What are fossils? What do they tell us about the process of evolution?
Fossils are the remains or impression of the ancient organisms preserved naturally. During the formation of sedimentary rocks, dead animals of the sea or the lakes and of the land sink down or are buried in the rocks. The animals, thus preserved in the rocks formed the fossils. Fossils are the main evidence which show the process of evolution from how the origination of life occurs in ancient times or how it has been started to the life found on earth in today’s time.
Outline a project which aims to find the dominant coat colour in dogs.
How is the sex of the child determined in human beings?
A man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group O and their daughter has blood group O. Is this information enough to tell you which of the traits – blood group A or O – is dominant? Why or why not?
How do Mendel’s experiments show that traits are inherited independently?
If a trait A exists in 10% of a population of an asexually reproducing species and a trait B exists in 60% of the same population, which trait is likely to have arisen earlier?
Explain how sexual reproduction gives rise to more viable variations than asexual reproduction. How does this affect the evolution of those organisms that reproduce sexually?
Explain the terms analogous and homologous organs with examples.
How do Mendel’s experiments show that traits may be dominant or recessive?
How does the creation of variations in a species promote survival?
Will geographical isolation be a major factor in the speciation of an organism that reproduces asexually? Why or why not?
Did Döbereiner’s triads also exist in the columns of Newlands’ Octaves? Compare and find out.
What is a good source of energy?
Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of multi-cellular organisms like humans?
What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.
What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
What is the difference between a reflex action and walking?
What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleared before burning in air?
Define the principal focus of a concave mirror.
You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water and the other two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution, respectively. If you are given only red litmus paper, how will you identify the contents of each test tube?
Compare and contrast fossil fuels and the Sun as direct sources of energy.
Draw a labelled diagram of an electric motor. Explain its principle and working. What is the function of a split ring in an electric motor?
In Activity 13.7, how do we think the displacement of rod AB will be affected if (i) current in rod AB is increased; (ii) a stronger horse-shoe magnet is used; and (iii) length of the rod AB is increased?
Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Why are we looking at alternate sources of energy?
Explain the formation of scum when hard water is treated with soap.
How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support?
You are given kerosene, turpentine and water. In which of these does the light travel fastest? Use the information given in Table 10.3.
Material medium |
Refractive index |
Material medium |
Refractive index |
Air | 1.0003 | Canada Balsam |
1.53 |
Ice | 1.31 | ||
Water | 1.33 | Rock salt | 1.54 |
Alcohol | 1.36 | ||
Kerosene | 1.44 | Carbon disulphide |
1.63 |
Fused quartz |
1.46 | ||
Turpentine oil |
1.47 | Ruby | 1.71 |
Benzene | 1.50 | Sapphire | 1.77 |
Crown glass |
1.52 | Diamond | 2.42 |
State Fleming’s left-hand rule.