The Living World
– A quick revision tool for the grip on the chapter.
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Characteristics of living organisms
Characteristics of living organisms are as follows:
1. Definite shape and size
2. Organization (coordinated working of the body)
3. Cellular organisation
4. Growth and repair
5. Spontaneous movement
6. Nutrition (taking in and utilising food substances)
7. Respiration (energy released for body functions)
8. Excretion (throwing out of the body wastes)
9. Sensitivity (response to external stimuli)
10. Maintaining internal conditions (homeostasis)
11. Reproduction (producing young ones with similar traits)
12. Evolvability (changeability in future generations)
13. Life span and death
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Two kingdom system of classification
1. The two-kingdom classification system was given by Carlous Linnaeus in 1758.
2. All organisms were placed in either the plant kingdom or the animal kingdom.
3. The animal kingdom includes unicellular protozoans and multicellular metazoans.
4. The plant kingdom includes all other organisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, photosynthetic plants, non-photosynthetic fungi).
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Nomenclature of organisms
1. The scientific naming of an organism is called nomenclature.
2. The organisms are given scientific name by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).
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Rules of binomial nomenclature
1. Biological names are usually written in Latin. They are written in italics.
2. A biological name usually contains two terms. The first term shows the genus, while the second term shows the species.
3. The biological name is underlined, when it is handwritten.
4. The first term of the biological name begins with a capital letter. The second and the subsequent terms begin with the small letter.
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Taxonomic Categories
Carolus von Linnaeus created a hierarchical classification system using seven taxonomic categories.
1. Kingdom – Topmost taxonomic category.
2. Phylum – Term used for animals while its synonym division is used for plants.
3. Class – One or more than one order makes a class.
4. Order – One or more than one similar families constitute order.
5. Family – Collection of similar genera.
6. Genus – Group of similar species.
7. Species – Group of population which is similar in form, shape and reproductive features so that fertile sibling can be produced.
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Method of specimen collection and mounting for herbarium
1. A complete specimen possesses all parts including the root system, flowers and fruits.
2. To avoid damage during transportation and preservation at least 5-G specimens of a plant should be collected.
3. The specimens are spread out between the folds of old newspapers or blotting sheets, avoiding overlapping of parts.
4. The collected specimens are transported in a vasculum (specimen box) to prevent wilting.
5. The dried specimens are mounted on herbarium sheets of standard size (41 x 29 cm). Mounting is done with the help of glue, adhesive or tape.
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Botanical garden
1. A botanical garden is an educational institution for scientific workers and laymen to awake interest in plant life.
2. In general, a botanical garden represents a collection of living plants designed chiefly to illustrate relationships within plant groups.
3. They provide facilities for the collection of living plant material for biosystematic studies and constitutes reservoirs of valuable heritable characteristics, potentially important in the breeding of new varieties of plants.
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Role of zoological parks in wildlife conservation
1. The zoological park is involved in the rescue of many species threatened with extinction.
2. The crocodile rehabilitation project is being run by FAO to rehabilitate crocodiles.
3. Himalayan Musk Deer is bred at Kufri.
4. Attempts have been made for the preservation of Blackbuck, Sambar and Spotted Deer.
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Function of Museums
Function of museums
1. Acquisition of materials
2. Recording of materials
3. Preservation of materials
4. Research
5. Exhibition of materials
6. Education
NEET CRACKER 