Living World and Classification of Microbes

1) …………………..are found in soil, fresh water and

sea water.
A ) Protozao B ) Bacteria C ) Fungi
Ans A ) Protozao

2) Robert Harding Whittaker was an American

ecologist.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

3 ) Complexity of cell structure was one of the

criteria for Whittaker five kingdom classification.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

4) Photosynthesis in algae is carried out with the

help of.
A ) Chloroplasts
B ) Cilia
C ) Flagella
D ) Sporangiophores
Ans A ) Chloroplasts

5 ) Most of the algae are multicellular and visible to

the naked eye.
A ) False
B ) True
Ans B ) True

6 ) Which of the following is a group of eukaryotic,

multicellular organisms having cell wall?
A ) Monera B ) Protista C ) Animalia D ) Fungi
Ans D ) Fungi
7) Example of fungi A ) Penicillium
B ) Volvox
C ) Coccus
Ans A ) Penicillium

8 ) Salmonella typhi is a type of a bacteria.

A ) False
B ) True
Ans B ) True

9 ) Candida is an example of Algae.

A ) False
B ) True
Ans A ) False

10 ) Eukaryotic : Protozoa : : Prokaryotic : ……………

A ) Bacteria
B ) Algae
C ) Fungi
Ans A ) Bacteria

11 ) Classify the following kingdom as Eukaryotes or

Prokaryotes – Kingdom Protista
A ) Kingdom Protista – Eukaryotes
B ) Kingdom Protista – Prokaryotes
Ans A ) Kingdom Protista – Eukaryotes

12 ) are the organisms at the edge of living and non-

living.
A ) Protozoans
B ) Viruses
C ) Algae
D ) Bacteria
Ans B ) Viruses
14 ) Fungi are unicellular and multicellular.
A ) False
B ) True
Ans B ) True

15 ) Carl Linnaeus divided the living world into two

kingdoms.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

16 ) Who am I ?
Small rod-like microbe in curd.
A ) Staphylococcus bacteria
B ) Lactobacilli bacteria
Ans B ) Lactobacilli bacteria

17 ) Fungi are classified as decomposers based on

their life style.
A ) False
B ) True
Ans A ) False

18 ) Fermentation of milk is carried out by

A ) Streptococci
B) Lactobacilli
C) Plasmodium D ) Mycobacterium
Ans B ) Lactobacilli

19 ) Who am I ? Unicellular and contain chloroplast.

A ) Paramoecium
B ) Euglena
Ans B ) Euglena

20 ) causes amoebiasis.
A ) Entamoeba histolytica
B ) Plasmodium C ) Paramoecium D ) Influenza virus
Ans A ) Entamoeba histolytica

21 ) Organisms that feed upon decaying organic

matter.
A ) Protista B ) Fungi C ) Algae
Ans B ) Fungi

22 ) Saprotrophic in nature
A ) Bacteria
B ) Fungi
C ) Algae
Ans B ) Fungi

26) Organisms in kingdom Monera may be

autotrophic or heterotrophic.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

27 ) Viruses have long molecules of

A ) Only DNA
B ) Only RNA
C ) Both DNA or RNA
D ) Either DNA or RNA
Ans D ) Either DNA or RNA

28 ) First invented Binomial system of

nomenclature.
A ) Whittaker
B ) Carl Linnaeus
Ans B ) Carl Linnaeus

29 ) Are prokaryotic with cell wall but with absence

of nucleus and cell organelles.
A ) Algae
B ) Bacteria
C ) Protozoa
Ans B ) Bacteria

30 ) Classify the following kingdom as Eukaryotes or

Prokaryotes – Kingdom Fungi
A ) Kingdom Fungi – Eukaryotes
B ) Kingdom Fungi – Prokaryotes Ans A ) Kingdom Fungi –
Eukaryotes 28 ) are aquatic.
A ) Protozao
B ) Algae
C ) Fungi
Ans B ) Algae

31 ) Non-green, eukaryotic, heterotrophic organism

are …………….. .
A ) Algae
B ) Bacteria
C ) Fungi
Ans C ) Fungi

32 ) All types of bacteria are included in the

kingdom Protista.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans B ) False

33 ) Eukaryotes are further divided into unicellular

and multicellular.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

34 ) Asexual reproduction in bread mold occurs by

A ) Rhizoids B ) Hypha C ) Spores
D ) Sporangiophore
Ans C ) Spores

35 ) Divided living organisms into 4 kingdom.

A ) Carl Linnaeus
B ) Kopland
C ) Whittaker
Ans B ) Kopland

36 ) found in the form of independent particles.

A ) Protozao
B ) Bacteria
C ) Virus
Ans C ) Virus

37 ) Identify the virus that cause diseases in living

things – Plant
A ) Picorna
B ) Tobacco mosaic
C ) Bacteriophage
Ans B ) Tobacco mosaic

38 ) are found on decaying organic matter and dead

bodies of plants and animals.
A ) Protozao B ) Bacteria C ) Fungi
Ans C ) Fungi

39 ) Viruses survive only in living plant or animal.

A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

40 ) Which of the following is known as Baker’s

yeast?
A ) Aspergillus
B ) Paramoecium
C ) Clostridium
D ) Saccharomyces
Ans D ) Saccharomyces

41 ) Divided living organisms into 5 kingdom.

A ) Carl Linnaeus
B ) Kopland
C ) Whittaker
Ans C ) Whittaker

42 ) The process of dividing living organisms into

groups and subgroups.
A ) Biological Classification
B ) Physiological Classification
Ans A ) Biological Classification

43 ) Complex sugar that makes the fungal cell wall.

A ) Citin
B ) Chitin
C ) Keratin
Ans B ) Chitin

44 ) Great variation is seen in cell structure, organs

of locomotion and modes of nutrition among
protozoans.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

45 ) During conversion of milk into curd, is

produced.
A ) Lactic acid
B ) Hydrochloric acid
C ) Sulphuric acid
D ) Acetic acid
Ans A ) Lactic acid
46 ) Lactobacilli are shaped bacteria.
A ) Comma B ) Spiral C ) Bacillus D ) Vibrio
Ans C ) Bacillus

47 ) Protista are single celled organisms with well-

defined nucleus.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

48 ) Viruses cause many diseases to plants and

animals.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

49 ) Bacteria : Kingdom Monera : : Protozoa :

……………
A ) Kingdom Protista
B ) Kingdom Fungi
Ans A ) Kingdom Protista

50 ) Animals show heterotrophic mode of nutrition.

A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

51 ) Identify the virus that cause diseases in living

things – Bacteria
A ) Influenza
B ) HIV
C ) Bacteriophage
Ans C ) Bacteriophage

52) Identify the virus that cause diseases in living

things – Human
A ) Picorna
B ) Wilt
C ) Polio
Ans C ) Polio

53 ) Who am I ?
Have hair like cilia for locomotion.
A ) Amoeba
B ) Paramoecium
Ans B ) Paramoecium

53 ) Classify the following kingdom as Eukaryotes or

Prokaryotes – Kingdom Monera
A ) Kingdom Monera – Eukaryotes
B ) Kingdom Monera – Prokaryotes
Ans B ) Kingdom Monera – Prokaryotes

54 ) Who am I ?
Use pseudopodia for engulfing food and locomotion.
A ) Euglena
B ) Amoeba
Ans B ) Amoeba

55 ) Kopland : four kingdom classification : five

kingdom classification.
A ) Carl Linnaeus
B ) Whittaker
Ans B ) Whittaker

56 ) Algae can carry out photosynthesis.

A ) True
B ) False
Ans A ) True

57 ) Reproduce by simple binary fission

A ) Bacteria
B ) Fungi
C ) Amoeba
Ans A ) Bacteria

58 ) Volvox belongs to kingdom Monera.

A ) False
B ) True
Ans A ) False

59 ) Bread mold is a type of

A ) Bacteria
B ) Fungi C ) Protist D ) Algae
Ans B ) Fungi

60 ) National Institute of Virology is located in

Mumbai.
A ) True
B ) False
Ans B ) False

61 ) Found on the stale bread.

A ) Mucor
B ) Moss
Ans A ) Mucor

62 ) Groups and subgroups were created considering

the similarities and differences among the living
organisms.
A ) False
B ) True
Ans B ) True

63 ) Kingdom Monera : Unicellular : Multicellular

A ) Kingdom Protista
B ) Kingdom Fungi
Ans B ) Kingdom Fungi
64) Identify the virus that cause diseases in living
things – Cattle
A ) Wilt
B ) Picorna
C ) Influenza
Ans B ) Picorna

65 ) Living organisms are divided into Eukaryotes

and Prokaryotes as per Whittaker.
A ) False
B ) True
Ans B ) True

66) Mode of nutrition in fungi.

A ) Autotrophic B ) Heterotrophic C ) Saprophytic
Ans C ) Saprophytic

67) absorb their food from decaying organic matter.

A ) Autotrophs B ) Saprotrophs C ) Heterotrophs
Ans B ) Saprotrophs

1. Which of the following is a disease caused by protozoans?

A. Tuberculosis
B. Polio
C. Malaria
D. Typhoid

Answer: (C) Malaria

Solution:

∙ Protozoans are eukaryotic, unicellular microorganisms. Most of them are

free-living, found in soil and fresh water, while some are parasitic and
cause diseases in plants and animals. Malaria is caused by the protozoan
parasite, Plasmodium.
∙ Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

∙ Polio is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by polio virus.

∙ Typhoid fever is an acute infectious illness associated with fever that is

most often caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria.

2. Which of the following diseases is caused by a bacteria?

A. Chicken pox
B. Tuberculosis
C. Dengue
D. Polio

Answer: (B) Tuberculosis

Solution:

∙ Tuberculosis is an air-borne disease caused by the bacterial

species Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

∙ Polio, dengue and chicken pox are viral diseases caused

by Picornavirus, Flavivirus and chicken pox virus respectively.

3. Some plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. What

are these bacteria called?

A. Blue green algae

B. Nitrosomonas
C. Azotobacter
D. Rhizobium

Answer: (D) Rhizobium

Solution: Leguminous plants like pea have nitrogen-fixing bacteria called

Rhizobium in their root nodules. Rhizobium helps in converting
atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that can be utilized by the pea plant
for its nutrition. Other bacteria like Nitrosomonas and Azotobacter are
free-living soil bacteria that also help in nitrogen fixation.

4. In order to take precautionary steps to control dengue, we must take

measures to stop the breeding of:

A. Aedes mosquito
 B. Fleas
C. Fire ants
D. Anopheles mosquito

Answer: (A) Aedes mosquito

Solution: Dengue is caused by a virus and is spread by a species of

mosquito called Aedes. The spread of this disease can be prevented by
using mosquito nets, repellents and by control of breeding of mosquitoes
by not allowing water stagnation in our surroundings.

5. Partial sterilization of a product such as milk at a high temperature is

known as:

A. Pasteurization
B. Filtration
C. Pickling
D. Refrigeration

Answer: (A) Pasteurization

Solution: Pasteurization is a process in which milk is heated to about

70oC for 15 to 30 seconds and then suddenly chilled and stored. By doing
so, it prevents the growth of microbes. This process was discovered by
Louis Pasteur and hence is called pasteurization.

6. Living organisms which are invisible to the naked eye are called
_________ .

A. Particles
B. Molecules
C. Microorganisms
D. Macroorganisms

Answer: (C) Microorganisms

Solution: Living organisms which are invisible to the naked eye are
called microorganisms. Microorganisms are too small to be seen with our
naked eyes. They can be seen only through a device known as a
microscope.

7. Which of the following is a communicable disease?

A. Diabetes
B. Chicken pox
C. Alzheimer’s
 D. Cancer

Answer: (B) Chicken pox

Solution: Chicken pox is a communicable disease. Communicable

diseases are caused by pathogens and can be spread from one person to
another through water, air, soil, etc.

8. Vaccines are made up of:

A. Chemicals
B. Weak microorganisms
C. Viruses
D. Drugs

Answer: (B) Weak microorganisms

Solution: A vaccine is a biological preparation containing weakened or

dead microbes. It is introduced into a healthy person’s body so that it can
produce antibodies against the disease-causing microbes. Vaccines can be
injected or administered orally.

9. The bacterium present in curd is:

A. Salmonella typhi
B. Lactobacillus
C. Penicillin
D. Vibrio cholera

Answer: (B) Lactobacillus

Solution: Lactobacillus is the microorganism present in curd. This

bacterium converts milk into curd at 30 to 40 oC.

10. While baking cakes, yeast reproduces rapidly and produces ___ gas.

A. Hydrogen
B. Oxygen
C. carbon dioxide
D. nitrogen

Answer: (C) carbon dioxide

Solution: While baking cakes, yeast reproduces rapidly and produces

carbon dioxide gas. This gas is responsible for the spongy texture of cake.

11. ______ is used for the production of alcohol and wine.

 A. Yeast
B. Mosquito
C. Ant
D. Algae

Answer: (A) Yeast

Solution: Yeast is used for the production of alcohol and wine by the
process of fermentation.

12. Which of the following diseases can be cured using antibiotics?

A. AIDS
B. Dengue
C. Typhoid
D. Malaria

Answer: (C) Typhoid

Solution: Antibiotics are the medicines that kill or stop the growth of
disease-causing microorganisms. Streptomycin, tetracycline and
erythromycin are some of the commonly known antibiotics which are
made from fungi and bacteria. Antibiotics are mostly effective against
bacterial diseases. Among the diseases given, only typhoid is caused by
bacteria, i.e., Salmonella typhi, whereas all the other diseases are caused
by protozoa or viruses.

13. Which organisms are microscopic and dependent on host organisms

for reproduction?

A. Algae
B. Protozoa
C. Viruses
D. Bacteria

Answer: (C) Viruses

Solution: Viruses are non-cellular microorganisms composed of protein,

nucleic acids and lipids. Viruses are considered both living and non-living
organisms. They are active inside host cells and reproduce inside them by
infecting living cells. Outside a host it is considered non-living as it does
not have a cellular machinery of its own.

14. _______ are the agents that act as carriers of a pathogen and spread
diseases.
 A. Vectors
B. Microbes
C. Parasites
D. DNA

Answer: (A) Vectors

Solution: Animals or insects carry infecting agents from a sick person to

another potential host. These animals are thus the intermediaries and are
termed as vectors. The most common vectors are mosquitoes.

15. An infectious disease is ___________ .

A. caused only by bacteria

B. spread from person to person
C. spread from animal to animal
D. caused only by viruses

Answer: (B) spread from person to person

Solution: Infectious diseases are caused by any pathogenic

microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. The diseases
can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another.

16. Which one of the following is not a method of food preservation?

A. Salting
B. Drying
C. Boiling
D. Pickling

Answer: (C) Boiling

Solution: Boiling food in water cannot completely destroy all

microorganisms. Only the cells of bacteria, yeasts and moulds can be
destroyed at temperatures of 100°C or above. Moreover, it doesn’t
preserve the food. The most commonly used food preservation methods
are salting, drying, freezing and pickling.

* Salting is the preservation of food with dry edible salt.

* Drying or dehydrating food is a method of food preservation that

removes enough moisture from the food so that bacteria, yeast and
moulds cannot grow.
* Freezing, in food processing, is a method of preserving food by lowering
the temperature to inhibit microorganism growth.

* Pickling is the process of preparing food by soaking and storing it in a

salt solution, vinegar or both.

17. Which among the following statements is not associated with food
preservation?

A. Prevention of decay or spoilage

B. Decreased shelf life
C. Air-tight sealing
D. Storage for future use

Answer: (B) Decreased shelf life

Solution:

∙ Food preservation is the prevention of growth of bacteria, fungi and

other microorganisms in food items.

∙ There are different methods of preserving food. For example, packaging,

smoking, drying, pickling etc.

∙ Food preservation also prevents spoilage of food and increase their shelf
life.

18. Which one of the following is not produced by the process of

fermentation?

A. Cheese
B. Milk
C. Yoghurt
D. Wine

Answer: (B) Milk

Solution: The breakdown of carbon containing substances like

carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen by microorganisms like yeast and
bacteria is termed as fermentation. Fermentation is involved in making
bread, vinegar, yoghurt, wine, cider, cocoa, cheese, etc.

19. A plant disease called citrus canker is caused by a _________ .

A. Bacteria
 B. Fungi
C. Protozoa
D. Virus

Answer: (A) Bacteria

Solution: Citrus canker is a plant disease caused by bacteria. It’s mode of

transmission is through air.

20. Which among the following pathogens causes cholera?

A. Bacteria
B. Protozoan
C. Fungus
D. Virus

Answer: (A) Bacteria

Solution: Cholera is caused by bacteria. It spreads through contaminated

food and water. It can be prevented by consuming properly cooked food
and drinking boiled water.

Self Evaluation Test - Human Health and Disease

MCQs
Human health involves absolute well being in all aspects, physical, mental and social not
necessarily an illness or disorder. The well-being of humans is a crucial aspect which can be
influenced by many factors both externally as well as internally.

1. The low RBC count is seen in anaemia and ________.

(a) Myxoedema

(b) Influenza

(c) Typhoid

(d) Leukaemia

Answer: (d)

2. A child is suffering from Kwashiorkor and if this child is compared with other
marasmus children then what additional symptoms are present in Kwashiorkor child?

(a) Oedema

(b) Wasted muscles

(c) A decrease in body weight

(d) Impaired physical growth

Answer: (c)

3. Chronic anaemia and multiple sclerosis are

(a) Allergic diseases

(b) Hormonal diseases

(c) Autoimmune diseases

(d) Hereditary diseases

Answer: (c)

4. Which one of the following statements is correct about T-lymphocytes in mammals?

(a) These are produced in the thyroid

(b) These are originated in lymphoid tissues

(c) They scavenge damaged cells and cellular debris

(d) There are three main types – cytotoxic T-cells, helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells

Answer: (b)

5. The antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is seen in ________.

(a) Local anaphylaxis

(b) Generalise anaphylaxis

(c) Immune complex reaction

(d) Non-compatible-blood transfusion

Answer: (d)

6. Which of the following protein causes the dilation of blood vessels?

(a) Histamine

(b) Pyrogens

(c) Interferon

(d) None of these

Answer: (a)

7. Parkinson’s disease is caused due to deficiency of ________.

(a) Dopamine

(b) GABA

(c) Acetylcholine

(d) Endorphins

Answer: (a)

8. Gaucher’s disease is linked with________.

(a) Malnutrition

(b) Abnormal fat metabolism

(c) Abnormal protein metabolism

(d) Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism

Answer: (b)

9. LSD is obtained from _______.

(a) Cannabis Sativa

(b) Claviceps purpurea

(c) Papaver somniferum

(d) Erythroxylon coca

Answer: (b)
10. Infectious proteins are present in ________.

(a) Prions

(b) Viroids

(c) Gemini viruses

(d) Satellite viruses

Answer: (a)

Access Answers to the NCERT Exemplar Class 8

Science Chapter 11 – Force and Pressure

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Fig 11.1, two boys A and B are shown applying force on a
block. If the block moves towards the right, which one of the
following statements is correct?

(a) The magnitude of force applied by A is greater than that of B.

(b) The magnitude of force applied by A is smaller than that of B.

(c) The net force on the block is towards A.

(d) The magnitude of force applied by A is equal to that of B.

Soln:

Answer is (a) Magnitude of force applied by A is greater than that

of B.
Explanation:

The magnitude of force applied by A is bigger than that of B as a result

of the block moves towards right i.e. towards B.

2. In the circuit shown in Fig.11.2, when the circuit is completed,

the hammer strikes the gong. Which of the following force is
responsible for the movement of the hammer?

(a) gravitational force alone

(b) electrostatic force alone

(c) magnetic force alone

(d) frictional force alone

Soln:

Answer is (c) magnetic force alone

Explanation:

As electric current flows through the coil it behaves like an electromagnet

which creates magnetic force. Hence the answer is magnetic force alone.

3. During dry weather, while combing hair, sometimes we

experience hair flying apart. The force responsible for this is

(a) force of gravity.

(b) electrostatic force.

(c) the force of friction.

(d) magnetic force.

Soln:

The answer is (b) electrostatic force.

Explanation:

On combing the hair, comb and hair get oppositely charged due to
electrostatic force.

4. Fig.11.3 shows a container filled with water. Which of the

following statements is correct about the pressure of water?

Soln:

(a) The pressure at A > Pressure at B > Pressure at C.

(b) The pressure at A = Pressure at B = Pressure at C.

(c) The pressure at A < Pressure at B > Pressure at C.

(d) The pressure at A < Pressure at B.

Soln:

The answer is (d) Pressure at A < Pressure at B

Explanation:

Increase in water leads to an increase in depth.

5. Two objects repel each other. This repulsion could be due to

(a) frictional force only

(b) electrostatic force only

(c) magnetic force only

(d) either a magnetic or an electrostatic force

Soln:

The answer is (d) either a magnetic or an electrostatic force

Explanation: when two objects are experiencing repulsive force because

there may be an electrostatic force or a magnetic force.

6. Which one of the following forces is a contact force?

(a) force of gravity

(b) force of friction

(c) magnetic force

(d) electrostatic force

Soln:

The answer is (b) force of friction

Explanation:

Force of attraction acts only when the bodies are in contact.

7. A water tank has four taps fixed at points A, B, C, D as shown

in Fig. 11.4. The water will flow out at the same pressure from
taps at

(a) B and C

(b) A and B

(c) C and D
(d) A and C

Soln:

Answer is (a) B and C

Explanation:

B and C are at the same level, hence pressure will be the same at B and
C.

8. A brick is kept in three different ways on a table as shown in

Fig. 11.5. The pressure exerted by the brick on the table will be

(a) maximum in position A-C

(b) maximum in position B

(c) maximum in position

(d) equal in all cases.

Soln:

Answer is (a) maximum in position A-C

Explanation:

Since the area of contact is minimum pressure will be maximum in A.

Very Short Answer Questions
9. A ball of dough is rolled into a flat chapatti. Name the force
exerted to change the shape of the dough.

Soln:

Muscular Force.

10. Where do we apply a force while walking?

Soln:

While walking we apply force on the ground.

11. A girl is pushing a box towards the east direction. In which

direction should her friend push the box so that it moves faster in
the same direction?

Soln:

Towards the east.

12., In the circuit shown in Fig.11.6, when the key is closed, the
compass needle placed in the matchbox deflects. Name the force
which causes this deflection.

Soln:

Answer is Magnetic force.

13. During dry weather, clothes made of synthetic fibre often
stick to the skin. Which type of force is responsible for this
phenomenon?

Soln:

Answer is Electrostatic force

14. While sieving grains, small pieces fall down. Which force pulls
them down?

Soln:

Force of gravity.

15. Does the force of gravity act on dust particles?

Soln:

Yes, the force of gravity act on dust particles.

16. A gas-filled balloon moves up. Is the upward force acting on it

larger or smaller than the force of gravity?

Soln:

The upward force is larger than the force of gravity.

17. Does the force of gravitation exist between two astronauts in

space?

Soln:

Yes, the force of gravitation exists between two astronauts in space.

Short Answer Questions

18. A chapati maker is a machine which converts balls of dough
into chapati. What effect of force comes into play in this process?

Soln:

Force works on the dough to convert it to chapati.

19. Fig.11.7 shows a man with a parachute. Name the force which
is responsible for his downward motion. Will he come down with
the same speed without the parachute?

Soln:

Force of gravity is responsible for his downward motion. If he comes down

without parachute his speed will be higher.

20. Two persons are applying forces on two opposite sides of a

moving cart. The cart still moves with the same speed in the
same direction. What do you infer about the magnitudes and
direction of the forces applied?

Soln:
Force applied is of equal magnitude in the opposite direction hence the
cart moves with the same speed in the same direction.

21. Two thermocol balls held close to each other move away from
each other. When they are released, name the force which might
be responsible for this phenomenon. Explain.

Soln:

Two Thermocol balls held close to each other move away from each other,
which is because of electrostatic force. The balls having similar charges
move away due to repulsion between similar charges.

22. Fruits detached from a tree fall down due to force of gravity.
We know that a force arises due to the interaction between two
objects. Name the objects interacting in this case.

Soln:

Earth and fruits.

23. A man is pushing a cart down a slope. Suddenly the cart

starts moving faster and he wants to slow it down. What should
he do?

Soln:

He should apply a force to pull the cart up the slope.

24. Fig. 11.8 shows a car sticking to an electromagnet. Name the

forces acting on the car? Which one of them is larger?
Soln:

Magnetic force (in the upward direction) force of gravity or the weight of
the car (downward) act on car. Magnetic force is larger than the force of
gravity.

Long Answer Questions

25. An archer shoots an arrow in the air horizontally. However,
after moving some distance, the arrow falls to the ground. Name
the initial force that sets the arrow in motion. Explain why the
arrow ultimately falls down.

Soln:

Archer puts muscular force to stretch the string. This will change the
shape of the arrow. When the string is released arrow regains its original
position which gives it the initial force to set the motion. Because of
gravitational from it comes down towards after some time.

26. It is difficult to cut cloth using a pair of scissors with blunt

blades. Explain.
Soln:

The blunt blade has a larger area than shard edged blades. Because of
this, blunt blade produces a low pressure which makes it difficult to cut
the cloth. Whereas in sharp blade surface area is much is very less which
increase the pressure produced. This makes the cutting of cloth easier
with sharp blades.

27. Two rods of the same weight and equal length have different
thickness. They are held vertically on the surface of sand as
shown in Fig.11.9. Which one of them will sink move? Why?

Soln:

In Rod B area of contact is smaller. Hence the weight of the rod (Force)
produces more pressure. In Case of the rod, the same force produces less
pressure.

28. Two women are of the same weight. One wears sandals with
pointed heels while the other wears sandals with flat soles. Which
one would feel more comfortable while walking on a sandy beach?
Give reasons for your answer.

Soln:

Women’s height are same and they apply the same weight when they
walk. But women wearing sandal with a flat heel will be more comfortable
while walking on a sandy beach. This is because flat soles
have larger area compared to the sandals with pointed heels. Also, the
pressure exerted by the

pointed heels will be more compared to that with sandals having flat
soles. This pressure will make the sandals with pointed soled sink in the
sand which will make difficult to walk on sand.

29. It is much easier to burst an inflated balloon with a needle

than by a finger. Explain.

Soln:

The pressure exerted on an inflated balloon by the needle will be more as

it has a smaller area of contact compared to the finger. This larger
pressure pierces the surface of the balloon easily which will make the
balloon burst.

30. Observe the vessels A, B, C and D shown in Fig.11.10

carefully.

The volume of water taken in each vessel is as shown. Arrange them in

the order of decreasing pressure at the base of each vessel. Explain.

Soln:
B, D, A, C. Because the pressure of a liquid column depends upon the
height of the liquid column and not on volume of the liquid.

Class 8 Science Chapter 6 Composition of Matter

Textbook Solutions

Maharashtra Board Class 8 Science Chapter

6: BYJU’S Important Questions & Answers

MSBSHSE Class 8 Science Chapter 6 Textbook

Exercise Questions
Question 1: Choose the appropriate option and rewrite the following statements.

a. The intermolecular force is _______ in the particles of solid.

i. minimum ii. moderate iii. maximum iv. indefinite.

b. Solids retain their volume even when external pressure is applied. This property is
called__________

i. plasticity ii. incompressibility iii. fluidity iv. elasticity

c. Matter is classified into the types mixture, compound and element by applying the
criterion______________

i. states of matter ii. phases of matters iii. chemical composition of matter iv. all of these

d. Matter that contains two or more constituent substances is called__________

i. mixture ii. compound iii. element iv. metalloid

e. Milk is an example of type of matter called __________

i. solution ii. homogeneous mixture iii. heterogeneous mixture iv. suspension

f. Water, mercury and bromine are similar to each other, because three are ____________

i. liquids ii. compounds iii. nonmetals iv. elements.

g. Valency of carbon is 4 and that of oxygen is 2. From this, we understand that there are
_______ chemical bond/bonds between the carbon atom and one oxygen atom in the
compound-carbon dioxide.

i. 1 ii. 2 iii. 3 iv. 4

Answer:

a. The intermolecular force is maximum in the particles of solid.

i. minimum ii. moderate iii. maximum iv. indefinite.

b. Solids retain their volume even when external pressure is applied. This property is
called incompressibility .

i. plasticity ii. incompressibility iii. fluidity iv. elasticity

c. Matter is classified into the types mixture, compound and element by applying the
criterion states of matter .

i. states of matter ii phases of matters iii chemical composition of matter iv all of these

d. Matter that contains two or more constituent substances is called compound .

i. mixture ii. compound iii. element iv. metalloid

e. Milk is an example of a type of matter called a homogeneous mixture .

i. solution ii. homogeneous mixture iii. heterogeneous mixture iv. suspension

f. Water, mercury and bromine are similar to each other, because three are liquids .

i. liquids ii. compounds iii. nonmetals iv. elements.

g. Valency of carbon is 4 and that of oxygen is 2. From this, we understand that there are
_2__ chemical bond/bonds between the carbon atom and one oxygen atom in the compound-
carbon dioxide.

i. 1 ii. 2 iii. 3 iv. 4

Question 2: Identify the odd term out and explain

a. Gold, silver, copper, brass

b. Hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, water vapour.

c. Milk, lemon juice, carbon, steel.

d. Water, mercury, bromine, petrol.

e. Sugar, slat, baking soda, blue vitriol.

f. Hydrogen, sodium, potassium, carbon.

Answer: a. Brass is an odd one out since it is an alloy and the other metals – gold, copper or
silver are elements.

b. Hydrogen is an odd one out since it is an element and the rest are compounds.

c. Carbon is an odd one since it is an element and the rest are a mixture of several elements.

d. Water is an odd one since it is an universal solvent and the others are not universal
solvents.

e. Baking soda is an odd one as it is a mixture of several elements and the rest are
compounds.

f. Carbon is an odd one out as it has four valence electrons in it and the rest have one valence
electron only.

Question 3: Answer the following questions.

a. Plants synthesize glucose in sunlight with the help of chlorophyll from carbon dioxide and
water and give away oxygen. Identify the four compounds in this process and name their
types.

b. In one sample of brass, the following ingredients were found : copper (70%) and zinc
(30%). Identify the solvent, solute and solution from these.

c. Sea water tastes salty due to the dissolved salt. The salinity (the proportion of salts in
water) of some water bodies Lonar lake – 7.9 %, Pacific Ocean – 3.5%, Mediterranean sea –
3.8%, Dead sea- 33.7%. Explain two characteristics of mixture from the above information.

Answer: a. Photosynthesis is a natural chemical process in which plants along with some
algae and bacteria produce oxygen and glucose from water and carbon dioxide. It uses
sunlight as a source of energy, which is absorbed by the chlorophyll of plants.

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

We can derive the four substances in this process:

1. Carbon dioxide which is an organic compound.

2. Water which is an organic compound

3. Glucose which is an organic compound

4. Chlorophyll which is an organo-metallic compound or complex compound

b. Brass is an alloy primarily made of copper with zinc. Brass as a solid solution consists of
zinc and other metals as solute dissolved in copper is considered as a solvent. Hence, brass
meets all the criteria of a solution.

c. Sea water tastes salty due to the dissolved salt. The salinity (the proportion of salts in
water) of some water bodies Lonar lake – 7.9 %, Pacific Ocean – 3.5%, Mediterranean sea –
3.8%, Dead sea- 33.7%. The characteristics of mixtures from the above data are:

1. The constituent substances of a mixture are a composition of 2 or more elements or

compounds.

2. The proportion of constituent substances in a mixture can vary.

3. The properties of constituent substances stay back in the mixture.

Question 4: Give two examples each

a. Liquid element

b. Gaseous element

c. Solid element

d. Homogeneous mixture

e. Colloid

f. Organic compound

g. Complex compound

h. Inorganic compound

i. Metalloid

j. Element with valency 1

k. Element with valency 2

Answer:

a. Liquid element = bromine and mercury

b. Gaseous element = hydrogen and oxygen

c. Solid element = sodium and aluminium

d. Homogeneous mixture = blood plasma and mixture of sugar in water

e. Colloid = milk, butter, jelly, etc.

f. Organic compound = carbohydrates and proteins

g. Complex compound = chlorophyll and haemoglobin

h. Inorganic compound = common salt and limestone

i. Metalloid = germanium and silicon

j. Element with valency 1 = potassium and chlorine

k. Element with valency 2 = calcium and magnesium

Question 5: Write the names and symbols of the constituent elements and identify their
valencies from the molecular formulae given below.

KCl, HBr, MgBr2, K2O, NaH, CaCl2, CCl4, HI, H2S, Na2S, FeS, BaCl2

Answer:

Compounds Name of compounds Symbol of constituent elements Valency of constituent elements

KCl Potassium chloride K, Cl K = 1, Cl = 1

HBr Hydrogen bromide K, Br K = 1, Br = 1

MgBr2 Magnesium bromide Mg, Br Mg = 2, Br = 1

K2 O Potassium oxide K, O K = 1, O = 2

NaH Sodium hydride Na, H Na = 1, H = 1

CaCl2 Calcium chloride Ca, Cl Ca = 2, Cl = 1

CCl4 Carbon tetrachloride C, Cl C = 4, Cl = 1

HI Hydrogen iodide H, I H = 1, I = 1

H2 S Hydrogen sulphide H, S H = 1, S = 2

Na2S Sodium sulphide Na, S Na = 1, S = 2

FeS Iron(II) Sulfide Fe, S F = 2, S = 2

BaCl2 Barium chloride Ba, Cl B = 2, Cl = 1

Question 6: Chemical composition of some matter is given in the following table. Identify
the main type of matter from their composition.

Name of matter Chemical composition Main type of matter

Sea water H2O + NaCl + MgCl2 +…..

Distilled water H2 O

Hydrogen gas filled in a balloon H2

The gas in LPG cylinder C4H10 + C3H8

Baking soda NaHCO3

Pure gold Au

The gas in oxygen cylinder O2

Bronze Cu + Sn

Diamond C

Heated white powder of blue vitriol CuSO4

Limestone CaCO3

Dilute hydrochloric acid HCl+ H2O

Answer:
Name of matter Chemical composition Main type of matter

Sea water H2O + NaCl + MgCl2 +….. Mixture

Distilled water H2 O Compound

Hydrogen gas filled in a balloon H2 Element or Molecule

The gas in LPG cylinder C4H10 + C3H8 Mixture

Baking soda NaHCO3 Mixture

Pure gold Au Element

The gas in oxygen cylinder O2 Element or Molecule

Bronze Cu + Sn Mixture

Diamond C Element (allotrope)

Heated white powder of blue vitriol CuSO4 Compound

Limestone CaCO3 Compound

Dilute hydrochloric acid HCl+ H2O Compound

Question 7: Write scientific reason.

a. Hydrogen is combustible, oxygen helps combustion, but water helps to extinguish fire.

b. Constituent substances of a colloid cannot be separated by ordinary filtration.

c. Lemon sharbat has a sweet, sour and salty taste and it can be poured in a glass.

d. A solid matter has the properties of definite shape and volume.

Answer: a. Water is composed of two elements – oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen is

flammable, but oxygen is inflammable. Flammability refers to the ability of a combustible
material with sufficient supply of oxygen to sustain enough heat energy to burn a fire even
after it has been ignited. Water is made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen
which form an ionic compound. It does not possess the attributes of these elements because a
compound doesn’t have the properties of its constituent elements. Therefore, water has its
own properties that help to extinguish the fire.
b. Constituent substances of a colloid cannot be separated by ordinary filtration because the
particles size in a colloid (or colloidal solution) is much bigger than the one in a true solution
and surprisingly smaller than the one in suspension. The diameter is in between 1 – 100nm.
The ordinary filter paper size is more than 100nm because of which colloidal particles pass
through the filter paper pores. For this reason, we prefer to use ultra-filter paper so that
filtration of the colloidal particles takes place easily.

c. Lemon sharbat has a sweet, sour and salty taste and it can be poured in a glass because the
sour taste implies the presence of an acid. If that acid is poured in a metal vessel or utensil,
then acid reacts with metal and renders it poisonous for consumption. Hence, we prefer to
take glass material vessels for drinking lemon juice.

d. A solid matter has the following properties of definite shape and volume due to the reasons
listed below:

1) There is a strong intermolecular force of attraction between the various particles of matter.

2) Internuclear space is almost negligible between the particles of matter.

3) Particles of matter are so close to each other that they vibrate at their fixed position too.

Question 8:

Deduce the molecular formulae of the compound obtained from the following pairs of
elements by the cross multiplication method.

a. C (Valency 4) & Cl (Valency 1)

b. N (Valency 3) & H (Valency 1)

c. C (Valency 4) & O (Valency 2)

d. Ca (Valency 2) & O (Valency 2)

Answer:

a. C (Valency 4) & Cl (Valency 1):

Step 1 : Let’s first write the symbols of the radicals.

C Cl

Step 2 : Then, write the valency below the respective radical.

C Cl

41

Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.

Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.

CCl4

b. N (Valency 3) & H (Valency 1)

Step 1 : Let’s first write the symbols of the radicals.

NH

Step 2 : Then, write the valency below the respective radical.

NH

31

Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.

Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.

NH3

c. C (Valency 4) & O (Valency 2)

Step 1 : Let’s first write the symbols of the radicals.

CO

Step 2 : Then, write the valency below the respective radical.

CO
42

Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.

Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.

CO2

d. Ca (Valency 2) & O (Valency 2)

Step 1 : Let’s first write the symbols of the radicals.

Ca O

Step 2 : Then, write the valency below the respective radical.

Ca O

22

Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.

Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.

CaO

MSBSHSE Class 8 Science Chapter 6 Additional

Questions
Question 1: What are the various states of matter?

Answer: There are five states of matter namely:

1. Solid

2. Liquid
3. Gas

4. Plasma

5. Bose-Einstein condensate

Question 2: What is the difference in ice, water and steam?

Answer: Water exists in three different physical states such as solid, liquid and gaseous. In
the solid state, water usually exists in the form of ice. In the liquid state, it is simply referred
to as water which is consumed by living organisms post filtration. In the gaseous state, water
exists as steam or water vapour.

Question 3: What are the smallest particles of matter called?

Answer: The smallest particles of matter are called atoms which are indivisible and
indestructible.

Question 4: Classify the following matter into three groups. Cold drink, air, sherbat, soil,
water, wood, cement.

Answer: Given below is the classification of matter into three groups:

a) Solid: Soil, wood, cement

b) Liquid: Cold drink, sherbat, water

c) Gaseous: Air

Question 5: What is a homogeneous mixture?

Answer: When all the components of a mixture form one particular phase that have similar
characteristics, it is known as homogeneous mixture.

Question 6: What are the characteristics of the states of matter?

Answer: The characteristics of the states of matter are listed as below:

Physical Fluidity/ Volume Shape Compressibility Intermolecular Distance

Rigidity/ force between

state of
Plasticity/ particles
matter
Elasticity
Solid Rigid/plastic/elastic Definite Definite Negligible Strong Minimum
Liquid Fluid Definite Indefinite Very small Moderate Moderate

Gaseous Fluid Indefinite Indefinite Very high Very weak Very large

Question 7: What consists of the smallest particles of an element?

Answer: The smallest particles of an element contain identical atoms. For example, each
molecule of oxygen contains two oxygen atoms in a bonded state. The smallest particles
(molecules) of a compound are formed by joining two or more types of atoms to each other.

Question 8: Why is water considered as a compound?

Answer: Pure water is a compound that is formed by the chemical combination of elements
such as hydrogen and oxygen. The proportion of constituent elements of water are oxygen
and hydrogen, which by weight is always 8:1, irrespective of whatsoever may be the source
of water. Hydrogen is an inflammable gas while oxygen gas supports combustion. However,
the compound water formed by chemical combination of the gaseous elements hydrogen and
oxygen is a liquid. It is neither inflammable nor does it support combustion. On the contrary,
it helps to extinguish fire.

Question 9: What are organic compounds?

Answer: Organic compounds can be a member of any states of matter such as gaseous,
liquid, or solid chemical compounds in which one or more atoms of carbon are covalently
linked to atoms of other elements such as oxygen, hydrogen or nitrogen.

Question 10: Why is milk considered as a mixture of elements?

Answer: Milk is a mixture of water, lactose, fats, protein and some more natural substances.
The proportion of various ingredients of milk is different, as per its source. The proportion of
fats in cow milk is 3-5 %, while it is 6-9 % in buffalo milk. The ingredient water is naturally
present in a large proportion in milk. Therefore, milk exists in a liquid state. The sweetness of
milk is due to the ingredient called lactose. In other words, the properties of the constituent
substances are retained in milk.

Question 11: What is a solvent and a solute?

Answer: In a salt solution, the component which is present in the largest proportion is called
solvent. The other components which are in less proportion than the solvent are called
solutes.

Question 12: What are inorganic compounds? Give examples.

Answer: Inorganic compounds are those chemical compounds which lack carbon–hydrogen
bonds in it. These compounds ideally are not organic in nature. Some examples include
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbides, carbonates, blue vitriol, limestone, etc.

Question 13: Give some examples of complex compounds.

Answer: Chlorophyll that contains magnesium, haemoglobin that contain iron,

cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B-12) that contain cobalt are some examples of complex
compounds.

Question 14: Define phase.

Answer: The part of matter which has a uniform composition in a mixture is known as the
phase.

Question 15: How is the strength of intermolecular force in the liquid state?

Answer: The strength of intermolecular force is moderate in the liquid state. It is not strong
enough to fix the particles in a definite position and hold all of them together. As a result,
liquids have definite volume. However, they have fluidity and their shape is not definite but
changes in accordance with the container.

Question 16: Define a heterogeneous mixture.

Answer: When the components of a mixture are distributed into two or more phases it is
called a heterogeneous mixture.

Question 17: Define solution. Explain with an example.

Answer: A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances is known as a solution. For

example, when a homogeneous mixture of salt and water is formed, it is called a salt solution.

Question 18: How are complex compounds formed?

Answer: Complex compounds are formed from the molecules of compounds that have a
complex structure including many atoms in the centre of this structure. Some metal atoms are
also included in it.

Question 19: Define dissolution.

Answer: The process of forming a solution by mixing solutes in a solvent is called

dissolution. It is the process wherein a solute in solid, liquid, or gaseous phase dissolves in a
particular solvent to form a solution.
Question 20: What is Colloid?

Answer: The heterogeneous mixture of water and milk in a beaker appears translucent. It
means that, when light is incident on the surface of this mixture, it is partly transmitted and
partly scattered. This is because the tiny particles of milk phase in this heterogeneous mixture
are dispersed evenly in water phase, and the diameter of these particles is around 10-5m. Such
a heterogeneous mixture is known as a colloid.

Question 21: Define suspension.

Answer: The heterogeneous mixture of a liquid and a solid is called a suspension. For
example, when the heterogeneous mixture of water and sawdust is formed, it is referred to as
suspension.

Question 22: What is the valency of an atom?

Answer: The ability of joining to each atom with a chemical bond to another atom that is
indicated by a number and this number is known as valency of that atom. An atom forms as
many chemical bonds with other atoms as its valency. Generally, the valency of an element
remains constant in its various compounds.

Question 23: What is a molecular formula?

Answer: Molecular formula indicates the number of atoms of each of the constituent
elements present in one molecule of a compound. A molecular formula includes the
information regarding the symbols of all the constituent elements and their respective number
as subscripts.

We hope that the above mentioned solutions of “MSBSHSE Class 8 Science Chapter 6
Composition of Matter” will help students build a strong foundation of the different
concepts mentioned in the chapter.