How do Organisms Reproduce

Asexual Reproduction in Plants

• Spore formation → eg. Bacteria, fungi
• Budding → eg. Fungi (yeast)
• Fragmentation → eg. Algae, fungi
• Vegetative propagation
(a) Natural method
• By roots → eg. Sweet potato
• By stems → eg. Ginger, potato
• By leaves → eg. Bryophyllum
(b) Artificial method
• Cutting → eg. Rose
• Layering → eg. Strawberry, lemon
• Grafting → eg. Mango, rose.
• Micropropagation → eg. Orchids, dahlia
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
• Flower is the reproductive organ.
• It has four whorls – Calyx, Corolla, Androecium, Gynoecuim.
• Calyx and corolla are accessory parts.
• Androecium - Male reproductive organ producing pollen grains.
• Gynoecium - Female reproductive organ having ovule (egg).
• Pollination – Transfer of pollens from anther to stigma for fertilization.
• Fertilization – Fusion of male and female gametes.
• Double fertilization (Triple fusion and syngamy) – unique events in the embryo sac of ovules.
Asexual Reproduction in Animals
• Fission
(a) Binary fission → eg. Amoeba
(b) Multiple fission → eg. Plasmodium
• Budding → eg. Hydra
• Regeneration → eg. Planaria, Hydra
Sexual Reproduction (Human)
• Human being is heterosexual.
• Reproductive system includes:
(a) Primary sex organs: Testes (males) and ovaries (females)
(b) Secondary sex organs: Genital ducts and glands (males) and fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina
(females)
• Male sex hormone is testosterone and female sex hormones are progesterone and estrogen.
• Puberty is attained at the age of 13 – 14 years in males and 10 – 12 years in females.
• The zygote formed after fertilization develops into embryo which gets implanted in uterus.
• Placenta (a disc-like special tissue) develops between uterine wall and embryo for nourishment of
the embryo.
• Gestation period in humans is 280 days.
Reproductive Health
• Birth control prevents unwanted pregnancies.
(a) Barrier methods
(b) Chemical methods
(c) Intrauterine contraceptive device
(d) Surgical method
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are caused by bacteria, protozoa and viruses.
• AIDS is an incurable viral disease.
HOW DO ORGANISMS REPRODUCE-MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. The two oviducts in a human female unite into an elastic bag like is known as
a. Vagina
b. Uterus
c. Fallopian tube
d. Cervix
2. Which of the following disease is transmitted sexually?
a. Kala azar
b. Jaundice
c. Cholera
d. Syphilis
3. Which of the following is a contraceptive?
a. Copper t
b. Condom
c. Diaphragm
d. All of these
4. When a animal is cut into pieces and each piece grows into a complex organism. What is the
process?
a. Budding
b. Fragmentation
c. Spore formation
d. Regeneration
5. Which is the portion on which grafting is done it provides the roots?
a. Stock
b. Scion
c. Both a and b
d. None of these
6. Where does fertilization occur in human females?
a. Uterus
b. Cervix
c. Oviduct
d. None of these
7. Growing foetus derive nutrition from mother�s blood through
a. Uterus
b. Fallopian tube
c. placenta
d. cervix
8. What is the puberty age in human males?
a. 8-10
b. 10-12
c. 12-14
d. 14-16
9. Fruits are formed from
a. Stamen
b. Stigma
c. Ovary
d. Ovule
10. IUCD is for
a. Vegetative propagation
b. Contraception
c. Increasing fertility
d. Avoiding miscarriage
Answers
1. B
2. D
3. D
4. D
5. A
6. D
7. C
8. C
9. C
10. B
 Life processes
Life processes
• Constantly exhibit the functions of maintenance and repair in living organisms
• Some Examples- Digestion, Respiration, Circulation etc.
Nutrition
• Process of obtaining nutrients from the environment i.e. intake of food and then its digestion in
the body.
• Two types – Autotrophic (self-sufficient for food) and Heterotrophic (dependent on others for
food).
Autotrophic nutrition
• Synthesis of food by photosynthesis- ‘photo’ means light and ‘synthesis’ means production. It is
the production of food with the help of sunlight.
• Photosynthesis equation-
6CO2+6H2O give C6H12O6+6O2
• Events of photosynthesis are as follows: Absorption of light energy chlorophyll which is the
green pigment and gives energy for activation of reaction. Then the splitting of water into its
constituent’s hydrogen and oxygen leading to the Synthesis of ATP and NADPH2 and finally
reduction of CO2 to carbohydrates.
Heterotrophic nutrition
• Generally take up energy from plants and animals by using them as food.
• Mostly of three types—holozoic, parasitic, and saprophytic.
• Digestion- mechanical and chemical reduction of ingested nutrients which can be then
converted to energy for use.
• Human digestive system- consists of the long alimentary canal that includes mouth, pharynx,
oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.
• Organs for assistance- pancreas, liver
Nutrition in humans:

• Saliva is secreted by salivary glands located under the tongue which contains digestive
enzymes like salivary amylase, which break down starch into sugar. So, digestion of carbohydrates
starts in the mouth itself.
• Tongue helps in chewing, moistening, rolling and swallowing of food.
• The food from mouth then goes down the oesophagus, which is the food pipe to the stomach,
through the movement of walls of oesophagus (peristalsis)
• Stomach mixes the food hence received with various digestive juices.
• Inner lining of stomach secretes:
 • Mucus – protects the lining of stomach from being corroded by the acid.
• Hydrochloric acid – creates an acidic medium and dissolves bits of food.
• Digestive juices – break down protein into simpler substances.
The food from stomach eventually moves into the small intestine.
• Digestion in small intestine: It is the longest part (about 7.5 m long) of alimentary canal. It
is the site where complete digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats takes place. It gets
intestinal juices from two different glands – liver and pancreas that help in the further digestion of
food.
Liver is the largest gland of the body and secretes bile juice. Bile juice is stored in the gall
bladder and has a significant role in the digestion of fats.
Pancreas has enzymes that help in total digestion of all food components.
• The digestive tract and associated glands together constitute the digestive system.
Respiration
• It is controlled by enzymes and energy is released from the breakdown of organic substances.
It is of two types that are aerobic and anaerobic
Aerobic respiration
• Oxidation of food materials by oxygen
• Produces 36 ATP
• The steps followed in cellular respiration
First step is breakdown of glucose (6C) into pyruvates (3C) in the cytoplasm
Second step- Pyruvate is then broken down to CO2 and water and it takes place in the mitochondria
where energy is produced in ATP form.
Anaerobic respiration
• It is the Oxidation of nutrients without using up the molecular oxygen
• It gives 2 ATPs.
• First step- glycolysis in cytoplasm, 2 pyruvate produced
• Second step is the break down of pyruvic acid into ethanol and water and energy (in yeast)
and lactic acid and energy (in muscle cells)
Human respiration
• It consists of the nose, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli

• Bronchioles then divide into many alveoli which are sites of gaseous exchange.
• O2 present in alveolar blood vessels is then transported to various cells of the body.
Hemoglobin pigment present in blood is majorly responsible for transportation of carbon dioxide and
oxygen.
Transportation
First and foremost things, a liquid medium is required always for transportation.
Transportation in humans
• Double circulation occurs in human beings i.e. the blood goes through the heart twice during
each cardiac cycle.
• Blood and lymph are both involved in transportation
• Components of blood are RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and plasma.
• Three types of blood vessels are arteries, veins and capillaries.
• Arteries carry oxygenated blood in them, except one that is pulmonary artery
• Veins carry deoxygenated blood in them, except pulmonary vein
The Human heart is divided into four chambers – right auricle, right ventricle, left auricle, and left
ventricle

• The Right side of the heart gets deoxygenated blood from different cells of the body
• The Left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from lungs.
Transportation in plants
• Transportation of water is through xylem tissues
• Transport of water occurs due to transpiration pull, root pressure and difference in pressure
gradient.
• Transport of food or translocation takes place through phloem and it requires energy.
Excretion
It involves the removal of harmful metabolic wastes from the body of organisms by various
processes.
Excretion in humans
The excretory system consists of- a pair of kidneys, a pair of ureters, a urinary bladder, and a
urethra.
• Nitrogenous wastes such as urea and uric acid are removed
• Nephron- basic filtration unit
• Main components of the nephron - glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, renal tube
• The process of Removing of nitrogenous wastes through artificial kidney is called dialysis.
Multiple Choice Questions-Life Processes
1. The chlorophyll in photosynthesis is used for
I. Absorbing light
II. Breaking down water molecule
III. No function
IV. Reduction of CO2
2. Proteins after digestion are converted into
I. Carbohydrates
II. Small globules
III. Amino acids
IV. starch
3. Carbohydrates in the plants are stored in the form of
I. Glycogen
II. Starch
III. Glucose
IV. Maltose
4. Main site of photosynthesis
I. Leaf
II. Stem
III. Chloroplast
IV. Guard cells
5. The small pores present of leaf’s surface are called
I. Stomata
II. Chlorophyll
III. Guard cells
IV. None of these
6. Photosynthesis is a
I. Catabolic process
II. Parabolic process
III. Amphibolic process
IV. Photochemical lprocess
7. Opening and closing of pores is a function performed by
I. Stomata
II. Chlorophyll
III. Chloroplast
IV. Guard cells
8. Which element is used in the synthesis of proteins?
I. Hydrogen
II. Oxygen
III. Nitrogen
IV. Carbon dioxide
9. Temporary finger like extensions on amoeba are called
I. Cell membrane
II. Cell wall
III. Pseudopodia
IV. Cilia
10. Bile juice is secreted by
I. Stomach
II. Pancreas
III. Small intestine
IV. Liver
11. Which of these juices is secreted by pancreas?
I. Trypsin
II. Pepsin
III. Bile juice
IV. Both I and II
12. Lipase acts on
I. Amino acids
II. Fats
III. Carbohydrates
IV. All of these
13. Respiratory pigment in human body is
I. Chlorophyll
II. Water
III. Blood
IV. haemoglobin
14. Blood consist of what fluid medium?
I. Lymph
II. Platelets
III. Plasma
IV. All of these
15. One cell-thick vessels are called
I. Arteries
II. Veins
III. Capillaries
IV. Pulmonary artery
ANSWERS
1. I 2. III 3. II 4. III 5. I 6. IV 7. IV 8. III 9. III
10. IV 11. IV 12. II 13. IV 14. III 15. III
 OUR ENVIRONMENT
1. Biodegradable substances can be further broken down by the action of bacteria e.g. � paper,
vegetables, clothes etc. On the other hand the substances which can not be further broken down by
the action of bacteria are non- biodegradable substances e.g. � plastics, glass etc.
2. All biotic and abiotic components form the ecosystem. The biotic components are all living
organisms. The non-biotic components are physical factors like air, water, soil, wind etc.
3. The food chain consists of producers, consumers and decomposers. Green plants and algae that
make food by photosynthesis are producers. Organisms that depend upon producers for their food,
directly or indirectly are called consumers. And microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that break
down the complex organic substances in dead plant and animal into simple inorganic substances
are called decomposers.
4. The series of organisms that take part in transferring food energy from producers to consumers to
decomposers is called a food chain. Food chain link with each other to form food web.
5. Every step of food chain is called a trophic level. There are four trophic levels
I. I trophic level � producers/autotrophs
II. II trophic level � primary consumers/herbivores
III. III trophic level � secondary consumers/small carnivores
IV. IV trophic level � tertiary consumers/large carnivores
6. Green plants convert 1% of solar energy into food energy. The flow of energy is unidirectional.
7. Ozone is present at a very high level in the atmosphere. It blocks the UV radiation of sun. Ozone
is a product of UV radiation.
8. At high level in the atmosphere the UV rays split the oxygen molecules to form oxygen atoms.
These combine with oxygen molecules to form ozone. Ozone causes skin cancer, cataract and
reduces crop production.

NCERT IN-TEXT QUESTIONS SOLVED

1. Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?
Ans. Substances which can be decomposed and broken down to simpler substances by micro-
organisms acting on it is called bio-degradable and those substances which cannot be acted upon
by microorganisms and are not broken down into simpler substances are called non-biodegradable
substances.
2. Give any two ways in which bio-degradable substances would affect the environment.
Ans. Two ways in which bio-degradable substances would affect the environment are:
(i) During decomposition of the substances lot of foul smell spreads in the surrounding areas.
(ii) The place where these bio-degradable substance are present with some moisture becomes
breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes, housefly which are vectors in carrying parasites that
cause different diseases.
3. Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Ans. (i) The non-biodegradable substances get accumulated and doesn��t get decomposed
hence it remains in the ecosystem and causes pollution, chokes the system of many animals and kill
them.
(ii) These substances due to accumulation cause water and soil pollution e.g., pesticides,
detergents, polythene.
4. What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in
it.
Ans. The various levels or stages in a food chain at which the transfer of food takes place is called
trophic level, e.g., food chain.
Grass → Grasshopper → frog → snake → peacock
Grass — Producer — trophic level.
Grasshopper — I Consumer (Herbivores) — II trophic level’.
Frog — II Consumer (Carnivores) — II trophic level
Snake — III Consumer (Carnivores) — III trophic level
 Peacock — IV Consumer (Carnivores) — V trophic level.
5. What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?
Ans. Decomposers breakdown the complex organic substances like plant’s and animal’s dead body
and convert them into simpler inorganic substances.
All the elements that are present in the body on which decomposers act is released back to
the nature. Decomposers maintain balance in the nature and plays an important role in the
environment.
6. What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?
Ans. Ozone is a molecule of oxygen with 3 atoms its formula is O3. The ultra violet radiations split
oxygen into free oxygen atoms, these atoms combine with oxygen molecules to form ozone.

Ozone Ecosystem:
At ground level ozone is poisonous but at higher level it is very useful as it protects all living
organisms from harmful UV radiations of the sun. It doesn�t allow , the ultra violet radiations to
enter the surface of earth. The UV radiations cause ionizing effect that leads,� to skin cancer in
human beings.
7. How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.
Ans. To reduce the. problem of waste disposal we can
(i) Segregate the. bio-degradable waste from non-biodegradable waste before dumping it.
(ii) Remove all materials which can be recycled and send it for recycling. e.g., paper, glass,
metal, rubber.
QUESTIONS FROM NCERT TEXTBOOK
1. Which of the ,following groups contain only biodegradable items?
(a) Grass, flowers and leather
(b) Grass, wood and plastic
(c) Fruit-peels, cake and lime juice (a), (c) and (d).
(d) Cake, wood and grass
Ans. (a), (c) and (d).
2. Which of the following constitute a food-chain?
(a) Grass, wheat and mango (b) Grass, goat and human,
(c) Goat, cow and elephant (d) Grass, fish and goat,
Ans. (b) Grass, goat and human
3. Which of the following are environment friendly practices?
(a) Carrying cloth-bags to put purchases in while shopping
(b) Switching off unnecessary lights and fans
(c) Walking to school instead of getting your mother to drop you on her scooter
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
4. What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
Ans. If all the organisms in one trophic level are killed then all the organisms of next trophic level
which are dependent on these are killed. Next trophic levels will no!get food to eat and the entire
food chain gets disturbed. At the same time thei�organisms at the lower trophic level will reproduce
and the population will increase in abundance there by , disturbing the ecosystem.
5. Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic
levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the
ecosystem?
Ans. The impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level will be same. If the organisms of
any trophic level be removed it will certainly damage the ecosystem.
For example,
Grass → Grass hopper Frog → Snake → Peacock
 In this if all grasshoppers are killed/removed frogs will strive and grass will reproduce in
abundance.
If snakes are removed then the number of frogs will increase which will disturb the entire
ecosystem.
6. What is biological magnification? Will the levels pf this magnification ,bed different at different
levels of the ecosystem?
Ans. The pesticides and chemicals are absorbed by plant from the soil and enter the food chain.
Being non-biodegradable they accumulate progressively at, each trophic level. As human occupy the
top level of any food chain, the maximum concentration of chemicals is found in our bodies. This is
called biological magnification.
The level of magnification will be different at different trophic levels, the maximum
concentrations will be at the highest trophic level and the chemical will be less at lower trophic
levels.
7. What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable waste that we generate?
Ans. (i) As the non-biodegradable waste cannot be broken down into simpler forms hence they keep
on accumulating ins nature causing pollution.
(ii) They cause diseases.
(iii) It also causes biological magnification.
8. If all the waste we generate is bio-degradable, will this have no impact on the environment?
Ans. If all the waste we generate is bio-degradable and is managed in such a way that it is allowed
to decompose then it will have no impact on the environment.
9. Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this
damage?
Ans. Ozone layer in the strastosphere is very helpful in shielding harmful UV rays. In absence of
ozone layer heavy damage to organism may occur. It may cause diseases like skin cancer, cataract,
reduced crop production etc.
The damage is limited bye UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), it has forged an
agreement to freeze for CFC production in 1986.
CFC– Chlorofluorocarbons used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS- OUR ENVIRONMENT

1. Which of the following is a biodegradable substance?
I. Glass
II. Plants
III. Plastics
IV. Polythene
2. Which of the following is a non-biodegradable substance?
I. Virgin plastic
II. Plastic
III. Plants
IV. Plant producers
3. The constituents which do not form eco-system are
I. Biotic constituents
II. Plastic bags
III. Abiotic constituents
IV. All of these
4. The functional unit of environment is
I. Ecosystem
II. Nitrogen
III. Carbon
IV. Oxygen
5. Which of the following is an example of producers?
I. Plastic pens
 II. Plastic cans
III. Polythene
IV. Green plants
6. Which of the following is an example of herbivores?
I. Cow
II. Shark
III. Lion
IV. Tiger
7. Which of the following is an not example of abiotic factors?
I. Light
II. Plants
III. Heat
IV. Temperature
8. _______ is not a biodegradable pollutant.
I. Paper
II. Cotton cloth
III. Cotton
IV. DDT
9. Which of the following is terrestrial ecosystem?
I. A natural forest
II. A lake
III. A pond
IV. An aquarium
10. _______ is an omnivore animal.
I. Lion
II. Hawk
III. Jackal
IV. Man
11. The formula of Ozone is _______
I. O3
II. O2
III. O4
IV. O6
12. The number of atoms of oxygen present in ozone are
I. 3
II. 4
III. 2
IV. 1
ANSWERS
1. II
2. II
3. II
4. I
5. IV
6. I
7. II
8. IV
9. I
10. IV
11. I
12. I
 Management of Natural Resources

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following is a green house gas?
a. Nitrogen dioxide
b. Sulphur dioxide
c. Carbon dioxide
d. Carbon monoxide
2. Floods can be prevented by
a. Afforestation
b. Removing top soil
c. Deforestation
d. Agriculture
3. Narmada bachao andolan was to
a. Clean narmada
b. Expand narmada
 c. Save narmada
d. None of above
4. Which of the following is best method from environment point of view?
a. Reduce
b. Recycle
c. Reuse
d. All of above
5. The full form of UV rays is
a. Ultra violet
b. Ultra violent
c. Ultra valve
d. Ultimate violet
6. Synthetic material/ chemical which depleted Ozone layer is
a. CFCs
b. CFLs
c. CO2
d. None of above
7. What is coliform?
a. Group of bacteria
b. Group of viruses
c. Group of microoragnisms
d. Group of diseases
8. What is the name given for replenishment of forest?
a. Afforestation
b. Silviculture
c. Deforestation
d. Sericulture
9. Why should we conserve forest and wild life?
a. To protect biodiversity
b. To maintain ecosystem
c. To maintain balance
d. To continue food chain
10. Water harvesting is a method which
a. Increase ground water level
b. Not practiced in modern days
c. Has no relation with ground water
d. Decrease ground water level
ANSWERS
1. C
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. A
Heredity and evolution
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following is totally impossible outcome of Mendel�s Experiment?
a. 3 tall 1 short plant
b. 24 tall and 8 short plants
c. 8 tall and 0 short plants
d. 4 tall plants and 1 medium height plant.
2. Which of the following is not a direct conclusion that can be drawn from Mendel�s Experiment?
a. Only one parental trait is expressed
b. Two copies of each trait is inherited in sexually reproducing organism
c. For recessive trait to be expressed, both copies should be identical
d. Natural selection can alter frequency of an inherited trait.
3. Which one is a possible progeny in F2 generation of pure bred tall plant with round seed and
short plant with wrinkled seeds?
a. Tall plant with round seeds
b. Tall plant with wrinkled seeds
c. Short plant with round seed
d. All of the above
4. Which section of DNA provides information for one protein
a. Nucleus
b. Chromosomes
c. Trait
d. Gene
5. Which of the following is not controlled by genes?
1. Weight of a person
2. Height of a person
a. only 1
b. only 2
c. both 1 and 2
d. sometimes 1 and sometimes 2
6. What is the probability that the male progeny will be a boy?
a. 50%
b. 56%
c. 47.43%
d. It varies
7. Who have a perfect pair of sex chromosomes?
a. Girls only
b. Boys only
c. Both girls and boys
d. It depends on many other factors
8. With whom you can associate theory of evolution?
a. Charles Darwin
b. Mendel
c. Stanley miller
d. Harold Urey
9. Which of the following can be called a characteristic?
a. Plants can photosynthesis
b. We have 2 eyes
c. Mango tree is multicellular
d. All of these
10. Homologous organ have
a. Same structure, same function
b. Different structure, different function
 c. Same structure, different function
d. different structure, same function
ANSWERS
1. d
2. d
3. d
4. d
5. b
6. a
7. a
8. a
9. d
10. c
 Control and Coordination
Control and Coordination
Systematic working of the various organs of an organism (plants or animals) producing a proper
response to the stimulus is called co-ordination.
Coordination in Plants
Not so elaborate, controlled by phytohormones and external stimulus.
Phytohormones
• Control and coordination in plants is done by phytohormones.
• They are naturally occurring chemical substances which control one or other aspect of growth.
• Auxin – Cell enlargement and differentiation.
• Gibberellins – In presence of auxin, promotes cell enlargement and differentiation.
• Cytokinins – Promotes cell division, opening of stomata, etc.
• Abscisic acid – Closing of stomata, wilting and falling of leaves, etc.
Tropic Movements
• Directional plant growth movement in response to an external stimulus.
• Growth of a plant may be towards the stimulus (positive tropism) or away from it (negative
tropism).
• Phototropism – movement in response to light.
• Chemotropism – in response to chemicals.
• Hydrotropism – in response to water.
• Geotropism – in response to gravity.
Nastic Movements
• Non-directional movement of a plant part in response to an external stimulus.
• May or may not be a growth movement.
• All parts of the organ of a plant are affected equally irrespective of the direction of the stimulus.
• Thigmonasty – Nastic movement in response to touch of an object.
• Photonasty – Nastic movement in response to light.
Coordination in Animals
Elaborate, very complex and is controlled by neuroendocrine system.
Endocrine (chemical) Coordination
• Consists of hormones (chemical messengers) regulating biological processes and secreted by
endocrine glands.
• Homeostasis is maintained by hormones by their integrated action and feed back control.
Nervous Coordination
• Neuron forms the fundamental unit.
• Sensory neurons in sense organs receive stimulus and transmit impulses to CNS.
• Motor neurons transmit impulses from CNS to effectors.
• Relay or connector neurons serve as links between sensory and motor neurons.
Nervous System (Human)
• CNS – Consists of brain and spinal cord.
Brain – Controls various voluntary (walking, riding, running, etc.) and involuntary actions
(sneezing, coughing, etc). Also controls thinking, reasoning, and intelligence.
Spinal Cord – Controls reflex action.
• PNS – Consists of cranial nerves (12 pairs) and spinal nerves (31 pairs).
• ANS – Two set of nerves (parasympathetic and sympathetic) supplying visceral organs which are
antagonistic to each other.

NCERT Solution for Control and Coordination

NCERT IN-TEXT QUESTIONS SOLVED
1. What is the difference between reflex action and walking?
Ans. Reflex action takes place without thought, i.e., it gives a reaction to stimuli. It is controlled by
the spinal cord. It is an involuntary action. Walking takes place after thought, i.e., according to our
wishes. It is controlled by a part of hind brain called cerebellum. It is a voluntary action.
2. What happens at the synapse between two neurons?
Ans. Synapse is the gap between nerve ending of one neuron and dendrites of another. At synapse,
the electrical impulse generated at dendrites of a neuron is passed on to dendrite of another neuron
in the form of chemicals by on ending of the first neuron. Synapse ensures that nerve impulse
travels only in one direction. A similar synapse allows the delivery of impulse from the neuron to the
other cells, like muscle cells.
3. Which part of the brain maintains posture and equilibrium of the body?
Ans. Cerebellum, which is a part of the hind brain.
4. How do we detect the smell of an agarbatti (incense stick)?
Ans. Smell of an incense stick is detected by the olfactory receptors located in the fore-brain.
5. What is the role of brain in reflex action?
Ans. Spinal cord is made up of nerves which supply information to think about. Thinking involves
more complex mechanisms and neural connections. These are concentrated in the brain, which
reacts to the stimuli and is the main coordinating center of the body. The brain and spinal cord
constitute the central nervous system. They receive information from all parts of the body and
integrate it. Hence, brain plays an important role in reflex action.
6. What are plant hormones?
Ans. Plant hormones are chemicals present in plants which help to coordinate growth, development
and responses to stimuli and environment. For example, auxins, gibberellins, cytolcinins, abscisic
acids are different plant hormones.
7. How is the movement of leaves of the sensitive plant different from the movement of a shoot
towards light?
Ans. The movement of leaves of a sensitive plant is neither towards, nor away from the stimulus
touch; it is a non-directional movement (nastic movement) while movement of shoot is towards the
stimulus like light; it is a directional movement (tropic movement).
8. Give an example of a plant hormone that promotes growth.
Ans. Auxin is the plant hormone that helps in cell growth and elongation. Gibberellins promote
growth of stem.
9. How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support?
Ans. When tendrils come in contact with any support, the part of the tendril in contact with the object
does not grow as rapidly as the part of the tendril away from the object. This is caused by the action
of auxin hormone. Less auxin occurs on the side of contact as compared to the free side. As a
result, auxin promotes growth on the free side and the tendrils coil around the support.
10. Design an experiment to demonstrate hydrotropism.
Ans. • Take a tray filled with soil.
• Plant a seedling in the tray at one end.
• To the other end add water to the soil with the help of a pipe as shown in the figure.
Observation: The root (radicle) of the plant seedling moves towards the wet soil. This shows
that roots are positively hydrotropic.
11. How does chemical coordination take place in animals?
Ans. In animals, chemical coordination is maintained by hormones secreted by endocrine glands,
which function as chemical messengers. They are released by endocrine glands directly into the
blood without any involvement of special ducts from where they reach the target tissue or organ to
act. These organs and tissues then respond and enables the body to deal with different situations.
12. Why is the use of iodised salt advisable?
Ans. Iodine is necessary for the thyroid gland to make thyroxin hormone. Thyroxin regulates
carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism in the body so as to provide the best balance for growth. If
iodine is deficient in our diet, there is a possibility that we might suffer from goitre. The thyroid gland
enlarges causing swelling in the neck. Iodised common salt contains proper content of iodine. Thus,
to avoid deficiency of iodine, iodised salt is recommended.
13. How does our body respond when adrenaline is secreted into the blood?
Ans. Adrenaline hormone is secreted in large amounts when a person is frightened, or mentally
disturbed. When it reaches the heart, it beats faster to supply more oxygen to our muscles. The
breathing rate also increases because of the contractions of diaphragm and the rib muscles. It also
raises the blood pressure, and allows more glucose to enter into the blood. All these responses
together enable our body to deal with the emergency situations.
14. Why are some patients of diabetes treated by giving injections of insulin?
Ans. Diabetes is caused due to less or no secretion of hormone insulin by pancreas. In such a
person, blood sugar level is high. Insulin converts extra sugar present in blood into glycogen. Thus,
patients suffering from diabetes are given insulin injection to control their blood sugar level.
QUESTIONS FROM NCERT TEXTBOOK
1. Which of the following is the plant hormone?
(a) Insulin
(b) Thyroxine
(c) Oestrogen
(d) Cytokinin
Ans. (d) Cytokinin
2. The gap between two neurons is called a
(a) dendrite.
(b) synapse.
(c) axon
(d) impulse.
Ans. (b) synapse.
3. The brain is responsible for
(a) thinking.
(b) regulating the heart beat.
(c) balancing the body.
(d) all of the above.
Ans. (d) all of the above.
4. What is the function of receptors in our body? Think of situations where receptors do not work
properly. What problems are likely to arise?
Ans. The receptors in our body collect information about changes in the environment around us in
the form of stimuli. They are located in our sense organs such as the inner ear, nose, tongue, eye,
etc.
These then pass the information in the form of nerve impulses to central nervous system (spinal
cord and brain) where message is interpreted and instructions are sent to effectors which reveal
responses.
When receptors do not work properly, the environmental stimuli are not able to create nerve
impulses and body does not respond.
5. Draw the structure of a neuron and explain its function.
Ans. Functions: The information acquired at the end of the dendritic tip of a neuron sets off a
chemical reaction which creates an electrical impulse. This impulse travels from the dendrite to the
cell body, and then along the on to its end. At the end of on, the electrical impulse sets off the
release of some chemicals, which cross the synapse and start a similar impulse in a dendrite of the
next neuron.
In this way nervous impulses travel in the body. Thus, nervous tissue is made up of an organized
network of neurons which are specialized for conducting information via electrical impulse from one
part of the body to another.
6. How does phototropism occur in plants?
Ans. Movement of shoot towards light is called phototropism. This movement is caused due to more
growth of cells towards the shaded side of the shoot as compared to the side of shoot towards light.
More growth of cells is due to secretion of auxin towards the shaded side.
• Fill a conical flask with water.
 • Cover the neck of the flask with a wire mesh.
• Keep two or three freshly germinated bean seeds on the wire mesh.
• Take a cardboard box which is open from one side.
• Keep the flask in the box in such a manner that the open side of the box faces the light
coming from a window.
• After two or three days, you will notice that the shoots bend towards light and roots away from
light.
• Now, turn the flask so that the shoots are away from light and the roots towards light. Leave it
undisturbed in this condition for a few days.
• The old parts of the roots and shoots change directions.
• New growth in shoot is in direction of sunlight.
Conclusion: Shoot shows phototropism.
7. Which signals will get disrupted in case of a spinal cord injury?
Ans. (a) Reflex action
(b) Impulses from various body parts will not be conducted to brain.
(c) Message from brain will not be conducted to various organs of the body.
8. How does chemical coordination occur in plants?
Ans. In plants, chemical coordination occurs with the help of plant hormones (phytohormones).
Different plant hormones help to coordinate growth, development, and responses to the
environment. They are synthesized at places away from where they act and diffuse to the area for
action, for example, auxin promotes cell growth, gibberellins promote stem growth, cytokinins
promote cell division and abscisic acid inhibits growth and its effects include wilting of leaves.
9. What is the need for a system of control and coordination in an organism?
Ans. The body of a multicellular organism consists of a number of components and sub-components
and each is specialized to perform a particular function. Therefore, it is necessary that various
organs of the body of an organism work together in a proper manner for proper functioning to a
stimulus. In human beings nervous system and endocrine system work together to control and
coordination.
10. How are involuntary action and reflex action different from each other?
Ans. (a) Involuntary action involves autonomic nervous system.
(i) They occur in response to internal stimuli.
(ii) They are connected with functioning of internal body parts.
(iii) It occurs without the will of the organism. E.g., heartbeat, breathing, etc.
(iv) These are regulated by medulla oblongata (hind brain).
(b) Reflex action involves all parts of voluntary nervous system though they are not voluntary.
(i) They operate against harmful stimuli which are generally external.
(ii) They are connected with emergency i.e, response to stimuli.
(iii) Some reflexes involve the brain, rather than the spinal cord.
(iv) Reflex action is generally controlled by spinal cord.
11. Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanism for control and coordination in
animals.
Ans. In human beings, the nervous system controls the various functions by small units called
neurons. Neurons receive the information through sensory nerves and transfer them through motor
nerves. Whereas, hormones coordinate the activities and growth of the body. Important functions
like sugar level metabolism, growth and development etc. are controlled by hormones secreted by
endocrine glands. Hence, in human beings, hormones show long lasting responses. The action of
hormones is highly specific.
12. What is the difference between the manner in which movement takes place in a sensitive plant
and movement in our legs?
Ans. Movement in a sensitive plant
(i) It occurs in response to an external stimulus like touch and shock.
(ii) Plant cells change shape by changing the amount of water.
(iii) No nerves are involved.
 (iv) There is no specialized tissue in plants for conduction of information.
(v) Plant cells do not have specialized proteins.
Movement in our legs
(i) It occurs in response to our requirements and is a voluntary action.
(ii) Movement in our legs is voluntary action which is controlled by cerebellum part of hind brain.
(iiip) Nerves carry the message for movement of legs.
(iv) There is specialized nervous tissue in animals for conduction of information and muscle cells
to help in movement.
(v) Animal cells have specialized protein which help muscles to contract or relax.