1 THE LIVING WORLD

Classification of Plants : Important groups – Diversity of plants and

Non-Vascular plants – Multicellular Algae – animals
Bryophytes; Vascular plants – Pteridophytes – The approximate number of species
so for identified is about 1,672,000.
Gymnosperms – Angiosperms. According to modern classification
plants and animals are classified
Classification of Animals : Vertebrata – General into five major kingdoms Monera,
Protista, Mycota, Plantae and
Characters; Important classes – Pisces – Animalia.
Amphibia – Reptilia – Aves – Mammalia. About 9,000 species are identified
under Kingdom Monera. The number
You have studied the meaning and of species in Kingdom Protista is
about 59,950. The number of
importance of classification in your previous class. species under Mycota is about
You are also familiar with the hierarchy of 100,000. The number of species
identified under the Kingdom
classification. Plantae is about 289,640. The total
number of species identified under
Plants and animals exhibit considerable Animalia is about 1,170,000.
diversity at the cellular level. During the evolution
of organisms, diversity has occured in the structure
Major divisions of the
and functions of the cells. For example, algae are Kingdom Plantae
generally aquatic, and the lower group of algae Bryophyta - 24,000 species
are unicellular, filamentous or colonial in their Pteridophyta - 10,000 species
forms. The higher algae like Kelp and Sargassum Gymnosperms - 640 species
Angiosperms - 255,000 species
are multicellular. Plants are deep rooted and
widely branched. They have longer life span and
show diversity in reproduction. Remember this
The known number of vertebrate
You have learnt about the diversity in the species under animal kingdom
Pisces - 2,546 species
structure and function of the lower plants and
Amphibians - 204 species
animals in your previous classes. Let us now Reptiles - 428 species
study about the classification of higher plants and Birds - 1,228 species
animals. Mammals - 372 species

The following scheme represents the major groups of organisms under the
5 kingdom classification :

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 KINGDOMS
↓
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Monera Protista Mycota Metaphyta Metazoa
(Plantae) (Animalia)

1. Bacteria 1. Unicellular 1. Fungi Non Vascular Multicellular Animals

Algae Plants (Invertebrates)
2. Blue green 2. Protozoa 1. Multicellular Algae 1. Porifera
algae 2. Coelenterata
a. Red algae 3. Platyhelminthes
b. Brown algae 4. Aschelminthes
c. Green algae 5. Annelida
2. Bryophytes 6.Arthropoda
7. Mollusca
8. Echinodermata
Vascular plants Chordata
1. Pteridophytes 1.Pisces
2. Gymnosperms 2.Amphibia
3. Angiosperms 3.Reptilia
4.Aves
5.Mammalia
1.1 MULTICELLULAR ALGAE
You have studied about unicellular algae like
diatoms in your previous class. Most of the algae
are multicellular and have a flat plant body called
Agar is obtained from a red alga
thallus. These algae are non-vascular plants. They called ‘Gelidium’. It is used in
are identified under plant kingdam. They are bakery and meat packing industry.
classified into three groups, namely : Red algae, It is also used as a medium for
Brown algae and Green algae. culturing bacteria.

Ex : Red Algae - Batrachospermum Polysiphonia

Brown Algae - Sargassum, Ectocarpus
Green Algae - Spirogyra, Ulothrix
Algae are mostly aquatic. Members of red
and brown algae grow attached to rocks, corals
and other plants of the ocean. Members of green
algae are mostly freshwater forms found in ditches,
ponds, lakes and rivers. A few of them are found
in oceans and on lands, or grow attached to other
plants. Algae are capable of carrying out
photosynthesis.
A red alga called Porpyra is used
as a condiment and in the
preparation of soup.
An alga called Microcystus grows
upto 100 feet in length.
Algin is a useful substance obtained
from brown alga. It is used in the
preparation of ice cream, chocolates
and in the preparation of a Japanese
food “Kombu”.

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 Green algae contain the green pigment
called chlorophyll.
In Red algae chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ pigments
are found. In addition, a red pigment called
phycoerythrin and a blue pigment called
phycocyanin are found. Hence, the plant body
shows red colour.
In Brown algae chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘c’ pigments
are found. In addition, xanthophyll pigments are
found in abundance. Hence, these algae are
brown in colour.
Some species of algae are
preser ved and used in the
preparation of cattle feed.
The dead bodies of marine algae
along with other dead organisms of
the sea, undergo decay and release
methane gas.
When algae grow in decaying water
tanks, the oxygen liberated will be
utilized by microbes and thus water
gets purified.

Cellwall

Cellwall Nucleus

Chloroplast Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Ulothrix - A filament
Spirogyra - A cell enlarged

Fig 1.1 - Common examples of green algae

Many types of algae are used in

The cellwall of algae is composed of cellulose
and pectin. Usually the cells are uninucleate.
Reproduction takes place both by asexual
and sexual means.
industrial processes. A giant alga
named Laminaria is used in the
production of potassium chloride
and iodine.

Sexual reproduction takes place by the fusion of male and female gametes.
Asexual reproduction takes place by the production of spores. Vegetative
propagation is by the fragmentation of thallus. Each bit of the thallus will separate
from the mother plant and grow into a new plant.

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1.2 BRYOPHYTA
These plants are found both on moist land
and in water. Hence, they are commonly called
as amphibians of the plant kingdom.
Bryophytes are multicellular plants having
the features of eukaryotes. The plant body is a
flattened, thalloid structure and can be differentiated
into stem, leaves and rhizoids. In these plants,
root-like structures called ‘rhizoids’ are present.
Some plants of this group grow horizontally
in the soil. Ex : Riccia (Liverwort) Some plants
grow vertical to the soil surface. Ex : Mosses
(They exhibit simple shoot system and leaves).
The common examples of bryophytes are Marchantia, Riccia, Funaria and
Mosses.
Riccia
Marchantia : male and
female plants
Moss
Fig 1.2 - Common examples of bryophytes
The life cycle of bryophytes includes two
successive generations called gametophyte and
sporophyte. Gametophytes are gamete producing
plants. Sporophytes are spore producing plants.
Gametophytes are prominent and larger in size
and manufacture food with the help of chloroplasts.
Sporophytes are smaller in size and depend on
gametophytes for food.
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Rhizoids
These are not roots, but only root-
like structures. They absorb water
and mineral salts from the soil.
Meaning of ‘Liverwort’
Since the plant body of some of the
bryophytes resemble the shape of
liver, they are called ‘Liverworts’
Riccia is a liverwort that occurs
both in water and in moist soil. The
genus includes about 130 species.
Marchantia includes about 65
species.
Funaria
Mosses are tiny little plants generally
making their apearance after the rains.
They are found growing on moist walls,
tree trunks and on the ground. When
they grow in plenty they cover the
substratum. Mosses found growing on
rocks are called rock mosses. Some
mosses grow in marshy places and are
called bog mosses.
 Bryophytes reproduce by sexual and Moss plants are used in packing
vegetative methods. During vegetative flowers. In gardens, moss pads are
constructed while growing creepers.
reproduction, the thallus breaks into pieces and
each piece grows into a new plant. Sexual
reproduction occurs by the male and female
gametes. Structures called antheridium and
archegonium are found in adult gametophytes.
Male gametes are produced in antheridium, Female
gametes are produced in archegonium.

1.3 PTERIDOPHYTA
Pteridophytes are included in the group
called “tracheophytes”, because they have the
vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) to conduct
water and mineral salts. Ferns and other related
plants are called pteridophytes. These are found
in gardens, moist soil, on the walls and in all cool
and shady regions. These are the first terrestrial
plants to develop vascular tissues to transport
food and water from one part of the plant to
another. The plant body is differentiated into root,
stem and leaves.
‘Walking ferns’
Marsilea, Salvenia, Azolla are the
floating ferns of tanks, ponds etc.
The leaves of the fern adiantum
touch the ground, develop roots
and become new plants. These are
commonly called ‘Walking ferns’
Ferns are grown for ornamental
purposes. Fern leaves are used in
flower bouquet. Some ferns are
used in medicine. Fern plants like
horsetail and club mosses are
involved in the formation of good
fuels like coal, petroleum etc.

Examples : Nephrolepis (fern plant) Selaginella, Adiantum, Lycopodium.

There are two generations in the life cycle namely sporophyte and
gametophyte.

Nephrolepis - A fern plant

Selaginella Fig 1.3 - Some examples of Pteridophytes

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 The adult plant body is a sporophyte. The sporophyte reproduces asexually
by producing spores. The gametophyte is small but is an independent structure
called prothallus. Male gametes are produced in antheridium and female gametes
are produced in archegonium, both found in the prothallus.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes.
1.4 GYMNOSPERMS
Gymnosperms are a group of seed-bearing vascular plants. However, seeds
are not enclosed in fruits.
Gymnosperms grow in dry but cold climatic regions. These are perennial
and evergreen plants. Ex : Cycas, Pinus.
Meaning of gymnosperms
In Greek - Gymnos = naked
Sperma = seed
Hood Plants having ‘naked seeds’

Ovule Cedrus deodara is a gymnosperm.

It grows in the Himalayan forests.

Cycas: Stalk
Male plant
Cycas Female plant megasporophyll Cupresus, Aracaria juneferous
and Cycas are grown in gardens
for ornamental purposes.

Cycas :
Microsporphylls Sequoia tree grows about 125
in the male meters in height and is about 30
cone meters in circumference.

Fig 1.4 - Cycas - A gymnosperm

It is believed that the life span of pine

Some plants of this group are large trees
and some are shrubs. The vascular system is well
developed with xylem and phloem. The most
prominent feature of these plants is the production
of two kinds of spores namely microspores and
megaspores. They are produced in structures
called microsporophylls and megasporophylls
respectively.
trees is more than 5000 years. The
Bristle cone trees (Pinus aristata) of
Nevada Mountains, U.S.A., are known
to be more than 5,000 years old.
Coniferous trees are the largest, tallest
and oldest trees of the world.

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 These plants produce multicellular
structure called cones (They are called cones
because of their shape). They are of two
types namely male and female cones.
Microsporophylls produce male sex cells and
megasporophylls produce female sex cells.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of
these cells to form a ‘zygote’. The zygote is
covered by a thick coat and together they
represent the seed.

1.5 ANGIOSPERMS
male cone
female cone
Angiosperms are the most evolved among
plants. In these plants, the seeds are enclosed Fig 1.5 - Male and Female cones
of Pinus
in a structure called fruit.
Flower Male flowers

Fruit

Meaning of angisoperms
Leaf In Greek Angion = capsule
Leaf Sperma = seed
Female
Petiole flower
Stem Fruit

Root Stem

Roots The seeds of orchids are very small.

A. Mustard plant B. Maize plant The weight of one million seeds
together is only about 0.3 grams.
Fig 1.6 - Typical Dicot (A) and Monocot (B) Plants

Angiosperms are commonly called as flowering plants. They are found in

moist soil, desert, fresh water habitats. Ex : Maize, Coconut, Wheat, Paddy, Pearl
Barley, Millet, Mustard, Horsegram, Red Gram, Bean etc.
Based on the general organization of the plant body, angiosperms can be
grouped into herbs, shrubs and trees.
Vascular tissues are well developed. Flowers are the reproductive organs.
Flowers may be produced singly in the axil of the leaf or a cluster of flowers
may be found together. A special branch bearing a cluster of flowers is called
inflorescence.

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 What is Bonsai?

PISTIL
{ Stigma
Style
Ovary
The technique of growing dwarf trees
is called bonsai. This technique being
the invention of Japanese helps to
grow orange, lime, banyan and mango
Stamen trees etc. in pots as dwarf trees. The
trees grown by this method will be
of the same height even after 20-30
Petal years. They also bear fruits and
Sepal flowers.

Fig 1.7 Parts of a typical flower

Common trees of Karnataka

Seeds are produced in flowers. Seeds are Teak, Blackwood, Jackfruit, Nandi,
Honne, Jamun, Sandal, Cinnamon,
of two types. 1. Monocotyledonous Red dye tree, Presin, Indian Mast,
2. Dicotyledonous. Monocot seeds contain only Gooseberry, Indian beach, Babul,
one cotyledon (seed leaf) while the dicot seeds Acacia, Mango, Tamarind and
Bamboo are some of the common
contain two cotyledons. In monocots, during trees of Karnataka.
germination the cotyledon remains below the soil.
In dicots the cotyledons appears above the soil.
In monocot leaves, veins run parallelly. In
dicot leaves, veins are found in the form of a Do you know about the
network. speciality of sandal trees?
Sandal wood tree is an economically
important tree. The scientific name of
this tree is ‘Santalum album’. The
roots of this tree are attached to the
roots of other plants and absorb the
required food material. The roots are
used in treating skin diseases. Sandal
carving is a beautiful art and materials
made out of it are world famous.
Sandal oil is also used in the
manufacture of scents and oils.

(A) (B)
Parallel venation in Reticulate venation in
monocot leaf dicot leaf
Monocots are more advanced than
Fig 1.8 - Venation in angiosperm leaves dicots from the point of view of
evolution. About 200,000 dicot plant
species and 55,000 monocot plant
Monocot plants have fibrous root system, species are identified.
while dicot plants have tap root system.

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 Stem Some useful Plants
Stem
Vegetable yielding plants
Tap root Brinjal, Ladiesfinger, Cucumber,
Potato, Onion, Lemon, Gooseberry,
Green leafy vegetables.
Oil yeilding plants
Castor, Groundnut, Sun flower, Niger,
Ginger,
Fibrous roots Fibre yielding plants
Cotton, Jute, Hemp
Spice yielding plants
Coriander, Fenugreek Cumin,
(A) Tap root system (B) Fibrous root system Mustard, Pepper, Cardamom, Clove,
Turmeric.
Fig 1.9 - Types of roots in angiosperms Fruit yielding plants
Banana, Grapes, Apple, Mango,
In fibrous root system, the primary root dies Guava, Water melon
before the plants mature. Roots develop from the Fodder yeilding plants
base of the stem and branch profusely. A single Maize, Jowar, Ragi, Paddy, Grasses.
main or central root is absent. Medicinal plants
Leucas aspera, Ginger, Ocimum
In taproot system, the primary root from the (Tulsi) Eucalyptus, Neem
radicle of the seed grows to become the main Bevarages
or central part of the root system. It produces Tea, Coffee, Cocoa
many secondary and tertiary branches.

1.6 VERTEBRATES
Vertebrates represent a major group among the advanced animals called
chordates. Chordates exhibit the following characteristic features.
1. Presence of a solid supporting structure on the dorsal side of the body
called notochord.
2. Presence of a dorsal, tubular nerve cord.
3. Presence of openings in the pharynx called gillslits, atleast in the embryonic
stages.
Those chordates in which the notochord is replaced in the adult by a
vertebral column are grouped under vertebrata. All other animals other than
chordates, are described as invertebrates or non-chordates.
You have studied about invertebrates and their classification in your previous
class. Now, we shall study about vertebrates and their classification.

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 Vertebrates are characterised by the
presence of a backbone or vertebral column
which forms a major component of the skeletal
system. The skeletal system consists of hard rigid
structures called bones which provide support to
the body. They also provide surface for the
attachment of muscles.
The body is divided into head, trunk and
limbs.
Digestive system consists of mouth, pharynx
oesophagus, stomach, intestine and many
associated glands.
Respiratory organs are well developed. They
are in the form of gills in aquatic forms and lungs
in terrestrial forms.
Meaning of chordata
In Greek, Noton = Back
Chorda = Supporting rod
The animals having a dorsal
supporting rod-like structure.
Meaning of vertebrata
Vertebrae = Series of bones
Vertebrata - Animals having a
vertebral column
Phylum chordata includes about
39,000 species. This is the most
advanced phylum in the animal
kingdom
Members of the phylum chordata
vary in size from fishes less than
half an inch, to whales which are
approximately 30 meters in length
and 150 tons in weight.

Heart is ventral in position and is chambered. Excretory organs are in the

form of a pair of kidneys. Nervous system consists of dorsal tubular nerve cord
which becomes differentiated into brain and spinal cord.
Vertebrates are unisexual. Only sexual reproduction is seen.
Vertebrata is grouped into the following 5 classes.
(1) Pisces (2) Amphibia (3) Reptilia (4) Aves (5) Mammalia

1.61 PISCES
The members belonging to this class are Meaning of pisces
commonly called fishes. In Greek - Pisces means fish

Fishes are aquatic vertebrates with a

streamlined or spindle shaped body. Mouth is at
the terminal end of the body. Jaws are provided
with teeth. Skin is covered with scales which
provide protection. Skin contains mucous glands.
Locomotor structures are in the form of paired
and unpaired fins. Paired fins help in balancing
also.
Migration of fishes
The migratory eels travel thousands
of kilometers from Europe to west
or from America to east to their
breeding centres.

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 Dorsal fin
Eye

Nostril

Mouth Caudal fin

Anal fin Economic importance of fishes

Gill cover Pectoral fin
Pelvic fin Many fishes are consumed as food.
(Paired)
(Paired) Oils are obtained from the livers of
shark and cod. These oils are rich
Fig 1.10 - External features of a fish in vitamins ‘A’ and ‘D’. The dried
skin of sharks is used in making
polishes.

Do you know about fish

which do not look like fish?
The body shape of fish is familiar
to us. But there are some fish which
do not look like fish. A familiar
example is Hippocampus. Its snout
Sea horse resembles the face of a horse,
Hence, it is called sea horse. It has
Ray fish an elongated body and long coiled
tail. Sea horse swims vertically.
Flying fish

Saw fish

Strange fishes

Hammer A fish called Ostracion has a pair

headed fish of horns in front of head and eyes!
Hence, it is commonly called “Cow
Fish”

Sucker fish
Production of electricity in
fishes
The electric ray fishes have an
organ to produce electricity. These
organs produce high voltage current
Shark in the surrounding water. The electric
eel of Amazon can produce an
Fig 1.11 - Types of Fish electricity of 200 volts!

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 Digestive system is well developed with an alimentary canal and associated
glands.

Respiration is typically by pharyngeal gills. Heart is two chambered. Fishes

are cold blooded (poikilothermic) animals. Nervous system is well developed
with brain and spinal cord. Internal skeleton is either cartilagenous or bony. These
are unisexual animals. They reproduce sexually. There is a great diversity in
colour, shape and structure among fishes.

Ex : sharks, saw fish, electric ray fish, hippocampus (sea horse)

1.62 AMPHIBIA
Members of this class are commonly called
amphibians. Amphibians are the first vertebrates Meaning of amphibia
In Greek - Amphi = both
to appear on land. They are adapted living
bios = Life
successfully on both land and in water. The animals live both in water and
on land.
The body is divisible into head, trunk and
limbs. The skin is very soft and moist due to Because of the secretion of mucus
in amphibians the skin is always
secretion of mucous glands. Mouth is provided kept moist. It helps in respiration
with jaws. Nostrils are exposed above the mouth. also.
Fore limbs have four digits while hind limbs have
Hibernation and Aestivation
five digits each. (Winter sleep and summer
sleep)
Some amphibians are limbless. In cold weather and in very dry
Ex : Ichthyophis. periods frogs bury themselves
underground in damp places. These
Nostril periods of inactivity are termed
hiber nation and aestivation
Eye respectively. During these phases
Mouth of their life they do not take food
and live only on the stored fat.

Hind limb
Forelimb Parental care
Webbed A toad called Alytes of Europe
feet carries the egg around its hind legs
till the tadpoles are about to hatch.

Fig 1.12 - External features of frog

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 Do you know this?
A toad called Pipa of America does
not have tongue. These toads have
numerous pits on their back and
Ichthyophis carry their young ones in the pits.

Ichthyopis is an Amphibian found in

burrows. The skin is soft provided
with folds. The female lays eggs in
the soil and coils round her eggs
Salamander and protect them till they hatch.

Fig 1.13 Examples of Amphibia

It has well developed digestive system with alimentary canal, and associated
glands. Respiration is by gills, skin, buccal cavity and lungs. A three chambered
heart is found. Amphibians are also cold blooded animals. Nervous system is
well developed with a brain, a spinal cord and 10 pairs of cranial nerves and
an autonomous nervous system.

These are unisexual animals. They reproduce sexually. Fertilization is

external.

They lay eggs on stagnant water. External Fertilization

‘Metamorphosis’ is seen in the life cycle of these Fertilization takes place in water
medium, outside the body.
animals. Ex : Frog, Toad, Salamander, Ichthyophis
etc.
Metamorphosis
The changes which a larva
1.63 REPTILIA undergoes in order to become an
adult are collectively called
Members of this class are commonly called metamorphosis
reptiles. These are the first terrestrial vertebrates.
They have an elongated body covered by a dry
skin bearing an exoskeleton of horny scales. Both
forelimbs and hindlimbs have five digits each Meaning of reptilia
(pentadactyle). In Latin - repere = to creep
creeping or crawling vertebrates.
Some of the reptiles like snakes, are limbless.

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 Eye

Tail Fore Limb

Hind Limb

Fig 1.14 - External features of a garden lizard

Do you know about

Chameleons?
Chameleon is a lizard. Eyes are
capable of independent movement.
This lizard is known for changing
its body colour with the
surroundings. It is a self defence
Snake Mechanism to escape from its
enemies.
Crocodile

Chameleon Poikilothermic animals (cold

blooded animals)
These are animals in which the
body temperature keeps changing
according to changes in the
Tortoise surrounding environment.

Extinct reptiles
Tyranosaurus Tyranosaur and Dinosaur are the
giant reptiles which existed about
Fig 1.15 - Some examples of reptiles 150 million years back and are
extinct now.

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 Digestive system consists of mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine and associated glands.
Respiration takes place through lungs.
The heart is three chambered. The heart is more evolved than in
Amphibians. Reptiles are also cold blooded animals.
Nervous system consists of a brain a spinal cord and 12 pairs of cranial
nerves.
Reptiles are unisexual animals. They reproduce by sexual methods. All
reptiles are egg laying (oviparous) animals. Ex : Chameleon, Snake, Tortoise,
Crocodile, House lizard etc.

1.64 AVES Meaning of aves

Members of this class are commonly called
birds. They are found in different habitats like
water and land.
The body is covered by feathers. Feathers
are diversified with various colours. They perform
various functions like protection, help in maintaining
body temperature and loss of water. Feathers
also help in sexual attraction. In birds, forelimbs
are modified into wings which help in flight.
Depending upon the habitats of different birds
hindlimbs are variously adapted for running
walking, swimming and wading.
The body is very light and the bird can fly
without friction. The bones are hollow, light and
filled with air. Such bones are called pneumatic
bones.
Wing feather
Eye
Tail feathers
Beak
Wing
Leg
Fig 1.16 - External features of a bird
In Latin - Avis - Birds
The smallest bird
Humming bird is the smallest bird
when it is developed completely, it
weighs about 3 grams! It can also
fly backwards!
The biggest bird
The male Ostrich grows about 2.4
meters in height and weighs about
140 kgs. It can run at a speed of
60 kms per hour.
Warm blooded animals
(Homeothermic)
The animals which do not fluctuate
their body temperature with changes
in the environmental temperature
are called homeothermic animals.
In these animals body temperature
remains contant.
Migration in birds
Arctic tern, a nonstop migratory
bird can travel to a distance of
18,000 kms.
Syrinx-the Voice Box
The voice box which has vocal
cords is streched across and
responsible for the production of
Sound.

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 Lungs are specialized for storing excess air. The voice box or syrinx is
found at the base of trachea.
A four chambered heart is present. Birds are active warm blooded
(homeothermic) animals. Heart beat is very rapid than other animals.
Nervous system is more evolved than in reptiles. 12 pairs of cranial nerves
are found.

King fisher

Kiwi
Kiwi

Peacock Heart beat in birds

The rate of heart beat and size
of the heart in birds varies with
the size and activities of birds.
Gray horn Bill In Turkey heart beat may be
Penguin less than 100 per minute.
Flemingo In hens, the rate of heart beat
may be 300 per minutes. In
sparrow it may be 500 per
minute. In some smallest
Tern species of birds, it may be upto
1,500 beats per minute.
Pelican

Myna

Ostrich

Fig 1.17 - Common examples of Birds

Birds are unisexual, reproduce by sexual methods. All are oviparous and
eggs are covered by calcarious shells.
Ex : Ostrich, Parrot, Hawk, Pigeon, Penguin, Flamingo, Arctic tern etc.

1.65 MAMMALIA Meaning of mammalia

Members of this class are commonly called In Latin, - Mamma = Breast
Mammals. The animals bear mammary glands to The animals having mammary
feed their young ones. glands

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 These are the most evolved animals in the Smallest mammal
animal kingdom. The skin is covered by hairs ‘Pigmy Shrew’ is the smallest
Eye Ear mammal weighing only about 2.5
grams
Hairy Skin
Biggest Mammal
The Blue Whale is the largest known
aquatic mammal. It is nearly 30 meters
long, 200 Metric tons in Weight.
Mouth
Hind limb
Forelimb An architect of the animal
world
Tail The mammal called Beaver is
Fig 1.18 - External features of a typical mammal - rat an excellent architect of the
animal world. An illustration
Mouth is provided with jaws bearing teeth. The obtained about the intelligence
eyes have movable eyelids and eyelashes. Ear has a of these animals is that they
fleshy external pinna. Limbs are pentadactyl, ending construct dams near their
shelter. They make use of
in claws or nails. stones and tree trunks and
construct dams along the pits
near their shelter and they even
construct reservoirs!

Kangaroo is the native mammal of

Bat Australia. It has a pouch
(massupium) formed by a fold skin
on the lower part of body below the
stomach. The young ones are reared
in this pouch.
Giraffe
Panda Bat is mammal capable of true
Elephant flight.

The mammal sloth walks and

Kangaroo sleeps upside down

Lion Echidna Viviparous animals

Animals giving birth to young ones
are called Viviparous animals
Platypus

Egg laying mammals

Whale The duck-billed Platypus, the spiny
ant eater Echidna are the only two
egg laying mammals.
Fig 1.19 - Some common examples of mammals

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 Respiration takes place through lungs. The thoracic and abdominal cavities
are separated by a muscular membrane called the ‘diaphragm’
The heart is four chambered with two auricles and two ventricles.
The nervous system is more evolved than other vertebrates. It consists
of brain, spinal cord, cranial and spinal nerves.
Mammals are unisexual animals. Reproduce by sexual methods. Most
mammals give birth to young ones except echidna and platypus. They are egg
laying mammals.
Ex : Kangaroo, Whale, Bat, Giraffe, Lion, Elephant, Man etc.
After studying this unit you will ................
1. recognise the important characteristics of various groups of non-vascular
and vascular plants and also various groups of vertebrates.
2. cite examples for the important groups of non-vascular and vascular plants
and also for the 5 classes of vertebrates.
3. compare the characteristic features of lower plants with that of higher plants.
4. recognise the increase in complexity in the body structure from lower group
to higher groups of vertebrates.
5. appreciate the diversity among the animal groups.
Activities
1. Try to visit plant nurseries, botanical gardens, zoos, natural history
museums, protected forests to note the natural habitats of flora and fauna,
characteristic features of organisms both in natural and aritifcial conditions.
2. Prepare an album of pictures and photographs of various groups of plants
and animals, collected from sources like magazines, journals, special
coverages in newspapers.
3. Join a planned field trip under the guidance of your teachers and try to
collect specimens for display in science room/laboratory.

EXERCISES
I. Choose the correct answer from the following
1. The brown alga among the following is .....................
a) Polysiphonia b) Sargassum c) Spirogyra d) Ulothrix
2. The multicellular cone like structures are found in ..................
a) Gymnosperms b) Bryophytes c) Pteridophytes d) Algae.
3. Two chambered heart is found in .................
a) Pisces b) Reptiles c) Amphibians d) Aves

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 4. The number of chambers in the heart of birds are ................
a) Four b) Two c) Three d) One
5. An egg laying mammal among the following is ...............
a) Bat b) Giraffe c) Platypus d) Kangaroo
II. Answer the following questions :
1. Mention any two salient features of multicellular algae
2. List any two important characteristics of bryophytes.
3. Differentiate between a gametophyte and a sporophyte.
4. Why are pteridophytes called tracheophytes?
5. List any two important characteristics of gymnosperms
6. List any two characteristics of angiosperms?
7. What is an inflorescence?
8. Mention any two general features of vertebrates.
9. What are amphibians? Give an example.
10. What is external fertilization?
11. In which animals do you find metamorphosis?
12. Mention any two salient features of reptiles?
13. List out any two salient features of birds?
14. Mention any two salient features of mammals?
15. What is prothollus?
16. What are cones?
17. What are pneumatic bones?
III. 1. Draw a neat labelled diagram of a fish.
2. Draw a neat diagram of ulothrix cell and label the following parts.
a) Cell wall b) Nucleus c) Cytoplasm d) Chloroplast
3. Draw a labelled diagrams of taproot and fibrous root systems.
IV. Match the following
A B
1. Pisces a. Tortoise
2. Ambhibian b. Platypus
3. Reptile c. Sea horse
4. Aves d. Ichthyophis
5. Mammal e. Arctic tern

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