NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 7: NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 7, "Diversity in Living Organisms," provide a detailed understanding of the vast variety of life forms found on Earth. This chapter explains the classification of organisms into different kingdoms based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
Students learn about the diversity of plants, animals, fungi, protists, and bacteria, studying their unique features, habitats, and adaptation strategies. By studying these solutions, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexity and interconnectedness of life forms and ecosystems, preparing them for further studies in biology and environmental sciences.NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 7 PDF
Q1. Why do we classify organisms?
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Classifying organisms allows scientists to systematically organize and study their characteristics more effectively. By identifying similarities among different organisms, scientists can group them into categories or classes. This classification helps in understanding broader patterns and relationships within the natural world. It enables scientists to study groups of organisms collectively, making it easier to compare their anatomical features, behaviors, evolutionary histories, and ecological roles. This systematic approach to classification not only simplifies scientific study but also provides insights into the diversity and interconnectedness of living organisms on Earth.Q2. Give three examples of the range of variations that you see in life forms around you.
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Listed below are a few ranges of variations observed in life forms: (a) Small frog to big whale (b) Creeper to the eucalyptus tree (c) Black cuckoo to colourful peacockQ3. Which of the following do you think is a more basic characteristic for classifying organisms?
(a) The place where they live.
(b) The kind of cells they are made of. Why?
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Establishing the most basic classification of organisms based on the type of cells they are made up of is fundamental because it reflects fundamental differences in biological structure and function. Cells are the building blocks of life, and their organization and specialization determine an organism's characteristics and behaviors. By classifying organisms according to cell type—such as prokaryotic cells (like bacteria) and eukaryotic cells (like plants and animals)—scientists can discern key differences in how organisms function and interact with their environments. This classification approach is important because it helps to distinguish between organisms that may appear similar superficially but differ significantly at the cellular level. For example, organisms with similar cell structures are likely to exhibit comparable physiological processes and adaptations, even if they inhabit different habitats. Understanding these cellular foundations allows scientists to make broader generalizations about biological diversity and to study the evolutionary relationships between different groups of organisms.Q4. What is the primary characteristic on which the broad division of organisms is made?
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The primary characteristic used to classify organisms is the nature of their cells. This classification broadly divides organisms into two major categories: prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.Q5. On what basis are plants and animals put into different categories?
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(a) Presence of Cell Wall:Q6. Which organisms are called primitive, and how are they different from the so-called advanced organisms?
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Primitive organisms are characterized by simple and basic cell arrangements, mechanisms, and structures. They lack specialization and do not exhibit division of labor among their cells. These organisms often have a single cell type performing all necessary functions for survival. Examples include unicellular organisms like bacteria and protists. In contrast, advanced organisms are characterized by millions of specialized cells that are organized into tissues, organs, and systems. These organisms exhibit a high degree of complexity and division of labor among different cell types and organs. For instance, mammals have specialized organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain, each performing distinct functions essential for survival and adaptation to their environment. This division highlights the evolutionary progression from simpler, primitive organisms to more complex, advanced organisms, reflecting increased specialization and efficiency in biological functions over time.Q7. Will advanced organisms be the same as complex organisms? Why?
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Yes, complex organisms and advanced organisms generally refer to the same concept. As organisms evolve and become more advanced, they develop complex arrangements of cells that operate in specialized ways. This complexity allows for the division of labor among different cell types and the formation of tissues, organs, and systems that perform specific functions essential for survival and adaptation.Q8. What is the criterion for the classification of organisms as belonging to the kingdom Monera or Protista?
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The presence or absence of a well-defined nucleus is indeed a significant criterion in biological classification. Here's a clarification:Monera (Prokaryotes):
Protista (Protists):
Q9. In which kingdom will you place an organism which is single-celled, eukaryotic and photosynthetic?
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Photosynthetic organisms with a well-defined nucleus, such as algae, belong to the Protista kingdom. This kingdom includes diverse eukaryotic organisms that can be both unicellular and multicellular. Algae possess chloroplasts for photosynthesis and exhibit a wide range of forms and lifestyles in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Their classification is based on their cellular structure, including the presence of a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear membrane, distinguishing them from prokaryotic organisms in the Monera kingdom.Q10. In the hierarchy of classification, which grouping will have the smallest number of organisms with maximum common characteristics and which will have the largest number of organisms?
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Q11. Which division among plants has the simplest organisms?
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Algae or Thallophyta has the simplest organism among plants.Q12. How are pteridophytes different from phanerogams?
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The following are the differences between pteridophytes and phanerogams:Pteridophytes:
Phanerogams:
Q13. How do gymnosperms and angiosperms differ from each other?
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In gymnosperms, the seeds are naked, while in angiosperms, the seeds are covered.Q14. How do poriferan animals differ from coelenterate animals?
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Listed below are the differences between poriferan and coelenterate animals:Characteristic | Porifera (Sponges) | Coelenterata (Cnidarians) |
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Division of Labour | Not observed; cells perform independent functions | Observed; different cells and tissues specialize in specific functions |
Organisation Level | Cellular level; specialized cells, no true tissues | Tissue level; distinct tissues like epidermis, gastrodermis, and mesoglea |
Coelom | Absent | Generally absent; some have a simple gastrovascular cavity |
Q15. How do annelid animals differ from arthropods?
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Listed below are the differences between annelid and arthropods:Characteristic | Annelida (Segmented Worms) | Arthropoda (Arthropods) |
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Body Segmentation | The entire body is segmented into rings | Segmentation into head, abdomen, and thorax |
Skeleton | Skeleton is absent | Presence of an exoskeleton (external skeleton) |
Reproductive Strategy | Hermaphrodites | Separate sexes; bisexuals may be present |
Q1. What are the advantages of classifying organisms?
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Listed below are the advantages of the classification of organisms:Q2. How would you choose between two characteristics to be used for developing a hierarchy in classification?
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Start of Hierarchy (Gross Character): Organisms are initially classified based on prominent, easily observable features. For example, human beings are categorized as vertebrates due to the presence of a vertebral column.
Further Steps (Fine Character): Subsequent classification involves finer details and specific traits that distinguish groups within broader categories. For instance:
Q3. Explain the basis for grouping organisms into five kingdoms.
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Here are the factors governing the basis of grouping organisms into five kingdoms:Q4. What are the major divisions in the Plantae? What is the basis of these divisions?
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The following table depicts plant division and the basis of classification for each division.Division | Basis of Classification |
Thallophyta or Algae | Like body |
Bryophyta | The body is divided into leaf and stem |
Pteridophyta | The body is separated into root, stem and leaf |
Gymnosperm | Seed-bearing, naked seeds |
Angiosperm | Seed bearings covered seeds |
Q5. How are the criteria for deciding divisions in plants different from the criteria for deciding the subgroups among animals?
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Plant Classification:
Animal Classification:
Q6. Explain how animals in Vertebrata are classified into further subgroups.
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Vertebrata (Subclasses):
Tetrapoda (Classes):