Class 10 Maharashtra Board Chapter 6 Animal Classification – Complete SSC Science Notes

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16 Jun, 2025
Chapter 6 Animal Classification

Class 10 Maharashtra Board Chapter 6 Animal Classification – Complete SSC Science Notes

Welcome to this colourful and easy-to-understand article on Class 10 Maharashtra Board Chapter 6: Animal Classification. These notes follow the latest SSC Science textbook syllabus and explain each concept simply using keyword-rich headings, responsive tables, and engaging language.

🔍 Why Do We Need Animal Classification?

Classification helps us understand and study the vast diversity of animals. Scientists have classified millions of species based on similarities in structure, function, and origin.

Benefits of Classification:

  • 🧠 Easy to identify animals
  • 📚 Helps in studying evolutionary relationships
  • 🧪 Useful for scientific naming and research

🧬 Basis of Animal Classification

Animals are classified based on the following main criteria:

Criterion Explanation
Body Symmetry Asymmetrical, Radial, or Bilateral
Body Cavity (Coelom) Acoelomate, Pseudocoelomate, or Coelomate
Germ Layers Diploblastic or Triploblastic
Presence of Notochord Key for differentiating vertebrates and invertebrates

🔎 Invertebrates vs Vertebrates

🦋 Invertebrates (Animals without Backbone)

They make up about 95% of all animal species.

  • No vertebral column
  • Includes sponges, worms, insects, etc.

🦓 Vertebrates (Animals with Backbone)

Belong to the phylum Chordata. They have a well-developed nervous system and backbone.

  • Include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

📘 Animal Phyla – Invertebrate Groups

Phylum Key Features Examples
Porifera Pores, no true organs Sponge
Coelenterata (Cnidaria) Stinging cells, radial symmetry Hydra, Jellyfish
Platyhelminthes Flatworms, acoelomates Tapeworm
Nematoda Roundworms, pseudocoelomates Ascaris
Annelida Segmented worms, true coelom Earthworm, Leech
Arthropoda Exoskeleton, jointed legs Insects, Spider
Mollusca Soft body, shell Snail, Octopus
Echinodermata Spiny skin, radial symmetry Starfish

🧠 Characteristics of Chordates (Vertebrates)

  • Presence of notochord at some stage
  • Paired gill slits in pharynx
  • Dorsal nerve cord
  • Post-anal tail (in some)

Major Groups of Vertebrates:

Class Body Features Examples
Pisces Gills, fins, cold-blooded Rohu, Shark
Amphibia Moist skin, both land & water Frog, Toad
Reptilia Dry scales, lay eggs on land Snake, Lizard
Aves Feathers, warm-blooded Parrot, Eagle
Mammalia Hair, milk glands, warm-blooded Human, Tiger

📒 Summary – Animal Classification SSC Science Chapter 6

  • Classification helps simplify the study of animals
  • Based on body plan, symmetry, coelom, and notochord
  • Invertebrates lack a backbone, vertebrates have one
  • Vertebrates are divided into 5 major classes

❓ FAQ – Chapter 6: Animal Classification

🔎 Why is animal classification important?
It helps in understanding the similarities, differences, and evolutionary relationships among organisms.
🦋 What are invertebrates?
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone, like insects and worms.
🧬 What is the notochord?
It is a rod-like structure found in chordates that supports the body.
🐟 Name two examples of Pisces.
Rohu and Shark are two examples of Pisces.
🧪 Which animals have both gills and lungs?
Amphibians like frogs have gills in the larval stage and lungs as adults.

📥 Download Notes / Practice More

🎯 Click below to access helpful study material and test your knowledge:


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