Chapter 2
Answers to the Questions
C. State whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.
1. Pathogens are insects that transmit diseases from one person to another.
False. Pathogens are microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa)
that cause diseases, not insects. Insects can act as vectors to transmit pathogens, but
are not pathogens themselves
2. Viruses show both living and non-living features.
True. Viruses exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living things. They can
reproduce and mutate like living organisms but lack cellular structure and metabolism,
and can only replicate inside a host cell, making them non-living outside a host
3. Bacillus is a rod-shaped bacterium.
True. The term "bacillus" refers to bacteria that are rod-shaped
4. Microbes grow well when the moisture content is very low.
False. Microbes generally require moisture to grow well; they do not thrive in very dry
conditions. Excess moisture is necessary for optimal microbial growth
5. Cyanobacteria can prepare food on its own.
True. Cyanobacteria are capable of photosynthesis and can prepare their own food.
6. Yeast is a multicellular fungus.
False. Most yeasts are unicellular fungi, not multicellular.
D. Give reasons for each of the following.
1. We should keep distance from a person infected with common cold.
The common cold is caused by viruses that can spread through droplets in the air when
an infected person coughs or sneezes. Keeping distance helps prevent the transmission
of these infectious droplets to others
2. We should maintain proper hygiene.
Proper hygiene, such as regular handwashing and cleanliness, reduces the risk of
infection by removing or killing pathogens that may be present on our hands or surfaces
we touch
3. Oil and vinegar are added to pickles.
Oil and vinegar act as preservatives in pickles. Vinegar (acetic acid) lowers the pH and
creates an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of spoilage-causing microbes,
while oil prevents the entry of air and microorganisms.
4. Yeast is added to cake batter.
Yeast is added to cake batter to help the batter rise. Yeast ferments sugars, producing
carbon dioxide gas that makes the cake light and fluffy.
5. Penicillin was known as the wonder drug.
Penicillin was called the wonder drug because it was the first antibiotic discovered that
could effectively kill a wide range of bacteria, saving countless lives from bacterial
infections that were previously often fatal.
F. Answer the following questions in one word or a sentence.
1. How are bacteria able to survive harsh weather conditions?
Bacteria survive harsh conditions by forming endospores, which are resistant structures
that protect them from extreme environments
2. Name any parasitic protozoan.
Trypanosoma cruzi
3. What is fermentation?
Fermentation is a metabolic process where microorganisms break down sugars to
produce alcohol or acids, often used for food preservation
4. How does sugar prevent food spoilage?
Sugar binds water molecules, reducing water activity and thereby inhibiting the growth
of spoilage-causing microorganisms
5. How does foot and mouth disease spread in cattle?
It spreads through direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact with their
secretions or excretions
G. Answer the following questions in brief.
1. What are antibiotics? Give two examples.
Antibiotics are medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Examples: Penicillin
and Amoxicillin
2. How does Rhizobium help in improving soil fertility?
Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen in the root nodules of leguminous plants,
enriching the soil with nitrogen and improving fertility
3. Why are viruses called the bridge between living and non-living organisms?
Viruses are considered a bridge because they exhibit characteristics of living things
(such as reproduction) only inside host cells, but behave like non-living matter outside a
host.
4. How do protozoans move?
Protozoans move using structures like cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
5. How can we prevent the spread of malaria?
By using mosquito nets, eliminating stagnant water, and using insect repellents.
H. Answer the following questions in detail.
1. Explain the principle behind vaccination.
Vaccination works on the principle of stimulating the immune system to develop immunity
against a specific disease without causing the disease itself. A vaccine contains weakened or
killed pathogens or their parts, which trigger the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies
remain in the body and help fight the disease if the person is exposed to the actual pathogen in
the future.
2. How do diseases spread? Explain with any two examples.
Diseases spread through various modes such as direct contact, air, water, vectors, or
contaminated food.
● Example 1: Common cold spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person
coughs or sneezes.
● Example 2: Malaria spreads through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito
(vector-borne transmission).
3. Describe the nitrogen cycle.
The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by
plants and animals and then back into the atmosphere. Key steps include:
● Nitrogen fixation: Certain bacteria like Rhizobium convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into
ammonia (NH₃).
● Nitrification: Ammonia is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by nitrifying bacteria.
● Assimilation: Plants absorb nitrates and use them to make proteins.
● Ammonification: Decomposers convert organic nitrogen from dead organisms back into
ammonia.
● Denitrification: Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, releasing it
into the atmosphere.
4. Write a short note on the agricultural uses of
microorganisms.
Microorganisms play a vital role in agriculture by improving soil fertility and promoting plant
growth. For example, Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen in legume roots, enriching the
soil with nitrogen. Other microbes decompose organic matter, releasing nutrients that plants can
absorb. Some fungi form mycorrhizal associations with plant roots, enhancing water and
nutrient uptake.
5. How do these methods help preserve food?
a. Heating: Kills or inactivates microorganisms that cause spoilage, extending shelf life.
b. Sun drying: Removes moisture from food, preventing microbial growth as microbes need
water to survive.
c. Canning: Food is heated and sealed in airtight containers, preventing microbial
contamination and growth.
d. Adding chemical preservatives: Chemicals like salt, sugar, or vinegar inhibit microbial growth
by creating an environment unsuitable for microbes.
I. Out of the box!
1. Most vaccines are given to people when they are infants,
however, sometimes vaccines are given to adults as well.
Why is it that vaccines are administered mainly to infants?
When are adults vaccinated?
Vaccines are mainly given to infants because their immune systems are still developing, and
early vaccination protects them from serious childhood diseases. Adults are vaccinated when
they are at risk of specific infections (like flu, tetanus boosters, or travel-related diseases) or if
they missed vaccines during childhood.
2. We know that microorganisms cause diseases. If all
microorganisms are wiped out from nature, we would live in a
disease-free world. What is your opinion about this?
While wiping out all microorganisms might eliminate diseases, it is neither possible nor desirable
because many microorganisms are essential for life. They help in digestion, nutrient cycling,
food production, and maintaining ecological balance. Removing all microbes would disrupt
ecosystems and harm human survival.
3. Why do diseases such as diarrhoea and gastroenteritis
spread rapidly during the monsoon?
During the monsoon, water sources often get contaminated with pathogens due to flooding and
poor sanitation. The increased moisture and humidity create favorable conditions for the growth
and spread of bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhoea and gastroenteritis, leading to rapid
disease outbreaks.
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