Biology

1. How does the process of photosynthesis in plants contribute to the energy flow in an ecosystem?
o Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy,
specifically glucose, using carbon dioxide and water. This energy is stored in the glucose molecules
and serves as the primary source of energy for all organisms in the ecosystem. Herbivores consume
plants and use the energy stored in glucose for their own growth and survival. Carnivores, in turn,
consume herbivores, transferring this energy up the food chain. Without photosynthesis, there would
be no primary energy source for life on Earth.
2. Describe the structure and function of DNA and explain its role in heredity.
o Answer: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule composed of two long strands forming a double
helix. Each strand is made up of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and a
nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine). The sequence of these bases encodes
genetic information. DNA is responsible for storing and transmitting hereditary information from one
generation to the next. It directs the synthesis of proteins, which determine the traits and functions of
organisms.
3. How does the process of natural selection contribute to the evolution of species? Provide examples.
o Answer: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits better suited to
their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing. Over time, these favorable traits
become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary change. An example is the evolution
of peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution in England. Dark-colored moths had a survival
advantage in polluted environments because they were better camouflaged against predators, leading
to an increase in their population.
4. Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of energy production and by-products.
o Answer: Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and occurs in the mitochondria of cells, producing a
large amount of energy (approximately 36 ATP molecules) per glucose molecule. Its by-products are
carbon dioxide and water. Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces far less
energy (about 2 ATP per glucose molecule). The by-products vary: in animals, it produces lactic acid,
while in yeast, it produces ethanol and carbon dioxide.
5. Explain the function of the human circulatory system and how it interacts with other systems in the
body.
o Answer: The circulatory system, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, transports oxygen,
nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. It works closely with the respiratory
system to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. The circulatory system also interacts with
the digestive system to absorb and distribute nutrients, and with the excretory system to remove waste
products like urea from the bloodstream.

Chemistry

6. Discuss how the periodic table is organized and the significance of groups and periods.
o Answer: The periodic table is organized by increasing atomic number (number of protons). Elements
are arranged in rows called periods, which indicate the number of electron shells. Columns, known as
groups, contain elements with similar chemical properties because they have the same number of
valence electrons. For example, Group 1 elements (alkali metals) are highly reactive due to their single
valence electron, while Group 18 (noble gases) are inert because they have full valence electron shells.
7. Describe the process of chemical bonding and how ionic and covalent bonds differ.
o Answer: Chemical bonding involves the interaction between atoms to achieve a stable electron
configuration. In ionic bonding, one atom donates an electron to another, resulting in the formation of
positively and negatively charged ions. These ions are attracted to each other due to opposite charges
(e.g., NaCl). In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons to fill their outer electron shells (e.g., H2O).
Ionic bonds are generally stronger than covalent bonds, but covalent bonds are more common in
organic molecules.
8. Explain the law of conservation of mass with an example of a balanced chemical equation.
o Answer: The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a
chemical reaction; the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products. For example, in
the reaction 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms remains the same before
and after the reaction, demonstrating the conservation of mass.
 9. How does the pH scale work, and what is the importance of acids and bases in everyday life?
o Answer: The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution, ranging from 0
(very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral. Acids (pH < 7) release H ⁺ ions in solution, while
bases (pH > 7) accept H⁺ ions. Acids and bases are important in digestion (stomach acid), household
cleaning (vinegar and baking soda), and maintaining proper pH in the human body for enzyme
activity.
10. Discuss the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions and provide examples.
o Answer: Endothermic reactions absorb energy from their surroundings, leading to a temperature drop
in the environment. Photosynthesis is an example of an endothermic reaction. Exothermic reactions
release energy, often in the form of heat. Combustion, such as burning wood, is an exothermic reaction
where energy is released as heat and light.

Physics

11. Explain Newton’s three laws of motion with examples.

o Answer:
1. First Law (Inertia): An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion
unless acted upon by an external force. Example: A soccer ball remains stationary until
kicked.
2. Second Law (F=ma): The force acting on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration.
Example: A heavier shopping cart requires more force to push.
3. Third Law (Action and Reaction): For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Example: A rocket launches by expelling gas downward, which pushes it upward.
12. Describe potential and kinetic energy and how energy is conserved in a closed system.
o Answer: Potential energy is stored energy due to an object’s position (e.g., a ball held at a height).
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion (e.g., the ball falling). In a closed system, energy is conserved;
as potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases, and vice versa. Total energy remains constant.
13. How does the greenhouse effect contribute to global warming?
o Answer: The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases
(e.g., carbon dioxide, methane). These gases allow sunlight to enter but prevent heat from escaping
back into space, warming the planet. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, increase
greenhouse gas concentrations, enhancing this effect and contributing to global warming.
14. Discuss electromagnetic waves and how they differ from mechanical waves.
o Answer: Electromagnetic waves (e.g., light, X-rays) do not require a medium to travel through; they
can move through a vacuum. Mechanical waves (e.g., sound waves, water waves) require a medium
(solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate. Electromagnetic waves are produced by the oscillation of electric
and magnetic fields, whereas mechanical waves involve the vibration of particles in the medium.
15. What factors affect the speed of sound in different mediums?
o Answer: The speed of sound depends on the medium’s density and elasticity. Sound travels faster in
solids because the particles are more closely packed, allowing quicker transmission of vibrations. In
gases, sound travels slower because the particles are more spread out. Temperature also affects sound
speed; in warmer air, sound travels faster because the particles have more energy and move more
rapidly.

Earth Science

16. How does tectonic plate movement lead to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains?
o Answer: Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the Earth's mantle. When plates collide
(convergent boundaries), they can create mountains (e.g., the Himalayas). Subduction of one plate
under another causes volcanic activity (e.g., the Pacific Ring of Fire). Earthquakes occur when plates
grind against each other at transform boundaries (e.g., the San Andreas Fault).
17. Describe the water cycle and its impact on weather patterns.
o Answer: The water cycle consists of evaporation (water turns to vapor), condensation (vapor forms
clouds), precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), and runoff. It plays a crucial role in weather, as evaporation
leads to cloud formation and precipitation, affecting temperature, humidity, and storm development.
18. How does human activity impact the carbon cycle and contribute to climate change?
 o Answer: Human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation release large amounts of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere, disrupting the natural carbon cycle. This excess CO₂ increases the
greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change, causing rising sea levels, more
extreme weather, and ecosystem disruptions.
19. What are the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?
o Answer: Renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric) are naturally replenished and
have a lower environmental impact. Non-renewable energy sources (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) are
finite and release harmful pollutants when burned, contributing to environmental issues like global
warming. Transitioning to renewable energy is essential for sustainable development.
20. Explain the role of the ozone layer and the environmental impact of its depletion.
o Answer: The ozone layer, located in the Earth's stratosphere, absorbs most of the Sun's harmful
ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting living organisms from its damaging effects. Depletion of the
ozone layer, mainly caused by human-made chemicals like CFCs, increases the amount of UV
radiation reaching the Earth's surface, leading to higher rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to
ecosystems.