Life process

1. Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of multi-

cellular organisms like humans?
Answer
Unlike the unicellular organisms, the multi-cellular organisms have
complex body structures with specialized cells and tissues to perform
various necessary functions of the body. Since these cells are not in direct
contact with surrounding environment so, simple diffusion cannot meet
the oxygen requirement of all these cells.

2. What criteria do we use to decide whether something is alive?

Answer
Any visible movement such as walking, breathing, or growing is generally
used to decide whether something is alive or not. However, a living
organism can also have movements, which are not visible to the naked eye.
Therefore, the presence of life processes is a fundamental criterion that can
be used to decide whether something is alive or not.

3. What are outside raw materials used for by an organism?

Answer
Various outside raw materials used by an organism are as follows:
→ Food as source of supplying energy and materials.
→ Oxygen for breakdown of food to obtain energy.
→ Water for proper digestion of food and other functions inside the body.
The raw materials required by an organism will vary depending on the
complexity of the organism and its environment.

4. What processes would you consider essential for maintaining life?

Answer
Life processes such as nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion, etc.
are essential for maintaining life.

5. What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic

nutrition?

Answer
 Autotrophic Nutrition Heterotrophic Nutrition

Food is synthesised from simple Food is obtained directly or indirectly from

inorganic raw materials such as autotrophs. This food is broken down with the
CO2 and water. help of enzymes.

Chlorophyll is required. Chlorophyll is not required.

Food is generally prepared during day

time. Food can be obtained at all time.

All green plants and some bacteria

have this type of nutrition. All animals and fungi have this type of nutrition.

6. Where do plants get each of the raw materials required for photosynthesis?
Answer
The following raw materials are required for photosynthesis:
→ Carbon Dioxide: Plants get CO2 from atmosphere through stomata.
→ Water: Plants absorb water from soil through roots and transport to leaves.
→ Sunlight: Sunlight, which is absorbed by the chlorophyll and other green parts
of the plant.

7. What is the role of the acid in our stomach?

Answer
Following are the roles of acid in our stomach:
→ The hydrochloric acid present in our stomach dissolves bits of food and creates
an acidic medium. In this acidic medium, enzyme pepsinogen is converted to
pepsin, which is a protein-digesting enzyme.
→ It also kills many bacteria and other microorganisms that enter along with the
food.

8. What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Answer
Digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin, etc. help in the
breaking down of complex food particles into simple ones. These simple particles
can be easily absorbed by the blood and thus transported to all the cells of the
body.

9. How is the small intestine designed to absorb digested food?

Answer
The small intestine has millions of tiny finger-like projections called villi. These
villi increase the surface area for more efficient food absorption. Within these
villi, many blood vessels are present that absorb the digested food and carry it to
the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, the absorbed food is delivered to each
and every cell of the body.

10. What advantage over an aquatic organism does a terrestrial organism have
with regard to obtaining oxygen for respiration?
Answer
Terrestrial organisms take up oxygen from the atmosphere whereas aquatic
animals obtain oxygen from water. Air contains more O2 as compared to water.
Since the content of O2 in air is high, the terrestrial animals do not have to
breathe faster to get more oxygen. Therefore, unlike aquatic animals, terrestrial
animals do not need adaptations for gaseous exchange.

11. What are the different ways in which glucose is oxidized to provide energy in
various organisms?
Answer
At first glucose (6 carbon molecules) is broken in the cytoplasm of cells of all
organisms. This process yields a 3 carbon molecule compound called pyruvate.
Further break down of pyruvate takes place in different manners in different
organisms.
→ Anaerobic Respiration: This process takes place in absence of oxygen, e.g. in
yeast during fermentation. In this case, pyruvate is converted into ethanol and
carbon dioxide.
→ Aerobic Respiration: In aerobic respiration, the breakdown of pyruvate takes
place in presence of oxygen to give rise to 3 molecules of carbon dioxide and
water. The release of energy in aerobic respiration is much more than anaerobic
respiration.
→Lack of Oxygen: Sometimes, when there is lack of oxygen, especially during
vigorous activity, in our muscles, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid (3 carbon
molecule compounds). Formation of lactic acid in muscles causes cramp.

12. How is oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in human beings?

Answer

→ Transport of Oxygen: The respiratory pigments (haemoglobin) present in red

blood cells takes up the oxygen from the air to the lungs. They carry the oxygen to
tissues which are deficient in oxygen.

→ Transport of carbon dioxide: Carbon Dioxide is more soluble in water. Hence, it

is mostly transported from body tissues in the dissolved form in our blood
plasma to lungs where it diffuses from blood to air in the lungs and then expelled
out through nostrils.

13. How are the lungs designed in human beings to maximize the area for
exchange of gases?
Answer
Lungs contain millions of alveoli which provide a surface for the exchange of
gases. An extensive network of blood vessels is present in the wall of the alveoli.
By lifting our ribs and flatten the diaphragm, the chest cavity becomes spacious.
Air is sucked into the lungs and alveoli. The oxygen from the breath, diffuses into
the blood and CO2 from the blood brought from the body, diffuses out into the air.

14. What are the components of the transport system in human beings? What are
the functions of these components?
Answer
The main components of the transport system in human beings are the heart,
blood, and blood vessels.
→ Heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. It receives deoxygenated
blood from the various body parts and sends this impure blood to the lungs for
oxygenation.
→ Blood helps in the transport of oxygen, nutrients, CO 2, and nitrogenous wastes.
→ The blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) carry blood either away
from the heart to various organs or from various organs back to the heart.

15. Why is it necessary to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in

mammals and birds?
Answer
It is necessary to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to maintain
efficient supply of oxygen into the body. This system is essential in animals that
have high energy need. For example, animals like mammals and birds which
constantly use this energy to maintain their body temperature.

16. What are the components of the transport system in highly organised plants?
Answer
In highly organised plants, there are two different types of conducting tissues -
xylem and phloem. Xylem conducts water and minerals obtained from the soil
(via roots) to the rest of the plant. Phloem transports food materials from the
leaves to different parts of the plant body.

17. How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Answer
Water and minerals are transported through xylem cells from soil to the leaves.
The xylem cells of roots stem and leaves are interconnected to form a conducting
channel that reaches all parts of the plant. The root cells take ions from the soil.
This creates a difference between the concentration of ions of roots and soil.
Therefore, there is a steady movement of water into xylem. An osmotic pressure
is formed and water and minerals are transported from one cell to the other cell
due to osmosis. The continuous loss of water takes place due to transpiration.
Because of transpiration, a suction pressure is created as a result of which water
is forced into the xylem cells of roots. The effect of root pressure for
transportation in plants is more important in night while during day time
transpiration pull becomes the major driving force.

18. How is food transported in plants?

Answer
Phloem transports food materials from the leaves to different parts of the plant.
The transportation of food in phloem is achieved by utilizing energy from ATP
which helps in creating osmotic pressure that transport food from the area of
high concentration to low concentration.

19. Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.

Answer
Nephrons are the basic filtering units of kidneys. Each kidney possesses large
number of nephrons, approximately 1-1.5 million. The main components of the
nephron are glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and a long renal tubule.
Functioning of a nephron:
→ The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into
many capillaries associated with glomerulus.
→ The water and solute are transferred to the nephron at Bowman's capsule.
→ In the proximal tubule, some substances such as amino acids, glucose, and salts
are selectively reabsorbed and unwanted molecules are added in the urine.
→ The filtrate then moves down into the loop of Henle, where more water is
absorbed.
→ From here, the filtrate moves upwards into the distal tubule and finally to the
collecting duct. Collecting duct collects urine from many nephrons.
→ The urine formed in each kidney enters a long tube called ureter. From ureter,
it gets transported to the urinary bladder and then into the urethra.

20. What are the methods used by plants to get rid of excretory products?
Answer
Plants can get rid of excess of water by transpiration. Waste materials may be
stored in the cell vacuoles or as gum and resin, especially in old xylem. It is also
stored in the leaves that later fall off.
21. How is the amount of urine produced regulated?

Answer
The amount of urine produced depends on the amount of excess water and
dissolved wastes present in the body. Some other factors such as habitat of an
organism and hormone such as Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) also regulates the
amount of urine produced.

Exercise
22. The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for
(a) nutrition.
(b) respiration.
(c) excretion.
(d) transportation

23. The xylem in plants are responsible for

(a) transport of water.
(b) transport of food.
(c) transport of amino acids.
(d) transport of oxygen.

24. The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires

(a) carbon dioxide and water.
(b) chlorophyll.
(c) sunlight.
(d) all of the above.
25. The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes
place in
(a) cytoplasm.
(b) mitochondria.
(c) chloroplast.
(d) nucleus.

26. How are fats digested in our bodies? Where does this process take place?
Answer
Fats are present in the form of large globules in the small intestine. The small
intestine receives the secretions from the liver and the pancreas. The bile salts
(from the liver) break down the large fat globules into smaller globules so that
the pancreatic enzyme lipase can easily act on them. This is referred to as
emulsification of fats. This process takes place in the small intestine.

27. What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?

Answer
The role of saliva in the digestion of food:
→ It moistens the food for easy swallowing.
→ It contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down
starch into sugar.

28. What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its
by-products?
Answer
Autotrophic nutrition takes place through the process of photosynthesis. Carbon
dioxide, water, chlorophyll pigment, and sunlight are the necessary conditions
required for autotrophic nutrition. Carbohydrates (food) and O 2 are the by-
products of photosynthesis.

29. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name
some organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration.

Answer
 Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

It occurs in the absence

It occurs in the presence of O2. of O2.

It involves the exchange of gases between the organism and the Exchange of gases is
outside environment. absent.

It occurs only in
It occurs in cytoplasm and mitochondria. cytoplasm.

It always releases CO2 and H2O. End products vary.

The organisms that use anaerobic mode of respiration include some bacteria and
microorganisms such as yeast.

30. How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?
Answer
Alveoli provide a surface for the exchange of gases. An extensive network of
blood vessels is present in the wall of the alveoli. By lifting our ribs and flatten the
diaphragm, the chest cavity becomes spacious. Air is sucked into the lungs and
alveoli. The oxygen from the breath, diffuses into the blood and CO 2 from the
blood brought from the body, diffuses out into the air.
31. What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our
bodies?
Answer
Haemoglobin is the respiratory pigment that transports oxygen to the body cells
for cellular respiration. Therefore, deficiency of haemoglobin in blood can affect
the oxygen supplying capacity of blood. This can lead to deficiency of oxygen in
the body cells. It can also lead to a disease called anaemia.
32. Describe double circulation in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Answer
During a single cycle blood goes twice in the heart which is known as double
circulation. It is necessary in human being to separate oxygenated and de-
oxygenated blood because this makes their circulatory system is more efficient
and helps in maintaining constant body temperature.

33. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and
phloem?
Answer

Xylem Phloem

Xylem tissue helps in the transport of water and Phloem tissue helps in the transport
minerals. of food.

Water is transported upwards from roots to all Food is transported in both upward
other plant parts. and downward directions.

Transport in xylem occurs with the help of simple Transport of food in phloem requires
physical forces such as transpiration pull. energy in the form of ATP.

34. Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys
with respect to their structure and functioning.
Answer

Alveoli Nephrons

Structure Structure

Alveoli are tiny balloon-like structures Nephrons are tubular structures present inside
present inside the lungs. the kidneys.

The walls of the alveoli are one cell thick

and it contains an extensive network of Nephrons are made of glomerulus, bowman’s
blood capillaries. capsule, and a long renal tube.

Function Function

The blood enters the kidneys through

The exchange of O2 and CO2 takes the renal artery. The blood is entered
place between the blood of the here and the nitrogenous waste in the
capillaries that surround the alveoli form of urine is collected by collecting
and the gases present in the alveoli. duct.
 Chemical reactions and equations
Question 1
Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in air ?
Answer:
Magnesium gets covered with a layer of magnesium oxide when kept in air for a long
time. This layer hinders the burning of magnesium. Hence, it is to be cleaned before
burning.

Question 2
Write the balanced equation for the following chemical reactions.
(i) Hydrogen + Chlorine → Hydrogen chloride
(ii) Barium chloride + Aluminium sulphate → Barium sulphate + Aluminium chloride
(iii) Sodium + Water → Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
Answer:
(i) H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl
(ii) 3 BaCl2 + Al2(SO4)3 → BaSO4 + 2 AlCl3
(iii) 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2↑

Question 3
Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the following reactions :
(i) Solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulphate in water react to give insoluble
barium sulphate and the solution of sodium chloride.
(ii) Sodium hydroxide solution (in water) reacts with hydrochloric acid solution (in water)
to produce sodium chloride solution and water.
Answer:
(i) BaCl2 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl (aq)
(ii) NaOH (aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Question 4
A solution of a substance ‘X’ is used for white washing.
(i) Name the substance ‘X’ and write its formula.
(ii) Write the reaction of the substance ‘X’ named in (i) above with water.
Answer:
(i) The substance whose solution in water is used for white washing is calcium oxide (or
quick lime). Its formula is CaO.

Question 5
Why is the amount of gas collected in one of the test tubes in text book Activity 1.7 (i.e.,
electrolysis of water) double of the amount collected in the other? Name this gas.
Answer:
In Activity 1.7, water is electrolysed to give H2 gas at one electrode and O2 gas at the
other electrode.
2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
Thus two molecules of water on electrolysis give two molecules of hydrogen gas and
one molecule of oxygen gas or in other words the amount of hydrogen gas collected
would be double than that of oxygen gas.
Question 6
Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is dipped in it
?
OR
An iron nail is dipped in the solution of copper sulphate for about 30 minutes. State the
change in colour observed. Give reason for the change.
Answer:
When an iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution, the displacement reaction takes
place. The colour of copper sulphate solution fades due to the formation of light green
solution of iron sulphate.

Question 7
Give an example of a double displacement reaction other than the one given in Activity
1.10
Answer:
Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid react to form sodium chloride and water.

Question 8
Identify the substances that are oxidised and the substances which are reduced in the
following reactions.
(i) 4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s)
(ii) CuO (s) + H2(g) → Cu (s) + H2O(l)
Answer:
(i) Substances oxidised is Na as it gains oxygen and oxygen is reduced.
(ii) Substances reduced is Cu as hydrogen is oxidised as it gains oxygen.

Question 9
Which of the statements about the reaction below are incorrect ?
2 PbO(s) + C(s) → 2Pb (s) + CO2(g)
(a) Lead is getting reduced.
(b) Carbon dioxide is getting oxidised.
(c) Carbon is getting oxidised.
(d) Lead oxide is getting reduced.

(i) (a) and (b)

(ii) (a) and (c)
(iii) (a), (b) and (c)
(iv) All
Answer:
(i) (a) and (b)

Question 10
Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe
The above reaction is an example of a
(a) combination reaction
(b) double displacement reaction
(c) decomposition reaction
(d) displacement reaction
Answer:
(d) Displacement reaction.

Question 11
What happens when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to iron filings ? Tick the correct
answer :
(a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.
(b) Chlorine gas and iron hydroxide are produced.
(c) No reaction takes place.
(d) Iron salt and water are produced.
Answer:
(a) Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are produced.

Question 12
What is a balanced chemical equation ? Why should chemical equations be balanced ?
Answer:
A balanced chemical equation has an equal number of atoms of different elements in the
reactants and products.
The chemical equations should be balanced to satisfy the law of conservation of mass.

Question 13
Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance them.
(a) Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.
(b) Hydrogen sulphide gas burns in air to give water and sulphur dioxide.
(c) Barium chloride reacts with aluminium sulphate to give aluminium chloride and a
precipitate of barium sulphate.
(d) Potassium metal reacts with water to give potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Answer:
(a) 3H2 (g) + N2 (g) → 2NH3 (g)
(b) H2S (g) + 3O2 (g) → SO2 (g) + 2H2O(l)
(c) 3BaCl2 (aq) + Al2(SO4)3 (aq) → 2AlCl3 (aq) + 3BaSO4 ↓(s)
(d) 2K (s) + 2H2O (l) → 2KOH (aq) + H2 (g)

Question 14
Balance the following chemical equations :
(a) HNO3 + Ca (OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + H2O
(b) NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + H2O
(c) NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3
(d) BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + HCl
Answer:
(a) 2HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 → Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O
(b) 2NaOH + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
(c) NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3
(d) BaCl2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2HCl

Question 15
Write the balanced chemical equations for the following reactions :
(a) Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide → Calcium carbonate + Water
(b) Zinc + Silver nitrate → Zinc nitrate + Silver
(c) Aluminium + Copper chloride → Aluminium chloride + Copper
(d) Barium chloride + Potassium sulphate → Barium sulphate + Potassium chloride
Answer:
(a) Ca (OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
(b) Zn + 2AgNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + 2 Ag
(c) 2Al + 3 CuCl2 → 2AlCl3 + 3 Cu
(d) BaCl2 + K2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2KCl

Question 16
Write the balanced chemical equation for the following and identify the type of reaction in
each case :
(a) Potassium bromide (aq) + Barium iodide (aq) → Potassium iodide (aq) + Barium
(b) Zinc carbonate(s) → Zinc oxide (s) + Carbon dioxide (g) bromide(s)
(c) Hydrogen (g) + Chloride (g) → Hydrogen chloride (g)
(d) Magnesium (s) + Hydrochloric acid (aq) → Magnesium chloride (aq) + Hydrogen (g)
Answer:
(a) 2KBr (aq) + Bal2(aq) → 2Kl(aq) + BaBr2(s)
Type : Double displacement reaction

(b) ZnCO3 (s) → ZnO (s) + CO2 (g)

Type : Decomposition reaction

(c) H2 (g) + Cl2 (g) → 2HCl(g)

Type : Combination reaction

(d) Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl 2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Type : Displacement reaction

Question 17
What does one mean by exothermic and endothermic reactions ? Give examples.
Answer:
Exothermic reactions : Those reactions in which heat is evolved are known as
exothermic reactions. An exothermic reaction is indicated by writing “+ Heat”on the
products side of an equation.
Example :
(i) C (s) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + Heat
(ii) N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) → 2NH3 (g) + Heat

Endothermic reactions : Those reactions in which heat is absorbed are known as

endothermic reactions. An endothermic reaction is usually indicated by writing “Heat” on
the product side of a chemical equation.
Examples :
(i) C (s) + 2S (s) → CS2 (l) – Heat
(ii) N2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO(g) – Heat

Question 18
Why is respiration considered an exothermic reaction ? Explain.
Answer:
Respiration is an exothermic process because during respiration glucose combines with
oxygen in the cells of our body to form carbon dioxide and water along with the
production of energy.
Question 19
Why are decomposition reactions called the opposite of combination reactions? Write
equations for these reactions.
Answer:
In a decomposition reaction, a single compound breaks down to produce two or more
simpler substances.
For example:

While, in a combination reaction, two or more substances simply combine to form a new
substance.
For example:

Question 20
Write one equation each for the decomposition reactions where energy is supplied in the
form of heat, light or electricity.
OR
Decomposition reactions require energy either in the form of heat or light or electricity for
breaking down the reactants. Write one equation each for decomposition reactions
where energy is supplied in the form of heat, light and electricity. [CBSE 2015 (Delhi)]
Answer:

Question 21
What is the difference between displacement and double displacement reactions? Write
equations for these reactions.
Answer:
In displacement reactions, a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its
solution. For example,
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → Cu(s) + FeSO4(aq)
This is a displacement reaction where iron displaces copper from its solution.
In double displacement reactions, two reactants in solution exchange their ions. For
example,
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl (aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3 (aq)
This is a double displacement reaction where silver nitrate and sodium chloride
exchange Cl– and NO3– ions between them.

Question 22
In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from silver nitrate solution involved
displacement by copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.
Answer:

Question 23
What do you mean by a precipitation reaction ? Explain by giving examples.
Answer:
A reaction in which an insoluble solid called precipitate is formed that separates from the
solution is called a precipitation reaction.
Example : When a solution of iron (III) chloride and ammonium hydroxide are mixed, a
brown precipitate of iron (III) hydroxide is formed.

Question 24
Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each:
(a) Oxidation and
(b) Reduction.
Answer:
(a) Oxidation : The addition of oxygen to a substance is called oxidation.
Example :
(i) S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g) (Addition of oxygen to sulphur)
(ii) 2Mg(s) + O2 (g) → 2MgO(s) (Addition of oxygen to magnesium)

(b) Reduction : The removal of oxygen from a substance is called reduction.

Example: (i) CuO + H2 Heat−→−− Cu + H2O
Here, copper oxide is being reduced to copper because oxygen gets removed from
copper oxide.
(ii) ZnO + C → Zn + CO
Here, zinc oxide is being reduced to zinc because oxygen gets removed from zinc oxide.

Question 25
A shiny brown coloured element ‘X’ on heating in air becomes black in colour. Name the
element ‘X’ and the black coloured compound formed.
Answer:
Element ‘X’ is copper (Cu).
The black coloured compound is copper oxide (CuO). The reaction involved is

Question 26
Why do we apply paint on iron articles ?
Answer:
Paint does not allow iron articles to come in contact with air, water and saves iron
articles from damage due to rusting.
Question 27
Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why ?
Answer:
To keep food items fresh and save from getting oxidised, food items are flushed with
nitrogen.

Question 28
Explain the following terms with one example each (a) Corrosion, (b) Rancidity.
Answer:
(a) Corrosion : It is the process in which metals are eaten up gradually by the action of
air, moisture or a chemical (such as an acid) on their surface.
Example : When iron is exposed to moist air for a long period of time, its surface
acquires a coating of a brown, flaky substance called rust. Rust is mainly hydrated iron
(III) oxide [Fe2O3.xH20].

(b) Rancidity : The condition produced by aerial oxidation of fats and oils in foods
marked by unpleasant smell and taste is called rancidity.
Rancidity spoils the food materials prepared in fats and oils which have been kept for a
considerable time and makes them unfit for eating.
Rancidity can be prevented by adding anti-oxidants to foods containing fats and oils. It
can also be prevented by flushing fat and oil containing foods with nitrogen before
sealing.

.
 Control and CoordinationTEXTBOOK
SOLUTIONS

Question 1
What is the difference between a reflex action and walking?
Answer:

Reflex action Walking

1. It is a response to the information transmitted by

1. It is the action which is performed automatically. nerve to muscles of the legs. In this case, thinking is

involved.

2. It is controlled and coordinated by spinal cord. 2. Brain instructs and controls leg muscles to move.

3. It is an involuntary action. 3. It is a voluntary action.

Question 2
What happens at the synapse between two neurons?
Answer:
The small empty space between two nerve cells is called synapse. At synapse, a chemical
substance is produced at the end of axon of one nerve cell that reaches to the other nerve cell
through the dendrite. Thus, information is transmitted from one nerve cell to other nerve cell by
synapse.

Question 3
Which part of the brain maintains posture and equilibrium of the body ?
Answer:
Posture and equilibrium of the body are controlled by cerebellum.

Question 4
How do we detect the smell of an agarbatti (incense stick) ?
Answer:
The smell of agarbatti (incense stick) diffuses in the air. It is detected by olfactory receptors
present in the nose. This information is sent to olfactory lobe by sensory nerves located in the
forebrain. It responds to the information.
Question 5
What is the role of the brain in reflex action ?
Answer:
There is no role of brain in reflex action. These involuntary actions are controlled by the spinal
cord which take place immediately without thinking of how to respond to the stimuli.

Question 6
What are plant hormones ?
Answer:
Plant hormones are also called phytohormones. Plant hormones are the chemical substances
which help in controlling growth, flowering, height, development of plants and their response to
the environment.

Different types of phytohormones are – auxins, gibberllins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and
ethylene.

Question 7
How is the movement of leaves of the sensitive plant different from the movement of a shoot
towards light ?
Answer:

Movement of leaves of sensitive plant Movement of a shoot towards light

1. It is a nastic movement which does not depend on the 1. It is a tropic movement which depends on the

direction of stimulus applied. direction of stimulus applied.

2. The stimulus is touch. 2. The stimulus is light.

3. It is caused by the sudden loss of water from the 3. It is caused by the unequal growth on the two

swellings at the base of leaves. sides of the shoot.

4. It is not a growth movement. 4. It is a growth movement.

Question 8
Give an example of a plant hormone that promotes growth.
Answer:
Auxin.

Question 9
How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support ?
Answer:
When the tip of a tendril touches a support, then the auxins present in its tip move to that side of
tip which is away from the support. Auxins promote growth. So, due to more auxins in it, the side
of tendril away from the support grows faster (and becomes longer) than the side which is in
contact with the support and makes the tendril twirl (or bend) around the support.

Question 10
Design an experiment to demonstrate hydrotropism.
Answer:
Take two glass troughs A and B and fill each one of them two-thirds with soil. In trough A plant
a tiny seedling. In trough B plant a similar seedling and place a c/ay pot inside the soil. Water the
soil in trough A daily and uniformly. Do not water the soil in trough B but put some water in the
clay pot. Leave both the troughs for a few days.

Now, dig up the seedlings carefully from both the troughs without damaging their roots. We will
find that the root of seedling in trough A is straight. On the other hand, the root of seedling in
trough B is found to be bent to the right side i.e., towards the clay pot containing water.
In trough A, the root of the seedling gets water from both sides. But in trough B, the roots get
water oozing out from the clay pot which is kept on the right side. Therefore, the root of seedling
in trough B grows and bends towards the source of water to the right side. This experiment shows
that the root of a plant grows towards water. In other words, the root of a plant is hydrotropism.

Question 11
How does chemical coordination take place in animals ?
Answer:
Chemical coordination in animals takes place through the hormones secreted by the endocrine
glands. Coordination in animals takes place through hormone system as well as nervous system
which is called endocrine system. Endocrine glands secrete animal hormones directly into the
blood that reach to the specific cells. Special type of molecules are present on the surface of cells
to detect these hormones. These cells act according to the information that a particular hormone
carries.

Question 12
Why is the use of iodised salt advisable ?
Answer:
It is advised to use iodised salt because thyroid gland needs iodine to produce thyroxin hormone.
Thyroxin hormone controls all the metabolic activities of our body like metabolism of
carbohydrates, fats and protein etc. Due to the deficiency of thyroxin a disease called goitre is
caused.

Question 13
How does our body respond when adrenaline is secreted into the blood ?
Answer:
The heart beat increases when adrenaline is secreted into the blood so that more oxygen is
supplied to our muscles. The blood supply to the digestive system and skin decreases because the
small arteries around the muscles of these organs contract. This turns the direction of blood
towards our skeletal muscles. The breathing rate also increases due to the contractions of the
diaphragm and rib muscles. All these responses enable us to face the situations of fear and anger.

Question 14
Why are some patients of diabetes treated by giving injections of insulin ?
Answer:
Insulin hormone regulates blood sugar levels. If this is not secreted in proper amounts, the sugar
level in the blood rises. This causes many harmful effects.
To treat harmful effects of increased level of blood sugar, the diabetic patients are treated by
giving injections of insulin.

Question 15
Which of the following is a plant hormone?
(a) Insulin
(b) Thyroxin
(c) Oestrogen
(d) Cytokinin
Answer:
(d) Cytokinin

Question 16
The gap between two neurons is called a
(a) dendrite
(b) synapse
(c) axon
(d) impulse
Answer:
(b) Synapse

Question 17
The brain is responsible for
(a) thinking
(b) regulating the heart beat
(c) balancing the body
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(b) All of the above

Question 18
What is the function of receptors in our body ? Think of situations where receptors do not work
properly. What problems are likely to arise ?
Answer:
Receptors are specialised cells located in our sense organs like ear, nose, skin, tongue and eyes.
The function of receptors is to detect information from the environment. For example, olfactory
receptors detect smell. If receptors do not work properly, the information obtained from the
environment will be delayed to reach the spinal cord or brain. In this situation, the response to the
environmental stimulus will be delayed causing harm to the body. For example, if skin receptors
are damaged, and one accidentally touches a hot object, then his/her hands might get burn as the
damaged receptor cannot perceive the external stimuli of heat and pain.

Question 19
Draw the structure of a neuron and explain its function.
Answer:
Nerve cell or neuron is the functional unit of nervous system. A nerve cell has three parts-
(i) cell body
(ii) dendrite
(iii) axon

Function : The function of nerve cells is to carry information in the form of electrical signals
which are called nerve impulses. Cells receive stimulus to send it to spinal cord and brain and
carry the message from brain to the target organ.

Question 20
How does phototropism occur in plants ?
Answer:
The movement in any part of a plant due to light is called phototropism. The shoot of plant shows
positive phototropism and roots show negative phototropism.
Phototropism in plants occurs due to the hormone auxin. When light falls on one side of a plant,
the secretion of auxin hormone is more in the part away from the light. Hence, auxin causes
growth in length of the cells in shady part. So, the plant appears to bend towards light.

Question 21
Which signals will get disrupted in case of a spinal cord injury ?
Answer:
(i) All the involuntary actions will get disturbed.
(ii) Reflex actions will be disturbed because reflexes are located in the spinal cord. Therefore, the
quick responses required to safe guard the body will not take place.

Question 22
How does chemical coordination occur in plants ?
Answer:
Chemical coordination in plants takes place with the help of plant hormones. In most of the
regions where division takes place (meristematic regions) stimuli cells secrete chemical
compounds (hormone). These substances identify the information by stimulating the other nearby
cells and communicating the information.

Question 23
What is the need for a system of control and coordination in an organism ?
Answer:
An organism needs control and coordination system for the following functions :
(i) To save the body of the organisms from the harmful changes in the environment.
(ii) To control the speed of voluntary and involuntary actions.
(iii) To have the capability to think and learn for responding to any stimuli.

Question 24
How are involuntary actions and reflex actions different from each other ?
Answer:

Involuntary actions Reflex actions

1. Reflex action is an immediate response to an

1. Those actions which occur immediately without any
event which does not require any processing by
thinking are called involuntary actions.
brain.

2. Involuntary actions are controlled by mid and hind

2. Reflex actions are controlled by spinal cord.
brain.
Example: Sneezing, coughing, etc.
Example: Breathing, beating of heart, etc.

Question 25
Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for control and coordination in
animals.
Answer:

Nervous mechanism Hormonal mechanism

It is a fast process. It is a slow process.

Arteries and glands are affected. It affects the target organ.

It transmits in electrochemical form. It transmits in chemical form.

It does not control metabolism. It controls metabolism.

Growth is not affected. Growth is affected.

Question 12
What is the difference between the manner in which movement takes place in a sensitive plant
and the movement in our legs ?
Answer:

Movement in a sensitive (mimosa) plant Movement in legs of a human

1. The leaves of a sensitive plant like mimosa are

1. Leg is in control of nerve muscles.
sensitive to touch.

2. It is not controlled by any part of the plant. 2. It is controlled by brain and spinal cord.

3. In this, cells change their shape on changing the 3. Amount of water has no effect on the

amount of water in them. movement of muscles.

changing the amount of water in them. the movement of muscles.

4. The movement in a sensitive plant are nastic 4. The movement in our leg is due to voluntary

movement. nervous system.

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ACID BASE AND SALTS

Question 1
You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water and the other
two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution, respectively. If you are given only red litmus
paper, how will you identify the contents of each test tube ?
Answer:
(i) Put the red litmus paper in all the test tubes, turn by turn. The solution which turns red litmus
to blue will be a basic solution. The blue litmus paper formed here can now be used to test the
acidic solution.
(ii) Put the blue litmus paper obtained above in the remaining two test-tubes, turn-by-turn. The
solution which turns the blue litmus paper to red will be the acidic solution.

Salt-based household products

(iii) The solution which has no effect on any litmus paper will be neutral and hence it will be distilled
water.

Question 2
Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels ?
Answer:
Curd and sour substances should not be kept in brass and copper vessels because these and other
sour food-stuffs contain acids which can react with the metal of the vessel to form poisonous
metal compounds which can cause food poisoning and affect our health adversely.

Question 3
Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal ? Illustrate with an example. How
will you test for the presence of this gas ?
Answer:
(i) Hydrogen (H2) gas is liberated when an acid reacts with a metal.
(ii) Illustration : Set up the apparatus as shown in the given figure. Take some zinc granules in the
test tube. Add about 5 mL dilute hydrochloric acid slowly. Soon the reaction between zinc and
hydrochloric acid starts and hydrogen gas is evolved.

(iii) Test for H2 gas :

H2 gas is not soluble in water. When passed through soap solution, it gets trapped into bubbles.
Bring a burning candle near the soap bubble filled with gas. The soap bubble bursts and hydrogen
gas burns with a pop sound.

Question 4
Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The gas
evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction if one
of the compounds formed is calcium chloride.
Answer:
As the end product is calcium chloride and the gas formed is carbon dioxide, the metal compound
A must be calcium carbonate. Therefore, the reaction between calcium carbonate and
hydrochloric acid is

Question 5
Why do HCl, HNO3, etc show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of
compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character ?
Answer:
H+ ions in aqueous solution are responsible for acidic character. HCl, HNO3, etc. give H+ ions in
water while alcohol and glucose do not give H+ ion in water. Therefore, alcohol and glucose do
not show acidic character.

Question 6
Why does an aqueous solution of an acid conduct electricity ?
Answer:
The aqueous solution of an acid conducts electricity due to the presence of charged particles
called ions in it.

Question 7
Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper ?
Answer:
Dry HCl gas does not give H+ ions and therefore does not change the colour of dry litmus paper.

Question 8
While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not
water to the acid ?
Answer:
While diluting an acid it is recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to
the acid because if water is added to concentrated acid to dilute it, then a large amount of heat is
evolved at once. This heat changes some of the water to steam explosively which can splash the
acid on one’s face or clothes and cause acid burns.

Question 9
How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a solution of an acid is diluted
?
Answer:
When a given amount of an acid is added to water, there is a fixed number of hydronium ions per
volume of the solution. On dilution, the number of hydronium ions per volume decreases and
concentration decreases.

Question 10
How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH–) affected when excess base is dissolved in a
solution of sodium hydroxide ?
Answer:
The concentration of hydroxide ions will increase when excess base is dissolved in a solution of
sodium hydroxide, but it happens to a limited extent only after which the concentration becomes
almost constant.

Question 11
You have two solutions A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and pH of solution B is 8. Which
solution has more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of this is acidic and which one is basic ?
Answer:
A pH value of less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, while greater than 7 indicates a basic
solution. Since solution A has more hydrogen ion concentration, solution A is acidic and solution
B is basic.

Question 12
What effect does the concentration of H+ (aq) ions have on the nature of the solution ?
Answer:
More the concentration of H+ ions, higher the acidic nature of the solution.

Question 13
Do basic solutions also have H+ (aq) ions ? If yes, then why are these basic ?
Answer:
Basic solutions have H+ (aq) ions. But these are far less in number than OH– ions that is
responsible for their basic nature.

Question 14
Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with quick lime
(calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate) ?
Answer:
If the soil is too acidic (having low pH) then it is treated with materials like quick lime (calcium
oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate).

Question 15
What is the common name of the compound CaOCl2 ?
Answer:
Bleaching powder.

Question 16
Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.
Answer:
Slaked lime Ca (OH)2.

Question 17
Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.
Answer:
Sodium carbonate.

Question 18
What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated. Give the equation of the
reaction involved ?
Answer:
Solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate on heating gives sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide
gas is evolved.
Question 19
Write an equation to show the reaction between plaster of Paris and water.
Answer:

Question 20
A solution turns red litmus blue, its pH is likely to be
(a) 1
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 10
Answer:
(d) 10

Question 21
A solution reacts with crushed-egg shells to give a gas that turns lime water milky. The solution
contains
(a) NaCl
(b) HCl
(c) LiCl
(d) KCl
Answer:
(b) HCl

Question 22
10 mL of a solution of NaOH is found to be completely neutralised by 8 mL of a given solution
of HC1. If we take 20 mL of the same solution of NaOH, the amount of HC1 solution (the same
solution as before) required to neutralise it will be
(a) 4 mL
(b) 8 mL
(c) 12 mL
(d) 16 mL
Answer:
(d) 16 mL

Question 23
Which one of the following types of medicines is used for treating indigestion?
(a) Antibiotic
(b) Analgesic
(c) Antacid
(d) Antiseptic
Answer:
(c) Antacid

Question 24
Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when
(a) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules
(b) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon
(c) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder
(d) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filing
Answer:
(a) Zinc + dilute sulphuric acid → Zinc sulphate + Hydrogen
Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

(b) Magnesium ribbon + dil. Hydrochloric acid → Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen

Mg (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

(c) Aluminium powder + dil. Sulphuric acid > Aluminium sulphate + Hydrogen
2Al (s) + 3H2SO4 (aq) → Al2 (SO4)3 (aq) + 3H2 (g)

(d) Iron filings + Dilute hydrochloric acid > Ferric chloride + Hydrogen
2Fe (s) + 6HCl (aq) → 2FeCl3 (aq) + 3H2 (g)

Question 25
Compounds such as alcohol and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorised as acids.
Describe an activity to prove it.
Answer:
Though compounds like alcohol and glucose contain hydrogen but they do not ionise in the
solution to produce H+ ions on passing current through them.
(i) Take solutions of alcohols and glucose.
(ii) Fix two nails on a cork, and place the cork in 100 mL beaker.
(iii) Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6 volt battery through a bulb and a switch, as
shown in the given Figure.

(iv) Now pour alcohol in the beaker and switch on the current.
(v) The bulb does not glow.
(vi) Repeat the experiment with glucose. The bulb does not glow in this case also.
(vii) This means no ions or H+ ions are present in the solution.
This shows that alcohols and glucose are not acids.

Question 26
Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does ?
Answer:
Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any ionic compound (like
acids, bases or salts) dissolved in it.
Rainwater, while falling to the earth through the atmosphere, dissolves an acidic gas carbon
dioxide from the air and forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid provides hydrogen ions,
H+ (aq) and carbonate ions, CO(aq)32to rainwater. Hence, due to the presence of carbonic acid
which provides ions to rainwater, the rainwater conducts electricity.
Question 27
Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water ?
Answer:
The acidic behaviour of acids is due to the presence of hydrogen ions, [H+ (aq) ions], in them.
The acid produces hydrogen ions only in the presence of water. So in the absence of water, an
acid will not form hydrogen ions and hence will not show its acidic behaviour.

Question 28
Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as 4, 1, 11, 7
and 9 respectively. Which solution is
(a) Neutral
(b) Strongly alkaline
(c) Strongly acidic
(d) Weakly acidic
(e) Weakly alkaline
Arrange the pH in increasing order of hydrogen ion concentration.
Answer:
(a) D
(b) C
(c) B
(d) A
(e) E
Increasing order of hydrogen ion concentration
11 < 9 < 7 < 4 < 1
i. e., C < E < D < A < B

Question 29
Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is
added to test tube A, while acetic acid (CH3COOH) is added to test tube B. In which test tube will
the fizzing occur more vigorously and why ?
Answer:
Fizzing will occur more vigorously in test tube A. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid
whereas acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid. Being strong acid, the hydrochloric acid solution
contains a much greater amount of hydrogen ions in it due to which the fizzing will occur more
vigorously in test tube A (containing hydrochloric acid). The fizzing is due to the evolution of
hydrogen gas which is formed by the action of acid on the magnesium metal of magnesium
ribbon.

Question 30
fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd ? Explain
your answer.
Answer:
pH of milk falls below 6 as it turns into curd due to the formation of lactic acid during this
process. Lactic acid present in it reduces its pH value.

Question 31
A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk.
(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline ?
(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd ?
Answer:
(a) Milk is made slightly alkaline so that it may not get sour easily due to the formation of lactic
acid in it.
(b) The alkaline milk takes a longer time to set into curd because the lactic acid being formed has
to first neutralise the alkali present in it.

Question 32
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture proof container. Explain why?
Answer:
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture proof container because the presence of moisture
can cause slow setting of plaster of Paris by bringing about its hydration. This will make the
plaster of Paris useless after sometime.

Question 33
What is a neutralisation reaction ? Give two examples.
Answer:
The reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water is called a neutralisation reaction.
Examples:

Question 34
Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.
Answer:
Uses of washing soda :
(i) Washing soda is used in glass, soap and paper industries.
(ii) It is used for removing permanent hardness of water.

Uses of baking soda :

(i) Baking soda is used as an antacid in medicines to remove acidity of the stomach.
(ii) Baking soda is used for making baking powder (used in making cakes, bread, etc.).

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