STD 7 chp1 Notes

4.
Complete the Sentences (copy the question from behind the chapter in
the textbook)
(a) i)There is extreme heat in deserts because of the low humidity and lack of vegetation,
which means there's little moisture to absorb heat, leading to high temperatures during the day.
ii) For plants, the leaves are modified into thorns/pine, stems are fleshy to store water as well as
the stems are green as they perform photosynthesis in the absence of leaves., roots are in the
tap root system to reach the water table that is deep underneath the soil.
iii)Desert animals have a thick skin to prevent loss of water from the body. Their legs are long
with flat and cushioned soles. The nostrils are protected by folds of skin. The eyelashes are long
and thick. Rats, snakes, spiders, lizards live in deep burrows during daytime and are active at
night.
(b) i)Grasslands are lush green during the growing season because they receive sufficient
rainfall and have fertile soil, which supports the growth of grasses and other
vegetation.However, grasses in cold regions are very short
ii)Animal like tiger, elephants and deer can remain hidden in these grasses.. Animals like the
rabbit are found in such grasses.
Vast meadows are found in hilly areas as well as plains.
(c) Insects are found in large numbers in various environments because they have diverse
adaptations that allow them to thrive in different conditions, including abundant food sources,
rapid reproduction, and small sizes that enable them to exploit various ecological niches.For
example, cockroaches have survived major extinction event in Earth’s history.
(d) We hide to avoid predators or harsh environmental conditions, a common survival strategy
among many animals.For example grasshoppers are green or brown in colour inorder ot be
camouflaged among the blades of grass.
(e) We have long ears to help regulate body temperature and enhance hearing, common
adaptations in animals like rabbits and fennec foxes living in hot or predator-rich environments.
5. Answer the Following
(a) Why is the camel called the ‘Ship of the desert’?
The camel is called the ‘Ship of the desert’ because it is well adapted to desert conditions.
Camels can travel long distances across sandy and arid terrains with minimal water and food,
much like a ship traversing the vast ocean. Their ability to store fat in their humps, tolerate
extreme temperatures, and survive without water for extended periods makes them
indispensable for desert travel and transport.
(b) How can plants like cactus and acacia live in deserts with scarce water?
Plants like cactus and acacia can live in deserts with scarce water due to several adaptations:
● Cacti have thick, fleshy stems that store water, reduced leaves (spines) to minimize
water loss through transpiration, and deep or widespread root systems to absorb water
efficiently.
● Acacias often have deep root systems that tap into underground water sources, small or
modified leaves to reduce water loss, and the ability to close their stomata during the
hottest parts of the day to conserve moisture.
(c) What is the inter-relationship between adaptations of organisms and their

surroundings?
Ans i)The inter-relationship between adaptations of organisms and their surroundings is a key
aspect of evolutionary biology. Organisms develop specific traits (adaptations) that enhance
their survival and reproduction in particular environments.
ii)These adaptations arise over many generations through natural selection, where
advantageous traits become more common in the population.
iii)The environment provides the selective pressures that shape these adaptations, leading to a
dynamic interaction between organisms and their habitats.
(d) How are organisms classified?
Ans) i)Organisms are classified based on a hierarchical system known as taxonomy, which
groups them according to shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. The main levels
of classification, from broadest to most specific, are:
● Kingdom
● Phylum
● Class
● Order
● Family
● Genus
● Species
This system allows scientists to organize and understand the diversity of life, trace evolutionary
lineages, and study the relationships between different organisms.
ii)Binomial nomenclature by Carl Linnaeus is used to identify each organism. Accordingly, a

scientific name has been assigned to each organism. It consists of two parts – the first part
is ‘genus’ and second, ‘species’. Eg.Mangifera Indica is the scientific name for a mango.

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4.

5. Answer the Following

(a) Why is the camel called the ‘Ship of the desert’?

(c) What is the inter-relationship between adaptations of organisms and their

(d) How are organisms classified?

ii)Binomial nomenclature by Carl Linnaeus is used to identify each organism. Accordingly, a

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