Keywords and Definitions
- Environment
Definition: Everything that surrounds us, including living (plants, animals, humans) and non-living (land, air, water) components. - Natural Environment
Definition: The part of the environment that is created by nature, including land, air, water, plants, and animals. - Man-made Environment
Definition: The part of the environment created by human beings, such as buildings, roads, machines, etc. - Physical Environment
Definition: The non-living components of the environment, such as land, air, and water. - Biological Environment
Definition: The living components of the environment, such as plants, animals, and humans. - Lithosphere
Definition: The solid, outer part of the earth made up of rocks and soil; it forms the land on which we live. - Atmosphere
Definition: The layer of gases surrounding the earth, which provides air and protects us from harmful solar radiation. - Hydrosphere
Definition: All the water bodies on the earth’s surface, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground water. - Biosphere
Definition: The narrow zone of life on earth where land, water, and air interact to support life forms. - Sial
Definition: The upper layer of the earth’s crust made up of rocks rich in silica and aluminium. - Sima
Definition: The lower layer of the earth’s crust, rich in silica and magnesium, mostly found beneath ocean floors. - Biodiversity
Definition: The variety of different kinds of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) in a particular area or on Earth. - Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
Definition: A law passed by the Government of India to protect wildlife and preserve biodiversity by prohibiting poaching and hunting. - Poaching
Definition: Illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals. - Conservation
Definition: The act of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. - Dynamic
Definition: Constantly changing or active — used in reference to the atmosphere in the passage. - Interdependent
Definition: Mutually reliant on each other; physical and biological environments depend on one another. - Diversity
Definition: The state of having different kinds or forms, especially of life forms, land, and climate. - Sudden Change
Definition: A quick and unexpected alteration in the environment, like an earthquake or volcanic eruption. - Gradual Change
Definition: A slow and continuous change over a long period, like soil formation.
A. Tick (✔) the correct option.
- Which one is not a part of biological environment?
(a) plants
(b) water
(c) animals
(d) human beings
Answer – (b) water
- Volcanoes erupt due to
(a) internal disturbance of the earth.
(b) external disturbance of the earth.
(c) climate change.
(d) man-made changes on the earth.
Answer – (a) internal disturbance of the earth.
- Which one brings a sudden change in the environment?
(a) formation of a river
(b) rainfall
(c) growth of a plant
(d) formation of a mountain
Answer – (b) rainfall
- Identify by the term that stands for the topmost layer of the earth comprising of loose material
(a) minerals
(b) soil
(c) sial
(d) sima
Answer – (b) soil
- In which year was the Wildlife Protection Act passed in India?
(a) 1971
(b) 1972
(c) 1973
(d) 1974
Answer – (b) 1972
B. Give a single term for each of the following sentences.
- A situation or condition in which an organism lives.
Answer – Environment
- The only planet in our solar system where life exists.
Answer – Earth
- The uppermost part of the lithosphere which is rich in silica and aluminium.
Answer – Sial
- The sphere of air that envelopes the earth.
Answer – Atmosphere
- Mass of water on the earth’s surface.
Answer – Hydrosphere
C. Match the following:
- Physical environment includes a. Atmosphere
- It is the most dynamic in nature b. Human beings
- A narrow zone supporting life c. Non-living things
- They are capable of modifying environment d. Biosphere
- Rocks rich in silica and magnesium e. Sima
Answer –
Column A Column B
Column A | Column B |
1. Physical environment includes | c. Non-living things |
2. It is the most dynamic in nature | a. Atmosphere |
3. A narrow zone supporting life | d. Biosphere |
4. They are capable of modifying environment | b. Human beings |
5. Rocks rich in silica and magnesium | e. Sima |
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- Name the major components of the environment.
Answer – The major components of the environment are natural elements (like air, water, land, plants, animals) and man-made elements (like buildings, roads, and machines).
- What is meant by Sima and Sial?
Answer – Sial is the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust, rich in silica and aluminium. Sima is the layer beneath sial, rich in silica and magnesium.
- Mention the distribution of water in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Answer – 43% of the earth’s water lies in the Northern Hemisphere, while 53% lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Give the literal meaning of four spheres of environment.
Answer – Lithosphere – Sphere of rocks
Atmosphere – Sphere of air
Hydrosphere – Sphere of water
Biosphere – Sphere of life
- What is the atmosphere composed of?
Answer – The atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases that form a gaseous envelope around the earth.
E. Answer the following questions
- Differentiate between the physical and the biological environment.
Answer – The physical environment includes non-living things like land, air, and water.
The biological environment includes all living things like plants, animals, and human beings.
- Why is the earth called the ‘Blue Planet’?
Answer – Earth is called the ‘Blue Planet’ because about 71% of its surface is covered with water, giving it a blue appearance from space.
- Define biosphere. Why is it important for us?
Answer – The biosphere is the narrow zone where land, water, and air interact to support life.
It is important because all forms of life, including humans, exist in this zone and depend on it for survival.
- Explain with the help of an example how physical and biological components of the environment are interdependent.
Answer – Physical and biological components are interdependent. For example, soil (physical) supports plant life (biological), and in turn, plants improve soil quality through organic matter.
- Explain two ways in which human beings are disturbing the natural environment.
Answer – By deforestation, which leads to loss of biodiversity.
By pollution, such as releasing harmful gases and chemicals into the air and water bodies.
Value Based Questions
On 25 April 2015, a massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck 77 km north-west of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. It was the most powerful earthquake to have hit Nepal since 1934. It led to heavy loss of life and property. During this earthquake four men were trapped under the 10 feet rubble. They were rescued by NASA technology, FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response) which sensed their heartbeats. This was the first time when this technology was used in a real-life situation. This is indeed a big step towards disaster management. But this, in no way, reduces our responsibilities as human beings.
- Under the circumstances, what best can we do after the disaster?
Answer – After a disaster, the best we can do is to provide immediate help to the affected people by offering food, shelter, and medical aid, ensure their safety, support rescue operations, and help restore normalcy in their lives with compassion and cooperation.
- Suggest any five ways in which we can help the victims of a disaster.
Answer – Provide first aid and basic medical help to the injured.
Distribute food, water, clothes, and essential supplies to those in need.
Help in locating missing persons and support rescue teams.
Donate money or materials through verified relief organizations.
Offer emotional support and shelter to those who have lost their homes and families.
Map Skill
On an outline map of the world, show the given National Parks.
(a) Gir National Park—India
(b) Jim Corbett National Park—India
(c) Yellowstone National Park—USA
(d) Serengeti National Park—Tanzania
(e) Fiord land National Park—New Zealand
Answer – Map Skill – National Parks Location
Mark the following National Parks on an outline world map:
Gir National Park – Located in western India, in the state of Gujarat.
Jim Corbett National Park – Located in northern India, in the state of Uttarakhand.
Yellowstone National Park – Located in the USA, primarily in the state of Wyoming, also extending into Montana and Idaho.
Serengeti National Park – Located in northern Tanzania, in East Africa, near the border with Kenya.
Fiordland National Park – Located in the south-west corner of the South Island of New Zealand.
Something To Do
- Hold a class discussion on good and bad environment.
Answer – A good environment is clean, green, and safe, where the air is fresh, water is clean, and there is less noise and pollution. It supports the growth of plants, animals, and humans.
A bad environment is polluted, noisy, and unhealthy, where waste is not managed properly, natural resources are exploited, and life becomes difficult for all living beings.
Points for discussion:
Effects of pollution
Importance of trees
Cleanliness and waste management
Role of humans in protecting the environment
- Prepare a coloured diagram showing different spheres of the environment.
Answer – The diagram should show:
Lithosphere (Land/rock layer)
Hydrosphere (Water bodies)
Atmosphere (Air layer)
Biosphere (Life zone interacting with all three)
These can be represented in concentric layers or overlapping zones showing their interaction. (Rest part will be done by the students)
Prepare 20 flash cards showing the wildlife species of India (flora and fauna both). Based on this, hold a quiz in the class showing one flash card at a time. For every card, ask the questions like
Answer – Prepare flash cards with the picture and name of each species (10 animals, 10 plants), for example:
Fauna:
Bengal Tiger
Indian Elephant
Asiatic Lion
Indian Peacock
Snow Leopard
Nilgiri Tahr
Red Panda
Indian Cobra
Great Indian Bustard
Olive Ridley Turtle
Flora:
- Banyan Tree
- Neem Tree
- Sal Tree
- Teak Tree
- Sandalwood
- Lotus
- Rhododendron
- Bamboo
- Mango Tree
- Mahua Tree
(a) Who has seen it live and where?
Answer – Ask students to share their experiences, like visiting a zoo, national park, or forest.
(b) If not, where can we see it live?
Answer – Give information about where the species can be seen live:
National Parks (e.g., Jim Corbett, Gir)
Zoos (e.g., Delhi Zoo, Mysore Zoo)
Botanical gardens (for flora)
Wildlife documentaries or nature reserves
Additional Questions and Answers – 01
- Fill in the Blanks (with answers)
- The __________ is the thin layer of air surrounding the Earth.
Answer: Atmosphere - The uppermost layer of the Earth is called the __________.
Answer: Crust - __________ is the zone where all forms of life exist.
Answer: Biosphere - The layer of the Earth rich in silica and aluminium is called __________.
Answer: Sial - The major source of freshwater on Earth is __________.
Answer: Rivers - The living components of the environment are known as __________.
Answer: Biotic components - Soil is formed due to the process of __________.
Answer: Weathering - The __________ Act was passed in India in 1972 to protect wildlife.
Answer: Wildlife Protection - The solid outer part of the Earth is called the __________.
Answer: Lithosphere - __________ is responsible for sudden changes like earthquakes and volcanoes.
Answer: Internal forces of the Earth
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which of the following is not a biotic component?
(a) Plants
(b) Animals
(c) Soil
(d) Humans
Answer: (c) Soil - Which layer of the Earth is rich in silica and magnesium?
(a) Crust
(b) Core
(c) Sial
(d) Sima
Answer: (d) Sima - Which gas is most abundant in the atmosphere?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Hydrogen
Answer: (c) Nitrogen - Which one is a renewable resource?
(a) Petroleum
(b) Coal
(c) Sunlight
(d) Natural gas
Answer: (c) Sunlight - Which of the following helps in soil formation?
(a) Weathering
(b) Burning
(c) Drilling
(d) Mining
Answer: (a) Weathering
- True/False
- The hydrosphere includes lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater.
Answer: True - Only plants are considered part of the biosphere.
Answer: False - The atmosphere contains nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
Answer: True - Lithosphere includes all types of water bodies.
Answer: False - Volcanoes are caused by internal forces of the Earth.
Answer: True - Competency-Based Questions
- Question: Riya visited a National Park and saw a tiger and a variety of plants. Identify which components of the environment she observed and explain how they are interdependent.
Answer: Riya observed biotic components. Plants provide oxygen and food, while tigers rely on other animals for food. This shows interdependence between producers and consumers. - Question: During a flood, humans relocate animals from danger zones. What does this reveal about the relationship between humans and animals?
Answer: It shows that humans are responsible for protecting wildlife and are aware of their dependence on animals for ecological balance.
- High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions
- Question: Why should we not overuse natural resources even if they are renewable?
Answer: Overuse can exceed nature’s ability to replenish them, leading to scarcity and ecological imbalance. - Question: How would life be affected if one of the spheres, like the atmosphere, becomes highly polluted?
Answer: It would impact health, climate, and ecosystems, affecting all living organisms including humans.
- Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)
- Question: What is meant by a physical environment?
Answer: The physical environment includes all non-living components like land, water, air, and climate which affect the living organisms and form the natural setting of the Earth. - Question: What is the lithosphere composed of?
Answer: The lithosphere is composed of the Earth’s crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It includes rocks, minerals, and soils forming the land surface.
- Long Answer Questions (60–70 words)
- Question: Define the biosphere and explain its significance.
Answer: The biosphere is the narrow zone on Earth where life exists, including all living organisms and the environments they inhabit. It includes parts of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It is significant because it supports life by providing essential resources such as air, water, and food, and maintains ecological balance. - Question: How are human beings disturbing the natural environment? Give two examples.
Answer: Humans disturb the natural environment through deforestation and pollution. Deforestation destroys wildlife habitats, while pollution of air, water, and soil harms both the environment and living beings. These activities lead to ecological imbalance and climate change.
Additional Questions and Answers – 02
Questions and Answers on Environment
Fill in the Blanks Questions and Answers
- Question: Environment provides the ______ we breathe.
Answer: Environment provides the air we breathe. - Question: The natural environment consists of ______ and man-made elements.
Answer: The natural environment consists of natural and man-made elements. - Question: The ______ environment includes all non-living things like land, water, and air.
Answer: The physical environment includes all non-living things like land, water, and air. - Question: The ______ environment includes all living things such as plants and animals.
Answer: The biological environment includes all living things such as plants and animals. - Question: The natural environment can be divided into four spheres: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and ______.
Answer: The natural environment can be divided into four spheres: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere. - Question: The literal meaning of ‘lithosphere’ is the sphere of ______.
Answer: The literal meaning of ‘lithosphere’ is the sphere of rocks. - Question: The uppermost part of the lithosphere is composed of rocks rich in silica and aluminium called ______.
Answer: The uppermost part of the lithosphere is composed of rocks rich in silica and aluminium called sial. - Question: The rocks below the sial layer are mainly rich in silica and magnesium and are called ______.
Answer: The rocks below the sial layer are mainly rich in silica and magnesium and are called sima. - Question: The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope extending about ______ km above the earth’s surface.
Answer: The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope extending about 1,600 km above the earth’s surface.
- Question: 99 per cent of the atmosphere’s mass exists within ______ km of height from the earth’s surface.
Answer: 99 per cent of the atmosphere’s mass exists within 32 km of height from the earth’s surface. - Question: Hydrosphere refers to the sphere of ______.
Answer: Hydrosphere refers to the sphere of water. - Question: Oceans hold ______ per cent of water on the earth.
Answer: Oceans hold 96.5 per cent of water on the earth. - Question: The earth is often called the ______ Planet because of the abundance of water.
Answer: The earth is often called the Blue Planet because of the abundance of water. - Question: The biosphere is the narrow zone of contact between all the ______ spheres of the environment.
Answer: The biosphere is the narrow zone of contact between all the three spheres of the environment. - Question: The Government of India passed the Wildlife Protection Act in ______ to protect biodiversity.
Answer: The Government of India passed the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972 to protect biodiversity. - Question: Violation of the Wildlife Protection Act is a ______ crime under law.
Answer: Violation of the Wildlife Protection Act is a punishable crime under law. - Question: Human beings are capable of ______ the biosphere.
Answer: Human beings are capable of changing the biosphere. - Question: The development of soil is a ______ process that takes years.
Answer: The development of soil is a gradual process that takes years. - Question: Sudden changes in the physical environment can be caused by an ______ or volcano.
Answer: Sudden changes in the physical environment can be caused by an earthquake or volcano. - Question: We should live in ______ with our surroundings to sustain all forms of life.
Answer: We should live in harmony with our surroundings to sustain all forms of life.
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers
- Question: What does the environment provide for human survival?
a) Air, water, food, and land
b) Clothes and shelter
c) Technology and machines
d) Books and education
Answer: a) Air, water, food, and land - Question: Which of the following is a component of the physical environment?
a) Plants
b) Animals
c) Land
d) Humans
Answer: c) Land - Question: The biological environment includes:
a) Land, water, and air
b) Plants, animals, and microbes
c) Rocks and minerals
d) Oceans and rivers
Answer: b) Plants, animals, and microbes - Question: How many spheres are there in the natural environment?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
Answer: c) Four - Question: What is the literal meaning of ‘lithosphere’?
a) Sphere of water
b) Sphere of rocks
c) Sphere of air
d) Sphere of life
Answer: b) Sphere of rocks - Question: The uppermost layer of the lithosphere is called:
a) Sima
b) Sial
c) Core
d) Mantle
Answer: b) Sial - Question: What are the rocks below the sial layer mainly rich in?
a) Silica and aluminium
b) Iron and nickel
c) Silica and magnesium
d) Calcium and potassium
Answer: c) Silica and magnesium - Question: How far does the atmosphere extend above the earth’s surface?
a) 32 km
b) 100 km
c) 1,600 km
d) 2,000 km
Answer: c) 1,600 km - Question: What percentage of the atmosphere’s mass exists within 32 km of the earth’s surface?
a) 50%
b) 75%
c) 90%
d) 99%
Answer: d) 99%
- Question: Which sphere is referred to as the ‘sphere of water’?
a) Lithosphere
b) Atmosphere
c) Hydrosphere
d) Biosphere
Answer: c) Hydrosphere - Question: What percentage of the earth’s surface is covered by water bodies?
a) 50%
b) 71%
c) 80%
d) 96.5%
Answer: b) 71% - Question: How much water is held by oceans on the earth?
a) 71%
b) 43%
c) 96.5%
d) 53%
Answer: c) 96.5% - Question: Which hemisphere has 53% of the total area covered by water?
a) Northern Hemisphere
b) Southern Hemisphere
c) Eastern Hemisphere
d) Western Hemisphere
Answer: b) Southern Hemisphere - Question: What does the biosphere represent?
a) Sphere of rocks
b) Sphere of air
c) Sphere of life
d) Sphere of water
Answer: c) Sphere of life - Question: When was the Wildlife Protection Act passed in India?
a) 1965
b) 1972
c) 1980
d) 1990
Answer: b) 1972 - Question: What is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act?
a) Farming
b) Poaching and hunting
c) Planting trees
d) Building houses
Answer: b) Poaching and hunting - Question: Who is responsible for protecting biodiversity?
a) Only the government
b) Only scientists
c) All of us
d) Only environmentalists
Answer: c) All of us - Question: What kind of change can an earthquake bring to the environment?
a) Gradual
b) Seasonal
c) Sudden
d) Permanent
Answer: c) Sudden - Question: What creates biodiversity on the earth?
a) Changes in the atmosphere
b) Diversification over time
c) Human activities only
d) Changes in the lithosphere
Answer: b) Diversification over time - Question: How should humans live to sustain life on earth?
a) In isolation
b) In harmony with surroundings
c) By exploiting resources
d) By ignoring nature
Answer: b) In harmony with surroundings
True/False Questions and Answers
- Question: The environment includes only natural elements.
Answer: False (The environment includes both natural and man-made elements.) - Question: The physical environment includes living things like plants and animals.
Answer: False (The physical environment includes non-living things like land, water, and air.) - Question: The biological environment includes all living organisms.
Answer: True - Question: The natural environment has three spheres: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere.
Answer: False (There are four spheres: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere.) - Question: The lithosphere provides soil for plants and mineral wealth.
Answer: True - Question: The atmosphere extends 32 km above the earth’s surface.
Answer: False (The atmosphere extends 1,600 km, but 99% of its mass is within 32 km.) - Question: Changes in the atmosphere occur only seasonally.
Answer: False (Changes can occur seasonally and within a short period, like a few hours.) - Question: The hydrosphere covers 71% of the earth’s surface.
Answer: True - Question: Oceans hold 43% of the earth’s water.
Answer: False (Oceans hold 96.5% of the earth’s water.)
- Question: The biosphere is the sphere of rocks.
Answer: False (The biosphere is the sphere of life.) - Question: Humans are an important part of the biosphere.
Answer: True - Question: The Wildlife Protection Act allows poaching and hunting.
Answer: False (It prohibits poaching and hunting.) - Question: Violation of the Wildlife Protection Act is a punishable crime.
Answer: True - Question: Only the government is responsible for protecting biodiversity.
Answer: False (All of us are responsible.) - Question: The development of soil is a sudden process.
Answer: False (It is a gradual process.) - Question: An earthquake brings gradual changes to the environment.
Answer: False (It brings sudden changes.) - Question: The Northern Hemisphere has more water than the Southern Hemisphere.
Answer: False (The Southern Hemisphere has 53%, while the Northern has 43%.) - Question: The sial layer is rich in silica and magnesium.
Answer: False (The sial layer is rich in silica and aluminium; sima is rich in silica and magnesium.) - Question: Biodiversity is the result of diversification over a long period.
Answer: True - Question: Humans should exploit the environment to sustain life.
Answer: False (Humans should live in harmony with the environment.)
Competency-Based Questions and Answers
- Question: A student notices that a nearby river is drying up due to less rainfall. Which sphere of the environment is directly affected?
Answer: The hydrosphere is directly affected as it deals with water bodies like rivers, which are impacted by reduced rainfall. - Question: During a school project, you observe that cutting trees in an area leads to soil erosion. Which two spheres are interacting here?
Answer: The lithosphere and biosphere are interacting. Trees (biosphere) help hold soil (lithosphere) in place, and their removal causes erosion. - Question: A factory releases smoke into the air, causing breathing issues for nearby residents. Which sphere is being harmed, and how does it affect humans?
Answer: The atmosphere is being harmed by the smoke. This affects humans by causing breathing issues due to polluted air. - Question: A community plants trees to prevent soil erosion in a hilly area. How does this action support the environment?
Answer: Planting trees supports the lithosphere by preventing soil erosion and the biosphere by increasing plant life, which sustains biodiversity. - Question: A student learns that an earthquake damaged a forest area, killing many animals. Which spheres are involved in this event?
Answer: The lithosphere (earthquake) and biosphere (forest and animals) are involved, as the earthquake directly impacts the living organisms. - Question: You notice that a lake in your area has less fish due to water pollution. Which sphere is affected, and what can be done to improve it?
Answer: The hydrosphere is affected due to water pollution. Reducing pollution by controlling waste disposal can improve the lake’s condition. - Question: A farmer uses pesticides that harm birds in the area. Which sphere is impacted, and what is the consequence?
Answer: The biosphere is impacted as birds are harmed. This disrupts the ecological balance, affecting biodiversity. - Question: During a storm, strong winds damage crops in a field. Which sphere causes this change, and what is affected?
Answer: The atmosphere causes this change through strong winds. The biosphere, specifically crops, is affected. - Question: A mining activity destroys a forest area. Which spheres are involved, and what is the impact?
Answer: The lithosphere (mining) and biosphere (forest) are involved. The impact is the loss of biodiversity and habitat for animals.
- Question: A city faces water scarcity due to low rainfall. Which sphere is affected, and how does it impact human life?
Answer: The hydrosphere is affected due to low rainfall. This impacts human life by causing water scarcity for drinking and farming.
High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions and Answers
- Question: Why do you think sudden changes like earthquakes have a more immediate impact on the biosphere compared to gradual changes like soil development?
Answer: Sudden changes like earthquakes cause immediate destruction of habitats, directly killing or displacing living organisms in the biosphere. Gradual changes like soil development occur over years, allowing the biosphere to adapt slowly without immediate harm. - Question: How might a long-term change in the atmosphere, such as global warming, affect the hydrosphere and biosphere?
Answer: Global warming in the atmosphere can lead to melting ice caps, raising sea levels in the hydrosphere, and flooding habitats in the biosphere, displacing species and disrupting ecosystems. - Question: If the lithosphere’s mineral resources are overexploited, what could be the long-term consequences for the biosphere?
Answer: Overexploitation of the lithosphere’s minerals can lead to habitat destruction, soil degradation, and loss of resources for plants, ultimately reducing biodiversity in the biosphere and disrupting ecosystems. - Question: Why is the biosphere considered the most dynamic sphere, and how does it depend on the other three spheres?
Answer: The biosphere is dynamic because life constantly evolves and interacts. It depends on the lithosphere for land and soil, the hydrosphere for water, and the atmosphere for air, all of which are essential for survival. - Question: If the hydrosphere’s water distribution becomes more uneven due to climate change, how might this impact global biodiversity?
Answer: Uneven water distribution can lead to droughts in some areas and floods in others, disrupting habitats and food chains in the biosphere, potentially causing species extinction and reducing global biodiversity. - Question: How does the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 contribute to maintaining balance in the biosphere?
Answer: The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prohibits poaching and hunting, preserving animal species in the biosphere, which maintains ecological balance by ensuring food chains and biodiversity are not disrupted. - Question: Why do you think living in harmony with the environment is crucial for the emergence of new species over time?
Answer: Living in harmony ensures the environment remains balanced, providing stable conditions for evolution. Disruptions can destroy habitats, preventing the gradual adaptations needed for new species to emerge over time. - Question: How can human activities in the lithosphere, like deforestation, indirectly affect the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
Answer: Deforestation in the lithosphere reduces tree cover, increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, and altering rainfall patterns, which impacts the hydrosphere by causing droughts or floods. - Question: Why might the Southern Hemisphere’s greater water coverage affect its biodiversity differently compared to the Northern Hemisphere?
Answer: The Southern Hemisphere’s 53% water coverage supports more marine biodiversity, while the Northern Hemisphere’s 43% water coverage has more land, supporting diverse terrestrial ecosystems, leading to different biodiversity patterns in each.
- Question: If the atmosphere’s composition changes due to pollution, how might this impact the interdependence of the physical and biological environments?
Answer: Pollution in the atmosphere can lead to acid rain, altering the physical environment’s soil and water quality, which harms plants and animals in the biological environment, disrupting their interdependence and survival.
Short Questions and Answers
- Question: What does the environment provide for human survival?
Answer: The environment provides air, water, food, and land for human survival. - Question: Name the two types of natural environment components.
Answer: Physical and biological environments. - Question: What does the physical environment include?
Answer: It includes non-living things like land, water, and air. - Question: What does the biological environment consist of?
Answer: It consists of living things like plants, animals, and microbes. - Question: How many spheres are there in the natural environment?
Answer: Four: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere. - Question: What is the lithosphere?
Answer: The lithosphere is the earth’s solid layer, the sphere of rocks. - Question: What is the sial layer made of?
Answer: The sial layer is made of rocks rich in silica and aluminium. - Question: What is the sima layer composed of?
Answer: The sima layer is composed of rocks rich in silica and magnesium. - Question: How far does the atmosphere extend above the earth?
Answer: It extends about 1,600 km above the earth’s surface.
- Question: What percentage of the earth’s surface is covered by water?
Answer: 71%. - Question: What is the hydrosphere?
Answer: The hydrosphere is the sphere of water, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. - Question: What percentage of water do oceans hold?
Answer: Oceans hold 96.5% of the earth’s water. - Question: What is the biosphere?
Answer: The biosphere is the sphere of life where all living organisms exist. - Question: When was the Wildlife Protection Act passed in India?
Answer: In 1972. - Question: What does the Wildlife Protection Act prohibit?
Answer: It prohibits poaching and hunting. - Question: Who is responsible for protecting biodiversity?
Answer: All of us are responsible. - Question: What kind of change does an earthquake bring?
Answer: Sudden change. - Question: What creates biodiversity on earth?
Answer: Diversification over a long period of time. - Question: Why is the earth called the Blue Planet?
Answer: Due to the abundance of water on its surface. - Question: How should humans live with the environment?
Answer: In harmony to sustain all forms of life.
Long Questions and Answers (60-70 Words)
- Question: Explain the role of the lithosphere in supporting life on earth.
Answer: The lithosphere, the earth’s solid layer, plays a crucial role in supporting life by providing land for living, soil for plants to grow, and minerals for various uses. It is about 100 km thick, with the uppermost sial layer rich in silica and aluminium, and the sima layer below rich in silica and magnesium, ensuring a foundation for ecosystems and human activities. - Question: Describe the atmosphere and its importance to life on earth.
Answer: The atmosphere, a gaseous envelope extending 1,600 km above the earth, is vital for life as it provides air for breathing. Comprising 99% of its mass within 32 km, it regulates temperature and weather, protecting life from harmful radiation. Its dynamic nature, with changes occurring seasonally or within hours, affects atmospheric conditions, influencing both human life and ecosystems directly and indirectly. - Question: What is the hydrosphere, and how is water distributed on earth?
Answer: The hydrosphere, the sphere of water, includes oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, covering 71% of the earth’s surface. Oceans hold 96.5% of the water, while the rest exists as ice, water vapors, underground water, rivers, and lakes. The Northern Hemisphere has 43% of the water-covered area, while the Southern Hemisphere has 53%, showing an uneven global distribution of water resources. - Question: Discuss the biosphere and its significance in the environment.
Answer: The biosphere, the sphere of life, is the narrow zone where the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere interact, supporting all living organisms like plants, animals, and microbes. It fosters biodiversity through diversification over time, creating new species. Humans, a key part of the biosphere, can change it, making it essential to live in harmony to sustain life and promote the emergence of new species. - Question: How do changes in the physical environment affect the biological environment?
Answer: Changes in the physical environment, like land, water, and air, directly impact the biological environment of living organisms. Sudden changes, such as earthquakes or volcanoes, can destroy habitats, killing plants and animals instantly. Gradual changes, like soil development, allow slow adaptation but can still alter ecosystems over time, affecting biodiversity and the survival of species in the biological environment. - Question: What is the importance of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in conserving biodiversity?
Answer: The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, passed by the Government of India, prohibits poaching and hunting to conserve biodiversity. It makes violations punishable, ensuring the protection of wildlife species. This act helps maintain ecological balance in the biosphere by preserving animal populations, which supports food chains and ecosystems, a responsibility shared by all to sustain diverse life forms on earth. - Question: Why is living in harmony with the environment essential for sustaining life?
Answer: Living in harmony with the environment ensures the balance of the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, allowing them to sustain life. It prevents overexploitation, maintains biodiversity, and supports the emergence of new species over time. By preserving natural resources like air, water, and land, we ensure that the earth can continue to support all life forms for future generations. - Question: How does the uneven distribution of water in the hemispheres affect the environment?
Answer: The uneven water distribution, with 43% in the Northern Hemisphere and 53% in the Southern Hemisphere, affects environmental conditions. The Southern Hemisphere, with more water, supports greater marine biodiversity, while the Northern Hemisphere, with more land, fosters terrestrial ecosystems. This disparity influences climate, species distribution, and human activities, creating diverse ecological patterns across the globe. - Question: Explain how the four spheres of the environment are interdependent.
Answer: The four spheres—lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—are interdependent. The lithosphere provides land and soil for the biosphere’s plants and animals, the hydrosphere supplies water, and the atmosphere offers air and regulates climate. Changes in one sphere, like atmospheric pollution, can affect the hydrosphere through acid rain and the biosphere by harming living organisms, showing their interconnected role in sustaining life.
- Question: What are the consequences of human exploitation of the environment, and how can it be mitigated?
Answer: Human exploitation of the environment leads to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion in the biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. For example, deforestation disrupts ecosystems and climate. Mitigation involves living in harmony by reducing resource overuse, enforcing laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, and promoting sustainable practices to preserve air, water, and land, ensuring the earth can sustain life for future generations.