CHAPTER

27
MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT

Short Answer Questions

Q.1. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources. Give one example.
Ans. Non-Renewable Resources Exhaustable
 These resources are resources which are exhaustable and once consumed cannot be replaced.
 Example: Coal, oil, natural gas, metals etc. are non-renewable resources.
Renewable Resources (Non-Exhaustable (x)
 Renewable resources are those resources that are never depleted and can be used again and again.
 There is a natural cycle which make them reusable.
 Example: Air, water, soil, forests wild life etc.
Q.2. Describe distribution of water on Earth aiso write importance of water.
OR Write a note on water as a renewable resource.
Ans. Distribution of Water Over Earth:
 Water is covering 75% of the earth's surface
 97% of total water of planet earth is in ocean
 20% is in form of frozen ice caps.
 1% is in form of fresh water.
 It is also a major constituent of living organism consisting of 70-90% of their body weight.
 Some of the water is also found in soil and air.
Importance of Water:
 Water has great domestic use as drinking, washing, cooking etc.
i. It is a raw material for making variety of foodstuff, drinks, liquid, detergents and many products.
ii. Sodium chloride an important constituent of cooking is, obtained from sea water.
Sodium chloride is used in cooking and manufacture of useful chemicals such as chlorine and
sodium hydroxide.
iii. 90% of water is used at industrial level.
Q.3. What is soil? Give its basic constituents also write importance of soil.
Ans. The upper layer of earth's crust is called soil.
Basic Constituents of Soil:
 Soil consists of soil particles, soil water, soil air, organic and inorganic matter and many small
microorganisms.
Importance of Soil:
i. It gives support to many land plants where these plants spread their roots according to their needs.
ii. Soil provides water, organic and inorganic nutrients to the plants.
iii. Only 30% of earth is land, 11% of total area of world is under cultivation.
Q.4. What is wild life? Give its important role.
OR How wild life plays an important role in food chain.
Ans. Wildlife (Renewable as well as non-renewable Resource)
 All the plants which are not cultivated and animals which are not domesticated are categorized as
wild life.
Importance Of Wildlife:
 Wild life has great importance in our daily life.
 i. Some of these animals and plants are source of our food.
ii. Wild life is very important for food chain. Without them food chain can be disturbed to such an
extent that it will be very difficult to maintain the balance.
Q.5. What is fossil fuel?
Ans. Fossil Fuels:
 Fossil fuels are the remains of plants and animals of past which became buried due to
environmental hazards and were fossilized in deeper layers of earth and sea.
 Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuel which are completing our 95% of daily energy demand.
 As fossil fuels are very limited so they will exhaust soon. This will affect our standard and life style.
This source is therefore very carefully used.
Q.6. How man is responsible to increase the number of endangered species?
Ans. Man is Responsible to Increase the Number of Endangered Species:
 Human Increases Number of Endangered Species.
 Man is leaving many negative effects on wild life.
 Due to uncontrolled hunting many species have become extinc or near to be extinction called
endangered species.
 There are thousands of endangered species now present in this world.
 Wild life is also non-renewable resource so it needs conservation.
 Rare species are kept in zoo, where they can be safely breed.
 Fishing in water reserves is prohibited which is also one of the step taken to protect marine life.
Q.7. What do you know about Hydroelectric power?
Ans. Hydroelectric Power:
 Rain is a renewable energy source, which gets its energy indirectly from sun.
 Rain that falls on high areas such as mountains possesses large amount of gravitational potential
energy.
 As rain waterfalls it gains speed and its kinetic energy increases.
 The kinetic energy of falling water is used to turn turbines fixed at the base of generator which is
known as hydroelectric power or electricity.
Importance:
 It is the cheapest and non-pollutant source of energy, which man must exploit (J) more for its
benefit and for keeping environment safe.
Q.8. What is tidal power?
Ans. Tidal Power:
 Tides are mainly caused by the gravitational pull of the moon to a lesser extent and the
gravitational pull of sun on the water in seas and oceans.
 The changing tides drive water towards or away from the land.
 The difference in height of the water at high and low tides is made use of in a tidal power station to
generate electricity.
 A tidal power station consists of a long barrier called a tidal barrage.
 The flow of water across, the barrage turns its turbines, which in turn drive the generators to
produce electricity.
Q.9. What do you mean by Nuclear Energy and Write two disadvantages of Nuclear energy?
Ans. Nuclear Energy:
 Nuclear energy is obtained from nuclear fuels by nuclear fission.
 In nuclear power station, large amount of heat is generated by nuclear fission, which takes place in
a nuclear reactor.
 The heat energy is then used to convert water into steam, which drives steam turbines for
generating electricity.
 Nuclear power station does not produce waste gases, which pollute the air unlike those using fossil
fuels.
 Disadvantage of Nuclear energy:
 However each nuclear power station only can last for about 30 years and strict safety measures
have to be taken to avoid radiation pollution.
Q.10. How energy can be produced from solid wastes?
Ans. Solid Waste As Energy Source:
 Conversion of waste materials like trash, paper, organic manure, plastic materials, cans, agriculture
and industrial waste etc. by hydrogenation.
 Pyrolysis (destructive distillation) or bioconversion can provide oil and gas also their threat as a
source of pollution of land and water can be countered.
Q.11. Explain Ocean Thermal Gradient as a renewabel resource of Energy.
OR Write a note on ocean thermal gradient.
Ans. Ocean Thermal Gradient as Energy Source:
 In oceans, especially in tropical regions, temperature of surface water is about 25°C and that at the
depth of few hundred meters only is 5°C.
 This develops an ocean thermal gradient and heat if conducted from region of higher to lower
temperature.
 Man has developed the technology to use this thermal gradient to drive a turbine for electricity
generation, but this may also disturb the marine ecosystem..
Q.12. Write four methods of energy conservation.
Give different ways of energy conservation.
Ans. Energy Conservation:
 The energy sources on earth are limited.
 Hence there is need for us to have balanced and planned use of energy resources.
 Here are some ways in which we can save energy.
i. Develop and use energy efficient machines, engines and manufacturing processes.
ii. Reduce wastage by recycling.
iii. Drive less walk and use public transport more.
iv. Switch off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use.
v. Minimize the use of air conditioner.
Q.13. How Depletion and Degradation of resource occur on planet earth?
Ans. Depletion and Degradation of Resource Occur on Planet Earth:
(i) Extinction of Important Species:
 Fishes are considered a favorite food in many countries.
 Over fishing is depriving (t) the man from this blessing.
 Similarly due to over hunting many important species are getting extinct from this world.
(ii) Cutting of Forests:
 Forests are very important component of human environment.
 They provide the man timber, fire wood, medicine and many other products.
 Deforestation is leading towards the clearance of land and creating many problems for man and
other species.
(iii) Loss of Water:
 Water is our natural resource and we cannot live without it.
 By extensive use of water the natural recycling process is affected.
 Water reserves are so much rapidly used that they cannot by replaced by rainfall.
 Only 30% of the earth is dry land, the remainder (3) being covered with water.
Q.14. Define Demography.
Ans. Demography:
 It is the study of human populations and things that affect them.
 Better sanitation and improved medical techniques have caused death rate to fall steadily. This has
increased the population growth rate.
Q.15. Give reasons for world population explosion.
Ans. Reasons for World Population Explosion
 Disease prevention medicine, public, personal and food hygiene.
 Improved nutrition by efficient agriculture.
 Housing and living standards improved.
 Child care, maternity, parent- craft and welfare services.
Q.16. Enlist four consequences of population increase in Pakistan.
OR Write any two consequences of population explosion.
OR What are the consequences of population increase?
Ans. Consequences of Population Increase
 Overcrowding, less living space more people more crime violence and social diseases.
 Starvation through lack of sufficient food.
 Populations will outstrip food supply.
 Destruction of the countryside, plants, and animals and wildlife.
Q.17. Differentiate between reforestation afforestation and deforestation.
Ans. Reforestation:
 It is the reestablishment of forest in that area, where there was forest present previously but
removed due to any natural disaster.
 It is the especially important for many of conifers species, which often require bare soil to establish.
 In clear cut areas, where all of the trees have been removed, resprouting from stumps or seed
germinated may be protected by reforestation.
Afforestation:
 It is the establishment of new forests where no forests existed previously.
Deforestation:
 Clearance of vast areas of forest for producing lumber, planting subsistence crops or grazing cattle
is called deforestation.
Q.18. Why forests are called environmental buffers?
Ans. Forests As Environmental Buffers:
 Trees are called environmental buffers, because intercept heavy rainfall and release the water
steadily and slowly to soil beneath and to streams and river that starts in or flows through them the
tree roots hold the soil in place.
 Prevent Soil Erosion: Removal of forests allow soil erosion, silting up of lakes and rivers and dams,
which results in heavy flood and loss of thousand of species.
 Forest and Climate about half of rain which falls in tropical forests comes from transpiration of
trees themselves which also keep environment cool and humid.
 When forests are removed this source of rain is also removed. Cloud cover is reduced and local
climate changes quite dramatically.
Q.19. How forests play their role on climate?
Ans. Role of Forest on Climate:
 About half of rain which falls in tropical forests comes from transpiration of trees themselves which
also keep environment cool and humid.
 When forests are removed this source of rain is also removed. Cloud cover is reduced and local
climate changes quite dramatically.
 The temperature range from day to night is more extreme. Example: The difference between day
and night temperature increases considerably and the rainfall diminishes.
Q.20. Differentiate between Pollution and Pollutants.
OR Define pollution. Name three types of pollution.
OR Enlist some main types of pollution.
Ans. Pollution
 The befouling of the environment by anything produced by humans which is or may be harmful to
human life and other living organisms is called environmental pollution.
 Types of Pollution:
i. Water pollution ii. Air pollution iii. Soil pollution
iv. Radiation pollution v. Noise pollution
Pollutants
 Air is not always as clean as it must be harmful substances such as sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, lead compounds and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the fastest
growing sources of air pollution produced by the activities of man.
 These harmful substances are known as pollutants.
Q.21. What is ozone layer?
Ans. Ozone Layer:
 Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen gas.
 It is a layer of atmosphere extending from 10-50 kilometers above earth.
 Importance: It filters most of ultraviolet (uv) radiations and protects us from it.
 In pure form ozone is bluish explosive and highly poisonous gas.
 The layer of ozone is becoming thinner and the holes are appearing on it due to pollution therefore
more ultra violet rays are reaching on earth.
 Ozone (O3) molecule is made up of three oxygen atoms bounded together.
Q.22. What are the sources of chlorofluorocarbon? Give its harmful effects.
Ans: Sources of CFCs
 CFCs are produced from the air conditioners in our homes, offices, vehicles and operating
refrigerators.
 Harmful effects of CFCs: As CFCs rise to the atmosphere, ultraviolet rays cause chlorine to release.
 Regions of Ozone Depletion: The level of ozone in the ozone layer over the Antarctica has fallen
drastically and has led to a hole. The ozone layer has also been found to decrease over arctic
regions.
Q.23. What are the effects of ozone depletion?
Ans. Harmful Effects of Ozone Depletion:
 If more ultraviolet rays reach the earth's surface, they will affect all life on earth by increasing
temperature.
 They cause skin cancers and cataracts in human.
 They can also affect crops, plants, trees and even marine plankton and distort weather patterns.
Q.24. What is Global warming? Write its effects.
OR What are the effects of global warming?
Ans. Global Warming:
 Over urbanization deforestation and industrialization, are the causes of greenhouse effect. All these
factors are increasing the temperature on earth. This increase in temperature of earth is called
global warming.
 Effects of Global warming:
 It is estimated that if global warming continues then the ice caps and glaciers will melt and will
bring floods.
Q.25. What are green house and green house gasses?
Ans. Greenhouse Effect:
 In greenhouse light rays from sun penetrate inside and absorbed by plants and soil and then
reradiate as longer wave infra-red radiation.
 The glass does not allow these rays to escape outside and so heat remains within green house.
 The carbon dioxide of atmosphere behaves same as that of glass sheet of green house.
 Carbon dioxide absorb the energy of sun but do not allow it to escape outside as result of which the
temperature of atmosphere increases. This increase in temperature and it is known as greenhouse
effect.
Q.26. What are causes and harms of greenhouse effect?
Ans. Causes of Greenhouse Effect:
  Over urbanization deforestation and industrialization, are the causes of greenhouse effect.
 All these factors are increasing the temperature on earth. This increase in temperature of earth is
called global warming.
 Harms of Green House Effect:
 It is estimated that if global warming continues then the ice caps and glaciers will melt and will
bring floods.
Q.27. Write the sources and harmful effects of oxides of sulpher, nitrogen and carbon.
Ans.

Air pollutant Sources Harmful effects

(1) Sulphur dioxide  Power station & fossil  Acid rain, breathing
fuel disorders, lung cancer.
(2) Oxides of nitrogen  Burning of fossil fuels.  Global warming, green
 Incomplete burning of house effect, acid rain,
(3) Carbon monoxide carbonate & carbon headaches, coughs.
compound, cigarette  Headaches, brain
smoke. damage, death.

Q.28. What are the harmful effects of lead compounds and carbon monoxide?
Ans.

Air pollutant Sources Harmful effects

1) Lead compound  Combustion of leaded  Lead poisoning brain
petrol or oil. damage, forest
2) Oxides of nitrogen  Burning of fossil fuels. decline.
 Head, brain damge,
 Incomplete burning of death
3) Carbon monoxide carbonate & carbon
compound, cigarette
smoke.

Q.29. What are two main sources of water pollution?

Ans. Sources of Water Pollution:
i. Sewage Incomplete Treatment
ii. Oil and Detergent
iii. Eutrophication or Algal Bloom
Q.30. Define the terms herbicide fungicides, insecticides and pesticides.
Ans. Herbicides: The chemicals which kill weeds.
Fungicides: The chemicals which kill fungi.
Insecticides: The chemicals used to kill insects which cause the harm to crops.
Pesticides: The chemicals which destroy agricultural pests.
Q.31. Name two pathogenic and two congenital diseases.
Ans. Industrial Effluents:
 Heavy industrial area is a big danger for rivers and lakes as they discharge chemical wastes in the
form of effluents.
  These chemical wastes contain toxic and poisonous liquids, oil etc.
 These effluents when enter is water kill the microorganism and pollute the water.
Causes of disease
S.No Names of diseases/classification
1.  Genetic or  Hemophilia, Down's
heritable or syndromes Turner's
congenital syndrome.
disease  Diseases due to the
 Infections or organisms that can be
2. pathogenic or transmitted to others,
parasitic. diphtheria, malaria, small
pox, tuberculosis, cholera,
gonorrhea: AIDs.

Q.32. Name any two diseases which are caused due to nutritional deficiency and Metabolic disorder.
Ans.

Causes of disease
S.No Names of diseases/classification
1.  Nutritional  Scurvy, beriberi, anemia,
deficiency goiter, Kwashiorkor.

 Metabolic or  Sugar (diabetes milletus),

2. hormonal cretinism, and goiter
disorders

Q.33. Differentiate between health and disease.

Ans.

Health Disease
The steady internal state of homeostasis is The departure from normal or steady
known as normal health. internal state of homeostasis through
structural and functional disorders of the
body is called disease.

Q.34. Write any two factors which are responsible for modification of environment.
Ans. Factors Responsible For Modification Of Environment:
 In past, human beings led simple lives that require little energy. As man and society progressed, the
consumption of energy and materials increased.
 A modern home uses many different types of energy consuming devices, such as washing machine,
refrigerators and television. For cooking, gas is usually used.
 Many people work in offices, which make use of a lot of energy in lighting, air conditioning and
many office equipments like photocopiers, computers telephones, telex fax machines mobile phone
charges and printers.
 The mode of transportation may have changed over the years but most of them still obtain their
energy by burning fossil fuels, cars, taxies run on petrol, heavy vehicles such as buses, lorries, ships
and some train run on diesel and airplanes run on type of fuel similar to kerosene.