Government of Kerala

Department of Education
KT 127-1/Bac. Science 6 (E)

State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kerala

2016
 The National Anthem
Jana-gana-mana adhinayaka, jaya he
Bharatha-bhagya-vidhata.
Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha
Dravida-Utkala-Banga
Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga
Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga
Tava subha name jage,
Tava subha asisa mage,
Gahe tava jaya gatha.
Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he
Bharatha-bhagya-vidhata.
Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,
Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!

Pledge
India is my country. All Indians are my
brothers and sisters.
I love my country, and I am proud of its rich
and varied heritage. I shall always strive to be
worthy of it.
I shall give respect to my parents, teachers and
all elders and treat everyone with courtesy.
I pledge my devotion to my country and my
people. In their well-being and prosperity alone
lies my happiness.
State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)
Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, Kerala
Website : www.scertkerala.gov.in
e-mail : scertkerala@gmail.com
Phone : 0471 - 2341883, Fax : 0471 - 2341869
Typesetting and Layout : SCERT
First Edition : 2015, Reprint : 2016
Printed at : KBPS, Kakkanad, Kochi-30
© Department of Education, Government of Kerala
Dear children,

How many are the sights we witness, the sounds we hear, and
the experiences we pass through everyday!

In fact, the study of science begins exactly when we think about

the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of things we have seen, heard and
experienced. It is not confined to the four walls of the classroom.
You have earlier observed a number of things like plants,
animals, water, soil and air. Your observation now has to be at
a more micro level.

This textbook provides you with ample scope for such activities
and tools. It provides you with suggestions to boost your science
club activities and hints at ICT possibilities. There are also
suggestions at the end of each lesson for activities that you can
do on your own. Try to do all of them with the help of your
teachers. We can definitely create a society with scientific
temper.

With love and best wishes,

Dr.P.A. Fathima

Director
SCERT, Kerala
 Textbook Development Team

Sanu V K Sunandan T P
Sr. Lecturer DIET, Idukki Akkara UPS, Kavasseri
Manoj Kottakkal Vasudevan P
GMUPS, Kottakkal VPAUPS, Vilayil
Illyas Perimbalam Ajith Kumar M
GVHSS, Nellikkuthu URC South, Thiruvananthapuram
Adatt Vasudevan Arun S Nair
AUPS, Nellisseri CHS, Adaykakundu
Seraphin Pinheiro Mohammed Abdul Nazar K
UPSA (Rtd.), GUPS, Vellangallur IT@ School, Kozhikkode
Prathapan
AUPS, Ezhuvanthala North, Palakkad
Experts
Dr Alaudeen M, Principal (Rtd.), Govt. College, Elerithattu, Kasaragod
Dr S Mohanan, Reader & Head (Rtd.), Department of Physics, University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Sebastian Lukose, Professor (Rtd.), University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Prof. Sivasankara Pillai, Reader & Head (Rtd.), Department of Physics, University College,
Thiruvananthapuram
Paul P I, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr. N.Ratheesh, Asst. Professor, SN College, Kollam
English Version
Dr Sushil Kumar R, Associate Professor of English, D B College, Sasthamcotta
Dr. Saji Mathew, Asst. Professor, School of Letters, M.G.University
Famila E R, HSST, GHSS, Karunagappally
K Suresh Kumar, HSA, AMHSS, Thirumala

Artists
Musthajib E C, MMETHS, Melmuri
Noushad Vellalasseri, Ganapath AUPS, Keezhisseri
Muhammed Shameem, VAUPS, Kavanoor
Lohithakshan K, Assisi School for the Deaf, Malapparambu
Viswanathan P, DDE office, Malappuram

Academic Co-ordinator
Dr. Ancey Varughese
Research Officer, SCERT
1. Caskets of Life 7

2. The Essence of Change 17

3. Flower to Flower 30

4. Along with Motion 45

5. Food for Health 57

Certain icons are used in this
textbook for convenience

For further reading

(Evaluation not required)

ICT possibilities for making concepts clear

Available in [IT@School, Edubuntu, Applications  School
Resources]

Significant learning outcomes

Let us assess

Extended activities
 So painful at the
bite of such a
small insect!

Minnu was walking along the beautiful garden in front of her house, humming
a tune. At once something pricked her. It’s so painful! She was surprised when
she saw a little black insect on her hand. How tiny the creature is!
 Basic Science - VI

Even smaller than an ant!

There are so many kinds of plants and animals around us! Big, small, of
different colours, shapes and so on.
Try to write down the organisms given below in the order of their size. Let
the biggest be the first.

Goat Elephant Camel Ant Horse

Is ant the smallest creature on land?

Which is the smallest creature you have seen?

Ant Are there

? organisms
? smaller than
? this?
Won't there be
even smaller organisms in water
and air too?
How can we see minute
organisms?
Shall we use a hand lens to see these minute organisms?
Observe an ant with the help of a hand lens.
How big does it appear?
Now observe a creature
Microscope
smaller than an ant, using a Microorganisms that cannot
hand lens. be seen by the naked eye can
How can we observe be observed through the
organisms that cannot be microscope.
seen by the naked eye?

8
 Basic Science - VI

How small…!
While collecting water samples
Try doing this experiment. The following things may be adopted:
Materials required: • collect water in which hay has decayed from
harvested fields.
Microscope, slide, cover glass,
hay-soaked water. • collect the remaining water from canals,
pond etc., which have started drying up.
Take a drop of hay-soaked • take a handful of hay. Cut it into pieces and
water on a slide. Place the boil it in water. Drain the water and cool it.
cover glass and then observe it Mix this water with a spoonful of water
through the microscope. collected from a stagnated water bed.
Observe it after three days.
What can be seen now?
Don't you see tiny organisms moving in it?
Draw them in your science diary.
Could you observe any of the organisms given below?

Amoeba Paramecium Euglena

Haven’t you learnt about bacteria, virus etc., earlier? These are also
microorganisms. Organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye are
microorganisms.

Basis of life
Physiological activities take place in microorganisms too. What are their bodies
made of? Find out using the given description.

9
 Basic Science - VI

Tiny units of the body

The body is made up of many small units. Even the body of the tiny ant is made
up of thousands of such small units. These small units of the body are called
cells. There are organisms with only one cell. They are unicellular organisms.
Amoeba, paramecium, euglena, bacteria etc., are unicellular organisms.
Organisms with more than one cell in their body are multicellular organisms.
Animals and plants are multicellular organisms.

See 'Ekakosajeevikal' in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

What you observed through the microscope

are unicellular organisms. Why is it that these
Will my cells
unicellular organisms are invisibly small,
also grow as
I grow up? while the ant is larger than them?
Do cells grow up with the child? Note down
your guess.
Let us observe the cells of two persons of
different age groups to find this.
Materials required: Microscope, slide, pure
water, methylene blue stain, two new
toothbrushes and cover glass.
Observe the cheek cells of a child and those of
a teacher through a microscope. Are these cells the same as the figure shown
below?

Method of collecting cheek cells

Wash the mouth thoroughly with clean water. Scrape
the internal surface of the cheek using a new
toothbrush. Place the cheek scrap in the drop of water
on the slide. Spread this and add a drop of stain. Cover
it with the cover glass and observe the slide through
the microscope.

10
 Basic Science - VI

$ Do you notice any difference in the

size of the cheek cells of the child and
the adult? Compare your findings
with the guess you made.
$ How does the body grow without
bringing about any change in the size
of the cells?
Observe the picture and draw your
inferences.
Do we use big bricks for building big houses
and small ones for small houses? What is
the reason for the difference in the size of houses?
Based on this, find out the How many cells!
reason for the difference in
It is said that there are millions of cells
the size of organisms. Write
in the human body. If so, how large would be the
it down in your science diary. number of cells in the body of an elephant!

Different types of cells

Is the shape of all the cells in a human body the same as that of cheek cells?
Try to do this activity.
Take the slide of blood cells from the school lab and observe it through a
microscope. Is the shape of these cells similar to the cheek cells which we
observed earlier?
Identify the cells given below and write them down.

˛˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛˛ ˛˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛-˛˛

11
 Basic Science - VI

There are different types of cells in the human body.

Muscle cell Neuron

There are different types of cells like these in multicellular organisms.

Inside the cell

Now we have learnt about different kinds of Cell membrane
cells. There are certain common components Cytoplasm
in all cells. Examine the figure of the animal Nucleus
cell and note down the parts of the cell in your
science diary.
Nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane etc., are some
of the important parts of a cell. Nucleus is the
centre of the cell. Cell membrane is the covering Animal cell
of the cell. The matrix filled inside the cell
membrane is the cytoplasm.

Draw the following figures in your science diary and label the parts.

White blood cell Cheek cell

We have identified that the animal body is made up of cells. Now what
about the plant body?

12
 Basic Science - VI

Plant body
Method of preparing slide
Let us examine a part of a plant. Remove the dry outer layers of onion.
Observe the onion peel through a Then peel off the thin layer from the
microscope. Draw the outline of the fleshy part. Keep this in water in a
shape you have observed in your watch glass. After staining (saffranin) it,
place a small portion on a slide by using
science diary. Compare it with the
a brush. Cover it with cover glass.
figure given below.

Diversity in plant cells too

Haven't you observed guard cells in your lower
classes?
Don't you see other cells
also with the guard cells
in the given figure?
Are the guard cells, the
Cells of onion peel other cells in the leaves
and the cells in the onion
peel same in shape and size? Compare and write
the inference in the science diary.
See 'Vathakavinimayam sasyangalil' in Guard cells
School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.
$ Are the parts you have labelled in animal cells seen in plant cells too?
$ Is there any part in a plant cell which is not there in an animal cell?

Nucleus
Chloroplast
Cytoplasm
KT 127-2/Bac. Science 6 (E)

Cell wall

Vacuole

Cell membrane
Animal cell Plant cell

Compare the figures and consolidate your findings in the table.

13
 Basic Science - VI

Parts of the cell Animal cell Plant cell

• Nucleus  
• Cell wall
•
•
•
•
You have noticed the differences between plant and animal cells.
Write down your findings in the science diary.
Are the different parts of a plant made up of
similar kinds of cells?
Take a cross section of a tender stem of a plant
using a sharp blade. It should be thin and
complete. Place the section on a slide and
observe it through the microscope.
You can see different types of plant cells.
We have learnt that the body of animals and plants are made up of cells.
Plants and animals have cells that differ in shape and size. The life sustaining
activities take place by the coordination of these cells.

The learner can

$ explain that cell is the fundamental unit of life.
$ explain unicellular and multicellular organisms with examples.
$ identify and explain that the size of the organism is not based on the
size of the cell but on the number of cells.

14
 Basic Science - VI

$ identify and illustrate parts of the cell.

$ illustrate plant cell and animal cell and find out the similarities and
differences.
$ observe cells using microscope.

1. Do you agree with the following statements? Explain.

a) Hand lens, microscope etc., may be used for observing cells.
b) There are organisms on the earth with only one cell.
c) The difference in the size of the organisms is due to the difference in
the size of cells.
d) All cells in an organism are of the same kind.
2. Given below in the table are a few details prepared by a child comparing
animal cell and plant cell.
Complete the table by filling parts of the cell.
No. Parts of the cell Plant cell Animal cell
1 Yes Yes
2 Large Small
3 Yes No
4 Yes Yes
5 Yes No

1. Let us make the model of a plant cell.

Materials required: Transparent box with a lid, 2 OHP sheets/
transparent plastic sheets, thermocol, appropriate colours, water and
glue.

15
 Basic Science - VI

Method of construction
Cut the OHP sheets according to
the size of the box as shown in the
figure. Cut the sheets to half in
order to fix them together at 900
and arrange them as shown in the
picture. Cut the thermocol to the
shape of the parts of the typical
plant cell seen earlier in this
chapter. Colour it appropriately
and paste it in the OHP sheet.
Keep the OHP sheet carefully in
a box and pour some water. Now,
you will get the three dimensional
shape of a plant cell.

16
Observe the picture. Don't you see the lush green field, the road, the house,
etc.? Isn't all this the result of the hardwork of a number of people?
What are the different activities you see in the picture?
$ driving a tractor
$
$
$
 Basic Science - VI

Don't you think that the children playing with the ball should have the
capacity to do so? Haven't you learned that the energy for this is obtained
from the food we eat? Don't you require energy for doing other kinds of work
as well?

Energy for everything

The sunlight enables us to see everything during daytime. You know that
light is a form of energy. The light produced using electricity helps us during
night time.
Heat is used for cooking food. Electrical energy is used to make a fan work.
What are the forms of energy used for doing the different activities shown in
the picture?
Which among these different forms of energy can you identify? Complete
the table.
Context Form of energy used
Riding motor Vehicles Energy from fuels.
Drying clothes
Bulbs glowing
Loudspeakers working
Heat, electricity, light, sound etc., are different forms of energy. Is light energy
the only form of energy produced when a bulb glows?
Switch off a bulb after keeping it on for some time. Feel the glass surface of
the bulb carefully, with your finger.
What do you feel?
What are the forms of energy produced while the bulb
was glowing?
Which form of energy among these do we make use of?
Aren't there other situations in which more than one
form of energy is produced?

18
 Basic Science - VI

Different forms of energy

Different situations are given in the table. Complete the table by identifying
the different forms of energy produced in each case and the one we usually
make use of.
Forms of energy Form of energy we
Situation
produced make use of
A torch is lit
A candle is burning
Fire wood is burning in an oven
An electric bulb is lit
A cracker is bursting
Don't you require energy for all the activities
mentioned above? Do we make use of all forms
of energy that are produced?
Write down your inference in the science diary.
We have familiarised ourselves with a few forms
of energy, haven't we?
Which are the forms of energy produced in the following situations?
Forms of energy produced
No Situation
(i) (ii) (iii)

1 When a sparkler is lit Heat energy - -

2 While riding a motorcycle - - Mechanical energy
3 While operating a mixer grinder - - -
4 While operating an electric motor - - -
Haven't you found out the different forms of energy produced when a mixer
grinder is operated?
Which is the form of energy used to operate a mixer grinder?
We have seen the instance of electrical energy changing into different forms
of energy in an electric bulb.
19
 Basic Science - VI

Energy can be transformed from one form to another.

We use electrical energy to operate a mixer grinder and an electric motor.
Which is the form of energy used to light a sparkler and ride a motorcycle?
Make use of a reading note and record your findings in the science diary.

Mechanical Energy
Electrical energy or the energy
produced by burning fuels is used
to make an engine work and, in
turn, to make machine parts
move. Working of an engine
involves mechanical energy which
enables vehicles move.

Chemical Energy
The energy contained in
a substance is chemical
energy. Plants convert
solar energy into
chemical energy
through photosynthesis.
Chemical energy thus
stored up, reaches
animals through food.
While burning fire wood
too, we get the chemical
energy stored up in
plants. All substances
contain chemical energy.

20
 Basic Science - VI

I work using Me too

solar energy

Solar car Petrol car

$ How do vehicles that run on petrol and diesel depend on the sun for
energy? Haven't you learnt about fossil fuels?
Complete the flow chart.
Coal

Sun fossil fuel

LPG
How many changes!
How often do we use energy changes in daily life? Let's try to tabulate a few
domestic uses of energy.

Situation Energy conversions taking place

Bulb glowing Electrical energy  Light + Heat
Working an electric motor …………………. …………+ …………
to pump water
Lighting a match stick
Working a mixer grinder
Listening to the news on a radio
Add more situations to the table and expand it.
What are the forms of energy we use more often in daily life?
To make the maximum use of energy, energy loss in appliances should be
minimised.
21
 Basic Science - VI

You might be familiar with the various activities carried out using a
generator. Identify the forms of energy used, the forms of energy produced
and energy changes that occur in each case and record them in the flow chart
shown below. Try to find out those forms of energy that are not used as well.

Fuel burns
Chemical energy

A generator working

(not used) (not used) (not used)

A mixer grinder working A fan working A bulb glowing

(used) (not used) (used) (not used) (used) (not used)

22
 Basic Science - VI

Examine the pictures.

$ Which form of energy undergoes change in each situation? What are

the forms of energy produced?
(1) ............................., (2) ............................, (3) ............................,
$ Which situation in the given picture does not use light energy?
$ In which situation is sound energy produced?
$ In which situation is heat energy made use of?
We have understood that there are different situations where one form of
energy transforms into other forms of energy.
What is the change that takes place in a substance when it receives energy?

When ice melts

Try doing the experiment given below and write down your observations.
Take some ice cubes in a beaker and heat it as shown in the figure. What
changes do you observe?
$
$
Which form of energy was utilised by ice to undergo the
changes?
$
Now heat the water obtained when ice melted. Note
down the changes.
$
Can the steam be converted back into water? What
change should be brought about in this experiment to
make this possible?
23
 Basic Science - VI

Examine the figure and discuss the materials to be used

to conduct this experiment.
Can the experiment be carried out more effectively by
placing an ice cube on the watch glass?
The steam is again converted into water through this
experiment. Now can the water be converted into ice
again?
What method can be adopted for this?
Ice absorbs heat energy and changes into water, its liquid state. Water further
absorbs heat energy and gets converted into steam. When steam loses heat
energy it again changes into water. When heat energy is further lost, the water,
in turn, gets changed into ice.

Change of state
Substances undergo change of state when they absorb or release adequate
heat energy. On absorbing heat energy, they change from the solid state to
the liquid state and then to the gaseous state. Substances get converted
from the gaseous state to the liquid state and then to the solid state by
releasing heat energy.
Note down in the flow chart given below how heat affects the change of state
of water.

absorbs heat
Ice cube ˛˛-˛˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛ ˛˛-˛˛- ˛- ˛-˛˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛ steam

................... releases
........................................... heat
˛˛-˛˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛- ˛

We have seen that ice, water and steam are the three states of water.
$ Is energy absorbed or released when steam is changed into water and
then into ice?

24
 Basic Science - VI

$ Which among the three states has the maximum amount of energy?
$ Which state has the minimum amount of energy?
Let's make an ice doll
How can you utilise the change of states of matter in the following situations?
Discuss in the class.
$ making the model of an egg using wax for exhibition.
$ suspending an ice ball using a thread.
$ making wax dolls.
Find methods to make them after discussing in groups.
Make attractive models and exhibit them in the school science club.
Plan interesting activities using the concept of change of states of matter.

It is the change
of state that gave
us these beautiful
shapes.

Examine some of the situations in daily life given in the table.

Situation Change taking place in state or in shape

Heating solid ghee melts
Cutting vegetables becomes smaller pieces
Heating a PVC pipe expands
Heating wax melts
Tearing paper becomes smaller pieces
KT 127-3/Bac. Science 6 (E)

Breaking a bottle becomes smaller pieces

Heating lac melts
Crumpling paper changes shape

25
 Basic Science - VI

Analyse the table and find out the peculiarities of the changes. Write them
down. Make use of the hints given below.
$ Are new substances formed in any of the above situations?
$ What are the changes of state that occur?
$ Which among them involve a change in shape?
$ Which among them involve a change in size?
Physical change
Change in the physical properties such as state, shape or size is termed as
physical change. Expansion, melting, breaking, tearing etc., are all physical
changes. New substances are not formed during physical changes.

Permanent change
Are all changes physical changes?
Let's do the following activities.
Take some sugar in a spoon and heat until it melts.
Observe the changes.
Taste it after heating. How does it taste?
Heat again.
Do you observe a change in the colour? Taste it
again after cooling.
How does it taste now?
Does the residue left in the spoon possess all the properties of sugar?
What differences did you find in the changes that occured while heating wax
and sugar? Complete the table and record it in your science diary.

When wax is heated When sugar is heated

Absorbs heat ...............................................
............................................... Melts
............................................... Changes colour
No new substance is formed ...............................................

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 Basic Science - VI

Let's do some more experiments.

1. Burn a magnesium ribbon
2. Burn a piece of paper
Chemical change
Can you change the substances
formed on burning magnesium The process in which substances change into
ribbon and paper back into their new substances by absorbing or releasing
original states? energy is termed a chemical change. Chemical
change is a permanent change.
Record your observations and
findings in the science diary.
Make inferences about the changes these substances undergo due to the
absorption of heat energy.
Make use of the reading material as well.

Different types of chemical changes

A large number of chemical changes take place everyday in the human body
as well as in nature.
Find out more examples and write them down in your science diary. You can
make use of the hints given below.
$ cooked rice tastes sweet when chewed for some time.
$ the colour of the film changes while taking X-rays.
$ the colour of clothes fades when exposed to sunlight.
$ iron rods rust.
$ mangoes ripen.
Analyse the picture
$ Which is the
chemical change
indicated in the
picture?
$ Note down the energy
change during this
chemical change.

27
 Basic Science - VI

Observe the picture given below.

What are the physical changes that can be identified from the picture?

We make use of several chemical and physical changes in our daily life. Can
you prepare a list of physical and chemical changes that take place in a kitchen
on a day? Classify and record.

The learner can

$ give examples for different forms of energy and the situations in life
where they are made use of.
$ explain the energy conversions that take place during different situations
in life.
$ identify and explain that change in the temperature of substances causes
change of their state.
$ explain ideas such as physical and chemical changes.
$ make curios using wax and ice.
$ handle instruments and engage in experiments related to energy
conversion.

28
 Basic Science - VI

1. The blister caused by steam is more severe than the same caused by
boiling water at the same temperature.
$ Do you agree with the statement?
$ Justify the statement on the basis of physical change.
2. We know that heat is emitted along with light when a bulb glows.
$ LED lamps are better than filament bulbs for maximum reduction
in the consumption of electrical energy. Explain.
$ Are there situations where filament bulbs are used for producing
heat energy? Give examples.
3. Thunder and heavy rain during the monsoon. Rahim and Deepa, who
have learnt about conservation of energy, are engaged in a game related
to it. Let’s take a look at it. When one of them mentions a situation, the
other indicates the change of energy involved in it.
Deepa Rahim
When it rains the cloud releases heat energy.
…………………………… the cloud is formed
Sound energy is produced. ……………………………
…………………………… light energy is released.
Electrical energy is produced ……………………………

1. Identify the situations where electrical energy is stored up as chemical

energy.
2. You can make a small generator to convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
Materials Required: A mini motor, two pieces of thin wire, LED ( low voltage)
Method of construction: Connect the two terminals of a mini motor to an
LED using two thin wires. With your hand, turn the projected shaft of the
mini motor strongly. We can see the LED glowing. Rubbing the shaft of the
mini motor on a table or a bench will enable the LED glow brightly.
29
 Basic Science - VI

Flowers and butterflies are always a wonderful sight to us.

Have you ever observed the different kinds of butterflies that visit the butterfly
park in the school? Do all the butterflies visit all the flowers? We see varieties of
flowers everyday. Are gardens the only place where we find flowers?
Mention the names of flowers you know.
$ $
30
$ $
 Basic Science - VI

Are all flowers alike? In what respects are they

different?
$ Number of petals

$
$ Caesalpinia
Don't we use different kinds of flowers for decorations and celebrations? What
may be the use of flowers for plants?

A spectacle of flowers
Let us go to a garden and observe each flower carefully. Can you identify the
parts of a flower?
$ Do all flowers have petals?
$ Which is the part that connects flowers to the plant?

Observe the flowers and

identify their parts.

Draw any one of the flowers and label the

parts you know.
Observe the different parts of any one plant
using the figure given below.
Androecium
Corolla
Gynoecium
Calyx
Thalamus
Pedicel
Have you labelled all these parts in the figure you have drawn?

31
 Basic Science - VI

Collect different types of flowers. Dissect them longitudinally and observe it

using a hand lens. You can see the parts mentioned in the figure.

Functions of a flower
Now we are familiar with the different parts of a flower.
$ What is the use of each part?
$ What may be the use of the pedicel?
Won't the other parts also have similar functions?
The important parts of a flower and their functions are given below. Match
them.
sam´m-bn-cn-°p-tºmƒ ]qhns\ kwc-£n-°p-∂p.
hncn- ™-Holds
Xn-\p-tdifferent
ijw Zf-] parts
p-SsØof the
Xmßnflower
\n¿Øp-∂p.

Provides
]qhnsecolour,
s]¨enw-fragrance
Km-hb and
- hw
Pedicel attractiveness to the flower Calyx

Male
bn-cn-reproductive
sam´m- part ofkwc-
°p-tºmƒ ]qhns\ the £
flower
n-°p-∂p.
hncn- ™-X(Formed of Zf-
n-\p-tijw anther and filament)
]p-SsØ Xmßn \n¿Øp-∂p.

Female reproductive part of the flower

Gynoecium (formed of stigma,
]qhnse s]¨enw-style
Km-and
hb- ovary)
hw
Androecium

Connects the flower with the plant

Protects the flower s]¨enw-

]qhnse when it isKam-bud.
hb - hw Holds petals
Thalamus after it blooms. Corolla

The longitudinal section of a flower is given below. Label each part and write
down its function. ....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
Longitudinal section of a flower ....................................................................

32
 Basic Science - VI

$ Where do fruits and seeds develop on a plant?

$ What is the benefit of the formation of the seed for a plant?
$ What may be the function of flowers then?
Flowers
You know that fruits are formed from
flowers and seedlings are produced by the
germination of seeds, seen inside fruits.
Reproduction is the process by which
organisms produce their young ones to
retain their ancestry. Flowers perform the
Mango tree- function of reproduction in plants. Flowers
inflorescence Mango
are the reproductive organs in plants.
$ How does the process of reproduction occur in a flower?
Now you are familiar with the important parts and
functions of a flower. Now let us observe flowers
more closely. Most often, the pollen of flowers stick
on to our hands. Place the pollen on a slide and
observe it through a microscope.
Pollens are also known as pollen grains. Take a flower
and observe its androecium and gynoecium using a Pollen grains observed
under the microscope
hand lens. Don't you see the parts given below?
Draw and label the observed parts in your science diary.
Gynoecium Androecium

Stigma Anther
Androecium
Style
Gynoecium Filament

Ovary
Ovule

Egg is seen in the ovule Male gamete is seen in the pollen grain
inside the ovary. found in the anther of the androecium.

33
 Basic Science - VI

Inside the flower

Observe flowers of pumpkin, cucumber, hibiscus, bitter gourd, ixora, clitoria,
frangipani and snake gourd using a hand lens. Can you see the androecium
and the gynoecium?

Androecium Androecium
Gynoecium Gynoecium

Oleander Pumpkin Pumpkin

Androecium Gynoecium
Gynoecium Androecium

Bitter gourd Bitter gourd Clitoria

Classify the flowers you have observed as indicated below.

Flowers having both androecium Androecium and gynoecium in
and gynoecium (Bisexual flower) separate flowers (unisexual flowers)

$ $
$ $
$ $
$ $
What inferences can be drawn by examining the table?

Male and female flowers

Flowers that have only androecium are male flowers and those with only gynoecium
are female flowers. Pumpkin, cucumber, bitter gourd, snake gourd, ash gourd, coconut
and arecanut trees have both male and female flowers.

34
 Basic Science - VI

Seed formation
Have you ever thought how
Male and female plant
seeds are formed in flowers? There are male and female plants
among fan palm, gambooge (kudampuli), nutmeg
There are certain processes
etc. The male plant has
behind this. The male gamete only male flowers and the
from the pollen grain should female plant has only
reach the ovary and fuse with female flowers.
the egg. Fusion of male gamete
with the egg is called
fertilization. Fruit is formed in
plants after fertilization.
Observe the figure. Fan palm (Kudappana) Nutmeg

$ Where is the male gamete seen in a flower?

$ Where can we see the egg of a flower?
Stigma
$ Where does fertilization take place?
First the pollen grains from the anther should
Anther
reach the stigma for fertilization. From there,
Filament
the male gamete should reach the ovary. Draw
the pathway of the pollen grain and male
gamete in the figure shown.

We don't just
Ovary How fortunate you keep drinking
are! Don't you get honey.
honey everyday?

Did you listen to the bee's response? What else does the bee do?

35
 Basic Science - VI

On the wings of butterflies

Pollen grains from the anther should reach the stigma first. How does it
happen? Who all help in this?

Pollination
Transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma is called pollination. Factors
that help pollination are called pollinating agents.

Name the organisms that help in pollination.

$
$ Flowers with foul odour too…
For you dear butterfly... Have you ever
experienced the foul
Butterflies, honey bees, birds and
smell of the elephant
many other insects visit flowers. yam flowers? In the
What are the peculiarities seen in elephant yam and
flowers to attract pollinating taro, pollination is
agents? done by flies. The foul
odour is to attract
$ flies.
$
Notice the peculiarities of these
flowers.

Lantana Mussaenda Bougainvillea

36
 Basic Science - VI

$ Small flowers grow as inflorescence. Why?

$ What is the advantage of the leaves surrounding a mussaenda flower
changing colour and appearing like the flower?
$ Are the parts in bougainvillea, that change colour, flowers?
Now, you have understood various peculiarities of flowers to attract
pollinating agents. Observe the plants in your surroundings and write down
the peculiarities of each in the science diary.
Are all flowers pollinated by animals?

Floating with the wind

Have you seen the flowers of paddy? Haven't you noticed
the fluttering paddy flowers?
How do the pollen grains of paddy reach the stigma? Let's
observe certain features of such flowers.
$ Have a large number of pollen grains. Flower of paddy
$ Pollen grains are lighter in weight.
Water and wind are also pollinating agents. Pollination in plants
like paddy, wheat, maize and sugarcane occurs through wind. The
pollinating agent in pepper plant is water (dew drops).
In which season does pollination occur in the pepper
plant?
Can you identify the pollinating agents by observing the
features of flowers?
Pepper
Notice the features of a few flowers. Which pollinating
agent among those given below, matches the features?
$ Light weight pollen grains ˛
$ Colourful flowers ˛
$ White flowers that bloom at night ˛
$ Pollination in moisture ˛
Water (dew drops), moth, wind, honey bee

37
 Basic Science - VI

Artificial pollination
Pollen grains from superior quality plants are collected and dusted
on the stigma of other plants to produce high quality seeds. This is artificial
pollination. A variety of honey bee called melipona pollinates the vanilla that
grows in Mexican forests. We had to adopt artificial pollination to cultivate
vanilla in our country, as there were no melipona bees.

The journey of pollen grains

Is it necessary that the pollen grains of a particular flower should fall on the
stigma of the same kind?
They may fall on the stigma of different flowers.
In which of the following situations does pollination become effective?
Put  mark.

$ Pollen grains of pumpkin flower falling on the

stigma of ash gourd flower.
$ Pollen grains of ash gourd flower falling on the
stigma of another ash gourd flower.
Pollination becomes effective when the pollen grains fall on the stigma of
flowers of the same kind. Pollen grains that fall on the stigma of other kinds
of flowers may get destroyed.
What are the ways in which pollination may occur? Observe the pictures.

Self pollination Self pollination Cross pollination

$ Explain self pollination and cross pollination and write down in your
science diary.

38
 Basic Science - VI

Self pollination ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛
Cross pollination ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛
Now we know that self pollination is of two types.
Do both types of pollination occur in plants like cucumber, bitter gourd,
pumpkin etc.? Why?

Withering petals
After pollination, the male gamete reaches the ovary and fuses with the egg
to form fruit. Have you noticed the withering of petals and androecium during
this stage?
Using a hand lens, observe the petals of a flower that has begun to wither.
$ Which are the parts that remain?
What changes occur in the various parts of a flower when it becomes a fruit?

Tomato flower Tomato

Cucumber flower Cucumber

Part of the flower change
Pedicel
Thalamus
Calyx
Corolla
Complete the table and write it in your science diary.

39
 Basic Science - VI

Examine the picture.

Fruit
Ovule Ovary
Seed

Ash gourd flower Ash gourd-Longitudinal and cross sections

$ Which part grows into a seed?
$ Which part grows into a fruit?
Fruits develop from flowers. If so, wouldn't certain features of flowers be
seen in fruits too?

Only one fruit

Observe the figures given below.

Ovary fruit

Ovule seed

Mango flower Mango

Ovary
fruit
Ovule
seed

Tomato flower Tomato

Only one fruit is formed from each flower. These fruits are called simple fruits.
Add more to the examples of simple fruits in your science diary.
$ How many seeds are there in a mango?
$ Does a tomato have only one seed?
$ What may be the reason for the difference in the number of seeds?

40
 Basic Science - VI

Find out more examples of fruits with one seed and fruits with more than
one seed and note them down in your science diary.

One flower, many fruits

Have you seen frangipani flowers? Take a flower and observe the ovary and
gynoecium after removing the petals. You can use a hand lens for this.

Frangipani - flower Frangipani-

gynoecium
Does the flower have only one ovary?
If so, how many fruits may be formed from one flower?

If more than one fruit is formed from a flower, such fruits are called aggregate fruits.
Custard apple, black berry, polyalthia fruit etc. are examples of aggregate fruits.

Custard apple flower Custard apple Polyalthia fruits

Looks one, though not one
Have you seen the flower of the jack tree? Many small flowers are arranged
on a stalk. Observe the inflorescence of the jack tree
using a hand lens.
There are hundreds of flowers in an inflorescence of
a jack tree. Can you imagine the number of fruits
formed from this inflorescence? Each such fruit is
the chakkachula and the seed chakkakuru. What
Jack tree-inflorescence
happens to flowers that do not turn into fruits?
41
 Basic Science - VI

They turn into chakkachavini. They are all arranged inside a common covering,
as a single fruit. Such fruits are called multiple fruits.

Jackfruit-section Pineapple flower Pineapple

Which is more in a jackfruit - the fruit or the unfertilised flowers that do not
become fruit?
Now you are familiar with different kinds of fruits.
Examine the fruits used at home and identify the peculiarities of the ovary of
the flowers. Use the following indicators.
$ How many ovaries are there in a flower?
$ Is there more than one ovule in the ovary?
$ How are the ovules arranged in the ovary?
The disguised
We learnt that fruits are formed from the ovary after fertilization. Examine
the following pictures.

Pedicel

Cashew flowers Cashew nut Cashew apple

Which part developed to form the cashew apple?

In some plants, parts like the pedicel, thalamus etc., develop into fruit like structures.
These are called false fruits.

42
 Basic Science - VI

Fruit

Seed
The part developed
from the thalamus
Apple - section Pear - section

You have already studied how the seeds of a plant are dispersed. Explain the
advantage of false fruits based on seed dispersal. Examine apple and cashew
apple and find out the true fruit and the false fruit.

Fruit and flower

Examine the figures given below and find out the right statement related to
each fruit.

Strawberry Chilli Arecanut

Flowers are seen as More than one Flowers are seen one
inflorescence ovary in a flower by one (Single flower)

We see flowers of different sizes everyday. How many kinds of fruits we eat!
Do you observe them closely? Observe the grass, climbers and other kinds of
plants seen in your surroundings. How interesting it is to watch the flowers
in them and the pollinating insects that come to them. Write the observation
note in your science diary. Collect the pictures of various flowers and fruits,
and arrange and paste them in an album.

43
 Basic Science - VI

The learner can

$ identify and explain important parts and functions of a flower.
$ classify flowers into unisexual and bisexual flowers.
$ explain concepts like pollination, self pollination and cross pollination.
$ identify the relation between pollinators and floral peculiarities.
$ classify fruits into simple fruits, aggregate fruits and multiple fruits.
$ engage in activities to protect butterfly parks.

1. Observe the picture

What inferences can be made about bitter gourd
flower.

2. Parts like petals, androecium etc., wither and fall down after fertilization.
The pedicel, thalamus and calyx become stronger. Explain the reason.

1. Identify the season when the pepper vine blooms.

2. Observe the peculiarities of the beaks of birds that suck honey.

44
Which are the objects on the earth that do not move?
It was with this question that Bindu teacher came to the class that day.
Buildings, rocks, mountains . . . . . .
The children went on answering. They were surprised when the teacher
remarked that all these objects are constantly in motion at great speed.
“Uh... if that's the case, our house wouldn't be there when we get home from
school'', Aswathy quipped. Do you agree with this?
Observe the picture.
 Basic Science - VI

You may be aware of the fact that all planets move around the sun. Can you
explain what the teacher said on the basis of the motion of planets? Discuss it
on the basis of the following indicators.
$ Which are the motions of the earth you are familiar with?
$ Which are the objects that move along with the earth when it moves?
$ Can you be in a state of rest at least for a second?
All objects on the earth move along with it. This can be understood only if we
view from outer space.

What a speed!
The earth rotates about its axis at an approximate speed of 1667 kilometre
per hour at the equatorial region. It revolves around the sun with a speed of
1,06,000 kilometre per hour. How wonderful it is to realise that we are moving
at a great speed even while sitting still at a place.
See 'Prapanchathile ella vasthukkalum chalikkunnu'
in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

Motion within the body

Place your ears close to your friend's chest. What
do you experience? What is the reason behind
the sound you hear? What are the movements
that occur within your body?
$ blood circulation
$
$
Motion around us
Wave a piece of paper. Don’t you feel the motion
of air?
What are the other instances when you have experienced the motion of air?
$ while sitting on a sea shore
$
$
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 Basic Science - VI

What are the other types of motion that take place around you? Enlist.
$
$
Now you might have realised that different types of motion take place around
you always.
Force and Motion
When does a body start moving? You might have seen different types of
motion, either fast or slow. What is the reason for the difference?
Conduct the following activities.

1. Place a marble (goli) at one end of a desk and strike

it using a finger.

2. Allow the marble to roll slowly on the desk.

Gently place your hand blocking its path.

3. Allow the marble to roll with a considerable

speed on the desk. Hold a scale in a slightly
inclined position in its path.

4. Roll the marble slowly on the desk. Roll another

marble in the same direction at a greater speed
so that it collides with the first one.

$ When did the marble, which was at rest, start moving?

$ When did it come to rest?
$ When did it change its direction of motion?
$ When did the speed of the rolling marble increase?

47
 Basic Science - VI

What change in motion was brought about by applying force in each

situation? Write them down in the science diary.
$ The marble which was at rest was set into motion.
$
$
$
We watch and play games with a ball. What are the
purposes for which players apply force on a ball.
$ to move the ball at rest.
$
$
$
Force and Motion
We can move objects at rest by applying force. We can also change the state
of motion of a body to a state of rest by applying force. We apply force to
change the direction of motion or to increase or decrease the speed of motion.

See 'Balavum chalanavum' in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

Different types of motion

Try doing these activities.

$ Sharpen a pencil with a sharpener.

$ Draw a circle with a pencil fixed in a compass.
$ Draw a straight line using a pencil and a scale.

48
 Basic Science - VI

How was the motion of the pencil in each case?

1.
2.
3.
Observe the following motions. Which of them resemble the different motions
of the pencil?

Swirling a stone A rotating top. A ripe mango

tied to a rope. falling down.

The wheel of Lift going up. Toy train running

a vehicle rotating. along a circular path.
Group the similar ones. Add more examples to each group and write them
down in the science diary.
Those resembling the Those resembling the action Those resembling the action
action of sharpening the of drawing a circle using of drawing a straight line
using pencil and scale
pencil using a sharpener pencil fitted in a compass
$ Rotation of a top $ Swirling a stone tied to a $ Ripe mango falling down
rope.
$ $
$
$ $
$

49
 Basic Science - VI

$ What is the common feature of the motion in each group?

1 ..........................................................
2. ..........................................................
3 ..........................................................
$ How do groups one and two differ?

The motion of a body along a straight line is linear motion. The movement
of a body about its own axis is rotation. The motion along a circular path is
circular motion.
Motion like this too!
You may be familiar with the following type of motions.
$ motion of the pendulum of a clock.
$ motion of a swing.
$ motion of a hanging lamp.
What are the peculiarities of these movements?
Find out similar examples of motions.
The to and fro motion of a body about a mean position is called oscillation.

Is the motion of
the wiper of vehicles
an oscillation?

What is your response to Haseeb’s

query?
Discuss using the indicators given below.
$ Is it a motion about a mean position?
$ Does it move to both sides?

50
 Basic Science - VI

Oscillations like this too!

Do the following activities.
$ Beat one of the prongs of a tuning fork with a rubber
hammer.
$ Tap on a stretched rubber band using a finger.
$ Place a metal scale on a table in such a way that one
of its ends projects out, and tap this end using your
fingers.
Did you notice that these oscillations are at a greater
speed?
Fast oscillations are referred to as vibrations.
See ‘Vividhatharam chalanangal’ in
School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

Vibrations
Let’s make a blow pipe ‘peepi’ which helps us to observe vibrations.
Materials required:
10 cm long pipe of one inch diameter, a balloon, the empty case of a pen,
rubber band, 2 m long thread and cello tape.
Method:
Cut open the closed end of the
balloon. Insert the pipe at one end of
the balloon and the empty case of a
pen at the other. Tie them strongly
using a rubber band. Hold the pipe
vertically and stretch the empty pen horizontally. Now the balloon will
appear like a stretched membrane. In the middle of this stretched portion fix
one end of the thread using cello tape. The ‘peepi’ is now ready for use.
Method of operation:
Let your friend pull the free end of the thread. Pull the case of the pen and
blow through it. Don’t you hear a sound like the trumpet of an elephant?
Observe the movement of the thread as well. What type of motion is it?
51
 Basic Science - VI

Motion in application
Observe a tailor stitching clothes using a sewing
machine. Of the different types of motion you have
already come across, which are the ones you can see
in a sewing machine ?
$
$
Complete the table adding the types of motion and
the uses of the instruments mentioned below.
Body in motion Type of motion Use
The membrane of a 'chenda' (drumhead) oscillation produces sound
A rotating chair
The tip of a clock's hand
The smaller wheel of a sewing machine
A lift
A swing
The string of a veena
Wheels of a flourmill
Did you complete the table? What do you infer from this? Write it down in
your science diary.
See 'Chalanam prayogathil' in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

Let’s make a toy fan

Materials required: A small plastic bottle, rib of a coconut tree leaf (eerkil), thread,
cardboard piece, a bead and glue
Different stages of construction:
$ Make a hole each on the lid, bottom and
sides of the bottle as shown in the figure.
$ Cut out the leaves of a fan from cardboard.
$ Fix the bead at the top of the rib. Fix the
leaves of the fan on the bead using glue.
Tie the thread at the middle of the rib.

52
 Basic Science - VI

$ Pass the rib through the top and bottom holes in

the plastic bottle, such that the rib moves freely.
$ Pull out the free end of the thread through the
hole on the side of the bottle and tie it to another
piece of rib.
Let’s rotate the fan
Turn the rib to completely wind the thread around it. Now pull out the free
end of the thread. Don't you see it rotating?
$ How did the motion of the thread pass to the leaf of the fan?
$ What are the devices you have seen, in which the force applied on one
part is transferred to another part and used
for motion?
$ What are the arrangements made in such
devices?
$ Where do we apply force while cycling?
$ How does this force reach the wheel?
$ Which part is set to motion first while working a
flour mill?
$ How is this rotation transferred to other parts?
$ What arrangements are made use of in a sewing machine,
to transfer the force applied on the pedal to the needle?
Write down your findings in the science diary.
The force applied on a machine can be transferred to other parts of the
machine or to other machines thus setting them into motion. We make use
of the chain, wheel and axle, belt, etc., for this purpose.
Gears
As shown in the picture, fix two
corrugated plastic lids of different
sizes on a wooden plank in such a
way that they touch each other
closely. Now turn each lid. What
do you observe?

53
 Basic Science - VI

$ When the small lid is turned to the left, in which direction does the big
lid turn? what happens when it is turned to the right?
$ Does the big lid also complete one rotation when the small lid completes
one?
$ How many times does the small lid rotate
When the big lid is rotated once?
It is the interlocking of corrugations on the lids
that enables one to rotate with the other. Such
wheels are called gears.
Where have you seen gears?

$ in toys
$
$
Try rotating the gears in hand drills and toys. Observe and find out the
changes gears can bring about in motion, on the basis of the indicators given
below and write them down in the science diary.
$ Do they bring about change in the direction of motion?
$ Do they bring about change in the speed of motion?
By making use of the rotation of one part of a machine, gears help us to set in
motion more than one part of a machine at different speeds and in different
directions. When a big wheel is turned using a small wheel, the speed of
rotation decreases. When it is reversed, the speed increases. The use of gears
can bring about changes in speed and direction of motion. We make use of
this advantage in a number of machines.
See ‘Chalanam yanthrangalil’ in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

54
 Basic Science - VI

The learner can:

$ explain that all objects on the earth are in motion.
$ explain the changes that force can bring about in the states of rest and
motion.
$ give examples by classifying the types of motion on the basis of their
characteristics.
$ explain and cite examples for the ways in which different types of
motions are used in different devices.
$ make different devices related to motion.

1. A man pulling a hand cart applies force on it in the following situations.

What is the purpose in each case?
i. when he starts pulling the hand cart.
ii. when it goes on a down hill
What are the changes force can bring about in the motion?
2. Which type of motion is dominant in the following situations?
i An aeroplane gaining speed on the runway before takeoff.
ii. The motion of a valve tube in the rotating wheel of a bicycle.
Find one example each for other kinds of motion as well.
3. The table on oscillation prepared by Lathika, Iqbal and Sonu is given below.
Lathika Iqbal Sonu
• The motion of the membrane • The motion of the membrane • The motion of an arrow,
across the drum head of a across the drum head of a shot from a bow.
chenda, on beating it. chenda, on beating it. • The motion of the prongs
• The motion of a swinging cot. • The motion of the string of an excited tuning fork.
• The motion of a giant wheel. while playing veena • The motion of a stretched
• The motion of the prongs of metal wire on strumming it.
an excited tuning fork
i. Whose findings are correct?
ii. Which are the ones that cannot be considered as examples of
oscillation?
iii. What is the difference between vibration and oscillation?
55
 Basic Science - VI

4. Observe the arrangement of gears in the figure.

i. When the first gear is
rotated, which other
gear would also rotate in
the same direction?
1 2
ii. Which gear would be the 3 4
slowest?
2. Complete the following concept map suitably.

Oscillation- pendulum, swing, swinging

Different types of motion and cot, string of a veena.
the devices used.

Gear - To change the direction of

Devices that can bring about motion and speed.
Motion

changes in motion and their uses.

Changing the direction of the motion

of a moving body.
Changes in motion brought about
by force.

1. Take a 50 cm long string and let it pass through a 25 cm long PVC pipe.
Tie to one end of the string an iron nut and to the other end a bottle
filled with water. Holding the pipe tightly, swirl the nut. What are the
motions that you observe in the nut, the rope and the bottle?
2. Conduct a study tour to a science and technology museum. Try out the
available activities related to motion there.
3. Dismantle a damaged clock, toys etc. Examine the arrangements in them
for producing different types of motion.

56
 Basic Science - VI

What I like very much is noodles, The case is the same

in my home too. We mostly
fried rice, fried chicken and ice cream
…… but my mother mostly prepares prepare dishes with yam,
amaranthus and moringa
sambar and avial and
leaves!
sometimes fish curry too.

Now what is the case in your house?

Categorize food items into those you like and those you don’t like. Do you
think that we need to eat only food items we like?
In our food
We feel tired and weak if we don’t have food even once.
Why do we have food?
$ to acquire immunity
$
What is the problem if we take only one type of food?
Let us find out the things that our body receives from the food we take.

57
 Basic Science - VI

Let us see what these have to say.

Include us in your We are full of

diet. We have plenty proteins.
of carbohydrates.

We provide
We have a lot of
mineral salts and
fat.
vitamins.

Which nutrients are available from food? Examine the illustration and
complete the table. Food items Nutrients
Rice
Fish
Oil
Fruits and vegetables
See'Bhakshanathile poshakakhadakangal'
in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.
What is the need of including carbohydrates in our diet? Which food items
contain carbohydrate in plenty?
1. Carbohydrate

Carbohydrate is made up of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its
chief function is to provide energy
for physiological activities. Starch,
sugar, glucose and cellulose are
different forms of carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate is present in plenty
in cereals and tubers in the form
of starch.

58
 Basic Science - VI

See 'Dhanyakangal' in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

The energy we need to do work comes mainly from carbohydrate.
Do we perform the activities that are shown in the picture? What are the
other activities that we engage ourselves in? Don't we need a lot of energy to
do all these activities? Which is the food item that constitutes the major part
of your diet? Why do you include this item in higher quantity? Write down
your findings in your science diary.
Which among the following food items will you include in your diet if you
avoid rice for a day. Why?
Egg, Banana, Tapioca, Milk
How can we detect the presence of starch in food?

Detecting starch
Materials required: Test tube, rice gruel (Kanjivellam), diluted iodine solution.
Procedure: Take some rice gruel in a test tube. Add 2-3 drops of iodine solution
to it. Observe the colour.
Have you now understood how to detect the presence of starch in food items?
Test egg, banana, tapioca and milk in the same way.
What are your findings?
Iodine test
Conduct this experiment on
more food items and record the A deep blue colour is formed when starch
inferences in your science reacts with iodine solution.
diary.

Colour formed on
Food items Inference
adding iodine
• Ash gourd
• Wheat flour
• Potato
•

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 Basic Science - VI

2. Protein

Look at these pictures.

What is your observation about the
growth of these two children?
What may be the reason for this
difference?

Behind growth
Protein is a major food constituent that helps the development and growth
of the body. Protein is essential for the formation of cells, hair, digestive
juice etc., in the body. Protein produces energy in the absence of carbohydrates.
Protein contains hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur. In
accordance with the body weight, one should obtain protein from diet at the
rate of 1 gram per kilogram.

$ Do you know your body weight?

$ How many gram of protein do you need a day?

Kwashiorkar

Deficiency of protein Kwashiorkar is a disease caused

leads to retardation of by the deficiency of protein. The
growth. body of the affected will be weak
and with a protruded belly.

From which food items do we get plenty of protein?

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 Basic Science - VI

Examine the quantity of protein

contained in different food items. Food item Protein
(100 g) (g)
$ Do you get the required amount Rice 6.8
of protein from your daily diet?
Wheat 11.8
$ What is the advantage of Cashew nut 21.2
supplying green gram as part of
Sardine 19.6
the midday meal in schools?
Duck 21.6
We can detect the presence of protein
Duck’s egg 13.5
in a few food items by the following
Hen’s egg 13.3
experiment.
Mutton 21.4
Materials required: Copper sulphate, Cow’s milk 3.2
water, sodium hydroxide, dropper, beaker,
Green gram 24.0
egg white, test tube.
Ground nut 17.1
Procedure: Add water to egg white and
stir it well. Take it upto a quarter of a test tube. Add 8-10 drops of 1%
concentrated sodium hydroxide to it. Stir it and add 2 drops of 1%
concentrated copper sulphate solution to it. The appearance of violet colour
indicates the presence of protein.
Do the experiment and write down the observation note in your science diary.
Repeat the experiment using green gram powder instead of egg. Present your
findings in the class.
See 'Aahaaravum Valarchayum' in
School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

3. Fat

Here are the pictures of some food items we use everyday. We do not eat any
of these directly. Then how do they get into our body?

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 Basic Science - VI

Which type of food, enables the body to get oil and ghee?

If there is no fat
Fat is one of the food constituents required by our body in
small quantities. Meat, fish, milk, milk products, egg, different
kinds of peas etc., contain fat. Different kinds of oils and ghee
are fats extracted from many food items. Fat also provides
energy like carbohydrates. Certain vitamins dissolve only in fat.
To get these vitamins, it is essential to include fat in our diet.

How slimy it is Listen to Reefa's doubt.

when the lady’s finger is chopped! What is your opinion about it? How
There is a lot of fat in it, isn’t it?
can we detect the presence of fat in food
items?
Pour a few drops of oil on a white
paper. Let it dry in the sun and observe.
Do you see any difference on the area
where oil is applied?

Detect fat
Rub any food item on a paper.
If the paper is oily even after it
Now scrub lady’s finger to a paper is dried we may conclude that
and examine.
the food contain fat.
Examine different food items in this
way and write your inferences in the
science diary.

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 Basic Science - VI

If in excess...
I got my blood Lab Report
tested yesterday. The
Test Value Normal
cholesterol is high.
Blood sugar 80 70 - 110 mg/dl
Cholesterol 230 Up to 200 mg/dl
Look at the lab report. What is the normal level of cholesterol?

Fat and cholesterol

Cholesterol is one form of fat. Besides obtaining from food, the body also
produces cholesterol. If the level of cholesterol becomes high, it adheres to
the inner walls of the blood vessels and prevents the flow of blood. This
leads to cardiac diseases. Hence taking excessive fatty food is not advisable.
Don’t you like fried food items very much? What will be the difference in the
level of cholesterol if such food is taken in excess?
What are the changes to be adopted in your diet to control the level of
cholesterol? Discuss and write them in your science diary.
See 'Aarogyam sambath - Abhimukham' in
School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

4. Vitamins From a Study Report

Examine a study report related to our The Indian Medical Research Council
food habit. recommends that an adult Indian should
Name the vegetables and fruits that consume 295 g of vegetables per day.
you take a day. In what quantities do
But in India, an average of only 135 g
vegetable is included in diet generally.
you take them? Tabulate it in your
In Kerala, an individual consumes an
science diary. average of 50 g vegetables per day.
What is the significance of having
fruits and vegetables?
Health
Vitamins and minerals are nutrient factors that are inevitable for proper health and the
smooth functioning of physiological activities. They are required only in small quantities.
Fruits, vegetables, milk, egg, etc., are the store houses of vitamins and minerals.

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 Basic Science - VI

There are many kinds of vitamins. Examine the illustration.

Health of bone and teeth

and the absorption of
calcium and phosphorus.

Synthesized in the

He red
an
body from sunlight.

alt blo
d
, ha eye,

ho o
Milk products.
tc.

mo ves, ta cts, liv us,

f n d ce
ir e

ave es,
skin lth of

a le leav r,
e
lea odu anth

erv lls
Ve
D

ge
s.

es
Hea

pea k pr mar

ta b
ring ro

le
mil rot, a

oil
A

s
Soluble
Car

in fat

Soluble in
Bra k, t
Uti tein d blo f sk

water
pro of re
liza in

mil
n o aro

B K

l i f lo u s ,
cau aranth e,
tio the ce

f c lea

r.
am abbag

ds. d
we
n o bo lls,

oun bloo
in wg of he
ere ves

t
f c dy, hea

als, .

ttin in
C
arb fo lth

clo Help
od in.
o

eg g
oh rm

,
ydr atio

Fruits, gooseberry,
ate n

moringa leaves, papaya.

and

Health of the skin, teeth, gum

and blood cells.

$ What are the health hazards caused by the deficiency of vitamin A?

$ What are the food items to be included in the diet of a person suffering
from ill health of the gums?
$ What happens if the intake of fat in the food is very low?
$ What are the vitamins that dissolve in water?
$ Infants who have not started taking food items are exposed to mild
sunlight for a short time. Why?

64
 Basic Science - VI

Analyse the illustration and prepare notes. Record them in your science diary.

See ‘Jeevakangal’ in School Resources in IT@School,

Edubuntu.

I wash the vegetables If not kept covered

thoroughly after When fruits and vegetables are
chopping, and then cooked, the vitamin C in them
drain out the water. dissolves in steam. It goes out of the
vessel with the steam. So it is better
to cover the vessel while cooking
them.

Have you paid attention to the words of this housewife?

Do you think it is advisable to wash vegetables after chopping them? Why?

5. Minerals

Your daughter is
anaemic. Give her plenty
of leafy vegetables

How is anaemia cured by taking leafy vegetables?

Go through the following information.

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 Basic Science - VI

Leafy vegetables,
Synthesis of haemoglobin in seed of pumpkin,
Iron
blood horse gram, jaggery,
liver

For the formation of bones Banana, tapioca,

Calcium,
and teeth, and the functioning yam, leafy vegetables,
Phosphorus
of muscles and nerves. milk products.

Sodium Retains water Common salt

needed in the body.

For the proper functioning Sea foods, iodized

Iodine of the thyroid gland, and for salt, head of sea
mental development. fish.

$ The deficiency of which element causes anaemia in a child?

$ What are the health hazards caused by the lack of leafy vegetables in
the diet?
Haven’t you now understood the importance of minerals even though they
are required in small quantities? Prepare notes and record them in your science
diary.
See ‘Doctor classroomil’ in School Resources in IT@School, Edubuntu.

Nutrient Deficiency Diseases

The deficiency of nutrients causes retardation of growth and many other
diseases. Such diseases are called nutrient deficiency diseases.

Didn’t you earlier learn about certain diseases caused by the deficiency of
protein? Take note of a few diseases caused by the deficiency of vitamins and
minerals.

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 Basic Science - VI

Nutrient factor Deficiency Disease Symptom

Vitamin A Night Blindness Difficulty to see in dim light
Vitamin B Mouth sores Lesions in the mouth
Vitamin C Scurvy Pus and bleeding of gums
Vitamin D Rickets Bones become brittle and bend
Iron Anaemia Lack of blood, paleness
Iodine Goitre Swelling in the throat
Analyse the table and write your inferences in the science diary.

Non-nutrient factors
Non-nutrient factors like water and fibre are also to be included in the diet
besides nutrient factors. Examine their importance.

Water Fibres
Water constitutes two-third of our Fibres are a kind of carbohydrate
body weight; 85% of brain, 90% which are available in vegetarian food
of blood and 25% of bones. Water and cannot be digested by the body.
acts as the medium for many They are mainly composed of cellulose.
physiological activities including Though they provide no nutrients to
digestion. About 2.5 litres of water the body, they help in the movement
is lost from our body through of excretory materials in the large
urine, sweat etc. So a large quantity intestine. Cereals containing bran, leafy
of pure water has to be drunk. vegetables, vegetables, stem and bud of
the plantain, etc., are very rich sources
of fibre.

$ How much water do you drink everyday?

$ What are the food items that provide water to your body?
$ What are the problems caused by the excessive intake of food made of
maida flour which contains very little fibre?
Haven’t you now understood the different nutrient factors and their
importance?

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 Basic Science - VI

While selecting food

And I have been

I have been eating
eating only the
only tasty food all
food I like.
these years.

Did you notice the conversation? Do you get all the nutrients by eating only
the food you like? What is your opinion? Notice the illustration given below.
Do you think that we have to
..................................
take all types of food in equal
..................................
quantity?
..................................

oil, ghee

les,
y v e g e t a b a, puttu, dosa,
l e a f t, banan s chappathi,
carro v e g e t a b l e rice, tapioca,
,
Balanced diet guava sweet potato
green gram,
Food that contains all nutrients in fish, bengal
required quantities is termed as balanced gram, milk,
diet. dal, egg,
meat

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 Basic Science - VI

What are the things to be considered while preparing a routine menu chart?
Examine the food charts prepared by three students.
Time Anil Mini Sinan
Morning Idli Parotta Idli
Sambar Egg Curry Chutney
Milk Milk
Noon Rice Rice Rice
Peas Curry Chicken Curry Fish Curry
Amaranthus Sambar
Fish
Night Banana Chappathi Chappathi
Chappathi Potato Curry Egg Curry
Vegetable Kuruma
Whose food chart is more balanced? Why?
Can you prepare diverse, balanced food charts?
Make use of the following tables and the matters discussed so far for data
collection.

Tubers and Leafy vegetables

Vitamin (mg) Minerals (mg)
Food Item C Calcium Phosphorus Iron
A B1 B2
100 g
Tapioca 0 0.05 0.10 25 50 0 0.9
Yam 260 0.06 0.07 0 50 38 0.6
Taro 24 0.09 0.03 0 40 88 1.7
Baby yam 10 0.10 0.01 15 12 53 0.8
Curry leaves 7560 0.08 0.01 4 813 57 7.0
Taro leaf stalk 104 0.07 0.07 3 60 20 0.05
Taro leaf 10278 0.22 0.26 12 227 82 10.0
Pea leaf 6072 0.05 0.18 4 290 58 20.1
Moringa leaves 6780 0.06 0.05 220 440 80 7.0
Plantain bud 27 0.05 0.02 16 32 0 1.6

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 Basic Science - VI

Fruits
Fruits Carbohydrate Protein Fat Calcium Iron
(100 g) (mg) (mg) (mg) (mg) (mg)
Banana 10 200 400 50 153
Small plantain 24700 1100 100 10 0.5
Cashew apple 11600 200 100 10 48
Grapes 10000 1000 100 10 0.2
Guava 14500 1500 200 10 1.0
Jackfruit 18900 1900 100 20 0.5
Mango 11800 1500 100 10 0.3
Papaya 9500 50 100 10 0.4
Pineapple 12000 600 100 20 0.9

Recipe
Avial
Ingredients: Cucumber, drumstick, carrot, yam,
papaya, tender plantain, coccinea (Kovaikka), pea,
curd (½ cup each), ground coconut and green chili –
2 cups, coconut oil – 3 table spoons, curry leaves, salt
and turmeric powder.
Method of preparation: Cut vegetables into long
and narrow slices. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and salt for taste. Cook it in
a flat vessel. Add the ground coconut and green chilly to the scraps. After taking it out
from the stove, add curd and stir. Then add coconut oil and curry leaves, stir gently
and close the vessel.

Is Avial included in the food chart you prepared?

What all nutrients do you get when Avial is included in your food? You might
have understood the nutrients present in various food materials. Is it necessary
to change your food habit in order to get all the nutrients in required quantity?

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 Basic Science - VI

Record your inferences in the science diary. Discuss the findings at home and
try to implement it.

The learner can

$ recognize and tabulate nutritious food and the nutrients in them.
$ recognize the concept of balanced diet and prepare food charts.
$ find out causes of deficiency diseases and suggest remedies.
$ bring about required changes in the food habit.

1. Arrange the nutrients given below based on the quantity in which they
are required (from higher amount to lower).
[Protein, Minerals, Carbohydrate, Fat.]

2.

Minerals and We get vitamins

vitamins are needed and minerals in
only in small quantity. required quantities
Then isn't it enough only by having
that we eat very little plenty of fruits and
fruits and vegetables? vegetables.

Analyse the two statements. What is your inference?

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 Basic Science - VI

3. Complete the illustration adding more information.

Nutrients

Carbohydrate

$ Rice $ $ $ $
$ Wheat $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
4. Prepare a questionnaire to conduct an interview with a doctor to get
more information about deficiency diseases.

1. The approximate height and weight required, in relation

to the age, is indicated in the table. Find out your height
and weight. Compare it with the information given in
the table.
Boy Girl
Age
Height (cm) Weight (kg) Height (cm) Weight (kg)
11 140 32.2 142 33.7
12 147 37 148 38.7
13 153 40.9 150 44
14 160 47 155 48
15 166 52.6 161 51.5
2. Collect recipes of various food items and prepare a
special booklet.
3. Prepare suggestions to make the midday meal at
school more balanced and submit it to your
Headmaster.
72