10. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES.

1. Define the term environment.

Ans: - Environment:- It may be defined as surroundings or control conditions
influencing development or growth of people, animal, plant and micro organisms.
It consists of four segments a). Lithosphere b)Hydrosphere c) Atmosphere
d)Biosphere.
2. Explain the scope and importance of environmental studies.
Ans:- Scope of environmental studies:- Environmental is composed of both
biotic and a biotic factors environmental studies is the systematic study of human
interaction with the environment.
The scope of environmental studies is so wide because it has got relation with every
science and scientific assets in general and biology in particular.
Importance of environmental studies:1. Environmental studies is related to every science.
2. It is importance of wild life and its protection.
3. It explains the significance of forests and their products.
4. It is concerned with different types of food chains.
5. It deals with different types of ecosystems and their role in the significance of
ecosystem.
6. It explains the significant role of biodiversity in establishing ecological balance.
7. It is concerned with interaction with the surroundings with which human being.
8. It deals relation with ethos and the impact of ethnical principles in conservation
of wild life, biodiversity and environment.
3. Explain the following terms 1) Lithosphere 2) Hydrosphere 3)
Atmosphere 4) Biosphere.
Ans:- 1. Lithosphere: The mantle of rocks constituting the earths crust is called
lithosphere. The soil covering the rocks is also considered to be an important part of
the lithosphere.
2. Hydrosphere: Hydrosphere covers more than 75% of the earths surface either
as oceans (sea water) or a fresh water. Hydrosphere includes sea, rivers, oceans,
lakes, ponds, streams etc,.

3. Atmosphere: The cover of air that envelops the earth is known as atmosphere.
The atmosphere comprises of a mixture of gases. It extends up to about 500km
above the surface of the earth.
4. Biosphere: Biosphere is the region of the earth where life exists. This covers
the entire relation of living organisms the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
4. Define 1) Pollution 2) Pollutant 3) Contaminant 4) Receptor 5) Sink 6)
Threshold limit value (TLV)
7) Particulates.
Ans:- 1. Pollution:- Any change in the environment by the addition of foreign
materials and badly effecting the living organisms is called pollution.
Ex: Air pollution, water pollution, sound pollution etc,.
2.Pollutant: A substance which is present in environmental and released into the
environment by human activity and causes pollution is called pollutant.
Ex: carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, co 2 ,so2 etc,.
3.Contaminant: A substance which is not present in the environment but released
by human activity and causes pollution is called contaminant.
Ex: Methyl isocyanate, Industrial effluents, pesticides ect,.
4. Receptor: the medium which is affected by the pollutants is called receptor.
Ex: 1. eyes are receptor for smoke. 2. Taj mahal is receptor for so 2.
5. Sink: The medium which reacts with pollutant and decrease the concentration of
pollutant in environment is called sikn.
Ex: Micro organisms, seawater, trees etc,.
6. Threshold limit value (TLV): The minimum level of pollutants present in the
atmosphere which affects a person when exposed for hours in a day is called
threshold limit value (TLV).
Ex: 1. TLV of carbon monoxide is 9PPM. 2. TLV of oxides of Nitrogen is 10PPM.
7. Particulates: Small fine solid particles and liquid droplets are collectively called
particulates. Particulates size 0.0002u to 500u.
Ex: Dust, smoke smog.
5. Define Do, COD, and BOD.

Ans: Dissolved oxygen (DO): The amount of oxygen present in dissolved state in
106 gm of water is called dissolved oxygen (DO).
Lower the DO value, more than the pollution level.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD):- The amount of oxygen required to oxides the
organic substances present in 106 gm of water is called chemical oxygen demand
(DO) lower the COD value , lower the pollution level.
Biological oxygen demand (BOD):- Te amount of dissolved oxygen used by the
micro organisms present in 106 gm of water is called Biological oxygen demand
(BOD) lower the BOD value , lower the pollution level.
6. Define the terms 1. Producers 2. Consumers and 3. Decomposers with
examples.
Ans:- 1. Producers:-Living things which produces their own food are called
producers.
Ex:- Some Bacteria , plants etc.
2. Consumers :- Animals which depends on plants and other animals for food are
called consumers.
Ex:- Cow , Goat , Tiger , Lion , Human being etc.
3. Decomposers:- Organisms which converts complex compounds in the death
and decaying matter in to simple compounds are called decomposers.
Ex:- Fungi , Bacteria etc.
7. Define an eco system-biotic component, abiotic component and energy
components.
Ans:- Ecosystem:- the relationship between living things and non-living things in
surroundings is called ecosystem.
Biotic component:- The plants , animals and microorganisms present in an
ecosystem form the biotic component .These are Producers , Consumers ,
Decomposers.
Abiotic component :- The physical and chemical component of an ecosystem
constitute abiotic component. These are Physical factors , chemical factors.
Energy component:- A source of energy is one that can provide adequate amount
of energy in a useable form over a long period of time. These are Renewable
sources, Non-renewable source.
8. Explain biodiversity and threats to biodiversity.

Ans:- Biodiversity :- The degree of variation of life forms with in a given species ,
ecosystem , biome (or) entire planet is called Biodiversity.
Threats to Biodiversity:1. Habital loss :- Main factors for habitat loss are over population , deforestation,
pollution and global warming.
2. Invasive species :- Introduction of new species in to the habitat of genomes
causes threat to bio diversity.
3. Genetic pollution:- Uncontrolled hybridization , introgression and genomes
causes threat to biodiversity.
4. Over exploitation:- It includes over hunting , excessive logging , poor soil
conservation and wild life trade.
5. Climatic condition:- Global warming is threat to biodiversity.
9. Define air pollution.
Ans:- Air pollution:- Presence of unwanted substances in atmosphere and causes
adverse effects on humans , plants and animals is called air pollution.
10. Classify the air pollutants-based on origin and state of matter.
Ans:- Based on origin , pollution are 1.primary pollutants
2. Secondary pollutants.
1. Primary pollutants :- pollutants released from a source and remain same for
long time are called primary pollutants.
Ex:- Co , Co2 , SO3 , NO2 etc.
2. Secondary pollutants:- Pollutants formed form primary pollutants in sunlight
are called secondary pollutants.
Ex:- Peroxy acety nitrate , photo chemical smog etc.
Based on state of matter:1. Solids 2. Liquids 3. Gases.
11. Explain the causes of air pollution.
Ans. Causes of Air pollution :-

1. Transportation services :- Transportation services like cars , buses , lorries ,

autos , etc ; releases poisonous gases like Co, Co 2 , SO2 , NO, hydrocarbons etc; in to
the air. These causes air pollution.
2. Industries:- Variety of industries release effluents into the air causes air
pollution.
3. Deforestation:- Removal of forests increases Co2 in air and causes pollution.
4. Use of fuels:- Burning of fuels like coal , petrol , diesel , etc. releases large
number of pollutants into the air.
5. Agriculture:- Use of pesticides , insecticides in agriculture leads to air pollution.
6. War fare:- Chemical used in war is also caused air pollution.

12. Explain the effects of air pollution on human being, plants and animals.
Ans:- Effects of air pollution:1. Effects on human beings:1. SO2 causes lung diseases like asthma.
2. Peroxy acetyl nitrate causes irritation to skin, nose, eyes etc.
3. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen supply to the body by formation of carboxy
hemoglobin. It causes headache, drowsiness and finally death.
4. Hydrocarbons are carcinogenic.
5. Nitrogen oxides causes skin and lung diseases.
6. Metals like AS,PB are poisonous and causes mental disorders in children.
2. Effects on plants:1. So2 causes chlorosis in plants.
2. No2 and O3 cause necrosis in plants.
3. Acid rain decreases photosynthetic ability in plants.
3. Effects on animals :1. Hydrogen fluoride causes lameness and diarrhoea.
2. Arsenic causes apatite and death.

3. Lead causes loss of appetite.

13. Explain the methods of control of air pollution.
Ans:- 1. Afforestration:- Planting of trees reduces the pollution by absorbing
pollutants.
2. Zoning of industries :- Pollution is controlled by establishing industries away
from town.
3. Use of non- conventional energy sources:- Pollution is decreased by using
pollution free non conventional energy sources like solar energy, wind energy,
hydro electricity etc.
4. Dilution of pollutants from source :- The concentration of pollutants
decreased by using electrostatic precipitator, catalytic converters etc,
5. Decrease in pollutants at the source:- The pollution level is decreased by
controlling release of pollutants at the sources.
14. Define forest. write the uses of forests .
Ans:- Forests :- Forests is the large ecosystem which provides large number of
valuable products to human beings
Uses of forests :- 1. Forest provides food materials, fodder, fuels and medicines.
2. Forests give valuable economic products like bamboo, timber, honey etc.
3. Forest is habitat for wild animals.
4. Forest prevents pollution by absorbing Co2.
5. Forest prevent soil erosion.
15. Write the deforestation and causes, effect on deforestation.
Ans :- Deforestation:- Removing (or) cutting of forest is called deforestation.
(or)
Indiscriminant felling of trees is called deforestation .
Causes of deforestation:1. Over grazing by animals.
2. Shifting cultivation by tribals.
3. Lead to loss of habitals for wild life.
4. Decreases in products available in forests.

5. Leads to expansion of deserts.

16. Explain the green house effect.
Ans:- Green house effects (or) global warming :- The increase in atmosphere
temperature due Co2 and other gases is called green house effect.
Co2, NO, CH4 , O3, CFCs are main causes for green house effect.
Effects:1. Evaporation of water from sea, rivers, ponds etc. increases.
2. Sea levels increases by melting of polar ice caps.
3. Agricultural production decreases.
4. Effects balance in ecosystem.
Controlling methods :1. Large scale forestry scheme should be undertaken throughout the world.
2. Alternative sources of energy etc. should be tried instead of fossil fuels.
17. Explain ozone layer depletion.
Ans:- Depletion of ozone layer :Ozone layer is present in stratosphere. It is depleted by chlorofluro carbons, nitric
oxide and chlorine. Used of CFCs and jet planes are main causes for ozone
depletion.
Effects :1. Causes skin and eye diseases.
2. Increase in Earths temperature.
3. Decreases rate of photosynthesis in plants.
4. Causes genetic disorders.
Control methods:Alternative have to be found to eliminate chlorofluro carbons.
18. Explain acid rain.
Ans:- Acid rain :- Presence of acid in rain water due to oxides of sulphur and
nitrogen is called acid rain.
Burning of fossil fuels and oil refineries are major causes for acid rain.
So3 + H2o ---------------------------------> H2so4
No2 + H2o ---------------------------------> Hno3.

Effects:
1. Damages the building made of marble
Ex: Taj mahal.
2. Decreases soil fertility.
3. Effects aquatic life.
4. Causes rusting in iron present in water bodies.

Control methods:
Reducing the emission of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen from industries by
adopting appropriate preventive and control measures.
19. Define water pollution.
Ans: Water pollution: Mixing of unwanted substances with water changes
physical, chemical and biological properties and effects human health is called
water pollution.
20. Write the causes of water pollution.
1. Drainage system: - Un planned drainage system leads to mixing of sewage
with drinking water and causes pollution.
2. Industrial effluents: Poisonous waste materials generated in industries causes
pollution in nearby water bodies.
3. Agriculture: Use of fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides in agriculture leads to
water pollution.
4. Biological pollution: release of waste from organisms like cow dung, domestic
waste, urine etc,. causes pollution.
21. Write the effects of water pollution.
Ans: Effects of water pollution:
1. Pollution water causes diseases like cholera, typhoid, jaundice etc,.
2. Poisonous metals causes adverse effects.
Ex: Mercury causes minimart disease.
3. Decrease soil fertility and decrease agriculture production.

4. Polluted water effects the life of aquatic life.

22. Write the control methods of water pollution.
Ans: Control methods of water pollution:
1.Good drainage system reduces the effect of water pollution.
2. Industrial effluent are treated before released in to water bodies.
3. Control in hygienic practices to reduce biological pollution.
4. By using some plants like water hyacinth, chloronella etc.
23. Write a short note on over exploitation of forests.
Ans:- Over exploitation of forests due to increasing of population urbanization,
industrialization, increasing of cultivation, mining etc.
The over exploitation of forests causes the following changes:1. The forest resources are reduced.
2. The plantation is reduced which increases Co 2 in the atmosphere. it leads to
global warming (or) green house effect.
3. Some of naturally useful wild animals and small creatures may be disappeared.
4. The rainfall may be reduced.
5. Tribals who live on the forest resources may lose their livelihood.
24. State the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy
sources.
Renewable energy source

Non-renewable energy sources

1. The energy which comes from natural

sources and naturally regenerated is called
renewable energy.
2. This is also called convential energy.

1.The energy which comes from fossils

and can not be regenerated is called Nonrenewable energy
2. This is also called non-conventional
energy.
3.Ex:- wind energy, solar energy, wood,
3.Ex:- Coal, petrol, diesel, kerosene,
geothermal energy etc.
natural gas, nuclear energy etc.
25. Write the alternative energy sources.
Ans: Alternative energy sources:
a. Solar energy: The energy radiated by the sun as a result of fusion of hydrogen
into helium.

Solar thermal systems are used in power plants, water heaters, water
pumping, air conditioning, solar lights, artificial satellites.
b. Tidal energy: This is valuable source of energy in the coastal areas of the world
in the near future.
c. Geothermal energy: The energy coming out of the molten interior of the Earth
towards the surface is called geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy are used in homes for heating purposes and for
generating electricity.
d. Wind energy: Wind mills extract their kinetic energy and converts it into useful
electric power .

e. Bio gas: Bio gas is produced by the degradation of biological matter in the
presence of anaerobic bacteria.
This can be used as a domestic fuel for heating and lighting.
f. Wood: Wood can be used as a fire wood or converted into coal.