Match the items in Column I with those in Column II:
Column I Column II
(i) A home for living organisms (a) Large particles
(ii) Upper layer of the soil (b) All kinds of soil
(iii) Sandy soil (c) Dark in colour
(iv) Middle layer of the soil (d) Small particles and packed tight (v) Clayey soil (e) Lesser amount of humus
Column I Column II
(i) A home for living organisms (b) All kinds of soil
(ii) Upper layer of the soil (c) Dark in colour
(iii) Sandy soil (a) Large particles
(iv) Middle layer of the soil (e) Lesser amount of humus
(v) Clayey soil (d) Small particles and packed tight
1. Soil is the topmost layer of the earth’s surface. It consists of rocks and mineral particles, water and air mixed with the soil organic matter. Soil formation begins with the breakdown of rocks called weathering and other materials into smaller pieces on the surface of the earth; and ends with humification and mineralization process.
2. The layers of the soil are called horizons. The uppermost horizon is known as topsoil layer. The topsoil layer is a mixture of sand, slit, clay and broken down organic matter, is called humus. Humus is rich, highly decomposed organic matter mostly made from dead plants, dead insects and twigs; incomplete decomposed black coloured organic matter.
3. Sandy soils contains mainly sand about 70 - 80% of sand, large particles with large spaces. It contains very few amount of humus. It is found in desert or dried areas. Sandy soil has large particles with large spaces between them which dries out quickly that is not good for plants. Its water holding capacity is very low.
4. The middle layer is called subsoil. Subsoil is the layer of soil under the topsoil on the surface of the ground. It contains lower amount of humus.
5. Clayey soil contains mainly clay about > 50% clay having very small particles with very small spaces. Clayey soil also contains very few amount of humus. Clayey soil is heavy because it has ability to hold more water than the sandy soil.
Sketch the cross section of soil and label the various layers.
Solve the following crossword puzzle with the clues given:
Across
2. Plantation prevents it.
5. Use should be banned to avoid soil pollution.
6. Type of soil used for making pottery.
7. Living organism in the soil.
Down
1. In desert soil erosion occurs through.
3. Clay and loam are suitable for cereals like.
4. This type of soil can hold very little water.
5. Collective name for layers of soil.
How is clayey soil useful for crops?
List the differences between clayey soil and sandy soil.
Razia conducted an experiment in the field related to the rate of percolation. She observed that it took 40 min for 200 mL of water to percolate through the soil sample. Calculate the rate of percolation.
Explain how soil is formed.
Explain how soil pollution and soil erosion could be prevented.
In addition to the rock particles, the soil contains
(i) air and water
(ii) water and plants
(iii) minerals, organic matter, air and water
(iv) water, air and plants
The water holding capacity is the highest in
(i) sandy soil
(ii) clayey soil
(iii) loamy soil
(iv) mixture of sand and loam
State similarities and differences between the laboratory thermometer and the clinical thermometer.
State differences between acids and bases.
Classify the changes involved in the following processes as physical or chemical changes:
(a) Photosynthesis
(b) Dissolving sugar in water
(c) Burning of coal
(d) Melting of wax
(e) Beating aluminium to make aluminium foil
(f ) Digestion of food
Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.
Fill the missing word in the blank spaces in the following statements:
(a) Wind is——————air.
(b) Winds are generated due to —————— heating on the earth.
(c) Near the earth’s surface __________air rises up whereas ___________ air comes down.
(d) Air moves from a region of ——— pressure to a region of ———.
Why does an athlete breathe faster and deeper than usual after finishing the race?
Match structures given in Column I with functions given in Column II.
Column I Column II
(i) Stomata (a) Absorption of water
(ii) Xylem (b) Transpiration
(iii) Root hairs (c) Transport of food
(iv) Phloem (d) Transport of water
(e) Synthesis of carbohydrates
Fill in the blanks:
(a) Production of new individuals from the vegetative part of parent is called_____________.
(b) A flower may have either male or female reproductive parts. Such a flower is called_____________.
(c) The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same or of another flower of the same kind is known as _____________.
(d) The fusion of male and female gametes is termed as _____________.
(e) Seed dispersal takes place by means of _____________, _____________ and _____________.
Classify the following as motion along a straight line, circular or oscillatory motion:
(i) Motion of your hands while running.
(ii) Motion of a horse pulling a cart on a straight road.
(iii) Motion of a child in a merry-go-round.
(iv) Motion of a child on a see-saw.
(v) Motion of the hammer of an electric bell.
(vi) Motion of a train on a straight bridge.
Why do organisms need to take food?
The tropical rainforest has a large population of animals. Explain why it is so.
Show with the help of a sketch that the plants are the ultimate source of food.
Explain how painting of an iron gate prevents it from rusting.
When baking soda is mixed with lemon juice, bubbles are formed with the evolution of a gas. What type of change is it? Explain.
What is sewage? Explain why it is harmful to discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas.
State differences between acids and bases.
Name the following:
(i) A parasitic plant with yellow, slender and tubular stem.
(ii) A plant that has both autotrophic and heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
(iii) The pores through which leaves exchange gases.
Fill in the blanks:
(a) Cleaning of water is a process of removing ____________.
(b) Wastewater released by houses is called ____________.
(c) Dried ____________ is used as manure.
(d) Drains get blocked by ____________ and ____________.
Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.
Three liquids are given to you. One is hydrochloric acid, another is sodium hydroxide and third is a sugar solution. How will you identify them? You have only turmeric indicator.