NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 8

Intext Questions
Question 1
What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
Answer:
DNA copying has following importance in reproduction:

• It maintains the characteristics of species.

• It maintains the continuity of life.
• From this, the characteristics and features of organisms are transformed to
their progeny.
• It produces variations in organisms which is the basis of evolution of new
species.

Question 2
Why is variation beneficial to the species but not necessarily for the individual?
Answer:
The various populations of organisms interact with many types of ecological niches.
This is important for them to survive in given conditions. In case of any damage
caused to the ecological conditions of the population, the population gets adversely
affected. The organisms which are able to survive, may reproduce to develop
population which is adapted or suited to the varied conditions. Hence variation is
beneficial to species, but not to the individuals.

Question 3
How will an organism be benefited if it reproduces through spores ?
Answer:
An organism is benefited by reproducing through the spores because spores are
surrounded by a thick layer which protects them in adverse conditions. When the
favourable conditions occur, these spores start to grow again. In this way they are
successfully live in unfavourable conditions.

Question 4
Can you think of reasons why more complex organisms cannot give rise to new
individuals through regeneration ?
Answer:
In complex multicellular organisms, specialised cells make up tissues, tissue make
up organs, organs make up organ systems and finally organ systems make up
organisms. Since complex multicellular organisms have a very high degree of
organisation in their body, they cannot be reproduced from their cut body parts by
the process of regeneration.

For example, a dog is a complex multicellular organism which cannot be regenerated

from its cut body part say, a cut tail. This is because the cells present in the cut tail
of a dog cannot produce dog’s organs like heart brain, lungs, stomach, intestines and
limbs, etc, needed for the making of a complete dog.

Question 5
Why is vegetative propagation practised for growing some types of plants ?
Answer:
Vegetative propagation is practiced for growing such plants which usually do not
produce seeds or produce non-viable seeds.

Question 6
Why is DNA copying an essential part of the process of reproduction ?
Answer:
DNA copying is essential part of the process of reproduction so that the
characteristics of the parent organisms are transmitted to its offspring and at the
same time some occasional variations are also produced in the offspring. The
changes in the copy of DNA provide an organism the capability to survive in
changing conditions.

[Link] is the process of pollination different from fertilisation ?

Answer:

Pollination Fertilisation

1. Fertilisation occurs
1. The transfer of pollen
when the male gamete
grains from the anther of
present in pollen grain
a stamen to the stigma of
joins with the female
a carpel is called
gamete (or egg)
pollination.
present in ovule.
 2. It takes place by 2. It takes place by

various natural or artificial

pollinating agents. means.

Question 8
What is the role of the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland ?
Answer:
(i) Both seminal vesicle and prostate gland secretes fluids which forms a part of the
semen. The fluid secreted from seminal vesicle forms 60% of semen while the fluid
secreted from the prostate gland forms 30% of the semen. It makes the path smooth
through which the sperms travel.
(ii) This fluid protects the sperms from the acids present in the urethra.
(iii) This fluid provides nutrition to sperms in the form of fructose, calcium and some
enzymes.

Question 9
What are the changes seen in girls at the time of puberty ?
Answer:
The various changes occur in girls at puberty are :

1. Hair grow under armpits and pubic region.

2. Mammary glands (or breasts) develop and enlarge.
3. The hips broaden.
4. Extra fat is deposited in various parts of the body like hips and thighs.
5. Fallopian tube, uterus and vagina enlarge.
6. Ovaries start to release eggs.
7. Menstruation (monthly periods) starts.
8. Feelings and sexual drives associated with adulthood begin to develop.

Question 10
How does the embryo get nourishment inside the mother’s body ?
Answer:
In mother’s body, the embryo gets nutrition from the mother’s blood. For this, there is
a special structure, called placenta. Placenta contains villi. There are empty spaces
in mother’s tissues that cover the villi. It provides a large surface area for the transfer
of glucose, oxygen and other substances from the mother to the embryo.

Question 11
A woman is using a copper-T. Will it help in protecting her from sexually transmitted
diseases ?
Answer:
Copper-T is a contraceptive method which prevents implantation of the zygote inside
the uterus. It cannot prevent a women from sexually transmitted diseases. These
diseases are transmitted by contact which cannot be prevented by copper-T.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 8

Textbook Chapter End Questions
Question 1
Asexual reproduction takes place through budding in
(a) amoeba
(b) yeast
(c) plasmodium
(d) leishmania
Answer:
(b) Yeast

Question 2
Which of the following is not a part of the female reproductive system in human
beings ?
(a) Ovary
(b) Uterus
(c) Vas deferens
(d) Fallopian tube
Answer:
(c) Vas deferens

Question 3
The anther contains
(a) sepals
(b) ovules
(c) carpel
(d) pollen grains
Answer:
(d) Pollen grains

Question 4
What are the advantages of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction ?
Answer:
(i) In asexual reproduction, the offspring are almost identical to their parent because
they have the same genes as their parent. So, much genetic variation is not possible
in asexual reproduction. This is a disadvantage because it inhibits the further
evolution of the organism.
(ii) In sexual reproduction the offspring, although similar to their parents, are not
identical to them or to one another. This is because the offspring receive some
genes from the mother and some from the father. Because of the mixing of genes of
mother and father in various different combinations, all of the offspring have genetic
variations. In this way, sexual reproduction leads to a greater variety in population.
This means that a species (animal or plant) can adapt quickly to changes in its
surroundings. This is because there are always likely to be some individuals which
are more suited to the changes than others, and these individuals will survive and
reproduce themselves.

Question 5
What are the functions performed by the testis in human beings ?
Answer:
The functions of testes in humans are following :
(i) After the stage of adolescent, testes produce male gametes in the human males which
are called sperms.
(ii) A hormone called testosterone is produced in testes. Testosterone controls the
development of reproductive organs and secondary sexual characters

. Why does menstruation occur ?

Answer:5
If the ovum (or egg) does not get fertilised (due to non-availability of sperm in the female
body) then the thick and soft inner lining of uterus is no longer needed and hence it breaks.
So, the thick and soft inner lining of uterus alongwith the blood vessels and the dead ovum
(or egg) comes out of the vagina in the form of blood called menstruation. Menstruation
occurs after the interval of every 28 days and the time period between ovulation and
menstruation is about 14 days. Question 7
Draw a labelled diagram of the longitudinal section of a flower.
Answer:

Question 8
What are the different methods of contraception ?
Answer:
The different methods of contraception are as follow :
(i) Barrier method : In this method, condom, diaphragm and cervical caps are used.
These prevent the entry of sperms in the female genital tract during sexual
intercourse.
(ii) Chemical method : In this method a woman uses two kinds of pills (oral and
vaginal pills). The oral pills are hormonal preparations which suppress the release of
ovum in fallopian tube. These are called oral contraceptives. The vaginal pills/
creams are spermicidal. The chemicals in these spermicidals kill the sperms during
their journey in the vaginal tract.
(iii) Intrauterine contraceptive devices : Intrauterine contraceptive devices such as
copper-T are placed safely in the uterus by a skilled doctor. It prevents the sperms to
reach the uterus.
(iv) Surgical method : In this method, a small part of vas deferens of male and
fallopian tube of female is cut or tied by surgery. It is called vasectomy in males and
tubectomy in females.

Question 9
How are the modes for reproduction different in unicellular and multicellular
organisms ?
Answer:

Reproduction mode
Reproduction mode in
in unicellular
multicellular organisms
organisms

(i) A sexual
(i) Sexual reproduction
reproduction takes
takes place in
place in unicellular
multicellular organisms.
organisms.

(ii) Only one (ii) A male and a female

organism is required both are required in this

in this method. method.

 (iii) No special cells
(iii) Special cells are
are present for
present for reproduction.
reproduction.

(iv) Special organs are

(iv) No special organs
present for reproduction
are present for
located at the fixed
reproduction.
position in the body.

Question 10
How does reproduction help in providing stability to populations of species ?
Answer:
The introduction of variations during reproduction provides stability to the
populations of various species by preventing them from getting wiped out during
adverse conditions. Reproduction also helps to generate copies of individuals which
are suited to a particular environment.

Question 11
What could be the reasons for adopting contraceptive methods ?
Answer:
The reasons for adopting contraceptive devices are as follow:

1. To control the birth rate and prevent the increase in population.

2. To reduce the adverse effects on mother’s body due to frequent pregnancy.
3. To provide safety from sexually transmitted diseases.