The Living World - Overview, Features, Classification, and Life Processes

The Living World -Overview, Topics, Characteristics, Books, Tips

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Nov 26, 2024 12:28 PM IST

The Living World deals with the amazing diversity of life on earth divided into groups based upon their growth, reproduction, and response to the environment. This is one of the most important chapters in the syllabus of Class 11 in Biology, it provides the basic knowledge that is required for an understanding of living organisms and their classification. The chapter forms an important part of entrance examinations such as NEET since good knowledge regarding the same is a must to clear entrance exams. Learn more about what is the living world, important topics of the chapter, overview, characteristics of living organisms, classification, NEET preparation tips, and books.

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This Story also Contains

Important Topics of Chapter the Living World
Overview of the Chapter the Living World
What is the Living World?
The World of Living Organisms
Composition of the World of Living
Characteristics of the Living World
The Living World NEET Preparation
Tips, Tricks, and Strategies to Prepare for the Living World
Types of Questions Asked on The Living World in Different Exams
Prescribed Books for The Living World

The Living World -Overview, Topics, Characteristics, Books, Tips

Important Topics of Chapter the Living World

Composition of Living World
Characteristics of Living Organisms
Taxonomy
Important Concepts - Taxonomical Aids, Binomial Nomenclatureure

Overview of the Chapter the Living World

The living world consists of all diverse plants and animals whose cells are the building blocks constantly being reshaped and assumed to change in function as a result of metabolic processes which support growth, reproduction and variation. In life today, fossil evidence shows that on Earth, life is approximately 3.5 to 3.7 billion years old, which is the product of natural selection and genetic inheritance. The chapter The Living World in Class 11 NCERT Biology discusses some main characteristics of living organisms, levels of biological organisation, and the importance of the five-kingdom classification techniques. This is basic to understanding how complex and diverse life is on Earth.

What is the Living World?

The Living World contains a vast diversity of plants and animals. The cells are living units. The cells of an organism show metabolic changes in the use of carbon-based compounds to grow or reproduce the cells. Through the process of natural selection, millions of generations have been shaped from primitive forms of life to complex organisms into what we observe today. The age of some fossils is 3.5 to 3.7 billion years.

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The World of Living Organisms

To standardize the names, a binomial nomenclature system was established that had every organism assigned a two-part scientific name, and to address the numbers.

Botanists and zoologists strictly follow very specific rules for naming organisms.
For plants, these rules have been governed by the International Code for Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN), for animals, it is the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).
The systematic approach, in turn, is quite important for NEET preparation as the understanding of these conventions is essential for success in the Living World NEET exam.

Composition of the World of Living

The living world consists of diverse components forming the foundation of Earth and has characteristics in the context of structure and function that define all living organisms from the molecular to complex ecological interactions.

Biomolecules: Basic building blocks, which are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids needed for life functions.
Cells: The prime units of life, they can be either single-celled or multicellular.
Energy Flow: The organisms may obtain the energy through photosynthesis or by consuming other organisms.
Genetic Material: DNA/RNA has genetic information needed for the reproduction and evolution of life forms.
Diversity and Classification: Kingdoms are divided into (Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia) based on structure and evolutionary relationships.
Interactions and Ecology: Interactions of organisms keep ecological balance and nutrient cycles in check.

NCERT Solutions Subject-wise:

Characteristics of the Living World

Growth: All living organisms reproduce either by increase in size or cell numbers.
Reproduction: Living organisms can produce offspring either sexually or asexually.
Metabolism: They carry out a range of biochemical reactions inside their cells to maintain life, unique for living organisms.
Cellular Organization: All living organisms are made up of cells and, as such constitute the basic unit of life.
Response to Stimuli: The living organism responds to changes in the environment, such as light and temperature.
Adaptation: They learn to adapt over time to their environment to help them survive.
Homeostasis: Living organisms will try to maintain an internal environment despite external changes.
Life cycle: They have a defined cycle in their life from birth to growth, reproduction, and then death.

Taxonomic Categories

Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms. It classifies species into a hierarchy of categories on the basis of shared characteristics. These categories, commonly known as taxonomic ranks, aid scientists in the identification, naming, and classification of organisms systematically.

Taxonomic Hierarchy begins with species, the most basic unit, and is defined as such organisms sharing the essential characteristics.

Hierarchy of Taxonomic Categories

Kingdom: The highest rank, grouping organisms based on broad characteristics (e.g., Animalia, Plantae).
Phylum/Division: Divides kingdoms into groups with more specific similarities (e.g., Chordata in Animalia or Angiosperms in Plantae).
Class: Groups organisms within a phylum (e.g., Mammalia in Chordata).
Order: Further divides classes based on additional similarities (e.g., Carnivora in Mammalia).
Family: Groups related genera (e.g., Felidae in Carnivora).
Genus: Groups species with close similarities (e.g., Panthera in Felidae).
Species: The basic unit of classification, representing organisms that can interbreed (e.g., Panthera leo for lions).

The Living World NCERT

The CBSE board is the central board that directs the administration of board exams for students in grades 10 and 12.
These exams are held in the months of March and April.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of India's oldest and most prestigious educational boards.
The CBSE Board syllabus is primarily based on NCERT textbooks, as they set question papers using NCERT textbooks as a guide.
As a result, every competitive exam uses NCERT to create its question papers.
Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 Notes explain the various aspects of naming and classification of the living world.
This study material will teach you about various world habitats such as cold mountains, deciduous forests, oceans, freshwater lakes, deserts, and hot springs, among others.
The differences between living and nonliving organisms are also discussed in the Biology Class 11 Chapter 1 Notes.
It is unquestionably one of the most dependable study aids available for laying the groundwork for Class 11 biology.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-wise:

The Living World NEET Preparation

The Living World for NEET is a critical chapter that covers essential concepts in biology, including taxonomy and biodiversity.
The Living World NEET prep is a crucial study material for the student wishing to top his biology examination.
The Living World chapter forms an integral part of the Class 11 syllabus in Living World, which is the base of NEET concepts.

Here are some multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for The Living World chapter to help with NEET preparation:

1) Which of the following is not a characteristic of living organisms?
a) Growth
b) Metabolism
c) Reproduction
d) Crystallization
Ans: d) Crystallization

2) Binomial nomenclature was introduced by:
a) Charles Darwin
b) Gregor Mendel
c) Carolus Linnaeus
d) Aristotle
Ans: c) Carolus Linnaeus

3) The taxonomic category "species" refers to:
a) A group of similar genera
b) A group of interbreeding organisms
c) A collection of similar families
d) None of the above
Ans: b) A group of interbreeding organisms

4) Which one of the following is correctly written in binomial nomenclature?
a) Mangifera Indica
b) Mangifera indica
c) mangifera indica
d) Mangifera indica
Ans: b) Mangifera indica

5) Taxonomic hierarchy refers to:
a) Stepwise arrangement of all categories for classification
b) A list of characteristics for identification
c) Classifying organisms based on morphology
d) None of the above
Ans: a) Stepwise arrangement of all categories for classification

6) The basic unit of classification in taxonomy is:
a) Kingdom
b) Genus
c) Species
d) Family
Ans: c) Species

NCERT The Living World

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies to Prepare for the Living World

Preparing for The Living World requires a strategic approach to understanding concepts effectively. Here are some useful tips, tricks, and mnemonics to enhance your study sessions.

Taxonomic Hierarchy (Order of Classification)

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
"King Philip Came Over For Good Soup"

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Growth, Reproduction, Metabolism, Cellular Organization, Response to Stimuli
"Great Runners Move Constantly, Responsively"

Levels of Biological Organization

Molecule, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
"My Cat Talks Only On Sunny Or Cloudy Evenings Blissfully"

Five-Kingdom Classification

Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
"Many People Find Plants Amazing"

Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
"Big Animals Exist"

NCERT Notes Subject Wise :

Types of Questions Asked on The Living World in Different Exams

Here's a summary of the type of question and weightage for The Living World:

Exam Type	Types of Questions	Weightage
CBSE	Short answer questions on characteristics of living organisms, classification principles, and nomenclature significance.	4-5%
NEET	MCQs on defining life, classification systems, taxonomy, and key characteristics of organisms.	2-3%
A IIMS	Assertion and reason questions about the importance of classification, taxonomy, and binomial nomenclature.	2-3%
Nursing Entrance Exams	Scenario-based questions on biodiversity importance, organism classification, and ecological roles.	2-3%
Paramedical Exams	True/False and MCQs on characteristics of life, taxonomy basics, and levels of biological organization.	1-2%

Prescribed Books for The Living World

The main and most recommended learning resource for The Living World is the NCERT Biology class 11 textbook covering all concepts as per the CBSE syllabus. For further understanding, "Trueman's Elementary Biology, Volume 1" can be referred to. The other useful book is "Pradeep's Biology" which is also known for its detailed explanation and plenty of solved examples. You can access a variety of videos, articles and mock tests on this chapter from the careers360 platform.

Also Read:

Taxonomical Aids	Biological fact
Biological classification basis	Biology ab abs root word
Biological Classification - Taxonomy	Biological Classification - Taxonomy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are living organisms classified?

The world is home to millions of organisms, and we may recognise nearby plants and animals by their native names. These regional names differ from one country to the next. This makes it difficult to identify and research certain species. As a result, it must be referred to by its common name throughout the world in order to standardise organism nomenclature and research. Organisms are named and grouped according to their functions to accomplish this.

2. Why do classification systems change from time to time?

Scientific research is always evolving, and new species and organisms are frequently added. The first classification system was based only on species' habits and habitats. External morphology gradually becomes a criterion for classification. The morphology and embryology of the organism are then considered, followed by the phylogenetic relationship and the organism's cytology. Biochemical approaches are now used to classify organisms based on their nucleic acid components.

3. What distinct characteristics would you use to categorise folks you meet frequently?

Gender, skin colour, education, career, hobbies, and nature are all used to categorise the people we meet on a regular basis.

4. What can we learn about people and populations from their identification?

We can learn the following things by recognising individuals and populations.

Gender
Gender
Location of origin
food habit
food habit
Religion
caste

5. What role does a key play in identifying and classifying organisms?

A key is a taxonomic tool that helps identify plants and animals by comparing and contrasting their characteristics. It indicates a choice between two characters that are diametrically opposed. This is useful for distinguishing between characters. They're two opposing characters, and when the species, family, or genus are identified, one character's choice rejects the other.

If the entity hasn't been named yet, efforts are made to conduct a preliminary investigation and review its discovery before naming it. As a result, each entity can be categorised as known or unknown.

6. What is Taxonomy?

Taxonomy is a branch of biology concerned with the identification, description, and categorization of all living species, including plants. Behavioural, genetic, and biochemical differences are used to classify people. Taxonomy involves the processes of characterization, identification, and classification. Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species are all terms used to classify organisms.

7. What is the concept of the living world?

The Living World refers to all components of Earth that are alive, encompassing a vast diversity of organisms, from microscopic bacteria to large mammals. It is characterized by biological processes such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to environmental stimuli.

8. What is called the living world?

The term Living World describes the collective realm of all living organisms and their interactions within ecosystems, highlighting the diversity of life forms and their ecological relationships.

9. What is the world of the living?

The world of the living encompasses all life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, along with their habitats and interactions within various ecosystems.

10. Is the Living World important for NEET?

Yes, the Living World is crucial for NEET preparation as it forms a fundamental part of the Class 11 Biology syllabus and is frequently tested in the exam. Mastering this topic helps students understand essential concepts related to biodiversity and classification.

11. What is the study of the living world?

The study of the Living World involves various disciplines such as taxonomy (the classification of organisms), ecology (the study of interactions within ecosystems), and biogeography (the distribution of species). This multidisciplinary approach helps in understanding the complexity and interconnectivity of life forms on Earth.