NCERT CLASS 8 CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE

                          

         Microorganisms Friend and Foe

Question 1.
Fill in the blanks.
(a) Microorganisms can be seen with the help of a _____
(b) Blue-green algae fix ______ directly from the air to enhance the fertility of soil.
(c) Alcohol is produced with the help of _____
(d) Cholera is caused by ______
Ans:
(a) microscope
(b) nitrogen
(c) yeast
(d) bacteria

Question 2.
Tick the correct answer.
(a) Yeast is used in the production of
(i) sugar
(ii) alcohol
(iii) hydrochloric acid
(iv) oxygen
Ans:
(ii) alcohol

b) The following is an antibiotic:
(i) sodium bicarbonate
(ii) streptomycin
(iii) alcohol
(iv) yeast
Ans:
(ii) streptomycin

(c) Carrier of malaria-causing protozoan is:
(i) female Anopheles mosquito
(ii) cockroach
(iii) housefly
(iv) butterfly
Ans:
(i) female Anopheles mosquito

d) The most common carrier of communicable diseases is
(i) ant
(ii) housefly
(iii) dragonfly
(iv) spider
Ans:
(ii) housefly

(e) The bread or idli dough rises because of:
(i) heat
(ii) grinding
(iii) growth of yeast cells
(iv) kneading
Ans:
(iii) growth of yeast cells

(f) The process of conversion of sugar into alcohol is called
(i) nitrogen fixation
(ii) moulding
(iii) fermentation
(iv) infection
Ans:
(iii) fermentation

Question 3.
Match the organisms in column A with their action in column B.

A	B
(i) Bacteria	(a) Fixing nitrogen
(ii) Rhizobium	(b) Setting of curd
(iii) Lactobacillus	(c) Baking of bread
(iv) Yeast	(d) Causing malaria
(v) A protozoan	(e) Causing cholera
(vi) A virus	(f) Causing AIDS
	(g) Producing antibodies

Ans:
(i) (e)
(ii) (a)
(iii) (b)
(iv) (c)
(v) (d)
(vi) (f)

Question 4.
Can microorganisms be seen with the naked eye? If not, how can they be seen?
Ans:
The microorganisms cannot be seen with our naked eyes because they are very small in size. Some of these, such as fungus growing on bread, can be seen with a magnifying glass. Others cannot be seen without the help of a microscope.

Question 5.
What are the major groups of microorganisms?
Ans:
Microorganisms are classified on the basis of their size into four major groups. These groups are:
(a) Bacteria
(b) Fungi
(c) Protozoa
(d) Some algae

Question 6.
Name the microorganisms which can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.
Ans:
Rhizobium, Clostridium and Azotobacter.

Question 7.
Write 10 lines on the usefulness of microorganisms in our lives.
Ans:
Microorganisms are useful to us in many ways. For example,

• Bacteria like Lactobacillus convert milk into curd.
• Bacteria are also involved in the making of cheese.
• Acetobacter acetic is used for producing acetic acid from alcohol.
• Yeast is used in the commercial production of alcohol, wine and bakery products.
• Some specific microorganisms are helpful in manufacturing of antibiotics.
• Microorganisms act as cleansing agents and decompose the waste products into manure.
• Dead or weakened microbes are used in the preparation of vaccines.
• Some bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen and increase soil fertility.
• Algae, yeast, fungi or bacteria may be used as an ingredient or a substitute for protein-rich foods that are suitable for human or animal consumption.
• Some microorganisms are taken as probiotics, that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.

8. Write a short paragraph on the harmful effects of microorganisms.

ANS:

Microorganisms cause diseases in plants and animals. For example, Cholera in humans is caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholera. In animals, the virus causes foot and mouth diseases. Microorganisms spoil food by decomposing the food material. Some microorganisms spoil leather and clothes. Microorganisms are also responsible for food poisoning.

9. What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?

ANS:

Chemical agents that kill or stop the growth of disease-causing microorganisms are called antibiotics. Antibiotics should be taken only on the advice of a qualified doctor. Also, one must complete the course prescribed by the doctor.