NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter-13 Our Environment

*As per the revised curriculum of CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, this chapter, previously known as Chapter 15, has now been renumbered as Chapter 13. Stay updated with the latest changes in the curriculum.

Our Environment Class 10 NCERT Solution is all about the environment. These NCERT Solutions are prepared by our Top Biology Experts in order to take care of all Important Topics that might be asked in the upcoming examination 2023. So, Students can also refer to these solutions for their final Examination preparation.

This Class 10 Biology Chapter 13 Our Environment NCERT Solutions are carefully developed using easy-to-understand language while adhering to the guidelines for solving NCERT Solutions for Class 10. Working through these solutions can be highly beneficial for students in their board exams, as well as in preparing for future competitive Exams.

Our Environment Class 10 Questions and Answers

NCERT CBSE Chapter 13 Our Environment Class 10 explains the environment, biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, the interaction of biotic and abiotic components which is called as Ecosystem, food chain, food web, environmental problems generated through human activities like ozone layer depletion, etc. Revise the basic concepts of Our Environment for quick revision and class notes.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Chapter 13 of Page-212

Q1: What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.

Answer:

On the basis of the source of nutrition, organisms are placed at a certain level in a food chain. Each level of the food chain called a trophic level. Example: Grass ⇢Insect ⇢ Frog ⇢ Snake

Each trophic level of the above food chain is:

• First trophic level (Producer): Grass
• Second trophic level (primary consumer): Insect
• Third trophic level (Secondary consumer): Frog
• Fourth consumer (Tertiary consumer): Snake

Q2: What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?

Answer:

Decomposers degrade the biodegradable complex substances into simpler substances. So, decomposers play an important role in decomposition. Through decomposition, nutrients are released into the soil, which is used by the producers. Decomposition maintains the nutrient pool and helps in sustaining the ecosystem.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Chapter 13 of Page-214

Q1: Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?

Answer:

Biodegradable substances are organic substances that are degraded by scavengers of the ecosystem while non-biodegradable substances are synthetic they are degraded by the decomposers.

Q2: Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.

Answer:

Biodegradable substances affect the environment in different ways:

• Biodegradable substances like leaves, plant extracts, kitchen wastes, etc. are used as humus after composting and it will enhance soil fertility. During decomposition, these substances produce a foul smell. Biodegradable substances contain carbon and this carbon is released into the environment after decomposition.
• These substances may produce some harmful substances like methane, ammonia, etc. and which can further cause global warming.

Q3: Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.

Answer:

Non-biodegradable substances affect the environment in different ways:

• These substances are non-degradable by microorganisms so they contaminate the environment.
• These substances harm animals, if they are eaten by the animals because they are non-digestible.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Chapter 13 of Page-216

Q1: What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?

Answer:

Ozone is a  layer formed by O3 in the upper atmosphere. It is present in the stratosphere. The ozone layer protects the earth from Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Excess exposure to UV rays causes skin cancer and cataract.

Q2: How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.

Answer:

The problem of waste disposal can be reduced through different methods:

• By reducing the use of disposable items and promoting the use of recyclable items.
• By separating out the biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste before dumping them.
• By recycling non-degradable wastes.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Chapter 13

Q1:  Which of the following groups contain only biodegradable items?

• (a) Grass, flowers, and leather
• (b) Grass, wood, and plastic
• (c) Fruit peels, cake, and lime-juice
• (d) Cake, wood, and grass

Answer:

Biodegradable Substances: Those substances which are made up of organic matter ( plant and animal matter) and can be easily broken down by detritus organisms. For example Fruits, vegetables, leaves, paper, wood, etc. So, option a. (Grass, flowers, and leather) is correct. 

Q2: Which of the following constitutes a food chain?

• (a) Grass, wheat, and mango
• (b) Grass, goat, and human
• (c) Goat, cow, and elephant
• (d) Grass, fish, and goat

Answer: 

The food chain is a sequence of events that are occurring in nature for the transfer of energy from one organism to another organism. Energy is transferred in the form of food. The sequence of the food chain starts from Producer (Autotrophs) then Primary Consumer (Herbivores) then the Secondary Consumer (Carnivores) and so on. So, option b. (Grass, goat, and human) is correct.

Q3: Which of the following are environment-friendly practices?

• (a) Carrying cloth bags to put purchases in while shopping
• (b) Switching off unnecessary lights and fans
• (c) Walking to school instead of getting your mother to drop you on her scooter
• (d) All of the above

Answer: 

Environment-friendly or eco-friendly means that live a lifestyle that is better for the environment. For example: Use biodegradable substances, reuse plastic items, switch off lights when not in use, etc. So, option d. is correct.

Q4: What will happen if we kill all the organisms at one trophic level?

Answer:

When all the organisms kill in one trophic level it creates an imbalance at the other trophic levels because the flow of food and energy will stop.

Q5: Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem?

Answer:

Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level is different for different trophic levels. For example, if producers are removed from the food chain then primary consumers will not get food, and so on. 

No, the organisms of any trophic level cannot be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem. It will create an ecological imbalance and disturb the food web.

Q6: What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?

Answer:

Biological magnification is a phenomenon in which harmful chemicals enter into the food chain and the concentration of these chemicals increases at each trophic level. The magnification level is different for different trophic levels of the ecosystem. It reaches a maximum at the highest trophic level and reaches a minimum at the lowest trophic level.

Q7: What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?

Answer:

Non- biodegradable wastes are non-degradable. These accumulate in the environment and are called biomagnification. Examples: pesticides, insecticides, etc. Non-biodegradable wastes cause Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, etc.

Q8: If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?

Answer:

All the generated waste is biodegradable then it may also pollute the environment because the biodegradable waste also needs to be decomposed within a particular time but it generates more, so it accumulates in the environment and this accumulation leads to environmental pollution. 

Q9: Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?

Answer: 

Ozone layer damage is a cause for concern because ozone layer depletion causes aging, skin darkening, skin cancer, eye cataracts, and global warming.

To limit the damage to the Ozone layer, the CFCs release must be reduced into the environment. CFCs use should be replaced with the environmentally safe alternatives.