Green Science 4 Final

Approved by Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, Curriculum
Development Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur as an additional material

Green

Science

Health and Physical Education

4

Editor
Dr. Deepak Chand

M.Sc. (TU, Kirtipur, Kathmandu)
Ph.D. (University of Idaho, USA)

Author
Bishnu Prasad Bhatta

M.Sc. (TU, Kirtipur, Kathmandu)

Lalitpur, Nepal, Tel: 977-1-5529899
E-mail: [email protected]
www.greenbooks.com.np

Name : ....................................................................

Class : .......................... Roll No. : ...................

Section : ..................................................................

School : ...................................................................

Green

Science 4Health and Physical Education

Publisher: Green Books

Copyright: Author (2074 BS)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means without
prior permission in writing from the author and
editor.

Edition
First : B.S. 2074 (2017 AD)
Reprint : B.S. 2075 (2018 AD)

Illustrator
Prakash Samir

Layout
The Focus Computer
[email protected]

Printed in Nepal

Preface

It gives me an immense pleasure in presenting this book- Green
Science, Health and Physical Education for class 4. This book
has been written specially to meet the requirements of the
new syllabus introduced by Government of Nepal, Ministry
of Education, Curriculum Development Centre, Sano Thimi,
Bhaktapur, Nepal.

My aim and effort while writing this book is to help students
understand, enjoy and appreciate the fascinating subject of
Science, Health and Physical Education by making the process of
learning enjoyable and stimulating. I have attempted to present
the subject matter covering the entire prescribed syllabus in a
simple language and interesting style with a large number of
illustrative examples to master the fundamental principles of
Science, Health and Physical Education. Each unit of the book
has been carefully planned to make it student-friendly and
present the subject matter in an interesting, understandable and
enjoyable manner. A Structural Programme Learning Approach
(SPLA) has been followed and exhaustive exercises are given
at the end of each unit to test knowledge, understanding and
applications of concepts taught/learnt.

The text is supplemented with weighting distribution, learning
objectives, word power, teaching instructions, sample test
papers and a large number of well-labelled accurate pictures. I
sincerely hope that this book will serve its intended purpose and
be received enthusiastically by both the students and teachers
concerned.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Green Books Team for
publishing this book. My hearty thanks go to Focus Computer
for excellent type setting and layout.

I also wish to acknowledge my great indebtedness to many
teachers for their valuable suggestions and advice concerning
the textbook. I am confident that as a result of their suggestions
this book will be more useful than any other textbooks. However,
sympathetic criticisms and constructive suggestions for further
improvement of the book, if any, will be welcomed and with
warm regards incorporated in the subsequent editions.

Author

Kathmandu, Nepal
September 2017

Contents

Science and Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1. Invertebrates and Vertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Oviparous and Viviparous Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Terrestrial Animals and Their Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4. Aquatic Animals and their Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5. Life Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6. Stages of Plant Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
7. Terrestrial Plants and Their Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
8. Aquatic Plants and their Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9. Interrelationship Between Living Beings and Environment . . . . . . 60
10. Natural Disasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
11. Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
12. Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
13. Weather and Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
14. The Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
15. Solar System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
16. Means of Information and Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
17. Some Local Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Health Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
18. Our Body and Personal Hygiene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
19. Healthy Environment and Healthy Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
20. Our Food and Nutrients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
21. Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
22. Some Communicable Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
23. Some Non-communicable Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
24. Safety and First Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
25. Health Services and Co-operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
26. Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Physical Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
27. Locomotive Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
28. Jumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
29. Throwing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
30. Non-locomotive Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
31. Drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
32. Physical training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
33. Our Funny Local Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
34. Imitative and Creative Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
35. Ball Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
36. Gymnastics and Body Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

4 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Science and Environment unit

Invertebrates and 1
Vertebrates

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)

Teaching periods : 4 Marks (in %): 3

Before You Begin

Different types of animals are found around us. Animals like cat,
dog, cow, goat, buffalo, earthworm, snail, butterfly, slug, fish,
frog, snake, etc. are found in our surroundings. Among these
animals, some animals do not have a backbone and others have
a backbone. The animals which do not have a backbone are called
invertebrates. Examples: Snail, butterfly, earthworm, slug, etc.
Similarly, the animals having a backbone are called vertebrates.
Examples: Cat, dog, cow, goat, buffalo, fish, frog, snake, etc. On
the basis of absence or presence of a backbone, animals are divided
into two groups, viz. invertebrates and vertebrates.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. introduce invertebrates and vertebrates with examples.
ii. explain the salient features of invertebrates and vertebrates

with examples.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

backbone : vertebral column
habitat : the place where an organism is normally found
invertebrates : the animals without a backbone
vertebrates : the animals having a backbone
unicellular : the organism made of only one cell
multicellular : the organism made of many cells
mammals : the animals having milk producing glands, i.e. mammary glands
skeleton : the framework of the body made of bones

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 5

Invertebrates Do You Know

We can see a variety of animals around The animals which do
us. Among them animals like butterfly, not have a backbone or
cockroach, mosquito, crab, earthworm, vertebral column are called
leech, grasshopper and honeybee do not invertebrates.
have a backbone or vertebral column. These
animals are called invertebrates. Can you Invertebrates may be
name some more invertebrates? unicellular or multicellular.

Some common invertebrates are given below:

Butterfly Grasshopper Spider

Fig. Fig.1.1 Earthworm Snail
Octopus

Salient features of invertebrates

1. Invertebrates do not have a backbone.
2. They may be unicellular or multicellular.

1.2 Do You Know
Paramecium
The organisms having only
one cell in their bodies are
called unicellular organisms.
Examples: Amoeba,
paramecium, euglena, etc.

Euglena

3. They live both in water (e.g. hydra, starfish, amoeba, octopus, etc.) and on
land (e.g. snail, earthworm, butterfly, grasshopper, etc.).

6 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

4. They have a less developed body. Do You Know

5. Most of invertebrates have a The animals having many
soft body. But the body of some cells in their body are called
invertebrates like crab and beetle multicellular organisms.
is covered with a hard protective Examples: butterfly, fish, frog,
cover. cow, snail, slug, starfish, etc.

Activity 1

Observe some invertebrates present in your locality. Study their
characteristics carefully.

Draw neat and labelled figures of any five invertebrates and write any
two features of each.

Vertebrates

Animals like cow, buffalo, rhinoceros, cat, dog, goat, sheep, crow, peacock,
snake and crocodile have a backbone or vertebral column. These animals are
called vertebrates. The animals having a backbone or vertebral column are
called vertebrates.

All the vertebrates are divided into five groups. They are fishes, frogs, reptiles
(snakes, lizards, crocodiles), birds and mammals.

Dog Pigeon Fish

Fig.

1.3 Crocodile Elephant
Buffalo

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 7

The body of vertebrates is made of bones. Do You Know
These bones combine together to form
the internal framework of the body. This The internal framework
framework is called the skeleton. The of the body formed by the
skeleton provides support to the body. We combination of bones is
can stand with the help of bones. Have you called the skeleton.
seen an earthworm standing erect like us?
Why? The skeleton provides
definite shape and size to
the body.

Different vertebrates have different shapes
and sizes. The shape and size of a body depends on the arrangement of the
bones. The size of bones determines the size of the body. The skeleton also
protects the vital body organs like brain, heart, eyes, etc.

Salient features of vertebrates

1. Vertebrates have a backbone or vertebral column.
2. They have bones in their bodies.
3. They have developed organs and systems.
4. They have the well developed brain.
5. They breathe through gills (e.g. fishes, tadpoles) or lungs (frogs, snakes,

birds and mammals).
6. Most vertebrates lay eggs (e.g. fishes, frogs, reptiles and birds) and some

vertebrates (i.e. mammals) give directly birth to their young ones.

Activity 2

Observe some vertebrates present in your surroundings and study their
features.

Draw a neat and labelled figure of each with any two salient features.

Key Concepts
1. Invertebrates are the animals which do not have a backbone. They may

be unicellular or multicellular.
2. The animals made of only one cell are called unicellular animals and the

animals made of many cells are called multicellular animals.
3. The animals having a backbone or vertebral column are called vertebrates.

8 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

4. All the vertebrates are divided into five groups. They are fishes, frogs,
reptiles, birds and mammals.

5. The internal framework of the body made of bones is called the skeleton.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.
a. Invertebrates do not have a ........................

backbone head leg

b. Which of the given animals is an invertebrate?

fish frog butterfly

c. Vertebrates are the animals having ........................

gills backbones legs

d. Which of the given animals lays eggs?

fish cow buffalo

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. The animals having no backbone are called invertebrates.
b. Most invertebrates have a hard body.
c. Vertebrates breathe through gills and lungs.
d. Fishes, frogs and snakes lay eggs.

3. Fill in the blanks using appropriate words.
a. ........................ do not have a vertebral column.
b. Invertebrates live in ........................ and on land.
c. The internal framework of the body made of bones is called the
........................
d. ........................ have the well developed brain.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 9

4. Answer the following questions.
a. What are invertebrates? Give any four examples.
b. Write any three salient features of invertebrates.
c. Define vertebrates with any four examples.
d. Write any three salient features of vertebrates.
e. What is the skeleton? Write any two functions of the skeleton.

5. Write any two differences between invertebrates and vertebrates.
6. Name any two unicellular invertebrates and two multicellular

invertebrates.
7. Name any two vertebrates that breathe through gills and two vertebrates

that breathe through lungs.
8. Identify invertebrates and vertebrates from the following.

a. b. c.

9. Give reasons:
a. An earthworm is called an invertebrate.
b. A snake is called a vertebrate.

10. Name any three vertebrates that lay eggs and three vertebrates that give
directly birth to their young ones.

11. Name any three vertebrates that live on land and three vertebrates that
live in water.

10 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Oviparous and unit
Viviparous Animals
2

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)
Teaching periods : 5 Marks (in %): 4

Before You Begin

In unit 1, you studied the features of invertebrates and vertebrates.
Most of the invertebrates and vertebrates lay eggs to reproduce.
These animals are called oviparous animals. Butterfly, mosquito,
fish, frog, snake and parrot are some examples of oviparous
animals. Some animals give directly birth to their young ones to
reproduce. These animals are called viviparous animals. All living
beings reproduce to continue their races on the earth. The biological
process by which living beings produce their own kinds is called
reproduction. It is one of the major features of living beings. In the
absence of reproduction, the existence of living beings on the earth
would be impossible.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. introduce oviparous and viviparous animals.
ii. prepare a list of oviparous and viviparous animals.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

oviparous : the animals that reproduce by laying eggs
viviparous : the animals that reproduce giving directly birth to young ones
reproduction : the process by which living beings produce their own kinds
enemy : anything that harm something or prevents it from being successful
suckle : to give a baby or young animal milk from the breast or udder
nourish : to provide with food and other things that are needed to live, be

hatch healthy, etc.
: to emerge from an egg

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 11

Oviparous Animals Do You Know

Most invertebrates and vertebrates The animals that reproduce
reproduce by laying eggs. These animals are by laying eggs are called
called oviparous animals. Invertebrates like oviparous animals. Examples:
butterfly, mosquito, silkmoth, grasshopper hen, crow, frog, snake, fish,
and honeybee lay eggs. Similarly, vertebrates butterfly, etc.
like fishes, frogs, snakes, lizards and birds
lay eggs.

Fig. Fig.2.1 Eggs of a silkmoth
Eggs of a butterfly

Insects like butterfly and silkmoth lay eggs on leaves. Most birds build nests
and lay their eggs in the nest. The birds cover their eggs by spreading their
wings. It helps to keep eggs warm. Warming of eggs is essential for hatching.

2.2 Chicks hatched from eggs
Hen with eggs

Some animals like fishes and frogs lay eggs in water. The eggs of a frog hatch
into tadpoles in water. These tadpoles grow and finally develop into adult
frogs. Some insects like mosquito also lay eggs in water. Most birds and some
other animals take care of their babies. But insects, fishes, frogs and snakes do
not take care of their babies.

12 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Fig. Fig. Fig.2.3 Tadpole of a frog Adult of a frog
Eggs of a frog

Viviparous Animals

Some vertebrates like bat, cat, rat, cow, dog, Do You Know
sheep, elephant, goat and buffalo directly
give birth to their young ones. These animals The animals that directly give
birth to their young ones are

are called viviparous animals. These animals called viviparous animals.

do not lay eggs. In viviparous animals, Examples: cow, dog, human,
babies develop inside the body of females. goat, etc.

Tiger, lion, bear, zebra, deer, chimpanzee,

rabbit, squirrel and rhinoceros are some more examples of viviparous animals.

2.4 Sheep with lamb Rhino with calf
Dog with puppy

Viviparous animals have milk producing glands (mammary glands or breasts).
Viviparous animals suckle their young ones and nourish them.

2.5 A dog is suckling its puppies.
A cow is suckling its calf.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 13

Have you ever seen a cow licking its calf? Have you seen a dog taking care of
its puppies? When we catch a puppy, its mother dog becomes angry and may
bite us. Viviparous animals take care of their babies and protect them from
enemies.

Activity 1

Observe some invertebrate and vertebrate animals in your locality.

Classify them as oviparous animals and viviparous animals.

Key concepts

1. The animals that reproduce by laying eggs are called oviparous animals.
Examples: hen, crow, frog, snake, fish, butterfly, etc.

2. The animals that directly give birth to their young ones are called
viviparous animals. Examples: cow, dog, human, goat, etc.

3. In viviparous animals, babies develop inside the body of females.

4. Viviparous animals suckle their young ones and nourish them.

5. Viviparous animals take care of their babies and protect them from enemies.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.

a. Which of the following is an oviparous animal?

dog cow butterfly

b. Which of the following is a viviparous animal?

rabbit fish frog

c. The process by which living beings produce their own kinds is called
........................

excretion reproduction respiration

d. Which of the given animals has mammary glands?

bat parrot snake

14 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. Living beings reproduce to continue their races on the earth.
b. Fishes and frogs are oviparous.
c. Snakes and birds directly give birth to their young ones.
d. Cow and buffalo suckle their babies.

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
a. The animals that lay eggs are called .......................
b. ....................... animals do not lay eggs.
c. Cow and goat are ....................... animals.
d. ....................... glands are found in viviparous animals.

4. Answer the following questions.
a. What is reproduction? Why do animals reproduce?
b. What are oviparous animals? Write any four examples.
c. What are viviparous animals? Write any four examples.
d. What is the function of mammary glands?
e. Name any four animals that do not take care of their babies.

5. Identify oviparous and viviparous animals from the following:
a. b. c. d.

6. Write any two differences between oviparous and viviparous animals.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 15

Terrestrial Animals and unit
Their Characteristics
3

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)

Teaching periods : 4 Marks (in %): 6.5

Before You Begin

Animals live in different habitats on the earth. The earth has many
habitats like forests, grasslands, crop fields, deserts, mountains,
rivers, oceans, etc. The environment where living beings live, grow
and reproduce is called habitat. The animals that live on land are
called terrestrial animals. Human, cow, tiger, rhinoceros, elephant,
dog, lion, fox, etc. are some examples of terrestrial animals. These
animals may be domestic or wild.

In order to survive, grow and reproduce, animals have to adjust
themselves in their habitat. The ability of adjustment of living
beings to their habitat is called adaption. The animals which
cannot adapt in their habitat become extinct. In this unit, we will
study terrestrial animals and their characteristics.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. introduce terrestrial animals with examples.
ii. describe the adaptational characteristics of terrestrial animals.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

terrestrial : living on the ground or on the land
habitat : the environment where living beings live, grow and reproduce
extinct : no longer in existence
hooves : the hard parts of the foot of animals like cow, buffalo, etc.
prey : an animal or a bird that is hunted or killed by another
claw : one of the sharp curved nails on the end of animal's or bird's foot
hump : a large lump on the back of some animals, especially camels
arboreal : relating to trees, living in trees
adhesive : a substance that makes things stick together

16 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Terrestrial Animals

The animals that live on ground or land are called terrestrial animals. Examples:
tiger, lion, elephant, cow, buffalo, goat, human beings, fox, zebra, donkey,
bear, etc. Terrestrial animals live in different habitats like forests, grasslands,
cropfields, cold mountains, hot deserts, etc. Some of the terrestrial animals are
given below:

Tiger Elephant Cow

Fig.

3.1 Zebra Bear
Sheep

Adaptational Characteristics of Terrestrial Animals

Those characteristics which help an Do You Know
organism to adjust in its habitat are called
adaptational characteristics. For example, The ability of adjustment
fins and gills in fishes, sharp canines and of living beings in their
pointed teeth in a tiger, hump in a camel, habitat is called adaptation.
etc. Adaptational characteristics help
organisms adjust in their habitat. The The animals which cannot
adapt in their habitat
become extinct.

organisms which cannot adapt themselves

in their habitat will disappear from the earth. The major adaptational

characteristics of terrestrial animals are given below:

1. Carnivorous animals like tiger, lion, Do You Know
leopard, cheetah, etc. kill other animals
and feed on flesh. These animals have The animals that feed on
long and powerful legs and sharp and flesh of other animals are
pointed claws adapted for running and called carnivorous animals.
Examples: tiger, lion, leopard,
etc.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 17

catching their prey. They have sharp and pointed canines adapted for
tearing flesh. They have strong grinding teeth to chew bones.

Fig. Fig.3.2 Tiger is eating a deer.
Tiger is killing a deer.

2. Herbivorous animals like cow, buffalo, Do You Know
goat, sheep, rabbit and deer feed on
grass and plants. These animals have The animals that feed on
sharp front teeth (incisors) adapted
for cutting plants or leaves. They have grass or plants are called
strong and broad inner teeth (molars)
adapted for grinding and chewing their herbivorous animals.
food.
Examples: cow, goat, sheep,

rabbit, zebra, etc.

Herbivorous animals have long and strong legs adapted to travel long
distance in search of food. They have bilobed hooves adapted for walking
easily in a hilly region.

3.3 A sheep is eating grass. A horse is running.
A cow is grazing.

Herbivores like horse, zebra, etc. have long and strong legs with non-lobed
hooves which are adapted to run fast.

An elephant has a long trunk adapted for catching food and strong teeth
adapted for chewing twigs of plants. A giraffe has a long neck adapted for
picking leaves of very tall plants.

18 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Fig.3.4Elephant is breaking a tree branch.
Fig. Fig.Giraffe is picking the leaves of tall
plant.

3. Omnivores like fox, dog, crow, human, bear, etc. feed on both plants and
flesh. These animals have well developed incisors and molars adapted for
eating plants and flesh.

3.5 Fox is eating flesh.
Fox is eating maize.

4. Animals like rat, mole, squirrel, etc.
have sharp and strong front teeth
adapted for cutting their food.

5. Camel is a big desert animal. It has a 3.6
hump on its back to store food in the
form of fat. It has special tissues to A rat is cutting a sack.
store water. It has long strong legs with
large flat soles adapted for walking on
hot sand. It has thick skin to protect
from the heat.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 19

Do You Know

A camel is called the ship of
desert. It can survive for 10-12
days without food and water.

3.7
Camels

6. Aerial animals like crow, peacock, sparrow, pigeon, vulture, hawk, etc.
spend most time in the air. These animals have a pair of wings adapted for
flying. They have stream lined or boat-shaped body with light and hollow
bones. Their body is covered with waterproof feathers.
Fig.
Fig.

Fig.
3.8 Pigeon
Peacock

Some birds like pigeon, sparrow, hen, etc.
feed on grains. They have a short and strong
beak adapted for eating grains. The beak
of parrot is curved and strong adapted for
breaking covers of nuts or seeds.

Carnivorous birds like eagle, vulture, hawk,

etc. have a strong and curved beak adapted 3.9

for tearing flesh. They have sharp and strong Parrot is eating nuts.

claws adapted for catching their prey.

20 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Fig. Fig.3.10 Hawk is catching a bird.
Vulture is tearing flesh.

7. Some insects like butterfly, dragonfly, mosquito, honeybee, etc. have
wings adapted for flying. Grasshoppers have strong jointed legs adapted
for jumping.

3.11 Dragonfly Honeybee Grasshopper
Butterfly

8. Arboreal animals like monkey, baboon, Do You Know
squirrel, etc. have strong limbs adapted
for climbing and jumping. Monkeys The animals that spend most
have long and strong fingers adapted for of their time on trees are called
holding the branches of trees. Squirrel arboreal animals. Examples:
has a long tail and strong hind limbs monkey, squirrel, baboon, etc.

adapted for running. Squirrel, mole, etc.

have powerful claws adapted for digging and climbing.

Fig.

3.12

Squirrel is climbing a tree. Monkey is hanging on a tree branch.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 21

9. Animals like yak, polar bear, snow leopard, etc. live in cold places. These
animals have thick and long fur on their skin. They have a thick layer of fat
inside the skin to protect them from extreme cold.

Fig. Fig.3.13 Polar bear Snow leopard
Yak

10. Animals like house wall lizard, garden lizard, etc. have adhesive pads on
their digits adapted for crawling on the wall easily.

3.14 Garden lizard
House wall lizard

Activity 1

Observe different types of terrestrial animals present in your locality.

Study their adaptational characteristics and write in your project work
notebook.

Key concepts
1. The animals that live on ground or land are called terrestrial animals.
2. The ability of adjustment of living beings in their habitat is called

adaptation.
3. Herbivorous animals have long and strong legs adapted to travel long

distance in search of food.

22 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

4. Carnivorous birds like eagle, vulture, hawk, etc. have strong and curved
beak adapted for tearing flesh.

5. Arboreal animals like monkey, baboon, squirrel, etc. have strong limbs
adapted for climbing and jumping.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.
a. Cow, buffalo and sheep are ........................

domestic animals wild animals aerial animals

b. Sharp and pointed teeth are found in a ........................

goat buffalo lion

c. Crow, pigeon and parrot are ........................

wild animals aerial animals arboreal animals
d. Which of the given animals has a hump?

camel horse elephant

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. The animals that live on land are called terrestrial animals.
b. Herbivorous animals have sharp and pointed teeth.
c. Monkeys and squirrels are called aerial animals.
d. House wall lizards have adhesive pads on their digits.

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
a. The environment where living beings live is called ........................
b. ........................ is the ability of adjustment of living beings in their
habitat.
c. Carnivorous animals have ........................ and ........................ teeth
adapted for ........................

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 23

d. ........................ have adhesive pads on their digits.
e. ........................ animals have wings adapted for ........................
4. Answer the following questions.
a. What are terrestrial animals? Give any five examples.
b. What is meant by habitat? Give any two examples.
c. What is adaptation? What are adaptational characteristics?
d. Define herbivorous animals with any three adaptational characteristics.
e. What are carnivorous animals? Give any two examples.
f. Write any three adaptational characteristics of carnivorous animals.
g. What are aerial animals? Write any two adaptational characteristics of

aerial animals.
h. What are arboreal animals? Give any two examples.
5. Write any two adaptational characteristics of each of the given animals.
a. b. c.

d. e. f.

6. Write any two differences between herbivores and carnivores on the
basis of adaptation.

24 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Aquatic Animals and unit
their Characteristics
4

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)

Teaching periods : 5 Marks (in %): 4

Before You Begin

A variety of animals are found around us. Among them some live
on land and others live in water. The animals that live in water
are called aquatic animals. Fish, dolphin, starfish, octopus, crab,
prawn, etc. are some examples of aquatic animals. Most aquatic
animals breathe through gills. They have a streamlined or boat
shaped body. Their body remains covered with smooth, slipperey
and water-proof seales. In this unit, we will study aquatic animals
and their characteristics.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. introduce aquatic animals with examples.
ii. explain the adaptational characteristics of aquatic animals.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

aquatic : living or found in or near water
gills : the breathing organs of fishes and other aquatic animals
webbed : an area of skin that is between the fingers or toes of an animal or a bird
slippery : difficult to hold because of being smooth
resistance : a force that stops something moving or makes it move more slowly
streamlined : a smooth even shape so that it can move quickly and easily through air

amphibians or water
: the animals that can live on land and in water

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 25

Aquatic Animals Do You Know

Different types of animals like fish, shark, The animals that live in water
dolphin, starfish, crab, octopus, turtle and are called aquatic animals.
frog live in water. These animals are called Examples: fish, frog, dolphin,
aquatic animals. These animals have special octopus, starfish, etc.
features adapted for living in water. Some of
the aquatic animals are shown below:

Fish Frog Dolphin

Fig.

4.1 Crab Starfish
Shark

Adaptational Characteristics of Aquatic Animals

The major adaptational characteristics of aquatic animals are as follows:

1. Aquatic animals like fish, shark, dolphin, etc. have a boat-shaped or
streamlined body. It helps them to swim easily in water.

2. Fishes have fins which help them to swim easily in water.

3. The body of aquatic animals is covered with smooth, slippery and water-
proof scales or mucous coat. It helps them to reduce water resistance while
swimming.

26 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Fig. Fig.4.2 Octopus Frog
Fish

4. Most aquatic animals breathe through Do You Know
gills. Their gills are adapted to absorb
oxygen dissolved in water. However, The animals that can live
aquatic animals like dolphin, whale, on land and in water
frog, water snake, turtle and crocodile are called amphibians.
Examples: frog, toad,

breathe through lungs. So they come salamander, etc.

out of water for breathing. Amphibians can breathe

5. Animals like frog and toad live on land on land and in water.

and in water. These animals are called

amphibians. They can breathe on land and in water. Amphibians breathe

through lungs on land and through skin in water.

6. Animals like frog, duck, etc. have webbed-feet which help them to swim
easily in water.

4.3 Webbed feet of duck
Webbed feet of frog

7. Some birds like cranes, flamingos, king fishers, herons and ducks live in
water or near rivers or ponds. Cranes, flamingos, etc. have long legs and
beaks adapted for fishing. Kingfisher has a long beak adapted for catching
fish.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 27

Fig.

4.4 Flamingo Kingfisher
Crane

Activity 1

Visit a nearby pond or river along with your science teacher.
Catch a fish and a frog. Study their adaptational characteristics.

Activity 2
Observe at least five aquatic animals in your locality.
Study the adaptational characteristics of each.

Key concepts

1. The animals that live in water are called aquatic animals. Examples: fish, frog, dolphin,
octopus, starfish, etc.

2. Aquatic animals have boat-shaped or streamlined body, fins and gills. These features
help them to live in water.

3. The animals that can live on land and in water are called amphibians. Examples: frog,
toad, salamander, etc.

4. Amphibians can breathe on land and in water. Most aquatic animals breathe through
gills.

5. Most aquatic birds have long legs and beaks adapted for fishing.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.

a. The animals that live in water are called ........................

aquatic animals terrestrial animals wild animals

b. Which of the given animals breathes through gills?

frog fish dolphin

28 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

c. Which of the given animals has fins for swimming?

shark duck frog

d. Which of the given animals does not have webbed-feet?

frog duck crocodile

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. The animals that live in water are called terrestrial animals.

b. Aquatic animals have a streamlined body.

c. Frogs breathe through gills in water.

d. A kingfisher has a long beak adapted for fishing.

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
a. Aquatic animals have ....................... body.
b. Frogs breathe through ....................... in water and ....................... on
land.
c. The animals that can live on land and in water are called .......................
d. Ducks and frogs have ....................... feet

4. Answer the following questions.
a. What are aquatic animals? Give any four examples.
b. Write any three adaptational characteristics of aquatic animals.
c. Write any three adaptational characteristics of fishes.
d. What are amphibians? Give any two examples.
e. Write any two adaptational characteristics of amphibians.
f. Write any two adaptational characteristics of aquatic birds.

5. Write any two differences between fish and frog on the basis of
adaptation.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 29

6. Write any two adaptational characteristics of the following animals.
a. b. c.
d. e. f.

7. Write one advantage of the given features to the aquatic animals.
a. Streamlined body in fishes
b. Webbed feet in frogs
c. Gill in aquatic animals

30 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Life Processes unit

5

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)
Teaching periods : 11 Marks (in %): 9

Before You Begin

Living beings take food. They breathe. They excrete. They
reproduce. They transport various substances from one part of
body to another. These activities are called life processes. Those
activities which are performed by living beings to survive are
called life processes. For example, growth, nutrition, respiration,
excretion, internal transport, sensitivity, reproduction, etc.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. explain various life processes of plants and animals.
ii. describe the importance of life processes in plants and

animals.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

life processes : those activities which are essential for living beings to survive
nutrition : the process by which living beings receive food
sensitivity : the capacity of an organism or sense organ to respond quickly
autotrophs : the organisms that can prepare their own food by photosynthesis
heterotrophs : the organisms that depend on green plants for food
respiration : the process in which the digested food combines with oxygen to release

excretion energy
reproduction : the removal of waste materials from the body of living beings
: the process by which living beings produce their own kinds

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 31

Life Processes

Life processes are essential for survival of living beings. Living beings take
food. They breathe. They transport materials from one part of the body to
another. Similarly, they reproduce their own kinds. These activities are known
as life processes. Growth, nutrition, respiration, excretion, internal transport,
reproduction, etc. are the life processes that occur in living organisms. Life
processes are those activities which are performed by living organisms for
survival. In this unit, we will study some common life processes like nutrition,
respiration, internal transport, excretion and reproduction in brief.

Nutrition

All plants and animals take food to survive. Food provides energy to grow and
perform various metabolic activities. Food consists of different nutrients like
carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals, etc. The chemical substances that an organism
needs to survive are called nutrients. The nutrients supply materials for growth,
development and protection against diseases. The process by which plants and
animals obtain food and utilize nutrients present in the food is called nutrition.

Fig.5.1Venus fly trap is Tiger is eating Fish is eating food.
Fig.
Goat is eating trapping an insect. flesh.
grass.

Modes of nutrition Light energy
Oxygen
Living beings show two types of nutrition,
viz. (i) autotrophic nutrition and (ii)
heterotrophic nutrition.

1. Autotrophic nutrition Carbohydrates Carbon
dioxide

Green plants can prepare their own food by 5.2 Water
photosynthesis. They use carbon dioxide
and water in the presence of sunlight during Photosynthesis
photosynthesis.

32 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

All the green plants are called autotrophs as they can prepare their own food.
The mode of nutrition of green plants is called autotrophic nutrition.

2. Heterotrophic nutrition Do You Know

Non-green plants like mushroom, yeast, Chlorophyll traps solar
mucor, etc. and all the animals cannot energy and helps in
prepare their own food. The organisms photosynthesis
that cannot prepare their own food are
called heterotrophs. The mode of nutrition The process of making food
of heterotrophs is called heterotrophic by green plants by using
nutrition. Mushroom, yeast, mucor, human, carbon dioxide and water
goat, cow, sheep, frog, snake, rat, tiger and in the presence of sunlight
elephant are some examples of heterotrophs. is called photosynthesis.

Fig. Fig.5.3 Frog Snake Elephant
Mushroom

Respiration

The process in which the digested food combines with oxygen to release energy
is called respiration. This energy is utilized by living organisms to carry out life
processes. Breathing is a part of respiration. In this process, oxygen is inhaled
and carbon dioxide is exhaled. Plants breathe through stomata and animals
breathe through various organs like skin, trachea, gills and lungs.

5.4

Stomata Gills Lungs

Living beings respire throughout their life to get energy required to perform
various life processes. Plants and animals take oxygen from atmosphere.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 33

Then oxygen and digested food reach each Do You Know
and every cell through internal transport
system. The oxygen reacts with digested Both plants and animals use
food in mitochondria of a cell. This process oxygen and release carbon
is called respiration. In this process, oxygen dioxide during respiration.
reacts with digested food to release energy,
water and carbon dioxide gas.

Internal transport

The process by which living beings carry various substances from one part of
the body to another is called internal transport. Living beings transport water,
oxygen and digested food from one part of the body to another. Similarly, they
transport various waste materials for their removal from the body.

Plants have xylem and phloem tissues to transport various substances from
one part of body to another. In unicellular organisms, cytoplasm helps in
internal transport. In developed animals, blood transports various substances
from one part of the body to another. Blood transports oxygen, digested food,
carbon dioxide, water and waste products.

Excretion

Excretion is the removal of waste materials Fig. Fig.5.5
from the body of living beings. Plants and
animals excrete to get rid of waste products Excretion
which are harmful for their bodies. The
removal of waste materials is very essential
because these waste products are toxic or
poisonous when they accumulate in the body.

Green plants produce various waste materials like oxygen and water vapour
during photosynthesis. These waste products are removed through small pores
present in their leaves. These pores are called stomata.

Animals produce waste materials like carbon 5.6
dioxide, urea, uric acid and faeces (stool).
They excrete urea, uric acid and excessive
water through urethra in the form of urnine.
They remove solid waste, i.e. faeces through
anus. They excrete carbon dioxide and
water vapour through the nose.

Stomata of plants

34 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Reproduction Do You Know

Living beings cannot survive forever. The process by which living
They have a limited life span and die beings produce their own
after a certain time. So living organisms kinds is called reproduction.
reproduce their own kinds to continue
their race on the earth. This process is Animals and plants reproduce
called reproduction. by various methods.

Fig. Fig.5.7 Cow and calf Bird and nest Dog and puppy
Mother and baby

Some animals like cow, buffalo, sheep, dog and cat reproduce by giving
directly birth to their young ones. Animals like birds, snakes, frogs, fishes,
butterflies and mosquitoes reproduce by laying eggs. Some plants like rose,
sugarcane and potato reproduce by their stem. Flowering plants like mango,
orange, pumpkin, maize, etc. reproduce by means of seeds. When seeds fall on
soil, they germinate into new plants in suitable condition.

5.8 Budding in potatoes
Germination of seeds

Key concepts

1. Those activities which are performed by living beings to survive are
called life processes.

2. The process by which plants and animals obtain food and utilize nutrients
present in the food is called nutrition.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 35

3. The organisms that cannot prepare their own food are called heterotrophs
and their mode of nutrition is called heterotrophic nutrition.

4. The process in which the digested food combines with oxygen to release
energy is called respiration.

5. The process by which living beings reproduce their own kinds is called
reproduction.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.
a. The process of making food by green plants is called .......................

photosynthesis respiration reproduction

b. Which of the following is a heterotroph?

maize grass tiger

c. Fishes breathe through ........................

skin gills stomata

d. Which of the following are the excretory organs of plants?

skin stomata kidneys

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. Reproduction and excretion are the life processes.
b. The animals that feed on flesh are called herbivores.
c. Plants breathe through stomata.
d. Plants and animals do not depend on environment.

3. Fill in the blanks using appropriate words.
a. The plants that cannot prepare their own food are called ........................
b. Omnivores feed on both ........................ and ........................
c. In unicellular organism, ........................ helps in internal transport.
d. Green plants release ........................ gas during photosynthesis.

36 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

4. Match the following. Lion
a. Autotroph Bear
b. Herbivore Grass
c. Carnivore Cow
d. Omnivore

5. Answer the following questions.
a. Define life processes with any two examples.

b. What are nutrients? What is meant by nutrtion?

c. What are autotrophs? Define autotrophic nutrition.

d. What are heterotrophs? Define heterotrophic nutrition.

e. Define herbivores, carnivores and omnivores with any two examples
of each.

f. What is respiration? Name the respiratory organs of human, fish and
green plants.

g. What is meant by internal transport?

h. What is excretion? Name any three excretory organs.

i. What is reproduction? Why do living beings reproduce?

6. Give reasons.
a. Green plants are called autotrophs.
b. Cow and tiger are called heterotrophs.
c. Lion and vulture are called carnivores.

7. Differentiate between:
a. Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
b. Herbivores and Carnivores
c. Respiration and Excretion

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 37

Stages of Plant unit
Development
6

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)

Teaching periods : 5 Marks (in %): 4

Before You Begin

Different types of plants are found around us. Can you name some
plants that you have seen around your home? Rose, sugarcane,
mango, apple, guava, cauliflower, cabbage, fern, mushroom,
liverworts, pine, cycas, mustard, maize, paddy, barley and tomato
are some examples of plants that are found in our surroundings.
Among them some plants bears flowers and fruits while others
don't. Can you name some plants that produce flowers? The plants
that produce flowers and seeds are called flowering plants. Mango,
apple, rose, lotus, marigold, mustard, tomato, papaya and orange
are some examples of flowering plants. These plants produce fruits.
Seeds are produced inside fruits at maturity. When these seeds get
suitable condition, they germinate and develop into new plants. In
this unit, we will study various stages of plant development.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. record the various stages of plant development after

observing them.
ii. describe the various stages of plant development.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

seed : a small hard part that is found inside the fruit and germinates into a
new plant
germination
seedling : the process by which a seed becomes a seedling or new plant
cotyledon : a baby plant produced after germination
shoot : seed leaf
pollen grains : the part of a plant that grows above the soil
ovary : fine powdery structures produced by stamens of a flower
: the female organ of a flower

38 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Stages of Plant Development

There are different stages in the cycle of flowering plants. They are (i) seed (ii)
seedling (iii) flower and (iv) fruit.

Seed

A seed is a hard part that develops inside Do You Know
a fruit. Most flowering plants reproduce
by means of seeds. Seeds of different Seed coat is a hard covering
plants have different shapes, sizes and that protects a seed.
colours. Seeds are protected with a hard
cover called seed coat. A seed germinates into
a seedling on favourable
condition.

Seeds are found inside the fruits. Some

fruits contain only one seed inside them, e.g. mango, peach, plum, avocado, etc.

whereas some fruits contain many seeds, e.g. watermelon, papaya, pumpkin,

tomato, cucumber, etc.

Fig. Fig.6.1 Bean seeds Papaya seeds Avocado seed
Mango seeds

A seed germinates into a new plant in favourable condition. Enough water, air
and warmth are the conditions required for germination of a seed. The process
by which a seed becomes a seedling or a baby plant is called germination.

6.2
Germination of a seed

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 39

While germinating, a seed absorbs water and then its seed coat breaks open.
Then the root grows towards the soil and the shoot grows upwards. Then the
shoot produces a stem and leaves. This stage of a plant is called a seedling or
young plant.

Seedling

When a seed germinates, it forms a seedling. A baby plant produced after
germination of a seed is called a seedling. A seedling gets food from the
cotyledon of a seed.

Fig.6.3
Fig.
Seedling of bean Seedling of maize

A seedling absorbs water and minerals with the help of roots. The seedling
grows gradually and develops leaves. Then the plant can prepare its own food
by photosynthesis. The seedling keeps on growing and forms branches, sub-
branches and buds. These buds gradually develop into flowers.

Flower

A flower is the reproductive Stamen Stigma Pistil
organ of developed plants. It Filament Style
is colourful and attractive. A
complete flower consists of Ovary
four different whorls or rings.
They are (i) sepal (ii) petal (iii)
stamen and (iv) pistil.

Sepals are green parts whereas Petal Sepal
petals are colourful and

attractive parts of a flower. Ovule
Stamen is the male organ that 6.4

produces pollen grains and Different parts of a flower

pistil is the female organ of a

flower that produces ovules or female cells.

40 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

At maturity anthers of stamens release Do You Know
pollen grains. Then pollen grains are
transferred from anther to the stigma of The transfer of pollen grains from
a pistil. This process is called pollination. anther to the stigma of a flower is
After pollination, fusion of a male called pollination.

cell and a female cell takes place and forms a zygote. This process is called

fertilization. After fertilization the zygote develops into a seed and the ovary

develops into a fruit.

Fruit

The mature ovary of a flower is Fig. Epicarp
called a fruit. It consists of two Mesocarp
parts, viz. pericarp and seed. 6.5 Seed
The pericarp of a fruit consists Endocarp
of three parts. They are epicarp,
mesocarp and endocarp. The Different parts of a flower
epicarp is the outermost part
whereas the endocarp is the
hard part of a fruit which
encloses a seed.

At maturity, fruits fall on
the ground and the seeds
get dispersed. Each seed
germinates into a new plant in
a favourable condition.

Activity 1

Visit a nearby garden and observe various stages and parts of flowering
plants like seedling, flowers, fruits, seeds, etc.

Draw a neat and labelled figure of each and submit it to your science
teacher.

All flowering plants do not reproduce by means of seeds. Some flowering
plants like sweet potato, dahlia, potato, sugarcane, rose, bryophyllum, etc. do
not produce good seeds. These plants reproduce by means of root, stem or
leaf.

Some flowering plants like sweet potato, dahlia, etc. reproduce by means of
roots.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 41

Fig. Fig.6.6

Roots of sweet potato Root of dahlia

Some flowering plants like potato, onion, banana, sugarcane, rose, etc.

reproduce by means of stem.

6.7

Potato with buds Reproduction of ginger Reproduction of rose by

by stem stem

Some flowering plants like Bryophyllum, Begonia, etc. reproduce by leaf.

Fig.

6.8 Leaf of Begonia with plantlets
Leaf of Bryophyllum with plantlets

Activity 2

Take some potatoes and keep them in a moist place for 3-4 days. After 3-4
days, you can see the buds developed on potatoes.

Plant those potatoes in soil and water them regularly.

Measure the length of the plantlets and count the number of leaves
produced after 7 days.

What can you conclude from this activity?

42 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Key concepts

1. A seed is a hard part that develops inside a fruit.

2. The process by which a seed becomes a seedling or a baby plant is called
germination.

3. A flower is colourful and the most attractive part of a plant. It has four
different parts, viz. sepal, petal, stamen and pistil.

4. The transfer of pollen grains from anther to the stigma of a flower is
called pollination.

5. All flowering plants do not reproduce by seeds. Some of them can
reproduce by root, stem or leaf.

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.
a. Which of the following is a flowering plant?

rose mushroom fern

b. The hard part of a plant that develops inside the fruit is called .............

flower root seed

c. Which of the following fruits contains only one seed?

apple mango watermelon

d. A complete flower consists of ..................

two whorls three whorls four whorls

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.

a. Seed, flower and fruit are three stages of plant development.

b. Fruits are found inside the seeds.
c. Germination is the process in which a seed becomes a seedling.
d. Potato and rose reproduce by means of leaves.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 43

3. Fill in the blanks using appropriate words.
a. Most ...................... reproduce by means of seeds.
b. ...................... is the most attractive part of a plant.
c. A complete flower consists of ...................... whorls.
d. Bryophyllum and begonia reproduce by means of ......................

4. Answer the following questions.
a. Define flowering plants with any five examples.
b. What are the four stages of plant development?
c. What are seeds? Where are they formed?
d. What is germination? What are the conditions required for germination
of a seed?
e. What is a flower? Name the four whorls of a flower.
f. What is fruit? Name the two parts of a fruit.
g. What is fertilization? How is a zygote formed?
h. Name any two plants each that reproduce by root, stem and leaf.

5. Name the parts A, B, C and D shown in the given figure.
A

B
C

D

6. Draw a neat and labelled figure showing different parts of a fruit.

44 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Terrestrial Plants and unit
Their Characteristics
7

Weighting Distribution (Approximate)

Teaching periods : 6 Marks (in %): 5

Before You Begin

Different types of plants are found around us. Most plants are
found on land while others are found in water. The plants that
grow on land are called terrestrial plants. Mango, apple, peepal,
pine, cycas, sal, sissoo, khair, banyan, orange, lemon, guava, plum,
pomegranate, rose, and sugarcane are some examples of terrestrial
plants. These plants have different shapes, sizes and structures.
In this unit, we will study different types of terrestrial plants and
their characteristics.

Learning Objectives

After completing the study of this unit, students will be able to:
i. introduce terrestrial plants with examples.
ii. explain the characteristics of terrestrial plants with

examples.

Glossary: A dictionary of scientific/technical terms

terrestrial : found or living on land and not in water
altitude : the height above the sea level
shady : protected from direct sunlight by trees, etc.
shed : to get rid of something
thorns : sharp and pointed parts on the stem of some plants like rose, lemon,

trunk etc.
bushy : the main stem of a tree
: growing thickly with a lot of branches and leaves

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 45

Different Types of Terrestrial Plants

The plants that grow on land are called terrestrial plants. We can see a variety of
terrestrial plants around us. These plants differ in shape, size and appearance
due to difference in altitude, soil, rainfall, temperature, etc. In different
climatic conditions, different types of plants are found. The plants that grow
in hot places do not grow in cold places and vice-versa. Different plants need
different climatic condition to grow and reproduce. Therefore, different types
of plants are found in plains, hills, deserts and mountains. Some common
terrestrial plants are given below.

Fig. Fig. Fig.7.1 Apple tree Peepal tree Neem tree
Mango tree

1. In hot climate of Terai or plains, plants like sal, sissoo, jamun, simal,
mango, banyan, guava, etc. are found. Most of them are tall and strong
having many branches. In winter, these plants shed their leaves to protect
them from cold.

7.2 Sissoo tree Jamun tree Mango tree
Sal tree

2. Some plants like coffee, sugarcane, coconut, teak, khayar, bamboo, rubber,
etc. grow in hot and moist climate. These plants are evergreen. They do
not shed their leaves.

7.3 Coffee plants Rubber plant Coconut plant
Sugarcane plants

3. In desert or dry places, plants like cactus, aloe, opuntia, etc. are found.
These plants are called xerophytes.

46 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

These plants have a thick and fleshy Do You Know
stems modified to store water. Their
leaves are reduced into thorns to The plants that are found in desert
reduce loss of water. These plants or dry places are called xerophytes.
have long and branched roots Examples: cactus, opuntia, aloe,
modified to absorb water. etc.

4. Some plants like mushroom, liverworts, fern, etc. grow in moist and shady
places. These plants do not need much sunlight.

Fig.
Fig. Fig.
7.4 7.5

Aloe Cactus Mushroom Fern

Some Xerophytes Plants that grow in moist and shady places

5. In cold and dry places, plants like pine, dhupi, deodar, spruce, etc. are
found. These plants have cones. So they are called conifers. They have
needle-shaped leaves. These plants are tall and strong.

7.6 Spruce tree Deodar tree
Pine tree

Types of plants on the basis of structure and growth pattern

Terrestrial plants are divided into three categories on the basis of structure and
growth pattern. They are (i) Herbs (ii) Shrubs, and (iii) Trees.

(i) Herbs
Herbs are very small plants with soft and weak stems. Onion, garlic, tomato,
potato, brinjal, tulsi, mint, ginger, maize, wheat, barley, marigold, dahlia,
tomato, mustard, cabbage and lettuce are some examples of herbs. The stem
of a herb is weak and can be broken easily. Herbs have short and weak roots.
They survive for only one season.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 47

Fig. Fig.7.7 Tomato plants Dahlia plants Potato plants
Lettuce plants

(ii) Shrubs

Shrubs are medium-sized plants having bushy and woody stems. They
are larger than herbs and smaller than trees. Rose, coffee, hibiscus, cotton,
pomegranate, etc. are some examples of shrubs.

7.8 Cotton plants Coffee plants
Hibiscus plants

Shrubs have hard and woody stems. They have many small branches and
hence appear bushy. They have long and strong roots. They live for many
years.

(iii) Trees
The big plants having hard and woody trunks are called trees. They are the
largest and strongest plants. Pine, peepal, banyan, simal, sal, sissoo, okhar,
deodar, mango and jamun are some examples of trees.

Fig.

7.9 Simal tree Pine tree
Sal tree

48 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4

Trees have many branches and sub-branches. Their roots are very long and
strong. They live for so many years.
Activity 1

Observe at least ten terrestrial plants present in your locality and study
their characteristics.

Write any two characteristics of each plant in your project work notebook.

Activity 2
Observe herbs, shrubs and trees present around your school at least five

each.
Study their characteristics and write in your project work notebook.

Parts of Terrestrial Plants

Flowering plants have different parts like roots, stem, leaves, branches, flowers,
fruits and seeds. The roots of flowering plants absorb water and minerals from
the soil. Roots also fix the plant body firmly to the soil. The stem of flowering
plants contain branches, twigs, leaves, flowers and fruits. Seeds are found
inside the fruits. The stem supports various plants and transports water and
minerals from roots to leaves. Similarly, the stem transports prepared food to
the different parts of flowering plants. Leaves of plants prepare food by using
sunlight, carbon dioxide, gas and water. This process is called photosynthesis.

Key concepts
1. The plants that grow on land are called terrestrial plants.
2. Herbs are very small plants with soft and weak stems.
3. Shrubs are medium-sized plants having bushy and woody stems.
4. The big plants having hard and woody trunks are called trees.
5. Flowering plants have different parts like roots, stem, leaves, branches,

flowers, fruits and seeds.

Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4 GREEN BOOK 49

Exercise

1. Tick (√) the best answer from the given alternatives.
a. Which one of the given plants is not a terrestrial plant?

mango sal lotus

b. Which of the following plants has thick and fleshy leaves?

aloe sugarcane orange

c. Which of the given plants is a xerophyte?

fern cactus sal

d. Which of the given plants is a shrub?

sal tomato rose

2. Put a (√) for the correct statement and a cross (×) for the incorrect one.
a. The plants that grow on land are called terrestrial plants.
b. Coconut, bamboo and rubber shed their leaves in winter.
c. Plants like pine, deodar and spruce have cones.
d. Trees have hard, strong and woody stems.

3. Fill in the blanks using appropriate words.
a. The plants that grow on land are called .......................
b. Plants like mushroom and fern grow in ....................... places.
c. Very small plants with soft and weak stem are called .......................
d. Shrubs are larger than ....................... and ....................... than trees.

4. Answer the following questions.

a. What are terrestrial plants? Give any five examples.

b. What types of plants are evergreen? Name any three plants that grow
in hot and moist climate.

50 GREEN BOOK Science, Health and Physical Education Book-4