Grade 7 Q&A: Chapter 1: The Living World: Adaptations and Classification

Concept Questions

Q1: What is adaptation in living organisms?

Answer: Adaptation is the process by which living organisms develop special features or behaviors that enable them to survive and thrive successfully in their specific environment.

Q2: Give two examples of adaptations found in aquatic plants.

Answer: Two examples of adaptations in aquatic plants are: 1. Leaves with waxy coatings to repel water and prevent rotting (e.g., water lily). 2. Narrow, thin leaves to reduce resistance to water currents (for submerged plants).

Q3: How do desert plants like cacti conserve water?

Answer: Desert plants conserve water by having very few leaves (or leaves modified into thorns/spines to reduce transpiration), thick and fleshy stems that store water and perform photosynthesis, and roots that either go deep or spread widely near the surface to absorb water.

Q4: Describe an adaptation of trees found in snow regions.

Answer: Trees in snow regions often have a conical shape with sloping branches, which helps snow slide off easily, preventing accumulation and damage. Their leaves are also typically needle-like, thick, and waxy to reduce water loss.

Q5: What is the main adaptation of animals living in snow regions to stay warm?

Answer: The main adaptation of animals in snow regions to stay warm is having thick fur or a layer of fat (blubber) to insulate their bodies.

Q6: Give an example of an adaptation for camouflage in grassland animals.

Answer: Grassland animals often have body coloration that blends with the dry grass, providing camouflage to hide from predators or prey.

Q7: What is the purpose of classifying living organisms?

Answer: The purpose of classifying living organisms is to understand the vast diversity of life, study organisms systematically, and establish evolutionary relationships between different groups.

Q8: List the seven main levels of classification in order, from broadest to most specific.

Answer: The seven main levels of classification from broadest to most specific are: Kingdom, Phylum (or Division for plants), Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Q9: Who is considered the 'Father of Taxonomy'?

Answer: Carl Linnaeus is considered the 'Father of Taxonomy' because he popularized the hierarchical system of classification.

Q10: What kind of teeth do carnivores possess and why?

Answer: Carnivores possess sharp, pointed teeth and claws for tearing flesh, which is essential for their carnivorous diet.

Q11: How are the roots of submerged aquatic plants adapted?

Answer: The roots of submerged aquatic plants are often reduced in size and primarily function to anchor the plant, as water and nutrients are absorbed directly from the surrounding water.

Q12: Why do some desert animals engage in nocturnal activity?

Answer: Some desert animals are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the cooler nights, to avoid the extreme heat of the day.

Q13: What is the specific adaptation of a camel related to water and energy storage?

Answer: A camel stores fat in its hump, which can be metabolized to provide both water and energy when resources are scarce.

Q14: How do fibrous roots of grasses help the environment?

Answer: The fibrous roots of grasses help prevent soil erosion by holding the soil firmly in place.

Q15: What is the definition of a 'species' in biological classification?

Answer: A species is the most specific category in classification, defining a group of organisms that can interbreed naturally and produce fertile offspring.

Application-Based Questions

Q16: Imagine you find an unknown plant in a very swampy area. Based on its likely adaptations, what features might you expect its leaves and stem to have?

Answer: In a swampy (aquatic) area, you would likely expect its leaves to have waxy coatings to prevent rotting and its stem to be hollow and flexible to aid in flotation.

Q17: A scientist observes an animal with white fur and thick layers of fat. In which type of habitat would this animal most likely live, and why?

Answer: This animal would most likely live in a snow-covered or polar region. The white fur provides camouflage in snowy environments, and the thick layers of fat (blubber) serve as insulation to protect it from extreme cold.

Q18: If you were to design a plant that could survive in a desert, what three key adaptations would you incorporate?

Answer: To design a desert-survival plant, I would incorporate: 1. Reduced leaves or leaves modified into spines/thorns to minimize water loss. 2. Thick, fleshy stems for water storage and photosynthesis. 3. A deep root system to access underground water, or a widespread shallow system for quick rain absorption.

Q19: How does the diet of an animal influence its physical adaptations, specifically its teeth? Give an example.

Answer: An animal's diet strongly influences its physical adaptations, particularly its teeth, to efficiently process food. For example, herbivores (plant-eaters) like cows have flat, strong grinding teeth suited for breaking down tough plant matter. In contrast, carnivores (meat-eaters) like lions have sharp, pointed teeth and strong jaws for tearing flesh.

Q20: Why is it important for forest plants to grow tall or climb on other trees?

Answer: It is important for forest plants to grow tall or climb on other trees because forests are dense environments where sunlight is a limited resource. By growing tall or climbing, these plants can reach higher levels to access more sunlight for photosynthesis, outcompeting smaller plants on the forest floor.

Q21: Explain why the conical shape of trees in snow regions is an advantage for their survival.

Answer: The conical shape with sloping branches is a significant advantage for trees in snow regions because it allows snow to slide off easily. This prevents heavy snow accumulation on branches, which could otherwise cause them to break under the weight, ensuring the tree's survival during harsh winters.

Q22: A group of animals has stripes that help them blend with tall, dry grass. In which type of biome would you expect to find these animals, and what might be their primary survival strategy?

Answer: These animals would likely be found in a grassland biome. Their primary survival strategy, indicated by their camouflage, would be to hide from predators (if they are prey) or ambush prey (if they are predators), using their stripes to blend seamlessly with the environment.

Q23: How do the long legs of a camel help it survive in a desert environment?

Answer: The long legs of a camel are an adaptation that helps it survive in the desert by keeping its body elevated and further away from the extremely hot sand. This reduces the amount of heat absorbed by its body from the ground, helping it regulate its temperature in the hot desert environment.

Q24: Why is it crucial for organisms to adapt to their surroundings? What would happen if they didn't?

Answer: It is crucial for organisms to adapt to their surroundings because adaptations are essential for survival and reproduction in a specific environment. If organisms didn't adapt, they would struggle to find food, protect themselves from predators, cope with extreme temperatures, or reproduce successfully. Ultimately, a lack of adaptation would lead to a decrease in their population and eventual extinction in that particular environment.

Q25: Discuss how the concept of 'species' helps scientists understand biodiversity.

Answer: The concept of 'species' is fundamental to understanding biodiversity because it defines the most specific grouping of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. By identifying distinct species, scientists can accurately count and categorize the different forms of life on Earth. This allows them to assess the richness of ecosystems, track population changes, identify endangered groups, and understand the intricate web of life, providing a baseline for conservation efforts and biological research.

References

1. Maharashtra State Board 7th Standard Science Syllabus (Based on current curriculum for adaptations and classification concepts)
2. NCERT Class 7 Science: Chapter 9 - Soil (Relevant concepts for adaptation)
3. Science Textbook for Class 7 (Other Board textbooks might contain similar concepts for comparison)
4. Screenshot_2025_0527_223325.jpg (Provided content)