Science (Chapter – 14) (Natural Resources) (Class – IX) Exercises

 

Question 1:

Why is the atmosphere essential for life?

Answer 1:

The atmosphere is essential for life because it maintains an appropriate climate for the sustenance

of life by carrying out the following activities:

(i) Atmosphere keeps the average temperature of the Earth fairly constant during day time.

(ii) It prevents a sudden increase in temperature during day time.

(iii) It also slows down the escape of heat from the surface of the Earth into outer space during

nighttime.

Question 2:

Why is water essential for life?

Answer 2:

Water is essential for life because of the following reasons:

(i) Most biological reactions occur when substances are dissolved in water. Thus, all cellular

processes need water as a medium to take place.

(ii) Transportation of biological substances needs water as a medium.

Question 3:

How are living organisms dependent on the soil? Are organisms that live in water totally

independent of soil as a resource?

Answer 3:

Almost all living organisms are dependent on soil. Some depend directly, while some depend

indirectly. Plants need soil for getting support as well as nutrients to prepare their food. On the

other hand, organisms depend on plants for food and other substances that are essential for life.

Herbivores depend directly upon plants, and carnivores depend upon animals, which in turn

depend upon plants for food. This makes them depend on soil indirectly. Organisms that live in

water are not totally independent of soil as a resource. These organisms depend on aquatic plants

for food and other substances. These aquatic plants in turn require minerals for their sustenance.

These minerals are carried to water bodies from soil by rivers, rain water, etc. Without the supply

of minerals from the soil to the water bodies, it is impossible to imagine aquatic life.

Question 4:

You have seen weather reports on television and in newspapers. How do you think we are able to

predict the weather?

Answer 4:

The meteorological department of the government collects data on the elements of weather such

as maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum and minimum humidity, rainfall, wind speed,

etc. They are able to study these elements using various instruments. The maximum and minimum

temperature of a day is measured by a thermometer known as the maximum−minimum

thermometer. Rain fall is measured by an instrument known as the rain gauge. Wind speed is

measured by anemometers. There are various instruments used to measure humidity.

Question 5:

We know that many human activities lead to increasing levels of pollution of the air, water-bodies

and soil. Do you think that isolating these activities to specific and limited areas would help in

reducing pollution?

Answer 5:

Yes. Isolating human activities to specific areas would help in reducing levels of pollution. For

example, setting up of industries in isolated regions will control pollution to some extent. The

pollution caused by these industries will not contaminate water resources, agriculture land, fertile

land, etc.

Question 6:

Write a note on how forests influence the quality of our air, soil and water resources.

Answer 6:

Forests influence the quality of our air, soil, and water resources in various ways. Some of them

are:

(i) Forests balance the percentages of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere. The

increasing amount of carbon dioxide caused by human activities is balanced by a larger intake of

carbon dioxide by plants during the process of photosynthesis. Simultaneously, a large amount of

oxygen is released.

(ii) Forests prevent soil erosion. Roots of plants bind the soil tightly in a way that the surface of

the soil cannot be eroded away by wind, water, etc.

(iii) Forests help in the replenishment of water resources. During the process of transpiration, a

huge amount of water vapour goes into the air and condenses to form clouds. These clouds cause

rainfall that recharge water bodies.