UNIT I - ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY

1. Define Ecosystem. (or) what is an ecosystem?

Ecosystem has been defined as a system of interaction of organisms with their
surroundings. Numerous dynamic interactions are occurring within an ecosystem and these are
complex. Always alterations to the biotic and Abiotic components are happening within the
ecosystems.

2. Enumerate some characteristics of an Ecosystem.

 Ecosystem is the major ecological unit.
 It contains both biotic and abiotic components.
 Through the biotic and abiotic components nutrient cycle and energy flow occur.
 The boundary of the ecosystem is not rigidly defined and it is flexible.
 The function of ecosystem is related to the cycling of materials and flow of energy.
 The amount of energy needed to maintain an ecosystem depends on its structure.
 Ecosystems pass from a less to more complex state, which is called as succession.
 Adaptation to local environmental condition is the important feature of the biotic
components of an ecosystem, failing which they might perish.

3. Classify the Ecosystem.

The ecosystem can be generally classified into three types.
 Terrestrial Ecosystem;
 Aquatic Ecosystem;

4. Name the types of consumers.

1.Herbivores (or) Primary Consumers;
2. Carnivores (or) Secondary Consumers
3.Omnivores (or) Tertiary Consumers

5. Differentiate between Food chain and Food web.

Food Chain Food Web

A food chain is a picture or model that shows the
flow of energy from Autotrophs to a series of
organisms in an environment.
It describes a pattern through which energy is
transmitted from the producers or the plants to
the decomposers.
It shows only one string of connected plants and
animals and their food habits.
A food web refers to a bunch of food chains that
make up an ecosystem. It is a mass of connected food
chains that are interlinked at various points.
It basically depicts a broader picture of all
interconnected food chains that exist within an
ecosystem.
It shows the food habit of various plants and animals
in an ecosystem.

6. What is Nitrogen fixation?

Hydrogen bonding of water molecule is defined as the bonding developed between the
positive hydrogen end of one molecule and the negative lone pair of another water molecule. Four
hydrogen bonds are formed around each and every water molecule.

7. Define the term Nitrification.

The process of converting the free nitrogen gas available in the atmosphere into
compounds of nitrogen is called as nitrification.

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8. What do you mean by Denitrification?
The process of converting ammonia into nitrites with the help of nitrosomonas bacteria,
and nitrites into nitrates with the help of nitrobactor bacteria is called as nitrification.

9. What are the methods by which nitrogen fixation takes place in the nature?
Natural nitrogen fixation can be obtained from lightening of clouds and bacteria and fungi
present in soil and water. Artificial fixation of nitrogen obtained with the help of fertilizer of
fertilizer industries, which convert the atmosphere nitrogen into ammonia.

10. Define Ecological succession.

Ecological succession is defined as the process in which communities of plant and animal
species in a particular area are replaced over time by a series of different and often more complex
communities.

11. Define Primary and secondary succession

(i) Primary ecological succession comprises of Hydrarch(Hydrosere – establishment
starting in a watery area like pond and lake) and Xerarch (Xerosere – establishment starting in a
dry area like, desert and rock)
(ii) Secondary succession involving establishment of biotic communities in an area, where
some types of biotic community is already present.

12. What is the structure & function of grassland ecosystem?

Abiotic components:
 C,H,O,N,P,S etc – supplied by nitrates, phosphates and sulphates.
Biotic components:
 Producers – grasses, forbs and shrubs
 Consumers–cows, cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep
 Decomposers – fungi and bacteria.

13. Give the characteristic features of desert ecosystem.

1. Desert air is dry and the climate is hot
2. Annual rainfall is less than 2.5 cm
3. The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic matter
4. Vegetation is very poor.

14. What is the structure & function of desert ecosystem?

Abiotic component:
 Temperature, rainfall, sunlight, water
Biotic component:
 Producers – shrubs, bushes, grasses
 Consumers – squirrels, mice, foxes
 Decomposers – fungi and bacteria.

15. What are the three steps involved in process of succession?

1. Facilitation
2. Inhibition
3. Tolerance

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16. What are producers?
Producers are organisms , like green plants , that produce organic compounds
from inorganic compounds. These are also a type of autotroph. Then green plants, for
example, are eaten by consumers in this case, grazing animals like the zebra.

17. What are consumers?

Consumers are organisms, which cannot prepare their own food and depend directly or
indirectly on the producers. E.g. Insects, rabbits, Fish, lions

18. What are decomposers?

A decomposer is an organism of decay. These are also called saprobes. They break
down the remains of dead animals and plants, releasing the substances that can be used by other
members of the ecosystem.

19. Give the characteristic features of an Estuarine system.

1. They are transition zones strongly affected by tides of the sea
2. Water characteristics are periodically changing
3. Living organism have wide tolerance
4. Salinity remains highest in summer and lowest during winter.
20. What are the 4 kinds of diversity?
Species, genetic, community or ecosystem

21. Write any two endangered species of mammals and birds in India.
 Mammals – Tiger, Lion
 Birds – Peacock, Horded crane.
22. Why is Biodiversity rich in tropics?
 More s table clima te
 Warm temperatures and high humidity
 Opportunity for many species to coexist
 Rate of out crossing appears to be higher in tropics.

23. What is the significance of Biodiversity?

 Very i m p o r t a n t f o r h u m a n l i f e
 Protects fresh air, clean water and productive land
 Important for forestry, fisheries and agriculture.

24. What is species & Genetic diversity?

 Species diversity is the diversity between different species.
 Genetic diversity – it means to the variation of genes within species. Gene and
chromosome mutation and in organism with sexual reproduction or by recombination for
creation of new genetic variation in individuals.

25. What are the values of biodiversity?

 Consumptive
 Productive
 Social
 Ethical
 Aesthetic

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26. What is In-situ conservation?
In-situ conservation is conservation of species in its natural ecosystem or manmade
ecosystem.

27. What do you understand by ,  &  diversity?

 Alpha – refers to number of species found in a small homogeneous area
 Beta – refers to rate of change of species composition across different habitats
 Gamma – refers to rate of change across large landscape.

28. What steps can be taken to conserve biodiversity?

 Adequate crop and cattle compensation
 Solar powered fencing,
 Changes i n c r o p p i n g p a t t e r n
 Adequate f o o d a n d w a t e r f o r a l l a n i m a l s
 Developmental a n d constructional work in and around forest region must be stopped.

29. Define biodiversity. (Nov/Dec 2015)

Bio means life and diversity means variety refers to wide variety of life on earth to all plants,
animals and micro-organisms

30. Enumerate human activities which destroy biodiversity.

 Farmers prefer hybrid seeds – many plants become extinct
 For production of drugs the pharma companies collect wild plants – become extinct
 Tropical forests – disappearing due to agriculture, mining and logging.

31. What do you understand by habitat loss?

The loss of population of interbreeding organisms is caused by habitat loss. It threatens
wide range of animals and plants.

32. What are the factors influencing habitat loss?

 Deforestation,
 Destruction of wetlands,
 Habitat fragmentation
 Usage of hybrid seeds
 Usage of wild plants for medicinal productions without replenishing their growth
 Illegal trade and developmental activities

33. What is poaching?

Poaching refers to killing of animals or commercial hunting which leads to loss of animal
biodiversity.

34. What are the factors influencing poaching?

Factors influencing poaching – human population and commercial activities
35. What are the factors influencing man – animal conflicts?
 Shrinking of forest cover
 Human encroachment into forest
 Injured animals attacking man
36. What do you understand by Global biodiversity?
Global biodiversity refers total number of living species in the world is about 20 million,
1.5 million are found, tropical deforestation is reducing biodiversity by 0.5 % each year.

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37. What are the hot spots of biodiversity?
Key areas of the world that have great biological diversity, high levels of endemism and are
under immediate threat of species of extinction.

38. What are the major threats to the Indian biodiversity? (NOV/DEC 2014)
1. Habitat loss
2. Poaching of wild life
3. Climate
4. Deforestation

39. Write any two objectives of Indian Forestry Policy

1. Maintenance of environment stability through preservation and restoration of ecological
balance.
2. Steps to create massive people’s movement with involvement of women to achieve the
objectives.

40. Define the term Environment with reference to ISO 14001.

According to ISO 14001, environment can be defined as, "surroundings in which an
organization operates- air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and inter relation".

41. What are gases present in the air?

Nitrogen, oxygen, Argon, Carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, ozone, radon, neon,
krypton, xenon, Sulphur dioxide, ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulphide, etc

42. Explain Biosphere.

The biological environment where the living organisms live and interact with physical
environment is called biosphere. It is the component of the earth which involves all the living
constituents such as birds, animals, plants etc. It supports various eco systems

43. List out the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. (NOV/DEC 2014)
Biotic Components:
Producers Consumers Decomposers
Abiotic components
Physical Component – Air, water, soil, sunlight
Chemical Component- organic and inorganic substances

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
1. State the significance and scope of environmental education.
Significance:
 It informs the people about their effective role in protecting the environment by
demanding changes and enforcement systems.
 It develops a concern and respect for the environment and also provides basic
knowledge of different types of environmental hazards.
Scope:
 To get an awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its problems.
 To motivate the people for the active participation of improvement and
environmental protection.

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2. Define environmental impact statement.
It is defined as an analysis of the expected effects of a development or action on the
surrounding natural and fabricated environment. It outlining the environmental effects and
solutions.

3. What are renewable and non-renewable energy sources? Give examples.

Renewable energy resources:
Renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are inexhaustible and
can be produce energy again and again.
Example: Solar energy, wind energy, water energy.
Non-renewable energy resources:
Non-renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are exhaustible
and cannot be replaced once they are used.
Example: coal, nuclear power.

4. What are the three effects of deforestation?

 Increased soil erosion
 Decrease in availability of forest products.
 Loss of biodiversity.

5. Suggest three damages caused by the use of fertilizers.

 Pesticides and fertilizers reduces endangered species and brings loss to biodiversity.
 Many useful organisms are also killed in the soil.
 Excessive applications of fertilizers cause stomach problem and cancer.

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 UNIT II - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

1. Define Noise Pollution

Noise pollution may be defined as the unwanted sound which gets dumped into the
atmosphere without regarding to its adverse effect.

2. What is the role of individual in Pollution Prevention?

 Adopt renewable energy resources
 Use natural fertilizers than chemical fertilizers
 Use natural gas than coal
 Use of eco-friendly products
 Use CFC refrigerators
 Do not use plastic cups

3. Define BOD5
The amount of dissolved / free oxygen consumed in five days by bacteria that
perform biological degradation of organic matter under aerobic conditions at 20°C

4. What are the effects of Ozone on plants?

Ultra violet radiation affects the ability of plants to capture light energy during the
process of photosynthesis. This reduces the nutrient content and the growth of plants.
This is seen especially in legumes and cabbage.

5. What are the sources of Marine Pollution

Rivers, Catchment area and Oil drilling and shipment

6. List out the types of land pollution

There are four main types of Land Pollution
1. Solid Waste
2. Pesticides and Fertilizers
3. Chemicals
4. Deforestation
7. What are the major causes of earthquake?
1. Sudden violent shaking of a part of earth
2. The stress in the earth crust can cause solid rock to deform until it suddenly fracture
and shifts along the fracture producing the fault
3. The abrupt movement on the existing fault causes the earthquake

8. What is a Cyclone?
It is an area of low pressure in the center and high pressure outside. It’s a
powerful swirling storm that measures from 300 to 500 km in diameter. The wind in the
center of a cyclone blows at a speed of 120 kmph.

9. Define Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution is defined as the presence of waste heat in the water which can cause
undesirable changes in the natural environment that is harmful to man, animal and aquatic
life.

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10. Mention the sources of water pollution
They are classified as point sources which are discharged pollutants at specific locations
through pipes, ditches or sewers into bodies of surface water and non-point sources that
cannot be traced to any single site of discharge, usually large land areas or air sheds that
pollute water by run-off, subsurface flow or deposition from the atmosphere.

Sewage, Industrial influents, Synthetic detergents, Agrochemicals, Oil and waste heat are the
sources of surface water (streams, lakes and estuaries) pollution.
11. What is Photo Chemical Smog?
It is mainly due to chemical reactions among nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons by
sunlight

12. What are the sources of air pollution?

(i) The natural sources (volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological atmosphere) and
manmade sources (Anthropogenic) such as fossil power plants, agricultural activities
(ii) Carbon monoxide ( CO)
(iii) Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
(iv) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
(v) Suspended particulate matter

13. What are the major sources of Solid waste cause?

Wastes arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid and that are
discarded as useless or unwanted.
Solid Wastes based on their origin are: Urban Solid Waste, Industrial Solid Waste.

14. Define Marine Pollution

It is defined as the introduction by man directly or indirectly of substances or energy into the
marine environment resulting in such deleterious effect as harm to living resources, hazards to
human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of
sea water and reduction of amenities.

15. What are the causes of Air Pollution?

Volcanoes, which release ash, dust, sulphur and other gases, or by forest fires that are
occasionally naturally caused by lightning.

16. What is recycling

It is the reprocessing of the discarded materials into new useful products.
Example: Old aluminum cans and glass bottles are melted and recast into new cans and
bottles, Preparation of fuel pellets from kitchen waste
17. Define Soil pollution
It is defined as the contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause
harmful effects on living beings

18. What are the two effects of Noise pollution in human being?
1. Damage to heart, brain, kidney and liver

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 2. Noise pollution causes contraction of blood vessels, makes the skin pale, leads to
excessive secretion of adrenalin hormone into blood stream which is responsible for
blood pressure.
3. It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous breakdown, tension etc.,
4. It affects efficiency and behavior.
5. It may leads to loss of hearing.

19. Define BOD, COD, Toxity

Biological oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of oxygen required to break down a certain
amount of organic matter.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation
of organic matter using some oxidizing agent like K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4.
Toxity is Sum of adverse effects or the degree of danger posed by a substance to living
organisms. It is expressed generally as a dose response relationship involving the quantity of
substance to which the organism is exposed and the route of exposure skin (absorption),
mouth (ingestion), or respiratory tract (inhalation).

20. Define Pollution

Pollution is the effect of undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful
effects on plants, animals and human beings.

21. What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the
air in quantities that are harmful to human health and the environment.

22. List the sources and effects of CO and SO2 Pollution.

Sources:
 Transportation
 Forest Fire
 Coal Mines
Effects:
 Air Pollution to human health
 Air Pollution to animals and plants

23. What do you understand by the term thermal pollution?

A pollution due to heat which changes the physical and chemical properties of water thus
affecting the whole aquatic system.

24. What is composting?

It’s one of the solid waste management technique in which bulk organic waste are converted
into a fertilizing manure by biological action

25. Write any four major water pollutants.

a. Pesticides and biocides.

b. Heavy metals, mercury, crude oil, plastics.
c. Industrial and agricultural wastes.
d. Thermal pollution.

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 UNIT III - NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Define environment impact statement.

Environmental impact is nothing but the effect on the natural environment caused by
various human actions. It include two types,
(i) Indirect effects – pollution
(ii) Direct effects – Cut down trees

2. What are the effects of deforestation?

(i) Global warming
(ii) Soil erosion
(iii) Loss of biodiversity
(iv) Flood and landslides
(v) Loss of food grains

3. Suggest the damages caused by the use of fertilizer.

(i) Micronutrient imbalance
(ii) Blue Baby Syndrome ( Nitrate pollution)
(iii) Eutrophication
(iv) Loss of fertility of the land

4. What is over utilization of ground water resources?

The rapid increase in population and industrial growth has increased the demand for
water resources. Due to increase of ground water usage, the annual extraction of ground
water is in far excess than the natural recharge. This phenomenon is called as over-
utilization of ground water.

5. What is water logging? What are its adverse effects?

Water logging is the land where water stand for most of the year
Effects of water logging :
(i) Pore-voids in the soil get filed with water and the soil – air gets depleted.
(ii) The roots of the plants do not get adequate air for respiration.
(iii) Mechanical strength of the soil decreases and crop yield falls.

6. Write down different types of energy sources.

Based on continual utility, natural resources can be classified into two types.
(i) Renewable energy resources
Renewable resources are natural resources which can be regenerated continuously
and are inexhaustible. They can be used again and again in an endless manner.
Examples: Wood, solar, wind energy
(ii) Non – Renewable energy sources
Non – renewable energy resources are natural resources which cannot be
regenerated once they are exhausted. They cannot be used again.
Example: Coal, petroleum, nuclear fuels.

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7. Name some of natural impacts on environment.
Some of the natural impacts are
1. Earthquake
2. Tsunamis
3. Flood
4. Volcanic eruption

8. Name some of the anthropogenic impacts on environment.

1. London Smog
2. Mediterranean a dead sea
3. Nuclear explosions
4. Minamata disease
5. Bhopal disaster
6. Chernobyl disaster
7. Gulf war hazards

9. What is deforestation?
The destruction of forest resources by many natural or man-made activities is called
deforestation.

10. What is soil erosion?

The detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water.

11. What do you mean by overgrazing?

Overgrazing is grazing by livestock or wildlife to the point where the grass cover is depleted,
leaving bare, unprotected patches of soil.

12. What is eutrophication?

The process by which body of water, commonly a lake or pond is enriched by nutrients
which leads to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.

13. What is land degradation?

Land degradation refers to loss of fertility or productive capacity of the soil.

14. What do you mean by desertification?

Desertification is a slow process of land degradation that leads to desert formation.

15. What are landslides?

Rapid down ward movement of a mass of rock, earth or artificial fill or plant debris on a
slope is called land slide.
16. What are renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
Renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are in exhaustible and can
be used to produce energy again and again.
Non-renewable energy resources are those natural resources which are exhaustible and
cannot be replaced once they are used.
17. What are the causes of deforestation?
 Mining Operations
 Development Projects
 Fuel Requirements

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18. List out two uses of forest resources.
The uses of forest resources are:
1) Production of oxygen
2) Reducing global warming, soil conservation and pollution moderators.

19. What is meant by mining?

Mining is the process of extraction of metals from a mineral deposit.

20. List out the types of mining.

The types of mining are:
1) Surface mining
2) Underground mining

21. List out the uses of dams.

The uses of dams are:
1) To control flood and store flood water
2) Dams are built for generating electricity

22. What is upstream impact of dam construction?

The upstream impacts of dam construction are:
1) Displacement of tribal people
2) Loss of forests, flora and fauna

23. Enumerate the effects of mining for mineral resources on the environment. (GE6351-
MAY/JUNE 2016)
The effects of mining on the environment are:
1) Mining reduces the shape and size of the forest areas
2) Noise pollution

24. What is meant by water logging?

Water logging is the land where water stands or stagnates for most of the year.

25. What is meant by salinization?

Salinization is the process of accumulation of salts in the soil.

26. State any two problems due to the over exploitation of ground water.
The over exploitation of ground water are:
1) Decreases the level of ground water
2) Ground subsidence
3) Earthquakes and land slides

27. What is meant by an aquifer?

Aquifer is a layer of highly permeable rock containing water.
28. State the effects of ground water usage.
The effects of ground water usage are:
1) Intrusion of salt water
2) Lowering of water table
3) Drying up of wells

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29. List out the types of minerals.
The types of minerals are:
1) Metallic minerals
2) Non Metallic minerals

30. State the uses of minerals.

The uses of minerals are:
1) Development of industrial plants and machinery
2) Making of alloys for various purposes
3) Generation of energy

31. List out any two methods of flood control.

The methods of flood control are:
1) Floods can be controlled by constructing dams and reservoirs
2) Encroachment of flood ways should be banned

32. State the types of drought.

The types of drought are:
1) Metrological drought
2) Hydrological drought
3) Agricultural drought
4) Socio-economic drought

33. What is meant by soil leaching technique?

Soil leaching technique is the process in which materials in the soil gradually dissolve
and are carried by water seeping through the soil.

34. State the environmental effects of extracting mineral resources.

The environmental effects of extracting mineral resources are:
1) Ground water contamination
2) Air, soil and water pollution
3) De-vegetation and subsidence of land

35. State the advantages and disadvantages of modern agriculture.

The advantages of modern agriculture are:
1) Good crop yield
2) High tech techniques
The disadvantages of modern agriculture are:
1) Micronutrient imbalance
2) Water logging

36. What is meant by under nutrition?

Under nutrition means due to poverty the people cannot buy their basic needs and they
receive less than 90% of these minimum dietary calories.

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 40. Distinguish between organic and synthetic fertilizers.
S. No Organic fertilizers Synthetic fertilizers
1 Natural fertilizers Man-made fertilizers
2 Eco friendly Non-Eco friendly

41. Differentiate between deforestation and forest degradation ( Nov. / Dec 2007)
Forest degradation Deforestation
Slow process Fast process
It can be recovered. It cannot be recovered
It is the process of deterioration of forest It is process of destruction of forest
material materials.

42. Suggest three damages caused by the use of fertilizers. ( May / June 2010)
 It will produce toxic pesticide vapour.
 It will produce new pests

43. What is desertification? ( Nov./ Dec 2005)

It is a progressive destruction or degradation of arid or semi arid lands to desert.

44. List out the applications of wind energy.

The applications of wind energy are:
1) It does not cause air pollution.
2) It is very cheap.

45. Define the term flood. (GE2021 – NOV/DEC 2015)

Whenever the magnitude of water flow exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel
within its banks, the excess of water over flows on the surroundings causes floods.

46. What are the effects of pesticides? (GE2021 – NOV/DEC 2015)

The effects of pesticides are:
1. Death of non-target organisms.
2. Producing new pests.
3. Bio-magnification
4. Risk of cancer

47. What are the reasons for land (soil) degradation? (GE6351-MAY/JUNE 2016)
1. The soil texture and structure are deteriorated.
2. Loss of soil fertility, due to loss of invaluable nutrients.
3. Increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity and acidity problems.
4. Loss of economic social and biodiversity.

UNIT –IV SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

1. What is acid rain?

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 The presence of SO2 and NO2 gases as pollutants in the atmosphere make the pH of
the rain water is further lowered. This type of precipitation of water is called rain (or) acid
deposition.

2. Give the effects of global warming.

(i) Due to Melting of glaciers, a 20 cm rise is expected in sea level by 2030.
(ii) As climate pattern shifts, rain fall is reduced and soils are dried out resulting in major
drought.
(iii) Many plants and animals will have adapting problems.
(iv) There would be increase in waterborne diseases, infectious diseases carried out by
mosquitoes and other diseases vectors.

3. Define the concept of sustainable development.

Sustainable development is defined as, “meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

4. What do you understand by ozone layer depletion in the atmosphere? What are the
reasons for the formation of ozone hole in the atmosphere?
Ozone hole refers to the thinning of stratospheric ozone layer. The rate of depletion is
measured in Dobson Unit (DU).The following gases are accumulated in the atmosphere and
are found to be instruments in ozone depletion
 Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) – Comes from refrigerators, propellant in aerosol
spray cans, plastic blowing agent.
 Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon ( HCFC) – The sources are refrigerants, blowing
agents.
 Bromo Fluoro Carbons (BFC) – Released from Fire extinguishers.

5. What is Greenhouse effect?

The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the
presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that
allow incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated back from the earth's
surface.

6. What are Greenhouse gases?

Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are called
Greenhouse gases.
These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and
water vapor.

7. What is global warming?

The increased inputs of CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere raise the
average global temperature of the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect is called
global warming.

8. What is ozone hole or ozone layer depletion?

Ozone hole is an area of the upper atmosphere where the ozone layer is absent or has become
unusually thin.

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9. What is rain water harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops,
the land surface or rock catchments.

10. What is watershed management?

Watershed management is the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and
projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions.

11. What is environmental ethics?

Environmental ethics is the ethical relationship between human beings and the environment
in which they live.

12. Define water shed management.

Watershed management is an adaptive, comprehensive, integrated multi-resource
management planning process that seeks to balance healthy ecological, economic, and
cultural/social conditions within a watershed. Watershed management serves to integrate
planning for land and water; it takes into account both ground and surface water flow,
recognizing and planning for the interaction of water, plants, animals and human land use
found within the physical boundaries of a watershed.

13. What are the reasons for formation of acid rain?

Reasons for formation of Acid Rain
1. volcanic emissions
2. Decaying vegetation, wildfires and biological processes within the environment also
generate the acid rain forming gases.
3. Man-made sources like nuclear power plant, X-rays, etc.

14. Explain the term sustainability briefly.

Sustainability is the ability to continue a defined behavior indefinitely.
For example: Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain rates of renewable
resource harvest, pollution creation, and non-renewable resource depletion that can be
continued indefinitely.

15. State any two biomedical waste handling rules.

Steps involved to manage biomedical wastes are:
1. Generation and Accumulation (Segregation)
2. Handling and Storage
3. Treatment and Disposal

UNIT –V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

1. What is population growth?

Increase in the number of people with respect to time and area is called as population
growth.

2. Give the reasons for Population Growth.

1. Increase in the birth rate and decrease in the death rate

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 2. Availability of modern medical facilities
3. Influence of the culture of the people and
4. Poor implementation of family welfare schemes.

3. What are the effects Of Population Growth?

a. Over exploitation of natural resources
b. Increase in all forms of pollution
c. Leads to scarcity of land and food materials and affects the economical status of every
nation leading to poverty.
d. Increasing demand for food and natural resources
e. Inadequate housing and health services
f. Loss of agricultural lands
g. Unemployment and socio political unrest

4. Give the measures to check rapid growth of Population.

1. To create an awareness among people
2. To implement family welfare programs
3. To avoid early marriage among younger generation.

5. Give any two schemes of human health program initiated by Indian government on
effects of population growth.
1) The national family welfare programme (FWP) (1951)
2) National population policy (1986)

6. What are the advantages of family welfare program?

a. Advancing the age of marriage of girls to 20 years through intense public campaigns
and legislation.
b. Promoting the two child family norm.
c. Increasing female literacy rate.
d. Promotion of spacing methods.

7. Define – Immigration and Emigration

Immigration: Incoming people from another country or region to a particular area.
Emigration: Outgoing of people from particular area to another country or region.

8. What is value education?

Value education is an education which teaches:
· How to live life well?
· How to find happiness?
· How to make others happy?
· How to behave and communicate with others?
· How to manage all kinds of people as well as happenings?
· How to grow and succeed in the right manner?

9. Define population explosion.

(Or)

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 What do you understand by population explosion?
The unprecedented or abrupt increase in the growth of population with respect to time
and area is commonly called as population explosion.
A rapid increase in the size of a population caused by a sudden decrease in death rate or
an increase in birth rate is called population explosion.

10. What are the effects of population explosion?

Some of the effects of population growth are
a. Over exploitation of natural resources
b. Increase in all forms of pollution
c. Leads to scarcity of land and food materials and Affects the economic status of
every nation leading to poverty

11. What are the environmental factors that affect human health?
There are various factors present in the environment which govern the health of an
individual. Some of the factors that are directly responsible are as follows:
a. Infectious organisms
b. Chemicals
c. Radiation
d. Noise
e. Diet
f. Settlement

12. Write the expansion for HIV and AIDS?

HIV - Human Immuno Deficiency Virus, a virus.
AIDS - Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, a disease.

13. Mention two precautions to avoid AIDS.

1) Prevention of blood borne HIV transmission.
2) AIDS awareness programs should be encouraged.
3) Avoid indiscriminate sex and encourage the use of condoms and also avoid the use of
sharing razors, needles and syringes.
4) Counseling services should be provided.

14. What is doubling time?

The doubling time is the period of time required for a given population to double in size.

15. What are the objectives of family welfare programs? (HS 1201 – NOV/DEC 2013)
· To increase the female literacy rate.
· To enhance child survival through universal immunization.
· To reduce the birth rate

16. Mention any two family welfare programs adopted in India. (GE6351 - MAY 2016)
a. Family planning information, counseling and services to women for healthy
reproduction.

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 b. Education about safe delivery and post-delivery of the mother and the baby and
the treatment of women before pregnancy.

17. What do you mean by human rights?

Human rights are those basic rights which are essential for the development of human
personality such as right to life, liberty, property and security of an individual.

18. Name the fundamental rights of an Indian citizen.

 Right to equality
 Right to freedom of speech and activity
 Right against Exploitation
 Right to freedom of Religion
 Right to constitutional Remedies
 Cultural and Educational rights

19. What are the objectives of public awareness?

 Need to give awareness about severe resource depletion due to over population
 To create awareness about unemployment problems.
 Public should aware about the discharge of huge amount of hazardous wastes from
industries in need to produce more products to.

20. What are the objectives of environmental impact assessment (EIA).

EIA is defined as a formal process of predicting the environmental consequences of any
development projects. It is used to identify the environmental, social and economic
impacts of the project prior to decision making.
Objectives of EIA
c. To identify the main issues and problem of the parties.
d. To identify who is the party.
e. To identify what are the problems of the parties.
f. To identify why the problems are arise.

21. What is population density?

It is expressed as the number of individuals of the population per unit area is defined as
population density.

22. What is meant by NIMBY syndrome?

NIMBY means Not In My Back Yard, which describes the opposition of residents to
the nearby location of something they consider undesirable, even if it is clearly a benefit
for many.
Ex: An incinerator, an ethanol plant, a nuclear power plant, a prison.

23. Define Infant mortality rate, replacement level?

 Infant mortality rate is the percentage of infants died out of those born in a year.
 Two parents bearing two children will be replaced by their offspring. But due to
infant mortality this replacement level is usually changed.

24. What do you mean Demographic transition?

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It has been observed that couples from economically sound nations produce fewer
children so as to maintain high standard of living. This means that birth rate is low. The
death rate has also been reduced in those nations because of improved health care. As a
result, net population growth rate is low. This phenomenon is called demographic
transition.

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