Plants and Animals Around Us

Overview

This topic forms a core component of Environmental Studies (EVS) for Bihar TET Paper I, appearing consistently in examinations. It tests candidates' understanding of the diversity of plant and animal life, their interdependence, and conservation principles—knowledge essential for teaching Classes I–V.

For Bihar TET, expect questions on classification of plants and animals, their habitats, adaptations, food chains, and conservation measures. The topic connects directly with the NCF emphasis on learning from the local environment, making Bihar-specific flora and fauna particularly relevant. Questions often integrate this topic with food, water, and environmental protection themes.

Mastery requires understanding basic biological concepts at the primary level, recognising common plants and animals of Bihar's ecosystem, and knowing conservation efforts including wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of the region.

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Key Concepts

• **Classification of Plants**: Plants are grouped as herbs (soft stems, short—tulsi, wheat), shrubs (medium height, woody—rose, mehendi), trees (tall, single trunk—mango, neem), climbers (need support—money plant, grapevine), and creepers (spread on ground—pumpkin, watermelon).

• **Parts of a Plant and Their Functions**: Roots absorb water and anchor the plant; stem transports water and nutrients; leaves prepare food through photosynthesis; flowers help in reproduction; fruits protect seeds.

• **Classification of Animals by Food Habits**: Herbivores eat plants (cow, deer, elephant); carnivores eat other animals (lion, tiger, snake); omnivores eat both (crow, bear, human).

• **Classification by Habitat**: Terrestrial animals live on land (dog, cat); aquatic animals live in water (fish, whale); amphibians live both on land and water (frog, toad); aerial animals spend most time flying (birds, bats).

• **Food Chain and Food Web**: A food chain shows energy transfer—grass → grasshopper → frog → snake → eagle. Multiple interconnected food chains form a food web.

• **Adaptation**: Features that help organisms survive—camel stores fat in hump and has padded feet for desert; fish has gills for breathing in water and streamlined body for swimming; cactus has thick stem to store water and spines instead of leaves.

• **Interdependence**: Plants provide oxygen, food, and shelter to animals; animals help in pollination, seed dispersal, and provide carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

• **Conservation**: Protection of plants and animals from extinction through sanctuaries, national parks, afforestation, and laws like Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

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Formulas / Key Facts

| Fact Category | Key Information | |---------------|-----------------| | **Photosynthesis equation** | Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Food (glucose) + Oxygen | | **National parks in Bihar** | Valmiki National Park (only national park of Bihar, home to tigers) | | **Wildlife sanctuaries in Bihar** | Bhimbandh, Gautam Buddha, Kaimur, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary | | **State animal of Bihar** | Gaur (Indian Bison) | | **State bird of Bihar** | House Sparrow | | **State tree of Bihar** | Peepal (Ficus religiosa) | | **State flower of Bihar** | Kachnar (Bauhinia) | | **Endangered species in Bihar** | Gangetic Dolphin (found in rivers Ganga and Gandak) | | **Migratory birds to Bihar** | Siberian crane, various ducks visit wetlands in winter | | **Important wildlife day** | World Wildlife Day – 3rd March; World Environment Day – 5th June |

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Worked Examples

**Example 1: Classification Question** *Identify whether the following are herbs, shrubs, or trees: Mango, Tulsi, Rose, Banana, Mint.*

**Solution**:

• Mango → Tree (tall, single woody trunk)
• Tulsi → Herb (soft green stem, short height)
• Rose → Shrub (medium height, woody stem branches near base)
• Banana → Herb (though tall, stem is not woody—it's a pseudostem)
• Mint → Herb (soft stem, short)

**Example 2: Food Chain Construction** *Arrange in correct food chain order: Frog, Grass, Snake, Grasshopper, Eagle*

**Solution**: Step 1: Identify the producer → Grass (makes its own food) Step 2: Primary consumer (herbivore) → Grasshopper (eats grass) Step 3: Secondary consumer → Frog (eats grasshopper) Step 4: Tertiary consumer → Snake (eats frog) Step 5: Top predator → Eagle (eats snake)

**Correct order**: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle

**Example 3: Adaptation Matching** *Match the animal with its adaptation:* | Animal | Adaptation | |--------|------------| | Fish | Hump to store fat | | Camel | Gills for breathing | | Bird | Hollow bones for flying |

**Solution**:

• Fish → Gills for breathing (extracts oxygen from water)
• Camel → Hump to store fat (survives without food in desert)
• Bird → Hollow bones for flying (reduces body weight)

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Common Mistakes

• **Confusing herbs and shrubs based only on height** → The key difference is the stem type: herbs have soft green stems while shrubs have hard woody stems branching near the base. Banana is tall but classified as herb because its stem is not truly woody.

• **Thinking all animals that eat meat are carnivores** → Animals like bears, crows, and humans eat both plants and animals, making them omnivores, not carnivores.

• **Believing whales and dolphins are fish** → They are mammals—they breathe through lungs, give birth to live young, and nurse their babies with milk. Fish breathe through gills and lay eggs.

• **Mixing up national park and wildlife sanctuary** → In national parks, no human activity like grazing or collection of forest products is allowed. Wildlife sanctuaries permit limited human activities.

• **Forgetting that fungi and bacteria are not plants** → Mushrooms cannot make their own food (no chlorophyll), so they are not plants. Similarly, bacteria belong to a separate kingdom.

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Quick Reference

• **Herbs = soft stem; Shrubs = woody stem branching near base; Trees = tall single trunk**

• **Food chain always starts with a producer (green plant) and ends with a top predator**

• **Valmiki National Park is Bihar's only national park; Vikramshila is famous for Gangetic dolphins**

• **Photosynthesis happens in leaves using sunlight, producing food and oxygen**

• **Adaptation = special features helping survival in specific habitat (gills in fish, hump in camel)**

• **Conservation methods: sanctuaries, national parks, afforestation, Wildlife Protection Act 1972**