Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment NCERT Solutions allow students to learn about ecosystems and how energy flows.
The solutions also explain the importance of decomposers and the recycling of nutrients in nature.
Our Environment chapter also builds the base for topics like ecosystem, biodiversity, and environmental issues in classes 11 and 12.
The chapter highlights environmental issues such as pollution, ozone layer depletion, and improper waste disposal.
3Rs, which are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, are also included in the solutions.
NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment
The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment help students understand how organisms interact with each other and their surroundings. All living beings, from tiny microorganisms to tall plants and animals, depend on their environment. The system includes living and non-living components like air, water, soil, and sunlight, which together form an ecosystem that maintains balance on Earth. The NCERT Solutions are prepared by subject experts to help students score well in their board exams and in future competitive exams.
This Story also Contains
- Download Our Environment Class 10 Questions and Answers PDF
- Access Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment Question Answer (In-text Exercise)
- Get Class 10 Science Our Environment Question Answer (Chapter-end Exercise)
- Approach to Solve Our Environment Class 10 Question Answer
- Important Topics of Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment
- Important Questions from Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment
- What Students Learn from Our Environment NCERT Solutions?
- Why Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment NCERT Solutions are Important?
- NCERT Chapter-wise Solutions for Class 10 Science
Our Environment Class 10 question answer explores how the living and non-living components maintain the natural balance. It also explains how energy flows through ecosystems and how different organisms depend on each other for survival. Understanding these interactions will help students know the importance of conserving our environment through the Our Environment Class 10 questions and answers PDF. It serves as a valuable resource that helps students build a strong foundation for higher classes. The NCERT solutions for Class 10 include detailed and clear answers with well-labeled diagrams to improve visual learning.
Download Our Environment Class 10 Questions and Answers PDF
Students can download the solutions of the Our Environment chapter to improve their understanding of the ecosystem. The Our Environment Class 10 questions and answers PDF can be accessed anytime and anywhere without the internet.
Also Read,
Access Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment Question Answer (In-text Exercise)
The chapter 'Our Environment' helps students learn about ecosystems, food chains, and how human actions affect nature. Given below are the Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment question answers, which are designed by subject experts following the NCERT curriculum for better understanding.
Topic 13.1: Ecosystem and its components:
Answer:
Every step or level of the food chain is referred to as a trophic level. Energy transfer in the form of food occurs from one trophic level to another. Trophic levels can be broadly divided into Producers, Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Consumers.
An example of a food chain:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Here, Grass is a producer, Grasshopper is the herbivore, Frog is the first carnivore, Snake is the second carnivore, and Eagle at the top is the third carnivore.
Q2. What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?
Answer:
Decomposers decompose the dead and decaying organisms' organic matter into simpler inorganic compounds. Decomposition aids in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, thus providing a constant supply of energy. Through the decomposition of dead organisms, they clean the environment and avoid the buildup of waste. The inorganic compounds released also enrich the soil, making it fertile for plant growth. Decomposers thus have an important role in sustaining the ecosystem's balance.
They also help in decomposing plant litter, like leaves and twigs, which aids in soil creation. Without decomposers, dead organic material would pile up, throwing the cycle of life off balance. Bacteria and fungi are the major decomposers, functioning well to decompose complex materials.
Topic 13.2: How do Our Activities Affect the Environment?
Q1. Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?
Answer:
Substances that can be broken down by biological processes are said to be biodegradable. In our environment, many of the substances are broken down easily by decomposers. Examples: Paper, vegetable peels, etc.
However, substances that cannot be broken down biologically but only by physical means are known as non-biodegradable substances. Example: Plastic.
Q2. Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Answer:
Two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment are:
1. These substances, on degradation, can produce a foul smell that affects the population living nearby. They may also become a breeding place for insects.
2. Many harmful greenhouse gases may evolve during degradation, leading to global warming.
Q3. Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Answer:
Any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances may affect the environment are:
1. The main problem caused is pollution. Non-biodegradable substances take many decades to degrade and hence remain in the environment, causing pollution.
2. They may render the soil infertile and hence affect the vegetation
Q4. What is ozone, and how does it affect any ecosystem?
Answer:
Ozone (O3) is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms. It affects the ecosystem in two ways, depending on its location:
In the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) - It forms a protective layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The depletion of this layer allows more UV rays to reach the Earth, harming living organisms.
At ground level (troposphere) - It acts as a pollutant that harms the respiratory systems of humans and animals and damages plants and vegetation.
Q5. How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.
Answer:
Two methods used to reduce the problems of waste disposal are:
Throwing biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into separate dustbins so that recycling can be done easily.
By putting the organic waste into compost pits dug in the ground, and preparing compost. This compost helps in increasing the fertility of the soil.
Practicing the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Get Class 10 Science Our Environment Question Answer (Chapter-end Exercise)
Solving the questions is important, as it makes students more confident and also decreases their stress. So, in this, we will cover all Class 10 Science Our Environment question answers.
Q1. Which of the following groups contains 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:
Option (A)- Grass, flowers are biodegradable, but processed leather takes a very long time to decompose, so it is not fully biodegradable.
Option (B)- Grass, wood are natural and decompose easily, so they are biodegradable, but plastic is non-biodegradable.
Option (C)- Fruit peels, cake, and lime juice are all natural and easily decompose, so they are biodegradable.
Option (D)- Cake, wood, and grass are also natural materials that decompose easily and are biodegradable.
Hence, the correct option is (c) and (d).
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:
A food chain consists of different trophic levels.
(b) Grass → Goat → Human; constitute a food chain.
Here, the grass is a producer, the goat is the primary consumer, and the human is the secondary consumer.
Hence, the correct option is (b), Grass, goat, and human
Q3. Which of the following are environmentally 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 off on her scooter
(d) All of the above
Answer:
All of the above-mentioned practices are environmentally friendly.
Hence, (d) All of the above is the correct answer.
Q4. What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
Answer:
If all the organisms of a trophic level are destroyed, the food chain will become unbalanced. The animals in the direct higher trophic level will die because of a lack of food, and the effect will follow. Also, the number of organisms in the direct lower trophic level will continue to grow, and this will destroy its direct lower level because of greater demand but lesser supply. So the entire food chain will collapse.
Answer:
Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level will be different for different trophic levels.
No, the organisms of any trophic level cannot be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem.
Consider the following example:
Grass → Deer → Lion
1. If all the grass is removed, the deer will die out due to starvation, which in turn will wipe out the lions.
2. If the entire deer population is removed, the lions will die out due to starvation. The grasses will increase in number and turn the land into forests.
3. If all the lions are removed, the population of deer will keep on increasing, which in turn will eat all the grass, leaving the land barren.
Answer:
Biological Magnification is the rise in the concentration of toxic materials in the body of the organism at every trophic level.
Yes, the magnification levels are varied at various levels of the ecosystem. It is at the highest level of the food chain.
Since chemicals such as pesticides and DDT are not degradable, these collected progressively at every trophic level. Since human beings are at the top of any food chain, the highest concentration of these chemicals is collected in their bodies.
Q7. What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?
Answer:
The non-biodegradable waste that we generate has the following problems for the environment:
1. Non-biodegradable wastes like pesticides reduce the fertility of soil as they penetrate it. The pH level of the soil becomes unsuitable for vegetation.
2. Non-biodegradable wastes like pesticides accumulate progressively at each trophic level and thus harm the organisms.
3. Non-biodegradable materials like plastics, when burning, release toxic chemicals into the environment, which leads to air pollution.
Q8. If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?
Answer:
If everything we throw away is biodegradable, it can still affect the environment if not dumped properly. It can cause a bad odour, impacting surrounding communities. It can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects, which may lead to increased disease transmission. Proper dumping grounds must thus be established for effective waste management.
Composting is the best method of disposing of biodegradable waste, as it transforms waste into organic matter that can be utilized. Proper segregation of waste should be ensured by municipal authorities to allow recycling and composting. Public awareness campaigns can inform people about proper waste disposal. A well-maintained and clean environment leads to healthier and sustainable living.
Answer:
The ozone layer in the stratosphere is responsible for absorbing dangerous UV rays, which protects all living organisms. If the ozone layer gets depleted, higher exposure to UV radiation can cause severe health problems, such as skin cancer in human beings, and harm plants and animals. Thus, ozone layer damage is a significant environmental issue.
To minimize this harm, the manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the cause of ozone depletion, was phased out in 1986. Global agreements such as the Montreal Protocol have been enforced to control ozone-depleting substances. Public awareness programs promote the use of environmentally friendly products. Researchers are also working on sustainable substitutes for toxic chemicals to save the ozone layer.
Approach to Solve Our Environment Class 10 Question Answer
To answer Our Environment questions, students should simply follow the steps given below:
Start by understanding that an ecosystem is made up of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements.
Biotic elements are living things such as producers (plants), consumers (animals), and decomposers (bacteria, fungi).
Abiotic elements are non-living elements such as sunlight, water, air, soil, temperature, and minerals.
Learn how biotic and abiotic elements interact to create balance in the ecosystem and sustain life. Students can take help from the Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment question answer.
Study how producers use abiotic factors (sunlight, water) to produce food, and then move to the consumers and decomposers.
Mark important terms: ecosystem, biotic, abiotic, producers, consumers, decomposers, and nutrient cycle. Students have to practice the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science to score well in exams.
Also, check the NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here:
Important Topics of Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment
This is the list of the topics that students are going to study in the chapter Our Environment. Questions are asked frequently about these topics. So, students are advised to gain clarity using the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment.
Ecosystems and Their Components
Trophic Levels and Energy Flow
Effect of Human Activities on the Environment
Important Questions from Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment
This chapter explains how different components of the environment interact and how human activities impact the ecosystem. Practicing different questions given in the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment improves confidence.
Question 1: Which of the following is a non-biodegradable waste?
a) Vegetable peels
b) Paper
c) Plastic
d) Cotton
Answer: The correct answer is option c) Plastic
Explanation: Paper, clipboards, metal containers like aluminum plants and human waste, and several plant products are classified under biodegradable substances. However, an example of a non-biodegradable substance could be plastic products.
Question 2: Due to depletion of the ozone layer, skin cancer in humans is caused by harmful
a) Infrared radiation
b) X-rays
c) gamma rays
d) UV radiation
Answer: The correct answer is option d) UV radiation
Explanation: UV radiation is harmful to organisms as it can cause skin cancer in human beings. They can also damage the DNA of cells, leading to mutations and other health problems.
Question 3: The chemical formula of Ozone layer is _______
a) O4
b) O6
c) O5
d) O3
Answer: The correct answer is option d) O3
Explanation: Ozone (O3) is a molecule formed by three atoms of oxygen. The higher-energy UV radiation reaction splits molecular oxygen (O2) into free oxygen (O). These atoms then combine with the molecular oxygen to form the Ozone layer.
Question 4: The major cause for the sharp drop in ozone in the atmosphere is
a) greenhouse gases
b) CFCs
c) Nitrogen gas
d) Hydrogen gas
Answer: The correct answer is option b) CFCs
Explanation: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are synthetic chemicals used in refrigerators, air-conditioners, and fire extinguishers. They have been observed as a major cause for the sharp drop in ozone in the atmosphere.
Question 5: Primary producers capture about __ of the energy of sunlight that falls on their leaves.
a) 0.1%
b) 1%
c) 10%
d) 0.01%
Answer: The correct answer is option b) 1%
Explanation: Primary producers that are green plants, also known as autotrophs, capture about 1% of the energy of sunlight that falls on their leaves and convert it into food energy.
Question 6: In a food chain, the flow of energy is always
a) Unidirectional
b) Bidirectional
c) Circular
d) Random
Answer: The correct answer is option a) Unidirectional
Explanation:
Energy in an ecosystem always flows in one direction — from the Sun → producers → consumers → decomposers. It never flows backward. Once energy is used, it is lost as heat and cannot return to the Sun.
Question 7: The organisms that break down complex organic substances into simpler ones are called
a) Producers
b) Consumers
c) Decomposers
d) Parasites
Answer: The correct answer is option c) Decomposers
Explanation:
Decomposers (like bacteria and fungi) break down dead plants and animals into simpler substances. They help recycle nutrients back into the soil, maintaining ecosystem balance.
What Students Learn from Our Environment NCERT Solutions?
This chapter helps students understand the link between living beings and their surroundings. A few important things that students learn from these solutions are given below:
- Our Environment Class 10 question answer explains food chains and food webs in simple terms.
- Students learn about the importance of energy flow in ecosystems.
- It highlights how waste management and recycling can reduce pollution.
- Students get clarity on ozone layer depletion and its harmful effects.
- The Class 10 Science Our Environment question answers make students aware of sustainable practices to protect the planet.
Why Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment NCERT Solutions are Important?
Students will understand how living and non-living components of Earth interact with each other through the Our Environment chapter. Various important topics like food chains, food webs, waste management, and the effects of human activities on the environment are also covered.
NCERT Chapter-wise Solutions for Class 10 Science
Below are the solutions for all the chapters, which are included in the class 10 science:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why do food chains generally have only 3-4 trophic levels?
A:
Because of the 10% energy transfer law, energy decreases at every level and is thus not enough to sustain additional trophic levels.
Q: What is biological magnification? Give an example.
A:
Biological magnification refers to the concentration of poisonous substances in upper trophic levels. Example: Pesticides such as DDT accumulating in fish and birds, having an impact on reproduction.
Q: Is ‘Our Environment’ useful for higher studies?
A:
Definitely. The concepts from this chapter form the foundation for environmental science, ecology, and biology topics studied in higher classes and competitive exams like NEET. It helps students understand how human activities affect nature and why environmental conservation is essential.
Q: Is the chapter ‘Our Environment’ important for exams?
A:
Yes, this chapter is quite important as it covers basic concepts of ecosystems, food chains, and waste management, which often appear in exams. Questions are usually simple and based on understanding rather than memorization.
Q: What are trophic levels in a food chain? Explain with an example.
A:
Trophic levels are various locations in a food chain. Example: In a grassland food chain
grass (producer) → deer (primary consumer) → tiger (secondary consumer).
Q: How do decomposers help in maintaining the balance of the environment?
A:
Decomposers such as fungi and bacteria dissolve dead plants and organic matter into a simpler state and recycle the nutrients back to the soil while helping to promote ecological balance.
Q: How does the ozone layer get depleted, and what are its effects?
A:
The ozone layer is depleted by CFCs and other contaminants, which enable dangerous UV radiation to penetrate Earth, producing skin cancer, cataracts, and ecological injury.
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