NOTES/GRADE-4/SCIENCE/AIS/SCIENCE MARVEL/MS.
ANKITA
CH:7 PLANTS- LIVING AND SURVIVING
❖ Adaptation in Plants
Plants are of different kinds. Some plants grow
in cold regions while others live in hot regions.
• Adaptation: The changes that make
plants suited to their environments are
called adaptation.
• Habitat: The environment in which a
plant grows and is found commonly is
known as its habitat.
two types—terrestrial and aquatic habitat
❖ Land or Terrestrial plants
Plants that grow on land are called terrestrial plants.
Comparison of Different Terrestrial Lands and Their Plant Features
Terrestrial Climate Soil Type Plant Characteristics Examples of Plants
Land
Plains Varies (hot summers, Fertile soil - Trees have many Banyan, Peepul,
(Including cold winters); branches and a wide Teak, Neem,
Rainforests) Rainforests receive spread of leaves. Mango (Rainforest
heavy rainfall - Lush green crowns plants: Mahogany,
throughout the year provide shade. Rubber, Rosewood)
- Rainforests: Tall
trees form a thick
canopy that blocks
sunlight, creating shade
for smaller plants.
Mountains Cold and windy; heavy Rocky and - Tall, straight, cone- Pine, Fir, Spruce
snowfall/rainfall less fertile shaped trees.
soil - Needle-like leaves
with a waxy coating
. - Snow slides off
conical crowns.
Deserts Hot, dry, very little Sandy and - Small leaves to reduce Cactus, Acacia,
rainfall dry soil water loss. Date Palm
- Deep roots to absorb
underground water.
- Spines/thorns replace
leaves.
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NOTES/GRADE-4/SCIENCE/AIS/SCIENCE MARVEL/MS. ANKITA
- Some plants have
thick stems to store
water.
Marshy Wet and humid Clayey and - Roots grow above the Sundari Mangrove
Areas waterlogged ground for breathing (Sundarbans)
soil (aerial/breathing roots).
Coastal Hot, wet, and windy Sandy soil - Tall trees with strong Coconut trees
Areas with salty stems to withstand
water winds. - Big feather-like
leaves allow wind to
pass through.
Note: *Terrestrial plants in Detail or go to pg:4 for aquatic plants*
a) Plants Growing in Plains
1. Climate of Plains:
• The climate in plains varies throughout the year.
• Summers can be very hot, while winters can be extremely cold.
2. Characteristics of Trees in Plains:
• Trees and plants in plains usually have many branches and a wide spread of leaves.
• Their crowns are lush green, providing shade and helping in photosynthesis.
• Some common trees found in plains include Banyan, Peepul, Teak, Neem, and Mango.
3. Types of Trees in Plains:
• Deciduous Trees:
o These trees shed all their leaves once a year, usually during winter.
o They grow new leaves in spring when conditions become favourable.
o Examples: Teak, Peepul, and Mango trees.
• Evergreen Trees:
o These trees do not shed all their leaves at once.
o Instead, they continuously shed old leaves and grow new ones throughout the year.
o Since they remain green all year round, they are called evergreen trees.
o Examples: Banyan and Neem trees.
4. Rainforests:
• Rainforests are found in areas that receive heavy rainfall throughout the year.
• Plants in rainforests grow in different shapes and sizes to adapt to the dense forest environment.
5. Canopy Formation in Rainforests:
• The tallest trees in rainforests grow high and spread their branches and leaves.
• This forms a thick covering called the canopy, which looks like an umbrella.
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NOTES/GRADE-4/SCIENCE/AIS/SCIENCE MARVEL/MS. ANKITA
• The canopy blocks sunlight from reaching the smaller plants below, creating a shaded environment.
• Smaller plants and shrubs in rainforests grow under this shade, adapting to lesser sunlight.
b) Plants Growing on Mountains
1. Climate of Mountains:
• The weather on mountains is extremely cold and windy.
• Some regions experience heavy rainfall and snowfall.
2. Characteristics of Mountain Trees:
• Trees like Pine and Fir have unique features to withstand cold and snow.
• They are usually tall, straight, and cone-shaped.
• Their conical crowns help snow slide off easily to prevent any damage.
• Leaves are needle-like with a waxy coating, reducing water loss and protecting from freezing temperatures.
3. Conifers: Trees with Cones Instead of Flowers
• These trees do not produce flowers but instead have cones that contain seeds.
• Due to this, they are called conifers.
4. Evergreen Nature of Mountain Trees:
• Trees like Pine and Fir do not shed all their leaves at once.
• They continuously shed old leaves and grow new ones throughout the year.
• This makes them evergreen trees, as they remain green all year round.
c) Plants in Deserts
1. Climate of Deserts:
• Deserts are hot, dry, and receive very little rainfall.
2. Common Desert Plants:
• Acacia, Cactus, and Date Palms are commonly found in deserts.
• These plants have special adaptations to store and conserve water.
3. Adaptations:
• Small Leaves to Reduce Water Loss
o Water is lost through stomata. Small leaves help minimize water loss and retain moisture.
• Deep Root Systems
o Roots grow deep to absorb even small amounts of underground water.
• Spines or Thorns Instead of Leaves
o Reduce water loss and protect plants from being eaten by animals.
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NOTES/GRADE-4/SCIENCE/AIS/SCIENCE MARVEL/MS. ANKITA
• Water-Storing Stems in Cactus
o Thick, green, fleshy stems store water and food. (stored water helps during dry periods). Waxy stem
layer prevents water loss.
• Thick and Hard Leaves in Date Palms
o Tough leaves help withstand hot and dry desert conditions.
d) Plants Growing in Marshy Areas
• Soil Type: Clayey and wet (with a lot of water)
• Adaptation:
o Roots grow above the ground to help in breathing.
o These roots are called aerial roots or breathing roots.
• Example: Sundari mangrove trees grow in the marshy areas of Sundarbans, West Bengal.
e) Plants Growing in Coastal Areas
1. Climate: Hot, wet, and windy.
2. Soil: Sandy soil with salty water.
3. Adaptations:
o Trees are tall and straight with strong stems to face strong winds.
o Big feather-like leaves allow wind to pass through without any damage.
4. Example: Coconut trees are common in the eastern and western coastal regions of southern India.
❖ Water or Aquatic plants
Plants that grow in water are called aquatic plants. They are of three types—floating, underwater, and fixed plants.
1 2 3
Floating Plants Fixed Plants Underwater Plants
Light & small, float on Roots fixed at the Grow completely
water bottom underwater
Protect water animals Light, hollow stems Thin, narrow leaves
with air spaces without stomata
Examples: Duckweed,
Water Lettuce, Water Broad, waxy leaves Absorbs dissolved
Hyacinth prevent rotting gases
Examples: Tape Grass,
Examples: Lotus, Water Lily Pondweed
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NOTES/GRADE-4/SCIENCE/AIS/SCIENCE MARVEL/MS. ANKITA
❖ Some Interesting plants
Insectivorous Plants
• Insectivorous plants attract and trap insects for nutrients.
• Found in humid areas with plenty of sunlight and moisture, but soil lacks nutrients.
• They adapt to capture insects for essential nutrients.
Examples:
1. Venus Flytrap
o Leaves look like a mouth with hinges.
o Has long hair along edges.
o When an insect touches them, the leaves snap shut to trap it.
2. Pitcher Plant
o Leaves shaped like a container or pitcher.
o Has a lid to cover the mouth and trap insects inside.
3. Sundew Plant
o Has sticky tentacles that trap insects.
Parasitic Plants
• Depend on other plants for water and nutrients.
Examples:
1. Dodder (Total Parasitic Plant)
o Has a weak stem that coils around other plants.
o Absorbs water and nutrients from the host plant.
2. Mistletoe (Partial Parasitic Plant)
o Has chlorophyll and can photosynthesize, but still takes nutrients from other plants.
BONUS QUESTION
Q. Which plant shows more water loss through transpiration when tied with a polythene bag – a
cactus or a leafy plant? Explain?
Ans. Polythene attached to the cactus plant has less water than the leafy plant.
(Explanation)
Plants lose water through tiny openings in their leaves in a process called transpiration. The leafy plant
loses more water, so more water collects in the polythene bag. The cactus, which is adapted to dry
conditions, has fewer stomata and a thick stem that stores water, reducing transpiration. As a result, less
water is collected in the polythene bag on the cactus.
