NCERT Solutions – Chapter 13: Our Environment

Welcome to the Our Environment – Class 10 Biology NCERT Solutions page! Here, you’ll find clear, step-by-step answers for all exercises and important questions from the chapter. Our solutions make it easy to understand concepts like ecosystems, food chains, biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, and environmental protection. Learn quickly, revise effectively, and score better in your exams with this complete guide.


Q1. Which of the following groups contain only biodegradable items?
Answer: (a) Grass, flowers and leather
Explanation: Biodegradable items can be broken down by microorganisms.

  • Grass, flowers, leather – biodegradable
  • Plastic, lime-juice – non-biodegradable

Q2. Which of the following constitute a food-chain?
Answer: (b) Grass, goat and human
Explanation: A food chain shows the transfer of energy from producers → consumers → top consumers.

  • Grass → Goat → Human is a correct sequence.

Q3. Which of the following are environment-friendly practices?
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation:

  • Using cloth bags reduces plastic waste.
  • Switching off lights and fans saves energy.
  • Walking reduces fuel consumption and pollution.

Q4. What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
Answer:

  • The balance of the ecosystem will be disturbed.
  • Organisms at other levels may starve or overpopulate.
  • Example: Removing all herbivores → plants may overgrow, predators may starve.

Q5. 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 differs by trophic level.
  • Removing producers (plants) affects the entire ecosystem.
  • Removing top predators can cause herbivore overpopulation.
  • No trophic level can be removed without affecting the ecosystem.

Q6. What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?
Answer:

  • Biological magnification: Increase in concentration of harmful chemicals (like pesticides) in organisms at higher trophic levels.
  • Yes, higher trophic levels accumulate more chemicals because they consume many organisms from lower levels.

Q7. What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?
Answer:

  • Pollution of soil, water, and air.
  • Blockage of drains causing waterlogging.
  • Harm to aquatic and terrestrial life.
  • Long-term accumulation leads to environmental hazards.

Q8. If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?
Answer:

  • Biodegradable waste reduces long-term pollution.
  • However, large quantities can still cause problems like odor, methane emission, and eutrophication in water bodies.

Q9. Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?
Answer:

  • Ozone layer protects Earth from harmful UV radiation.
  • Damage → increased UV exposure → skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to plants and animals.
  • Steps taken:
    • Reducing CFCs in refrigerators and aerosols.
    • Montreal Protocol to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

  1. Chemical Reactions and Equations
  2. Acids, Bases and Salts
  3. Metals and Non‑Metals
  4. Carbon and Its Compounds
  5. Life Processes
  6. Control and Coordination
  7. How Do Organisms Reproduce?
  8. Heredity and Evolution
  9. Light – Reflection and Refraction
  10. The Human Eye and the Colourful World
  11. Electricity
  12. Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
  13. Our Environment

Conclusion

By using these Our Environment NCERT Solutions, students can master all concepts, solve exercises confidently, and improve their exam scores. This chapter guide covers ecosystem balance, environmental challenges, and practical ways to protect nature, providing a complete and easy-to-follow resource for Class 10 Biology.