(a) Describe an activity to show that while paper is biodegradable but plastic (say, polythene) is non-
biodegradable.
(b) Explain why, some materials are biodegradable but some are non-biodegradable.
(a) We take a piece of paper and a plastic bag (Polythene Bag). Now dig the ground to about 15 centimeters depth and place the piece of paper and plastic bag in the dug up ground separately. After a month, we dig up the buried material and observe them. We will find that the piece of paper has been partially eaten up but the plastic bag has been remained unaffected. This means that the paper have been decomposed by the micro-organisms present in the soil. So paper is biodegradable. On the other hand, the plastic bag has not been decomposed by the micro ?organisms present in the soil, therefore It is non-biodegradable.
(b) It is due to the property of decomposer organisms of being specific in their action that some waste materials are biodegradable and other are non- biodegradable.
Describe how decomposers facilitate recycling of matter in order to maintain balance in the ecosystem. [Foreign]
Write one or two words for each of the following statements/definitions :Write one or two words for each of the following statements/definitions :
(a) Each level of food chain where transfer of energy takes place
(b) The physical factors like temperature, rainfall, light, soil, air and water of an ecosystem
(c) Organisms which depend on the producers for food either directly or indirectly
(d) The physical and biological world where we live in
(e) Selfcontained unit of living things and their non-living environment needing only sunlight for its functioning
Fill in the following blanks with suitable words :Fill in the following blanks with suitable words :
(a) Ultraviolet rays can cause skin…………………
(b) Pesticides enter the food chain at the…………………. level
(c) Grass →…………….→Human
(d) Lettuce →…………….→ Fox
(e) Plants→ Antelope→ …………….
Which one of the following is not a terrestial ecosystem ?
Forest, Grassland, Aquarium, Desert
Name the wastes which are generated in your house daily. What measures would you take for their disposal?
“Damage to the ozone layer is a cause for concern.” Justify this statement. Suggest any two steps to limit this damage. ‘ [Delhi]
Consider the food chain :
Grass → Deer → Lion
What will happen if all the lions are removed from the above food chain ?
‘If we excessively use pesticides to protect the crops from diseases, then it may cause long-term damage to mankind’. Justify this statement.
(a) What is meant by biodegradable waste materials ? Give two examples of biodegradable wastes.
(b) Which of the following materials are non-biodegradable ?
Aluminium wire, Tea leaves, Synthetic fibre, Wool
State whether the following statements are true or false :State whether the following statements are true or false :
(a) In biology, human beings are called producers.
(b) Secondary consumers and tertiary consumers, both are carnivores.
Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem ? Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels ?
State two problems caused by the non- biodegradable waste that we generate in our daily life. [All India (C)]
(a) What is meant by non-biodegradable waste materials ? Give two examples of non-biodegradable wastes.
(b) Which of the following materials are biodegradable ?Animal bones, Iron nails, Plastic mugs, Leather belts, Silver foil
Why did United Nations act to control the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators? [Delhi]
Name the organisms belonging to the second and the fourth trophic levels in the food chain comprising the following :
Frogs, Plants, Snakes, Hawk, Insects
(a) Define decomposers. Name one decomposer.
(b) What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem ?
How does a biodegradable waste differ from a non-biodegradable waste ? Give two examples of non- biodegradable wastes which pollute our environment.
Which of the following are biodegradable and which non-biodegradable ?
Glass bottle, Paper, Ball point pen refill, Hay, DDT, Wheat, Cake, Wood,
Polythene bag, Jute bag, Cotton cloth, Grass, Vegetable peels
If a harmful chemical enters a food chain comprising cat, mice and plants, which one of these organisms is likely to have the maximum concentration of the harmful chemical in its body ?
(a) With the help of a flow diagram, describe how energy from the sun flows through various trophic levels.
(b) Explain why, the flow of energy in the ecosystem is said to be unidirectional.