PRESIDENCY SCHOOL - ICSE

Grade: 9 Subject: EVS

WORKING OF ECOSYSTEM
LESSON NO 3

Q.1. Answer in short:- (2 marks each)

1. Define:- Food web. Give example of food web.

Ans:- A network of many food chains is called food web.
Ex:- Grass cricket  frog  owl
• Grass  mouse  hawk
• Grass  mouse  owl
• Grass  mouse  snake  hawk
• Grass  deer  tiger

2. What is grazing web?

Ans:- GRAZING WEB:-
• A trophic web that is based on the consumption of the tissues
of living organisms.
• The planktons or green plants are producers and the source of
energy.

3. Energy flow in the ecosystem is unidirectional. Explain.

Ans:- ENERGY FLOW IS UNIDIRECTIONAL:-
• The producers obtain the energy from sun and turn it into
chemical or potential energy during photosynthesis.
• This energy is passed on to the consumers and then to the
decomposers.
• The flow of energy is unidirectional as it cannot retrace its path
back.
 • The solar energy once trapped by the chlorophyll cannot
retrace its path back to the sun.
• Similarly the energy passed on to the consumers and the
decomposers also cannot retrace their path back.
• solar energy autotrophs heterotrophs
4. What is production?
Ans:- PRODUCTION:- The conversion of solar energy into
chemical or potential energy by the process of photosynthesis in
green plants.

5. What is detrital web?

Ans:- DETRITAL WEB:-
• Detrital ecosystems are community based around detritus or
the remnants of dead organisms.
• Ex:- A forest of mangrove trees.
• Mangrove leaves (detritus)  crabs/shrimps  small fishes
 large fishes.

Q.2. Answer in brief :- (5 marks each)

1. Define :- Trophic level. Explain the four trophic level in a food

chain.
Ans:- The trophic level of an organism is the position it holds in a
food chain.
• Primary producers are the organisms that make their own
food from sunlight and form the base of every food chain.
These organisms are called autotrophs.
• Primary consumers are animals that eat primary
producers, they are also called herbivores (plant eaters) ex:-
deer, cow, grasshopper, etc.
 • Secondary consumers are the animals that eat primary
consumers. They are carnivores (meat eaters) and
omnivores (animals that eat both animals and plants) ex:-dog,
wolf, snake, tiger, etc.
• Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers. These can
also be called top consumers or top predators. ex:- lion,
tiger, eagle, etc.
• Food chain end with top predators, animals that have little or
no natural enemies.

2. What is a food pyramid? What are its types?

Ans:- The study of trophic relationships indicate that starting from
the producers one finds a regular decrease in the properties or
characters (such as number, energy and biomass) of the organisms
occupying a trophic level in a food chain.
When graphically represented these relationships give a shape of a
pyramid with a broad base and tapering apex. Such a pyramid is
known as a ecological or food pyramid.
TYPES OF FOOD PYRAMIDS
• Pyramid of number
• Pyramid of biomass
• Pyramid of energy

3. What is meant by pyramid of number? Explain upright and

inverted pyramid of number with the help of a diagram. Write food
chain for it.
Ans:- PYRAMID OF NUMBER:- It indicates the numerical
relationship between the producers, herbivores and carnivores at
successive trophic level.
 • UPRIGHT PYRAMID OF NUMBER:- (draw diagram from text
book)
• EX:- Grass grasshopper  frog  snake
• In a grassland ecosystem, the producers are grasses which are
maximum in number.
• The primary consumers i.e herbivores (grasshopper) are lesser
in number than the grasses.
• The secondary consumers (frog) are lesser in number than
primary consumers (grasshopper).
• The tertiary consumers (snake) are least in number.
• INVERTED PYRAMID OF NUMBER:- (draw diagram from text
book)
• EX:- Tree  birds  parasites  hyperparasites
• In a parasitic food chain for example oak tree, the large tree
(producer) provides food to several herbivores birds.
• These birds (primary consumers) feed on the fruits bore by
these trees.
• The bird support still larger population of parasites (secondary
consumers)
• Parasites in turn support much larger population of hyper
parasites (tertiary consumers) leading to the formation of an
inverted pyramid.

4. What is meant by pyramid of biomass? Explain upright and

inverted pyramid of biomass with the help of a diagram. Write food
chain for it.
Ans:- Pyramid of biomass:- An ecological pyramid of biomass shows
the relationship between biomass and trophic level by quantifying
the amount of biomass present at each level.
 • UPRIGHT PYRAMID OF BIOMASS:- (draw diagram from text
book)
• Ex:- Grass  grasshopper  frog  snake
• The biomass of producer is more than the biomass of primary
consumer i.e herbivores.
• The biomass of primary consumer i.e herbivores is more than
that of secondary consumers i.e carnivores.
• The biomass of secondary consumers in turn is greater than
that of tertiary consumer.
• INVERTED PYRAMID OF BIOMASS:- (draw diagram from text
book)
• Ex:- Marine organisms crustaceans  small fishes  large
fish
• The biomass of the producers is less than the biomass of
primary consumers i.e herbivores.
• The biomass of primary consumers is less than that of the
secondary consumers i.e carnivores.
• The biomass of secondary consumers is less than that of
tertiary consumers.

5. Why is the pyramid of energy always upright? Explain it with the

help of diagram. (draw diagram from text book)
Ans:- The pyramid of energy indicates the amount of energy flow
at each trophic level in the ecosystem as well as the role played by
different organisms in the transfer of energy.
• Whenever there is transfer of energy from one trophic level to
the other, there is some loss of energy through release of heat
energy due to metabolic activities.
 • Greater amount of energy is available at producer level than
primary consumer i.e herbivore level
• Primary consumer have more energy than the energy available
at secondary consume .
• Secondary consumer have more energy than tertiary
consumer.
• Thus pyramid of energy is always upright.

SOIL AND LAND

LESSON NO 10
Q.1. Answer in short:- (2 marks each)

1. What is desertification?
Ans:- Desertification a type of land degradation in which a
relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid and loose its
bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by
factors such as climate change and human activities.

2. What is meant by soil erosion?

Ans:- The removal of the top fertile layer of soil due to agents like
rain, wind, human activities like deforestation, wrong agricultural
practices, developmental activities, etc is called soil erosion.

3. What is meant by sustainable use of resource?

Ans:- Sustainable use of resources means use of natural
resources (air, water and soil) rationally and equitably keeping in
mind their respectability without degrading them.
4. Why is soil considered as a resource?
Ans:-
 Soil supports the growth of plants which give us food.
• It also provides us with other basic requirements of life i.e
clothing, shelter, medicines, etc.
• Hence, soil is one of the most important life supporting
resource.

5. How can deforestation lead to climate change?

Ans:- Climate change:- The forests are the natural sink for CO2.
The forests absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. Continuous
deforestation is shaping climate of the earth. When the forests are
cut down there is less absorption of CO2 which remains in the
atmosphere and causes green house effect & global warming,
leading to climate change.

6. How can deforestation lead to loss of biodiversity?

Ans:- Forest is a natural home (habitat) for many plants and
animals. Many species of flora and fauna loss their habitat due to
cutting of forests. Thus there is loss of biodiversity due to
deforestation.

7. How can deforestation affect hydrological cycle?

Ans:- The trees absorb water from soil and release it into the
atmosphere through the process of transpiration. This water
released by the trees contributes to cloud formation and thus
bringing rainfall. Deforestation results in decrease in rainfall in the
area.
Q.2. Answer in brief :- (5 marks each)
1. Define:- Deforestation. Mention four causes of deforestation.
Ans:- Deforestation is clearance or removal of a forest or stand of
trees where the land is thereafter converted to non-forest use. Ex:
conversion of forestland to farms, ranches or urban use.
Four causes of deforestation:-
 Industrialization acquires a lot of forest land and use up a lot of
timber.
• Timber is required to fulfill the demands of the growing
population, thus results in deforestation. Industrial logging is a
great contributor to global deforestation.
• Conversion of forest into agricultural land to cater to the
demands of the growing population.
• Urbanization is also grabbing up a lot of forest land.
2. List five ways of combating deforestation.
Ans:-
• The first and foremost step would be stop deforestation.
• Afforestation which means to plant trees especially in the areas
where the trees have been cut down.
• Community forestry programmes which involves the local
people in forest conservation programme help in increasing
the forest cover.
• Practicing joint forest management in partnership with local
people conserves the forests.
• Celebrating Van Mahotsav, the tree planting festival to drive
tree consciousness amongst people.
3. Write five effects of deforestation.
Ans:-
• Climate change:-The forests absorb CO2 during
photosynthesis. When the forests are cut down there is less
absorption of CO2 which remains in the atmosphere and causes
green house effect & global warming, leading to climate
change.
• Natural calamities:- Deforestation raises the temperature of
the earth and causes unpredictable natural disasters. Ex:-
sudden flood, cyclones, hurricanes, drought, etc. Deforestation
could be one of the major contributors to the recent increase in
natural calamities.
• Effects the hydrological cycle:- The trees absorb water from
soil and release it into the atmosphere through the process of
transpiration. This water released by the trees contributes to
cloud formation and thus bringing rainfall. Deforestation
results in decrease in rainfall in the area.
• Soil erosion:- Trees intercept the runoff and increase the
infiltration of water into the soil. Deforestation increases rates
of soil erosion, by increasing the amount of runoff and
reducing the protection of the soil from tress litter. Thus the
soil becomes prone to erosion by wind and water.
• Loss of biodiversity:- Many species of flora and fauna loss
their habitat due to cutting of forests. Thus there is loss of
biodiversity due to deforestation.

4. What is community forestry? Write three benefits of community

forestry.
Ans:- It is a branch of forestry where local communities play a
significant role in forest management and land use decisions. It
involves the participation of local communities, government and
NGOs at a time. India has developed its own models of community
forestry in form of Joint Forest Management, Social Forestry and
Agro Forestry.
Three benefits of community forestry are:-
• It promotes sense of ownership and control amongst people.
• It creates better network amongst people and encourages
social participation.
• It encourages sharing of ideas, knowledge and innovations.

5. Explain the following three models of community forestry.

a. Joint forest management b. Social forestry c. Agro forestry
Ans:-
a. Joint forest management:- It is way to combat deforestation. It
refers to the model of forest management in which the local
communities are involved in the planning and conservation
programs, on forests managed by the government. Under JFM,
village communities are entrusted with the protection and
management of nearby forests. The areas concerned are
usually degraded or even deforested areas.

b. Social forestry:- It is conversion of wasteland and common

government land including planting of trees or pasture
development on village common lands, roadsides, along
railways and canal ridges into forests with the help of local
[Link] local people have a say in deciding the type of
plantation. Can sell the products of the forest and gain
economic benefits.

c. Agro forestry:- Planting trees along the agricultural fields

increases the tree cover.
 Agro forestry is a community forestry where agriculture is
practiced along with tree plantation and animal husbandary.

6. Explain five natural causes of soil erosion.

Ans:-
 Torrential rains loosen and remove the soil particles by the
impact raindrop splash.
 Gully erosion is when soil is washed away by the fast flowing
rain water on the hill slope cutting deep channels.
 Movement of winds cause soil erosion mostly in arid and semi
arid regions, where the soil particles are already dry and loose.
• Meandering or changing of the course of river also causes
erosion.
• Movement of snow or glaciers causes erosion of soil
underneath by abrasion, plucking and ice thrusting.

7. Explain any five human activities that cause soil erosion.

Ans:-
• Deforestation:- The roots of the trees hold and bind the soil. It
also helps the soil in absorbing rain water as the water
percolates through the sides of the roots. Thus, when the trees
are cut down the soil becomes loose and exposed to erosion by
agents like water and wind.
• Over grazing:- The cattle graze on a piece of land repeatedly,
uprooting or eating away even roots. The grasses have no
scope to regenerate, rendering the land to become completely
denuded. The soil is thus susceptible to erosion by water and
wind.
• Wrong agricultural practices:- These include injudicious use
of inputs like water, fertilizers, pesticides etc which renders
 the soil infertile which support no vegetation. Farming on
unsuitable terrains and soil compaction by agricultural
machineries also make the top soil vulnerable to erosion.
• Over use of land for growing crops:- The growing population
needs more food to satisfy the hunger of the people. The
growing demand of food leads to intensive farming. The soil
gets exhausted of all its nutrients after few years and
eventually does not support any vegetation. This may lead to
soil erosion.
• Improper land use and mining activities:- If done without
land reclamation or afforestation also can account for soil
erosion.

GREEN EFFECT AND OZONE DEPLIETION

LESSON NO 9

Q.1. Answer in short:- (2 marks each)

1. What is a weather?
Ans:-
 Weather is the day to day condition of the atmosphere at a
place.
• It is the metrological condition calculated for a short period of
time i.e. 24 hrs where daily temperature, pressure, wind,
humidity, precipitation, etc is studied.
2. What is a climate?
Ans:-
• Climate is a wide term which gives the weather conditions for a
long period of time.
• The average of temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind etc is
calculated for a long period, maybe 10 year and a general
climatic condition of the place is derived.

3. Name the gases responsible for green house effect.

Ans:- The gases mainly responsible for the green house effect are
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases, water
vapour and ozone.

4. Name the substances that cause ozone depletion.

Ans:- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochloroflorocarbons
(HCFC), Methyl bromide, Halons, Methyl chloroform, Nitrous oxide,
etc.

5. What is a green house effect?

Ans:-
• The Sun powers Earth's climate, radiating energy at very short
wavelengths.
• Roughly one- third of the solar energy that reaches the top of
Earth’s atmosphere is reflected directly back into the space.
• The remaining two—thirds are absorbed by the surface and,
to a lesser extent, by the atmosphere.
• Since, the Earth is much colder than the Sun, it radiates at
much longer wavelengths, primarily in the infrared part of the
spectrum.
 • Much of this thermal radiation emitted by the land and ocean is
absorbed by the atmosphere, including clouds, and reradiated
back to Earth.
• This is called the greenhouse effect.

6. Write a short note on:- Montreal Protocol.

Ans:-
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer
• It is a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of
the Ozone Layer is an international treaty
• It is designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the
production of substances that are responsible for ozone
depletion.
• The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987.
• It provides a timetable on which the production of those
substances must be phased out and eventually eliminated.

Q.2. Answer in brief :- (5 marks each)

1. What is global warming? List four effects of global warming.

Ans:- The increase in green houses gases causes increase in the
global temperature. This is known as global warming.
Four effects of global warming are:-
• The rise in temperature due to global warming is causing the
polar ice cap to melt which would in turn raise the sea level.
• The increase in the sea level would submerge many costal
lands and islands.
• The instances of sudden unpredicted floods, droughts and
cyclones have risen.
• Many species sensitive to temperature change would become
extinct.
2. What is ozone? In which part of the atmosphere is it found?
What is the important role of ozone layer?
Ans:-
• Ozone is a bluish coloured gas which contains three molecules
of oxygen.
• Ozone is found in the layer of atmosphere known as
stratosphere between 15 to 50 kms above the earth's surface.
• The ozone is more concentrated between 20 to 25 kms of the
stratosphere; hence this layer is called ozone layer.
• The ozone layer prevents the ultra violet radiation from the
sun to enter the earth.
• Thus, the ozone layer acts as a protective shield against the
harmful ultra violet radiation.

3. Write briefly on any five sources of green houses gases.

Ans:-
• Energy supply- The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for
electricity and heat is the largest single source of global
greenhouse gas emissions.
• Industry- Different types of industries release different types
of gases from their chemical processes and also during in site
energy production.
• Deforestation- Trees absorb carbon dioxide during
photosynthesis. Hence they act as carbon sink. Thus
deforestation leads to an increase in carbon dioxide.
• Change in land use pattern- Clearing of the forest and other
lands for agriculture or infrastructure development results in
increase in green house gases.
• Transportation— Use of fossil fuel in the automobile results
in the release of green house gases.

4. What are the harmed caused by ozone depletion?

Ans:-
• It causes skin cancer, especially in fair skinned people.
• It causes cataract in humans and even animals.
• The UV rays weaken the immune system.
• They damage the crops and decrease the agricultural
productivity.
• Extra ultraviolet B radiation reaching Earth inhibits the
reproductive cycle of phytoplankton, which make up the
bottom rung of the food chain.

5. Write five ways to control ozone depletion.

Ans:-
• Phase out the technology using CFC instead use products made
of CFC free chemicals.
• Eliminate production and release of known ozone depleting
chemicals such as CFCs and HCFCs where ever possible.
• Ensure technicians repairing the refrigerator or air conditioner
recover and recycle the old CFCs so they are not released into
the atmosphere.
• Vehicle air conditioning units, AC, refrigerators should
regularly be checked for leaks.
• Awareness activities should be conducted in schools, societies,
public places etc activities to increase and initiate local action.
 COMPONENTS OF ECOSYSTEM
LESSON NO 2
Q.1. Answer in short:- (2 marks each)

1. Define:- a. Ecology b. Environment

Ans:-
a. Ecology :- Ecology is defined as the scientific study of
relationship of living organism with respect to each other and
its natural environment.

b. Environment:- Environment can be defined as the sum total of

all the forces, materials and influences around us at a given
point of time and place.

2. Difference between micro nutrients and macro nutrients.

Ans:-
• Macro nutrients:- The nutrients that are required in large
quantities are known as macro nutrients. Ex:- carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and potassium.
• Micro nutrients:- The nutrients that are required in small
quantities are known as micro nutrients. Ex:- copper,
manganese, selenium, zinc, boron, molybdenum, etc

3. Write about any two ecological factors that affect living

organisms.
Ans:- There are certain ecological factors that affect the living
organisms. These are:
• Climatic factors like light, temperature, wind, rainfall,
humidity and gases present in the atmosphere.
• Edaphic factors or soil factors such as inorganic minerals,
organic matter, soil water and soil air.
 • Topographic factors like altitudes, steepness and direction of
slope, distance from the sea or oceans, presence of rivers etc.

4. What are the two broad categories of species interaction?

Ans:- The interactions can be broadly be classified into two broad
categories:
• 1. Positive interaction- these interactions are beneficial to both
the organisms and harmful to none of them.
• 2. Negative interaction — these interactions are harmful to one
of the organisms or both organisms.

5. What is neutralism? Give examples.

Ans:-
• Neutralism describes the relationship between two species
that interact but do not affect each other.
• It describes interactions where the health of one species has
absolutely no effect whatsoever on that of the other.
• It may also be referred as lack of interaction between
individuals of different species.
• Examples: Rabbits, deer, frogs, live together in grassland with
no interaction between them.

6. Write a short note on ecological niche.

Ans:-
• The ecological niche involves both the place where an
organism lives and the roles that an organism plays in its
habitat. In short niche is how an organism makes a living.
• The ecological niche describes how an organism or population
responds to the distribution of resources and competitors and
how it in turn alters those same factors.
 • For example, the ecological niche of a sunflower growing in
the backyard includes absorbing light, water and nutrients,
providing shelter and food for other organisms (e.g. bees, ants,
etc.), and giving off oxygen into the atmosphere.

7. Write two causes of extinction.

Ans:-
• Species that is unable to survive or reproduce in its
environment and unable to move to a new environment, dies
out and becomes extinct.
• Spread of disease and epidemic.
• Global warming

8. What is meant by co-evolution?

Ans:-
• The term co evolution is used to describe cases where two or
more species reciprocally affect each other’s evolution.
• Co evolution occurs when in adapting to their environments,
two or more organisms evolve together.
• For example, an evolutionary change in a plant, might affect an
herbivore that eats the plant, which in turn might affect the
evolution of the plant, which might affect the evolution of the
herbivore...and so on.

9. What is meant by synergism?

Ans:- The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations,
substances or other agents to produce a combined effect greater
than the sum of their separate effects is called synergism.
10. Difference between:- Intraspecific interactions and Interspecific
interactions.
Ans:-
• Intraspecific interactions —It is the interaction between
individuals of same species.
• Interspecific interactions— it is the interaction between
individuals of different species.

Q.2. Answer in brief :- (5 marks each)

1. write a note on:-
a. Liebig Law of Minimum b. Predation
Ans:-
a. Liebig Law of Minimum :-
 It states that growth is controlled not by the total amount of
resources available, but by the scarcest resource.
 This concept was originally applied to plant or crop growth
 It was found that increasing the amount of macro nutrients did
not increase plant growth.
 Only by increasing the amount of the micro nutrients or
limiting nutrient (the one scarcest in relation to "need") was
the growth of a plant or crop improved.
 The elements such as copper, manganese, selenium, zinc,
molybdenum, boron, silicon often serve as limiting factor to
affect the survival, growth and propagation of the organism.

b. Predation:-
 Predation is a biological interaction where a predator (an
organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that
is attacked).
  In predation one organism kills and consumes other.
 Predation maintains the population in ecosystem.
 Ex:-the wolves hunting moose, owls hunting mice, lion hunting
deer etc.

2. Define:- Ecosystem. Explain elaborately the divisions of ecosystem

giving appropriate examples.
Ans:- Ecosystem is defined as a self sustaining and self regulatory
structural and functional unit of biosphere.
• Natural ecosystem is self regulating system without any direct
human interference and manipulation. For example, forest
ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, desert ecosystem, marine
ecosystem, pond ecosystem etc.
• Artificial ecosystems are ecosystems created by man. For
example garden, zoo, aquarium etc.

3. Explain the relationship between species, population and

community.
Ans:-
• A species is defined as the largest group of organisms capable
of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
• The number of organisms of the same species living in a
particular area at a particular time is known as the population
of that particular species.
• The population of all species of different organisms living in a
particular area makes up its community.

4. Explain the following two types positive interaction:-

a. Mutualism b. Commensalism.
Ans:-
a. Mutualism:-
 It is an interaction between members of two species that
benefit both.
 The growth and survival of both the species is benefited and
neither can survive without each other under natural
conditions.
 Ex:- The nitrogen fixing bacteria present in the nodules of
nitrogenous plants and have symbiotic relations with the plant.
The bacteria obtain carbohydrate and other substances from
the leguminous plant and the plant gets nitrogen fixed by the
bacteria.

b. Commensalism:-
 ln ecology, commensalism is a class of relationship between
two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is
neutral (there is no harm or benefit).
 Commensalism is a relation between individuals of two species
in which one species obtains food or benefits from the other
without either harming or benefiting the latter.
 Ex:- The epiphytes grow on other living plants instead of soil.
They obtain sunlight, air and dampness from surface of the
host plant.

5. Explain the following two types of negative interaction:-

a. Parasitism b. competition
Ans:-
a. Parasitism:-
• In parasitism, an individual organism (parasite) consumes
nutrients from another organism (its host) resulting in
decrease in fitness to the host.
 • Parasites can cause disease in the host organism; in these
situations, we refer to them as pathogens.
• Examples of parasites:- flukes, tapeworms, fungi, bacteria, and
protozoa.

[Link]:-
 Competition is an interaction between organisms or species, in
which the fitness of one is lowered by the presence of another.
 There is a competition for limited supply of at least one
resource (such as food, water and territory) used by both the
organisms.
 Ex:- large fishes feeding on small fishes.

6. What is extinction? Write four effects of extinction.

Ans:- Extinction is the end of an organism or group of taxa.
Four effects of extinction are:-
• Each species is a link in the food chain, which means the
extinction of a certain species leads to the disturbance in the
whole food chain and the entire ecosystem.
• Affects biodiversity of the ecosystem.
• Species provide economic value in the form of food crops, fuel
wood, lumber, paper, and medicine. The extinction of species
will lead to economic loss of a country.
• The plants and animals of the earth are also important because
of the recreational pleasure they provide us. The extinction of
species will lead to loss of asthetic value of the nature.
 AIR POLLUTION
LESSON NO 8

Q.1. Answer in short:- (2 marks each)

[Link] between primary pollutants and secondary pollutants.
Ans:-
• PRIMARY POLLUTANTS:-
• The pollutants that are released directly into the
atmosphere and persist (remains) in the atmosphere in
the form in which they are emitted are called primary
pollutants.
• Ex:- Ash, smoke, dust, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and
sulphur, methane etc.

• SECONDARY POLLUTANTS:-
• The pollutants those are formed by chemical interaction
between primary pollutants and constituents that are
already present in the atmosphere are known as secondary
pollutants.
• Ex:- Ozone, sulphur trioxide, Peroxyacetyl Nitrate(PAN), acids
like sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, nitric acid etc.

2. Write two effects of acid rain on aquatic life.

Ans:- Effects on aquatic life:-
• A pH of 5 does not allow the eggs of fishes to hatch.
• A pH lower than 5 even kills the fishes affecting the
biodiversity.
• Acid can kill the symbiotic algae on the corals resulting in the
death of corals.
3. Difference between natural and anthropogenic sources of air
pollution.
Ans:-
• Natural sources of air pollution:-These are the pollutants
that are caused due to occurrence of natural phenomenon like
volcanic eruptions, dust storms, forest fire, cyclone etc.
• Anthropogenic sources:- These are the pollutants that are
released due to human activities such as industries,
automobiles, thermal power plants, burning of waste, nuclear
experiments, brick kilns etc.

4. Write two effects of ground level or bad ozone.

Ans:-Effects:-
• Irritation of eyes.
• Aggravates asthma and bronchitis
• Harms sensitive vegetation and ecosystem.

5. Lead is one of the most hazardous pollutant. Explain.

Ans:-
• In Early childhood it can cause- low cognitive development and
learning deficits
• It severally damages the brain and kidneys.
• High amount of Lead can cause gastro intestinal symptoms.
• Large dosage of some lead compounds may cause cancer.
6. Write two effects of thermal inversion.
Ans:- Effects:-
• It trap pollutants at ground level instead of circulating them
away. It can lead to pollution such as smog which is trapped
close to the ground.
• An inversion act like a cap. If this cap is broken can lead to
violent thunder storms. It can also result in freezing rain in
cold climates.

Q.2. Answer in brief :- (5 marks each)

1. Define:- Air pollution. Write four impacts of air pollution.
Ans:- The contamination of the air by pollutants like dust, smoke
and harmful gases which cause adverse effects on human beings,
plants, animals and the environment is called air pollution.
Four impacts of air pollution are:-
• Respiratory problems like Asthma, Bronchitis, Lung cancer, etc
in humans.
• Global warming increases pests and diseases in plants.
• Agricultural productivity decreases.
• Climate change can increase the instances of natural disasters
like sudden floods, drought, cyclones, etc.

2. Write a note on Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Ans:-
• A gas leak incident.
• World’s worst industrial disaster.
• Occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at UNION
CARBIDE INDIA LIMITED (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal.
• The chemicals released were methyl isocyanate (MIC)
• Effects:-
 • Gas started suffocating people, making them breathless,blinded
• Dead bodies of humans and animals lay on streets.
• Leaves turned black. Smell of burning chilli peppers lingered in
the air
• Severely affected Lungs, Brain, Eyes, Muscles, Gastro-intestinal
system, Neurological system, Reproductive System, Immune
system of the people who survived.
3. What is smog? Write its two sources and effects.
Ans:- Smog is the condition of atmosphere caused by the
combination of smoke and fog.
• Sources:-
• Smoke released by burning coal
• Automobile emission
• Effects:-
• Inflame respiratory tract
• Decrease the lungs working capacity

4. Write two sources and three effects of nitrogen oxides.

Ans:-
Sources:-
• Burning of fossil fuels in automobiles and industries.
• Chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
Effects:-
• Respiratory infections
• Nitrous Oxide is an ozone depleting gas.

5. Write two sources and three effects of sulphur oxides.

Ans:-
Sources:-
• Fossil fuel combustion at power plants
 • Burning of garbage.
Effects:-
• Irritation of eyes and throat.
• Sulphur dioxide have corrosive effect on building materials,
animals and people.

AIR POLLUTION &

WORKING OF ECOSYSTEM

Q.1. Answer in short:- (1 mark each)

1. Name any two core functions of ecosystem.
Ans - 1. Production 2. Consumption 3. Decomposition (Any 2)

2. What is smog?
Ans. Smog is the condition of atmosphere caused by the
combination of smoke and fog.

3. What are primary pollutants?

Ans. The pollutants that are released directly into the atmosphere
and persist in the atmosphere in the form in which they are emitted
are called primary pollutants.

4. What are catalytic converters?

Ans-
• It is an air pollution controlling device.
• It is used in automobiles
 • It help in complete oxidation of unburnt and partially burnt
hydrocarbons.
• It helps to control smog by converting:- Nitric oxide back to
nitrogen and oxygen.

5. What is cellular respiration?

Ans. Cellular respiration is the process by which the chemical
energy of food molecules is released and partially captured in the
form of ATP
OR
Ans. Cellular respiration is a process in which the energy in glucose
is transferred to ATP.

6. What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Ans. At high concentration carbon monoxide can cause death of a
person due to acute effects of formation of carboxyhemoglobin in
blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. This is often referred to as
carbon monoxide poisoning.

Q2. Answer in brief:- (2 marks each)

1. What are the effects of ground level ozone?
Ans.
 Ground level ozone can harm our health.
 Irritation of eyes.
 Aggravates asthma and bronchitis.
 Harms sensitive vegetation and ecosystem.
 2. Describe how domestic combustion is a major source of air
pollution.
Ans.
• Burning of chulahs or stoves cause air pollution, especially in
the rural areas where firewood is used for cooking and heating
purpose.
• Burning of garbage from the households also pollutes the
atmosphere.
• Pollutants released are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
sulphur oxides, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, etc.

3. What are the three core functions of ecosystem?

Ans. THREE CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE ECOSYSTEM
• PRODUCTION:- The conversion of solar energy into chemical
or potential energy by the process of photosynthesis in green
plants.
• CONSUMPTION:- It is the transfer of chemical energy produced
by the plants to other organisms through the process of eating
and being eaten.
• DECOMPOSITION:- It is the breaking down of organic matter to
recycle the material and release nutrients and energy in form
of heat.

4. Write the effects of nitrogen oxides.

Ans- Effects:-
• Irritates the lungs, Respiratory infections, Bronchitis, Lung
cancers
• Nitrogen Dioxide is a green house gas and causes global
warming.
• Nitrous Oxide is an ozone depleting gas.
• Contributes to acid rain.

5. Classify air pollutants according to the source of origin.

Ans

 Natural sources:- These are the pollutants that are caused due
to occurrence of natural phenomenon like volcanic eruptions,
dust storms, forest fire, cyclone etc.
 Anthropogenic sources:- These are the pollutants that are
released due to human activities such as industries,
automobiles, thermal power plants, burning of waste, nuclear
experiments, brick kilns etc.
6. Write any four effects of acid rain.
Ans

 Leaves of the plants get affected by the acid. Capacity to

photosynthesize food decrease.
 A pH of 5 does not allow the eggs of fishes to hatch.
 The soil ecosystem gets disturbed due to change of flora and
fauna.
 Productivity of the crops decrease.