Write short notes

Question 13 Marks

Why should we visit botanical gardens, museums and zoo?

Answer

Botanical gardens, museums and zoos are taxonomical aids which can be used to study biodiversity.
Botanical gardens have a wide range of plant species that are protected and preserved which can be observed and studied.
Museums help gain information about various plants and animals that are preserved and may even be extinct. They act as reference hubs for biodiversity studies.
Zoos provide information about various animals. They also harbour certain endangered animals and help us understand the role of biodiversity conservation. They can also be visited to study the food habits and behaviour of animals.
Hence, we should visit botanical gardens, museums and zoos.

Question 23 Marks

Why does the loss of biodiversity matter?

Answer

The loss of biodiversity is an moral and ethical issue.
Biodiversity helps to maintain stability in an ecosystem.
Humans share the environment with various other organisms and harm to these species can result in loss of biodiversity.
The loss of even one variety of organisms can affect the entire ecosystem.
Hence, due to all these reasons, loss of biodiversity matters.

Question 33 Marks

Whether all organism are similar? Justify your answer.

Answer

No, all organisms are not similar.

Organisms on the earth exhibit great diversity.
Organisms are grouped as microbes, plants (autotrophs), animals (heterotrophs) and decomposers.
Different microbes and decomposers have various shapes and sizes.
Plants can be further classified on their shape, size, structure, mode of reproduction, etc. Plants also differ greatly based on the locations in which they are found, e.g. Snowy, desert, forest, aquatic, etc.
Even animals show a high degree of variation. They are classified as unicellular, multicellular, invertebrates, vertebrates, etc. Also, based on the environment in which they live, they are classified as terrestrial, aerial, aquatic and amphibians.

Question 43 Marks

How can you, as an individual, prevent the loss of Biodiversity?

Answer

As individuals, we can prevent loss of biodiversity in the following ways:

Increasing awareness about environmental issues. Making posters that provide more information about biodiversity conservation, to raise public awareness.
Increased support and/ or active participation in government policies and actions laid down for conservation of biodiversity.
Protect various plant and animal species in our surrounding.
Set up bird and bat houses wherever possible.
Prevent felling of trees especially native plants or trees in a particular area.
Reduce, recycle and reuse resources. Especially, reduce pollution and use of plastic bags and other materials that are potential threats for the environment.
Use environment friendly products, segregate and dispose garbage correctly.
Convince people about the importance of trees and the need to participate in tree plantation campaign.
Obey the rules that fall under Biodiversity Act.
[Students can use the given points as reference and mention additional preventive measures on their own.]

Question 53 Marks

Importance of botanical garden.

Answer

The importance of botanical gardens is as follows:

It is a place where there is an assemblage of living plants maintained for botanical teaching and research purpose.
Botanical gardens are important for their records of local flora.
Botanical gardens provide facilities for the collection of living plant materials for botanical studies.
Botanical gardens also supply seeds and material for botanical investigations.
The development of botanical gardens in any country is associated with its history of civilization, culture, heritage, science, art, literature and various other social and religious expressions.
Botanical gardens besides possessing an outdoor garden may contain herbaria, research laboratory, greenhouses and library.
Botanical gardens are not only important for botanical studies, but also to develop tourism in the country.

Question 63 Marks

Role of human being in biodiversity conservation.

Answer

Due to rapid increase in human population and industrialization, humans have over utilized natural resources; leading to degradation of the environment and hence only humans can help conserve the ecosystem.
Humans are capable of conserving and improving the quality of nature and thus, can play a major role in biodiversity conservation.
In order to conserve biodiversity and its environmental resources, humans must use the resources rationally and avoid excessive degradation of environment.
Human beings are stakeholders of the environment and need to come together to overcome pollution and improve the environment quality in order to conserve biodiversity. E.g. Ban or limit on use of harmful products (plastic, chemicals, etc.) that are toxic to various birds, animals, etc.
Human beings also play a role in conservation of biodiversity by establishment of various sites for in situ (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves) and ex situ (botanical gardens, culture collections and zoological parks) conservation.

Biology Write short notes