Contents
Introduction:
Welcome to our online tutorial classes, where learning meets innovation! In this segment, we embark on an exciting journey into the realm of matter with our meticulously crafted NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Solutions on “Our Environment” Through these questions and answers, we aim to ignite your curiosity, deepen your understanding, and empower you with knowledge that transcends the boundaries of the classroom.
In NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13, “Our Environment”, we delve into the intricate relationship between humans and their surroundings. Key topics include the depletion of the ozone layer due to synthetic chemicals, waste management challenges, and the impact of lifestyle changes on the environment. Responsible choices are crucial for a sustainable future
NCERT Class 10 Science book:
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NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Overview
Chapter 13 of CBSE Class 10 Science, “Our Environment,” examines the interactions within ecosystems, emphasizing energy flow through food chains and webs. It highlights human impacts on the environment, focusing on ozone layer depletion due to CFCs and waste management challenges posed by non-biodegradable materials. The chapter details how UV radiation forms and depletes ozone and the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. It also encourages practical investigations into waste decomposition and the effectiveness of recycling. Overall, the chapter stresses the importance of sustainable practices to mitigate environmental issues.
With our expertly curated notes, you’ll be well-equipped to ace your NCERT Class 10 Science exams and embark on a lifelong journey of discovery and learning.
NCERT class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Solutions Part I
Question 1
What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.
Answer:
(a) in forest, (b) in
grassland and (c) in a
pond
Trophic levels represent different positions in a food chain or food web. They indicate an organism’s position in the transfer of energy within an ecosystem.
Each trophic level has a specific role:
Producers (Autotrophs): These are the first trophic level. They capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Examples include green plants.
Primary Consumers (Herbivores): These are the second trophic level. They feed directly on producers. Examples include plant-eating animals like deer or rabbits.
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores): These are the third trophic level. They feed on primary consumers. Examples include meat-eating animals like lions or hawks.
Tertiary Consumers (Top Carnivores): These are the fourth trophic level. They feed on other consumers. Examples include apex predators like eagles or sharks.
Example Food Chain:
Grass (Producer) → Grasshopper (Primary Consumer) → Frog (Secondary Consumer) → Snake (Tertiary Consumer)
Question 2
What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?
Answer:
- Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organic matter and waste products.
- They convert complex organic substances into simpler inorganic substances like nutrients and minerals, which are then released back into the soil and water.
- This process of decomposition recycles essential nutrients, making them available for uptake by producers (plants).
- Decomposers help maintain the flow of energy and matter in ecosystems, ensuring the natural replenishment of soil fertility and supporting the growth of plants.
- Without decomposers, ecosystems would accumulate dead organic matter and waste, leading to nutrient depletion and disruption of the food web.
NCERT class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Solutions Part II
Question 1
Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?
Answer:
Biodegradable Substances:
- Biodegradable substances are materials that can be broken down by natural processes involving microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
- These substances are typically organic, meaning they originate from living organisms or contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, which enzymes from decomposers can easily break down.
- Examples include food waste, paper, and natural fibers.
Non-Biodegradable Substances:
- Non-biodegradable substances are materials that cannot be easily broken down by natural processes.
- These substances are often synthetic or contain chemical structures that microorganisms cannot decompose effectively.
- Examples include plastics, glass, and certain chemicals.
- Their persistence in the environment is due to their resistance to biological degradation and sometimes to their chemical stability, which prevents breakdown under normal environmental conditions.
Question 2
Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Answer:
Nutrient Recycling:
Biodegradable substances decompose and release essential nutrients back into the soil, which are then used by plants for growth. This process maintains soil fertility and supports plant and microbial life, contributing to the overall health of ecosystems.
Pollution Reduction:
Since biodegradable substances break down naturally, they do not accumulate in the environment, thus reducing pollution. For example, decomposed organic matter in water bodies can enhance aquatic ecosystems by providing nutrients for aquatic plants and microorganisms.
Question 3
Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Answer:
Environmental Pollution:
Non-biodegradable substances, such as plastics, accumulate in the environment, leading to pollution. They can persist for hundreds of years, contaminating soil, waterways, and oceans, harming wildlife, and disrupting ecosystems. Marine animals, for example, can ingest plastic debris, leading to injury or death.
Chemical Leaching and Toxicity:
Non-biodegradable substances can release harmful chemicals into the environment over time. For instance, electronic waste (e-waste) contains heavy metals like lead and mercury, which can leach into the soil and groundwater, posing serious health risks to humans and wildlife through the food chain and water contamination.
NCERT class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Solutions Part III
Question 1
What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?
Answer:
Ozone (O₃):
- Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. It is found both at ground level and in the Earth’s upper atmosphere (stratosphere).
Effects on Ecosystems:
Stratospheric Ozone:
Stratospheric ozone forms the ozone layer, which is crucial for life on Earth as it absorbs and filters out the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Protection from UV Radiation:
- By blocking UV-B and UV-C rays, the ozone layer prevents these harmful radiations from reaching the Earth’s surface, protecting living organisms from DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression in humans, as well as adverse effects on wildlife and marine ecosystems.
- It also protects plants, which are sensitive to UV radiation, ensuring healthy crop yields and the stability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Ground-level Ozone:
- Ground-level ozone is a pollutant and a major component of smog.
Harmful Effects:
- It is harmful to human health, causing respiratory problems, aggravating asthma, and other lung diseases.
- It can damage crops, forests, and other vegetation, reducing agricultural productivity and harming biodiversity.
- It negatively affects ecosystems by interfering with the growth and reproduction of plants, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and thrive.
Question 2
How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.
Answer:
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle:
- Reduce:
- Minimise the amount of waste generated by choosing products with less packaging, buying in bulk, and avoiding single-use items.
- Implementing mindful consumption habits and preferring durable, long-lasting goods over disposable ones.
- Reuse:
- Repurpose items instead of throwing them away, such as using glass jars for storage, donating old clothes and toys, or upcycling furniture.
- Encourage the use of reusable bags, bottles, and containers to decrease waste generation.
- Recycle:
- Sort waste into recyclable categories such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal, and ensure they are sent to recycling facilities.
- Participate in or initiate community recycling programs to facilitate proper waste segregation and recycling efforts.
Composting:
- Household Composting:
- Set up a compost bin at home to convert kitchen scraps (like vegetable peels, fruit waste, and coffee grounds) and garden waste (like leaves and grass clippings) into nutrient-rich compost.
- Use this compost to enrich the soil in your garden, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable gardening practices.
- Community Composting:
- Engage in or support community composting initiatives, where organic waste from multiple households is collected and composted centrally.
- Encourage local authorities to provide composting facilities and educate the community about the benefits of composting and how to participate effectively.
By adopting these methods, individuals can significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, lower the environmental impact of waste, and contribute to a more sustainable and cleaner environment.
NCERT class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Solutions for Exercises
Question 1
Which of the following groups contain only biodegradable items?
(a) Grass, flowers and leather
(b) Grass, wood and plastic
(c) Fruit-peels, cake and lime-juice
(d) Cake, wood and grass
Answer:
(a) Grass, flowers and leather
Question 2
Which of the following constitute a food-chain?
(a) Grass, wheat and mango
(b) Grass, goat and human
(c) Goat, cow and elephant
(d) Grass, fish and goat
Answer:
(b) Grass, goat and human
Question 3
Which of the following are environment-friendly practices?
(a) Carrying cloth-bags to put purchases in while shopping
(b) Switching off unnecessary lights and fans
(c) Walking to school instead of getting your mother to drop you on her scooter
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) All of the above
Question 4
What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
Answer:
Disruption of Food Chains: Removing all organisms in one trophic level would disrupt the food chain and food web, as each level depends on the others for food and energy.
Impact on Predators: If a trophic level consisting of primary consumers (herbivores) is eliminated, predators (secondary consumers) will lose their food source, leading to starvation and a decline in their population.
Impact on Producers: If primary consumers are removed, producers (plants) might initially proliferate due to lack of herbivory, but could later face issues such as overgrowth and competition for resources.
Ecosystem Imbalance: The overall balance of the ecosystem would be disturbed, potentially leading to the collapse of the ecosystem if keystone species are affected.
Question 5
Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem?
Answer:
The impact varies depending on which trophic level is removed:
Producers: Removing producers would collapse the entire ecosystem, as they are the primary source of energy for all other levels.
Primary Consumers: Removing herbivores would affect both producers (by potential overgrowth) and secondary consumers (by starvation).
Secondary/Tertiary Consumers: Removing predators might lead to overpopulation of primary consumers, resulting in overgrazing and damage to vegetation.
No Trophic Level Can Be Removed Without Damage: Every trophic level plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Removing any trophic level would cause significant disruptions and lead to a cascade of negative effects throughout the ecosystem.
Question 6
What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?
Answer:
Biological Magnification: Biological magnification, or bioaccumulation, is the process where certain harmful chemicals (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals) increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.
Levels of Magnification: Yes, the levels of magnification will differ at various trophic levels:
Lower Trophic Levels: Primary producers and consumers will have lower concentrations of these chemicals.
Higher Trophic Levels: As these chemicals move up the food chain, their concentration increases, with top predators (including humans) having the highest levels.
Question 7
What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?
Answer:
Environmental Pollution: Non-biodegradable wastes, such as plastics, accumulate in the environment, leading to soil, water, and air pollution.
Harm to Wildlife: Wildlife can ingest or get entangled in non-biodegradable waste, leading to injury or death.
Disruption of Ecosystems: Persistent waste disrupts natural processes, harms ecosystems, and alters habitats.
Health Hazards: Non-biodegradable wastes can release toxic chemicals, leading to health problems for humans and animals.
Question 8
If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?
Answer:
Positive Impact: Biodegradable waste would generally have a less harmful impact on the environment as it can decompose naturally and be recycled back into the ecosystem.
Potential Negative Impact: Even biodegradable waste can have negative effects if not managed properly, such as:
Overload of Decomposition Processes: Excessive organic waste can overwhelm natural decomposition processes, leading to issues like methane production (a potent greenhouse gas).
Water Pollution: If not managed properly, biodegradable waste can leach into water bodies, causing eutrophication and harming aquatic life.
Question 9
Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?
Answer:
Cause for Concern:
- The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
- Depletion of the ozone layer increases the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression in humans, and can harm animals and plants.
Steps Being Taken:
- International Agreements: The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, aims to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
- Regulations and Alternatives: Countries have implemented regulations to reduce ODS emissions and promote the use of safer alternatives.
- Public Awareness: Efforts to raise awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and the need to avoid products that contribute to its depletion.
Engage and Excel
Our NCERT class 10 Science Chapter 13 ‘Our Environment’ Solutions offer a dynamic and interactive learning experience. Dive into engaging visuals, and interactive quizzes that bring the concepts of matter to life. With our user-friendly interface and comprehensive content, learning becomes not just effective but also enjoyable.
Join us on this captivating journey as we unravel the mysteries of matter in our surroundings. With our expertly curated notes, you’ll be well-equipped to ace your NCERT Class 10 Science exams and embark on a lifelong journey of discovery and learning.
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