INTRODUCING BIOLOGY :: SCOPE & BRNCHES-LESSON-1

Q1. Question A
1.Choose the most appropriate option in the following statements.
(a) Palaeontology is the study of
(i) embryos(ii) blood
(iii) classification(iv) fossils
(b) Clones of animals are being produced through the practice of
(i) genetics(ii) ecology
(iii) embryology(iv) biotechnology
Solution A
(a) (iv) fossils
(b) (iv) biotechnology
Question B.1
Name the following branches of biology:
(a) Application of biological processes in technologies.
(b) Science of growing fruits and vegetables.
(c) Study of prehistoric forms of life.
(d) Study of causes of immunity (resistance to or defence against diseases).
(e) Study of fishes.
Solution B.1
(a) Biotechnology
(b) Horticulture
(c) Palaeontology
(d) Immunology
(e) Ichthyology
Question B.2
Fill in the blanks:
(a) Bioengineering deals with making artificial _________.
(b) _________ is the entire DNA sequence of an organ.
(c) Silk is produced by rearing ______________.
(d) Evolution deals with the study of ________ and _________ of organisms.
(e) Organisms which draw food from the host body are called ____________.
(f) Animals which give birth to young ones are known as _______________.
(g) ____________ is called the Father of Medicine.
Solution B.2
(a) limbs, joints
(b) Genome
(c) silkworms
(d) origin, descent
(e) parasites
(f) Jeevaj (viviparous)
(g) Hippocrates

Question B.3
Match the branches of biology in Column A with the respective areas of study
in Column B.
Column A Column B
Ichthyology Viruses
Ornithology Fishes
Ecology Birds
Virology Cells
Herpetology Diseases
Palaeontology Fossils
Cytology Snakes
Pathology Environment

Solution B.3

Column A Column B
Ichthyology Fishes
Ornithology Birds
Ecology Environment
Virology Viruses
Herpetology Snakes
Palaeontology Fossils
Cytology Cells
Pathology Diseases

Question B.4
Name any two borderline sciences which are connected with Biology.
Solution B.4
(1) Biotechnology
(2) Bioengineering
Question B.5
Name the respective sub-divisions of Biology which deal with the study of
insects, birds, fungi and heredity.
Solution B.5
(1) Insects - Entomology
(2) Birds - Ornithology
(3) Fungi - Mycology
(4) Heredity - Genetics
Question B.6
Name some professions other than medicine which require a basic knowledge
of biology.
Solution B.6
(1) Biotechnologist
(2) Teacher
(3) Bacteriologist
(4) Druggist
(5) Dentist
(6) Entomologist
Question C.1
What is Biology? Name and define its three major branches.
Solution C.1
Biology is the study of living beings, all plants and animals including humans.
The three major branches of Biology in terms of major kinds of organisms are:
1. Botany: The study of plants is called botany.
2. Zoology: The study of animals is called zoology.
3. Human Biology: The study of human as a living organism and his relationship
with other living organisms is called human biology.
Question C.2
How does biology help us in leading a healthier life?
Solution C.2
The knowledge of biology has greatly helped us in the field of human
health. It helps us to understand the cause of many diseases. We are
able to identify various micro-organisms that cause diseases in man.
We can study their mode of living and the different ways in which they
spread diseases. The understanding of disease-causing microorganisms
has led to the development of new drugs, both natural and synthetic
drugs that can kill these organisms.
Question C.3
A farmer and a housewife may have never studied biology, yet both of them
know some of its general principles through experience. State any two
principles which they know.
Solution C.3
A farmer, although has never studied biology, knows by his experience how to
increase his produce. He knows how to plough and plant crops and select good
quality seeds for sowing. He is also familiar with various methods of irrigation.
He knows the technique of cross-breeding and removing weak and unwanted
plants and cultivating improved varieties at the right time.
A housewife, by using her experience knows which fruit or vegetable to grow
and for how much time. She also knows the nutritional values of various
foodstuffs. A housewife adopts various principles of maintaining hygiene at
home. She knows to tame some useful animals like cow, goat and dog for her
maximum benefit.
Question C.4
Distinguish between the following pairs of sciences:
(a) Zoology and Entomology
(b) Genetics and Embryology
(c) Phycology and Mycology
(d) Space Biology and Exobiology
(e) Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
(f) Embryology and Immunology
(g) Ichthyology and Pisciculture
Solution C.4
(a) Zoology is the study of animals, whereas Entomology is the study of insects.
(b) Genetics is the science of transmission of body characteristics from parents
to offspring, whereas Embryology is the study of formation and development of
embryos of plants and animals.
(c) Phycology is the study of algae, whereas Mycology is the study of fungi.
(d) Space Biology is the study of survival problems of living things in outer
space, whereas Exobiology is the study of life elsewhere in the universe.
(e) Biotechnology is the use of living cells or micro-organisms in industry and
technology, whereas Bioinformatics is the management and analysis of
biological information stored in databases.
(f) Embryology is the study of formation and development of embryo of plants
and animals, whereas Immunology is the science that deals with the phenomena
and causes of immunity (resistance to or defence against diseases).
(g) Ichthyology is the study of fishes, whereas Pisciculture is the technique of
growing fish.
Question D.1
Do you think Biology can help in further increasing the yield of food? If so,
how?
Solution D.1
Yes, Biology can help in further increasing the yield of food. New varieties of
plants and new breeds of cattle, poultry, etc. are being developed with the
knowledge of biology. The science has also increased our knowledge of
diseases of plants and animals, and how to cure them. All these efforts are
helping us to produce more food in fields, dairies and poultry farms.

CELL :THE UNIT OF LIFE -LESSON NO.2

Question A
1. Which one of the following cell organelles is correctly matched with its
function?
(a) Ribosomes Synthesis of proteins
(b) Mitochondria Secretion of enzymes
(c) Plasma membrane Freely permeable
(d) Centrosome Carries genes

2. All life starts as

(a) an egg
(b) a single cell
(c) a gene
(d) a chromosome

3. Which one of the following is found both in the cells of a mango plant and a
monkey?
(a) chloroplasts
(b) centrioles
(c) cell wall
(d) cell membrane

4. A plant cell can be identified from an animal cell by the

(a) absence of centrosome
(b) presence of cell membrane
(c) presence of vacuoles
(d) none of the above

5. Plant cell has a cell wall made of

(a) Protein
(b) Fructose
(c) Cellulose
(d) Fatty acids

6. The cell organelle that helps in respiration of the cell is

(a) Mitochondria
(b) Lysosome
(c) Ribosome
(d) Centrosome
Solution A
1. (a) Ribosomes Synthesis of proteins
2. (b) a single cell
3. (d) cell membrane
4. (a) absence of centrosome
5. (c) Cellulose
6. (a) Mitochondria
Question B.1
Name the part of the cell concerned with the following.
(a) Liberation of energy
(b) Synthesis of proteins
(c) Transmission of hereditary characters from parents to offspring
(d) Initiation of cell division
(e) Hydrolytic in function
(f) Entry of only certain substances into and out of the cell

Solution B.1
(a) Mitochondria
(b) Ribosomes
(c) Chromosomes
(d) Centrosome
(e) Lysosomes
(f) Cell membrane

Question B.2
State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F):
(a) All animal cells contain a cell wall. T/F
(b) A cell wall is made up of protein. T/F
(c) Centrosome occurs in animal cells. T/F
(d) Plant cells contain large vacuoles. T/F
(e) Protoplasm is the part of the cell which surrounds the nucelus. T/F
(f) Genes are located in chromosomes. T/F
(g) Anthocyanins are the pigments of flowers, which are dissolved in cell-sap.
T/F

Solution B.2
(a) F (False). Animal cells do not contain a cell wall.
(b) F (False). A cell wall is made up of cellulose.
(c) T (True)
(d) T (True)
(e) F (False). In eukaryotes, cytoplasm is the part of the cell which surrounds
the nucleus.
(f) T (True)
(g) T (True)
Question B.3
How many chromosome pairs are found in human cells?
Solution B.3
23 pairs of chromosomes are found in human cells.
Question B.4
What is the name of the chemical substance which constitutes the genes?
Solution B.4
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
Question B.5
Match the items in column 'A' with those in column 'B'
Column A Column B
(a) Vacuoles (i) Intracellular digestion
(b) Nucleolus (ii) Respiratory enzymes
(c) Lysosomes (iii) Covered by tonoplast
(d) Anthocyanin (iv) Dissolved in the cytoplasm
(e) Cristae (v) Forms RNA

Solution B.5
Column A Column B
(a) Vacuoles (iii) Covered by tonoplast
(b) Nucleolus (v) Forms RNA
(c) Lysosomes (i) Intracellular digestion
(d) Anthocyanin (iv) Dissolved in the cytoplasm
(e) Cristae (ii) Respiratory enzymes

Question B.6
Fill in the blanks:
(a) _________ consists of membranous sacs and secretes 40 types of digestive
enzymes.
(b) _________ is surrounded by microtubules, located near the nucleus.
(c) Very thin flexible, living membrane which is differentially permeable, is
called ___________.
(d) More than 1000 chromosomes are found in the nucleus of certain
(e) _________ are hereditary units.
(f) _________ is a plastid which stores starch.
Solution B.6
(a) Lysosome
(b) Centriole
(c) Plasma membrane
(d) Insects
(e) Genes
(f) Leucoplast
Question C.1
It is said that the protoplasm cannot be analysed chemically. Why?
Solution C.1
Protoplasm is the living matter of the cell. Protoplasm cannot be analysed
chemically because the chemical composition of protoplasm is very complex. It
varies slightly from one cell to another, although the common elements included
in the composition of protoplasm such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
sulphur, iron and phosphorus are still the same in all the cells.
Question C.2
What is the difference between an organ and an organelle?
Solution C.2
Organs of an organism are the parts of the body which have a definite shape and
structure and perform specific functions. Cell organelles are also parts of the
cell which have a definite shape and structure and perform specific functions.
Organelles have the same status in a cell as the organs have in the entire body of
an animal or a plant performing specific functions.
Question C.3
Do you think the cells of an elephant would be larger than the cells of a rat?
Explain briefly.
Solution C.3
The cells of an elephant would be of the same size as the cells of a rat. The size
of cells does not vary within the organisms, however, the number of cells varies
from one organism to another. A larger animal like an elephant will have more
number of cells as compared to a smaller animal like a rat. However, the size of
the cell will be the same.
Question C.4
Differentiate between the following pairs of terms:
(a) Protoplasm and cytoplasm
(b) Nucleolus and nucleus
(c) Centrosome and chromosome
(d) Cell wall and cell membrane
(e) Plant cell and animal cell
(f) Prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Solution C.4
(a) Protoplasm and cytoplasm

Protoplasm Cytoplasm
(i) It is the living matter, the total (i) It is a mixture of water and soluble
substance of a living cell, i.e. the organic and inorganic compounds, in
cytoplasm and the nucleus. which various cell organelles are
embedded.

(b) Nucleolus and nucleus

Nucleolus Nucleus
(i) It is a round-shaped nucleoli present (i) It is a dense spherical structure
inside the nucleus. present in the cell that contains a
network of thread-like structures called
chromatin fibres.

(c) Centrosome and chromosome

 Centrosome Chromosome
(i) It is a clear area of cytoplasm close (i) Chromosomes carry hereditary
to the nucleus, from which spindle information or genes which transmit
fibres develop during cell division. genetic characters from parents to
offspring.
(ii) Centrosome is found only in an
animal cell. (ii) Chromosomes are found in the
nucleus of both, animal and plant cells.

(d) Cell wall and cell membrane

Cell wall Cell membrane
(i) It is a non-living rigid layer. (i) It is a living, thin, flexible membrane.
(ii) It is made of cellulose. (ii) It is made of lipoproteins.
(iii) It is freely permeable. (iii) It is semi-permeable.

(e) Plant cell and animal cell

Plant cell Animal cell
(i) Cell wall is present. (i) Cell wall is absent.
(ii) Centrosome is absent. (ii) Centrosome is present.
(iii) Vacuoles are large and (iii) Vacuoles are small and temporary.
prominent.
(iv) Plastids are present. (iv) Plastids are absent.

(f) Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
(i) Organisms with cells containing (i) Organisms with cells containing a well-
a primitive, undefined nucleus are defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane are
called prokaryotes. called eukaryotes.
(ii) They contain small ribosomes. (ii) They contain larger ribosomes.
(iii) They lack other cell (iii) They contain other cell organelles.
organelles.
(iv) Examples: Bacteria, blue- (iv) Examples: Euglena, Human beings
green algae
Question C.5
Mention three features found only in plant cells and one found only in animal
cells.
Solution C.5
Features found only in plant cells:
(i) Presence of cell wall
(ii) Presence of large vacuoles. The liquid contained in vacuoles is called cell
sap
(iii) Presence of plastids
Features found only in animal cells:
(i) Presence of centrosome
Question C.6
Why are the cells generally of a small size?
Solution C.6
Cells generally remain small in size because:
(i) To enable different regions of the cell to communicate with each other
rapidly for the cell to function effectively
(ii) To have a large surface area is to volume ratio for greater diffusion of
substances, in and out of the cell
Question D.1
What is the cell theory? Who propounded it and when?
Solution D.1
Postulates of cell theory:
(i) Cell is the smallest unit of structure of all living things.
(ii) Cell is the unit of function of all living things.
(iii) All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Cell theory was propounded by Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden in
the year 1839 and was modified by Rudolf Virchow in 1858.
Question D.2
Mention any three differences between a living cell and a brick in a wall.
Solution D.2
Living cell Brick in a wall
1. Non-rigid living structure 1. Rigid non-living structure
2. Mainly composed of cellulose 2. Mainly composed of soil
3. Freely permeable 3. Impermeable

Question D.3
Name the plastid and pigment likely to be found in the cells of
(a) petals of sunflower
(b) ripe tomato
(c) skin of green mango
(d) cells of potato
Solution D.3
 Cells Plastid Pigment
(a) petals of sunflower Chromoplasts Xanthophyll
(b) ripe tomato Chromoplasts Carotene
(c) skin of green mango Chloroplasts Chlorophyll
(d) cells of potato Leucoplasts No pigment

Question D.4
State the major functions of the following:
(a) Plasma membrane
(b) Ribosome
(c) Lysosome
(d) Mitochondria

(e) Golgi apparatus

(f) Cytoplasm

(g) Asters of centrosome

(h) Chromosomes

(i) Glycogen granule

(j) Vacuoles
Solution D.4
(a) Plasma membrane:
(1) Separates contents of the cell from its surroundings
(2) Regulates the entry of certain solutes and ions
(3) Maintains the shape of animal cell
(b) Ribosome:
(1) Protein synthesis
(c) Lysosomes:
(1) Intracellular digestion
(2) Destroy foreign substances
(3) When the cell is old or injured, lysosomes rapidly destroy cell organelles
and hence, are called suicide bags.
(d) Mitochondria:
(1) Synthesis of respiratory enzymes
(2) Release of energy from pyruvic acid produced in cytoplasm in the form of
ATP
(e) Golgi apparatus:
(1) Synthesis and secretion of enzymes, hormones, etc.
(2) Formation of acrosome of sperm
(f) Cytoplasm:
(1) Different organelles contained in it perform different functions.
(2) All metabolic activities occur in it.
(g) Asters of centrosome:
(1) Initiates and regulates cell division
(2) Forms spindle fibres
(h) Chromosomes:
(1) Carry genetic characters from parents to offspring
(i) Glycogen granule:
(1) Serves as food for the cell
(j) Vacuoles:
(1) Gives turgidity to the cells
(2) Storage of water and other substances, food, pigments and waste products
Question D.5
List any six features found both in plant and animal cells.
Solution D.5
Common features found in both plant and animal cells:
(1) Presence of cell membrane
(2) Presence of liquid matrix called cytoplasm in the cell
(3) Presence of mitochondria which produces energy
(4) Presence of ribosomes that synthesize proteins
(5) Presence of Golgi body
(6) Presence of a prominent nucleus
Question E.1
Given below are the sketches of two types of cells A and B.

(a) Which one of these is a plant cell? Give reason in support of your answer.
(b) List the cell structures which are common to both the types.
(c) Name the structures found only in plant cells and those found only in animal
cells.
Solution E.1
(a) Fig. B is a plant cell. It has a cell wall and a large vacuole which pushes the
nucleus towards the periphery.
(b) Cell membrane, ribosomes, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes,
Golgi body and mitochondria are common to both the types.
(c) Plastids and cell wall are found only in plant cell. Centrosome is found only
in animal cell.