasons for these differences?
Answer:
Similarities
- Both are goats.
- Both are herbivorous mammals.
- Both have four legs, horns and hooves.
- Both eat plant-based food.
Differences
| Mountain Goat | Goat Found in the Plains |
|---|---|
| Lives in cold mountainous regions | Lives in warm plains |
| Has thick and long fur | Has short and thin fur |
| Has strong legs and rough hooves for climbing rocks | Has legs and hooves suitable for walking on flat land |
| Body is adapted for climbing steep slopes | Body is adapted for moving easily on plains |
Reason for the Differences
The differences are due to adaptation. Each goat has developed special features that help it survive in its own habitat. The mountain goat is adapted to cold, rocky mountains, while the plains goat is adapted to warmer and flatter regions.
Q. Group the following animals into two groups based on any feature other than those discussed in the chapter - cow, cockroach, pigeon, bat, tortoise, whale, fish, grasshopper, lizard.
Answer: One possible way to group these animals is based on the presence or absence of a backbone.
Animals with a Backbone (Vertebrates)
- Cow
- Pigeon
- Bat
- Tortoise
- Whale
- Fish
- Lizard
Animals without a Backbone (Invertebrates)
- Cockroach
- Grasshopper
Explanation: Animals that have a backbone are called vertebrates, while animals without a backbone are known as invertebrates.
Note: Since the question asks for grouping based on any feature other than those discussed in the chapter, different correct answers are possible. For example, students may also group them as egg-laying and live-young animals or winged and wingless animals, provided the grouping is logical and scientifically correct.
Q. As the population grows and people want more comfortable lives, forests are being cut down to meet various needs. How can this affect our surroundings? How do you think we can address this challenge?
Answer: Cutting down forests on a large scale can disturb the balance of nature. Forests provide food, shelter and clean air, and support a wide variety of plants and animals.
Effects of Deforestation
- Many plants and animals lose their natural habitats.
- Biodiversity decreases as several species may disappear from an area.
- Soil becomes loose and is easily washed away by rain, causing soil erosion.
- The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, leading to global warming.
- Rainfall patterns may change because forests play an important role in the water cycle.
- People who depend on forests for their livelihood are also affected.
Ways to Address This Challenge
- Plant more trees through afforestation and reforestation.
- Protect forests from unnecessary cutting.
- Use forest resources wisely and sustainably.
- Create and maintain wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
- Spread awareness about the importance of conserving forests.
- Encourage people to participate in tree plantation and forest conservation programmes.
Conclusion
Protecting forests is essential because healthy forests support biodiversity, maintain ecological balance and ensure a better environment for future generations.
Q. Analyse the flowchart. What can be examples of 'A' and 'B'?
Answer: The flowchart groups plants based on the type of leaf venation.
A - Plants with Reticulate Venation
Examples:
- Mango
- Rose
- Hibiscus
- Neem
B - Plants with Parallel Venation
Examples:
- Wheat
- Maize
- Rice
- Grass
Explanation: Plants whose leaves have a net-like arrangement of veins belong to group A, while plants with parallel veins belong to group B.
Q. Raj argues with his friend Sanjay that "Gudhal (Hibiscus) plant is a shrub." What questions can Sanjay ask for clarification?
Answer: Sanjay can ask questions that help identify whether the hibiscus has the characteristics of a shrub.
Some suitable questions are:
- Does the plant have a hard and woody stem?
- Do its branches arise near the base of the stem?
- Is the plant medium-sized rather than very tall?
- Can it stand upright without any support?
- Does it have several branches instead of a single thick trunk?
Explanation: These questions help compare the features of the hibiscus plant with the characteristics of shrubs. If the answers match these features, the plant can be classified as a shrub.
Q. Based on the information in the table, find out examples of these plants for each group.
| Group | Type of Seed | Type of Root |
|---|---|---|
| A | Dicot | Taproot |
| B | Monocot | Fibrous roots |
(a) What other similarities do plants of group A have?
(b) What other similarities do plants of group B have?
Answer:
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| A (Dicot, Taproot) | Mango, Rose, Hibiscus, Pea |
| B (Monocot, Fibrous Roots) | Wheat, Rice, Maize, Grass |
(a) Other Similarity of Group A
Plants in Group A have reticulate venation in their leaves.
(b) Other Similarity of Group B
Plants in Group B have parallel venation in their leaves.
Explanation:
Dicot plants generally have:
- Two cotyledons
- Taproot system
- Reticulate venation
Monocot plants generally have:
- One cotyledon
- Fibrous root system
- Parallel venation
Q. Observe the labelled part of a duck in the picture given below. What differences do you observe in the feet of the duck compared to the other birds? Which activity would the duck be able to perform using this part?
Answer: The duck has webbed feet, whereas birds like the pigeon have separate toes without webs.
The thin skin joining the duck's toes increases the surface area of its feet, helping it push against water while swimming.
Differences:
| Duck | Pigeon |
|---|---|
| Has webbed feet | Has separate toes |
| Adapted for swimming | Adapted for walking, hopping and perching |
Activity Performed:
The duck uses its webbed feet mainly for:
- Swimming efficiently in water
- Paddling through ponds, lakes and rivers
Explanation: Webbed feet are an adaptation that helps ducks move easily in water. The webbing acts like a paddle, allowing the duck to swim faster and with less effort.
Chapter Overview
The variety of plants and animals found in a region forms its biodiversity. The chapter explains that grouping living organisms makes them easier to study based on their similarities and differences. Just as books are arranged by subject on a shelf, scientists group plants and animals by their common features to better understand the large variety of life around us.
Plants are grouped according to their stem type into herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers. Herbs have short, soft stems, shrubs are medium-sized plants with woody stems branching near the ground, trees are tall plants with thick woody stems and branches growing high above the ground, climbers need support to grow upward and creepers spread along the ground. The chapter also explains leaf venation. When the veins form a net-like pattern on both sides of the midrib, it is called reticulate venation. When the veins run parallel to one another, it is called parallel venation.
The chapter introduces two main types of root systems. A taproot is the main root from which many smaller roots branch out, while a fibrous root system consists of a cluster of thin, fibre-like roots growing from the base of the stem. Students also learn about dicotyledons and monocotyledons. Plants with two cotyledons are called dicots, while those with a single cotyledon are called monocots. Dicot plants have taproots and reticulate venation, whereas monocots have fibrous roots and parallel venation. Animals are grouped based on their habitats as terrestrial, aquatic or both.
The chapter also explains that animals can be grouped according to how they move, such as walking, crawling, swimming or flying and according to what they eat, such as herbivores, carnivores or omnivores. Students learn about adaptation, which is a special feature that helps a plant or animal survive in its environment. For example, camels with wide hooves for walking on sand, fish with streamlined bodies for swimming and mountain goats with short legs and long hair that help them survive in rocky, cold regions. The chapter concludes by explaining why biodiversity must be protected. Plants and animals depend on one another for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. When habitats are damaged, biodiversity is affected and ecosystems become disturbed.
Topics Covered in This Chapter
- Biodiversity: the variety of plants and animals in a region.
- Why grouping and classifying living organisms is useful.
- Grouping plants by stem type: herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers.
- Leaf venation: reticulate venation and parallel venation with examples.
- Root systems: taproot system and fibrous root system with examples.
- The three-way pattern connecting seed type (dicot/monocot), root type and venation type.
- Cotyledons: what they are and how they differ between dicots and monocots.
- Grouping animals by habitat, movement and food.
- Adaptation and its examples.
- Why protecting habitats is essential for preserving biodiversity.
- The Save Silent Valley Movement.
- Indian botanist Janaki Ammal and her contribution to plant science.
NCERT Exercise Solutions
NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 2 given below cover all the questions in this chapter. These solutions are prepared according to the latest CBSE Board Class 6 syllabus and are designed to help students understand the concepts clearly and write accurate and well-structured answers. By practicing these solutions regularly, students can improve their understanding of the chapter and prepare confidently for school tests and exams.
How to Prepare for This Chapter Using NCERT Solutions?
Chapter 2 has various classifications and the best way to prepare is to understand the patterns rather than memorising the lists. Start by reading the NCERT textbook carefully and learn the three way dicot monocot pattern covering seed type, root type and venation type. Once this is clear, questions on roots and venation become easy regardless of which plant is asked about. You can practice by taking any plant you know, such as neem, wheat, rose or maize and trace through the pattern to confirm its root type and venation.
Next, read the classifications. For plants, revise herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers with two examples each. For animals, revise the grouping by habitat, movement and food with three examples in each group. These questions can be asked as fill in the blanks and match the column questions in school exams. Use the NCERT Solutions to verify your answers after attempting the textbook questions yourself. For adaptation questions, you must name the feature first, then explain exactly how it helps the animal survive. This structure helps you score full marks in descriptive questions.
The Save Silent Valley Movement is often asked as a short answer or value based question in school tests. The movement was started to protect a moist evergreen forest in Palakkad, Kerala. It opposed a hydroelectric dam across the Kunthipuzha River and succeeded after ten years of public campaigning. For Diversity in the Living World MCQs, the most frequently asked topics are the definition of biodiversity, the dicot monocot pattern, examples of reticulate and parallel venation, examples of taproot and fibrous root plants, the habitat based grouping of animals and the Save Silent Valley Movement. NCERT Solutions can be used as a revision tool to ensure you have covered every important question from the chapter.
