Plants & Animals
Complete SSC GD Syllabus Coverage
Introduction
This topic includes classification of living organisms, plant parts and functions, animal groups, cell basics, nutrition, reproduction, adaptation, and other concepts frequently asked in SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, Police exams, and State-level exams.
This article covers all required content in simple language.
1. Classification of Living Organisms
Living organisms are classified into major kingdoms:
Five-Kingdom Classification (by R.H. Whittaker):
SSC GD mainly asks basic differences between plants and animals and common examples.
2. Cell – Basic Unit of Life
Definition:
All living organisms are made of cells.
Types of Cells:
Prokaryotic Cells
- Simple cells, no nucleus
- Example: bacteria
Eukaryotic Cells
- Have a true nucleus
- Examples: plants, animals
Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
| Feature | Plant Cell | Animal Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Wall | Present | Absent |
| Chloroplast | Present | Absent |
| Vacuoles | Large | Small |
| Shape | Fixed shape | Irregular |
3. Tissues
Plant Tissues:
- Meristematic tissue – for growth
- Permanent tissue – support and transport
Animal Tissues:
- Epithelial tissue – lining
- Connective tissue – bone, blood
- Muscular tissue – movement
- Nervous tissue – impulse
4. Plants – Structure and Functions
Plants have four main parts:
Roots
Stem
Leaves
Flowers
5. Roots
Functions:
- Absorb water and minerals
- Anchor plant
- Store food (in some plants)
Types:
- Tap root (mustard, mango)
- Fibrous root (wheat, rice)
6. Stem
Functions:
- Supports plant
- Transports water and food
- Stores food (sugarcane, potato is a stem tuber)
7. Leaves
Leaves are the site of photosynthesis.
Functions:
- Prepare food
- Exchange gases
- Transpiration (loss of water vapor)
Photosynthesis Details:
- Green pigment present: Chlorophyll
- Process: Photosynthesis
Equation (simple):
Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen
Factors needed:
Sunlight, chlorophyll, water, CO₂
8. Flower
Reproductive part of the plant.
Main parts:
- Sepals
- Petals
- Stamens (male part)
- Pistil/Carpel (female part)
Reproductive Parts:
Male part: Stamen
Contains anther, pollen grains
Female part: Pistil
Contains stigma, style, ovary
Ovary contains ovules
Pollination:
Transfer of pollen to stigma
Types:
- Self-pollination
- Cross-pollination
Key Processes:
- Fertilization: fusion of male and female gametes
- Fruit forms from: Ovary
- Seed forms from: Ovule
9. Plant Nutrition
Autotrophs
Prepare their own food (plants)
Heterotrophs
Depend on others (animals)
Types of plant nutrition:
10. Transport System in Plants
Xylem
Transports water
Upward transport
Phloem
Transports food
Both directions transport
11. Respiration in Plants
Plants take oxygen and release CO₂ during respiration. Photosynthesis produces oxygen.
12. Adaptations in Plants
Desert plants
Thick stems, spines (cactus)
Aquatic plants
Air cavities (lotus)
Mountain plants
Cone shape, needle leaves (pine)
13. Animals – Classification Basics
Vertebrates
Animals with backbone
Examples: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals
Invertebrates
Animals without backbone
Examples: insects, worms, jellyfish, octopus
14. Vertebrates – Main Groups and Features
Fish
- Live in water
- Breathe through gills
- Cold-blooded
- Lay eggs
Amphibians
- Live on land and water
- Breathe through lungs and skin
- Example: Frog
Reptiles
- Cold-blooded
- Lay eggs
- Scaly skin
- Examples: Snake, lizard, tortoise
Birds
- Warm-blooded
- Feathers and wings
- Lay eggs
- Hollow bones
- Examples: Crow, pigeon, eagle
Mammals
- Warm-blooded
- Give birth to young ones
- Mammary glands produce milk
- Have hair on body
- Examples: Humans, dogs, cows
15. Invertebrates – Overview
Major groups:
16. Animal Nutrition
17. Animal Reproduction
Oviparous
Lay eggs
Examples: birds, reptiles, fish
Viviparous
Give birth to young ones
Examples: mammals
18. Animal Adaptation Examples
19. Common Diseases in Plants and Animals
Plant Diseases:
- Rust (fungal)
- Blight (fungal)
- Citrus canker (bacterial)
- Red rot (sugarcane disease)
Animal Diseases:
- Foot and mouth disease
- Rabies
- Anthrax
- Bird flu
20. Important Biology Points Asked in SSC GD
- Plants make food by photosynthesis
- Chlorophyll gives green color
- Xylem transports water
- Phloem transports food
- Fruit develops from ovary
- Seed develops from ovule
- Insectivorous plants eat insects
- Vertebrates have backbone
- Mammals give birth and produce milk
- Bird bones are hollow
- Reptiles are cold-blooded
- Fish breathe through gills
21. Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Plant food | Made in leaves |
| Green pigment | Chlorophyll |
| Transport tissues | Xylem, phloem |
| Reproductive part | Flower |
| Pollination | Pollen transfer |
| Vertebrates | Backbone present |
| Mammals | Milk production |
| Birds | Lay eggs, feathers |
| Fish | Gills for breathing |
| Amphibians | Lives on land and water |
22. Memory Tricks for SSC GD
Flower parts:
- Male → Stamen
- Female → Pistil
Seed formation:
Ovule → seed
Plant transport:
- Xylem → water
- Phloem → food
Animal groups:
- Fish → gills
- Birds → feathers
- Mammals → milk
- Reptiles → scales
- Amphibians → water + land
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