NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment

All living things, including microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans, exist together with their physical environment and affect each other, keeping the natural balance intact. This system of living organisms and non-living components together creates an ecosystem. NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 13 describes how various elements of the environment interact and rely on each other. It also emphasizes the effect of human actions on nature, underscoring the need for following sustainable methods to maintain ecological equilibrium. This chapter has been renumbered as Chapter 13 by the CBSE Syllabus 2025–26.

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Suggested: NCERT Class 10 Science: Chapterwise Important Formulas, Diagrams, and Points

This Story also Contains

1. NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Solutions PDF
2. NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment Exercise
3. Overview of Our Environment Class 10 Science Chapter 13
4. Detailed Explanation of Our Environment Class 10 Chapter 13
5. Importance of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Our Environment

Our Environmental solutions are discussed in detail, making it simpler for students to understand the environmental concepts of the chapter. The solutions help form a solid base for higher studies. The NCERT solutions for Class 10 cover most of the competitive exams in this chapter to provide clear-cut insights into ecological balance and sustainability.

NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Solutions PDF

You can download the entire solution for the questions of Chapter 13 Our Environment Class 10 from the pdf given below:

Download Solution PDF

CBSE Class 10 Chapter 13 exercise questions

Solving the CBSE class 10 Questions is important so, that students can understand. First will solve the intext Question which covers numerous topics like Ecosystems, How nature affects, and Biodegradation.

Topic 13.1: Ecosystem and What are its components:

Q. 1. What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.

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 $\to$ Grasshopper $\to$ Frog $\to$ Snake $\to$ 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.

Q. 2. 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.

Our Environment Class 10 topic 13.2: How do Our Activities Affect the Environment?

Q. 1. 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 which cannot be broken down biologically but by physical means are known as non-biodegradable substances. Example: Plastic.

Q. 2. 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 which 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.

Q. 3. 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

Q. 4. What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?

Answer:

Ozone $\left(O_3\right)$ is a molecule formed by 3 oxygen atoms. Ozone is present in the stratosphere, shielding the earth's surface from the harmful UV rays by absorbing it.

Ozone may affect the ecosystem in the following ways:

1. If this layer gets depleted, the UV rays can cause cancer in human beings and also some plants and animals.

2. The UV rays may affect the plants and destroy the vegetation.

Q. 5. 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: vegetation

1. Throwing biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into separate dustbins so that recycling can be done easily.

2. 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.

3. Practicing the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment Exercise

Solving the Exercise Problem is important, as it makes you more confident and also decreases the stress for students. So, in this, we will cover All NCERT questions with their proper solution.

Q. 1. Which of the following groups contain only biodegradable items?

(a) Grass, flowers and leather

(b) Grass, wood and plastic

(c) Fruit peels, cake and lime juice

(d) Cake, wood and grass

Answer:

Plastic is a non-biodegradable substance.

Hence, (a), (c) and (d) groups contain only biodegradable items.

Q. 2. 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 $\to$ Goat $\to$ Human; constitute a food chain.

Here, the grass is a producer, the goat is the primary consumer and the human is the secondary consumer.

Q. 3. Which of the following are environment-friendly practices?

(a) Carrying cloth bags to put purchases in while shopping

(b) Switching off unnecessary lights and fans

(c) Walking to school instead of getting your mother to drop you on her scooter

(d) All of the above

Answer:

All of the above-mentioned practices are environmentally friendly. Hence (d) All of the above is the correct answer.

Q. 4. 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 finish because of lack of food and the effect will follow. Also, the number of the 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.

Q. 5. Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem?

Answer:

Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level 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 $\to$ Deer $\to$ 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 all the 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.

Q. 6. What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?

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.

Q. 7. 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. Nonbiodegradable 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.

Q. 8. 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 living and sustainable living.

Q. 9. Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?

Answer:

The ozone layer in the stratosphere is responsible for absorbing dangerous UV rays, safeguarding 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 causes 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.

Overview of Our Environment Class 10 Science Chapter 13

Our Environment Class 10 Chapter 13 Science describes how ecosystems work and how human activities affect nature. It includes the study of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials, food chains, trophic levels, and the significance of waste management. The chapter points out the significance of decomposers in achieving ecological balance and stresses sustainable practices.

Apart from this, it also explains the effects of pollutants on the environment and how they interfere with natural processes. It informs students about ozone layer depletion and attempts to stop further depletion. The chapter further describes how energy travels to various trophic levels within an ecosystem. Learning these concepts helps in creating consciousness regarding environmental preservation and utilisation of resources responsibly.

Detailed Explanation of Our Environment Class 10 Chapter 13

Our Environment Class 10 Science Chapter 13 questions and answers provided in this article help students regarding important concepts regarding natural systems, which are self-regulating and dynamic. In this chapter, it is discussed how all organisms contribute significantly to environmental stability.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 make the topics easier to understand through examples, diagrams, and straightforward explanations, and hence revision is simpler and performance during exams improves. To get good marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science board exam, students can prepare from these solutions.

Important Topics in Our Environment Class 10 NCERT Solutions

This is the list of the topics which you are going to study in NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Our Environment:

• Eco-system - What are its Components?

• How Do Our Activities Affect Our Environment?

Students can look for the NCERT solutions to check answers from other chapters too. They are advised to go through to score good marks in the Board examination. Our Environment Class 10 NCERT Solutions present detailed solutions and step-by-step answers for all questions given in the textbook. Some of the important topics of class 10 Our Environment Solutions are:

• Ecosystems and Their Components

• Food Chains and Food Webs

• Trophic Levels and Energy Flow

• Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Wastes

• Effect of Human Activities on the Environment

Chapter Wise Solutions of NCERT for Class 10 Science

Importance of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Our Environment

Class 10 Science Chapter 13, Our Environment, explains the relationship between nature's living and non-living parts. The chapter shows the significance of ecosystems, and food chains, and how human activities affect the environment. Through this chapter, students can learn about the subject and understand the concept of sustainable living and the conservation of the environment. Students can understand the concepts properly by using Our Environment Class 10 Solutions and answer textbook questions with confidence. The solutions helps in understanding:

• Step-by-step explanations

• Conceptual clarity

• Exam-oriented answers

• Easy-to-understand language

Studying Our Environment Class 10 Chapter 13 Science is important in learning how human activities affect the Earth. Class 10 Our Environment Solutions are important in making sure that students attain profound knowledge and prepare effectively for exams. Using these solutions, students can attain an environmentally friendly lifestyle and play a positive role in environmental protection.