Class 8 Science

Chapter 2 – The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye

Key Terms
1. Cell- The cell is the basic unit of life. All living organisms are made up of one or more
cells.
2. Unicellular Organisms- Organisms made up of only one cell are called unicellular
organisms. For example, bacteria and Amoeba.
3. Multicellular Organisms- Organisms made up of many cells are called multicellular
organisms. Plants, animals and humans are examples.
4. Decomposition- The process by which microorganisms break down complex substances of
dead plants, animals and other wastes into simpler substances is called decomposition.
5. Micro algae- Micro algae are microscopic plant-like organisms that can make their own
food using sunlight and release oxygen during this process.
Exercise Questions and Answers

Q2. Aanandi took two test tubes A and B. Test tube B contained yeast. A balloon was
attached to each test tube.
(i) What do you predict will happen after 3–4 hours?
Answer: The balloon attached to test tube B will become inflated, while the balloon
attached to test tube A will show little or no inflation.
Option (c): Yeast produced a gas inside test tube B which inflated the balloon.
Yeast breaks down sugar during respiration and releases carbon dioxide gas. The gas collects
in the balloon and inflates it.
(iii) What does she want to find out using lime water?
Answer: She wants to find out whether the gas produced by yeast is carbon dioxide. Carbon
dioxide turns lime water milky.
Q3. A farmer added nitrogen-rich fertiliser to wheat crops. Another farmer grew bean
crops without adding nitrogen fertiliser. Why?
Answer: It is because bean is a leguminous plant , its roots have root nodules containing
Rhizobium bacteria. These bacteria trap nitrogen from the air and make it useful for plants.
Therefore, bean plants can increase the nitrogen content of the soil naturally and may not
require additional nitrogen fertiliser.
Q4. Snehal dug two pits. In pit A, she mixed fruit and vegetable peels with dried leaves.
In pit B, she put the same waste without dried leaves. What is she trying to test?
Answer: Snehal is trying to test whether mixing the dried leaves with plant waste affects the
process of decomposition and manure formation.
Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down plant waste and convert it into
nutrient-rich manure.
Q6. Design an experiment to test that microorganisms need optimal temperature, air
and moisture for their growth.
Answer: Take four similar pieces of bread and place them in separate containers.
a) Keep the first piece in a warm and moist place with air.
b) Keep the second piece in a very cold place.
c) Keep the third piece in a dry place.
d) Keep the fourth piece in a suitable warm and moist place but limit its exposure to air.
Observe them after a few days. The growth of microorganisms on the bread can be compared.
This experiment shows that microorganisms require suitable temperature, moisture and air
conditions for proper growth.

Q7. Take two slices of bread. Place one near the sink and the other in the refrigerator.
Compare them after three days.
Answer: The bread kept near the sink is likely to show more growth of microorganisms,
while the bread kept in the refrigerator will show much slower growth because
microorganisms grow better under suitable warm and moist conditions. The low temperature
inside the refrigerator slows down their growth.
Q8. A student observes that curd becomes more sour when left out for a day. Give two
possible explanations.
Answer: Two possible reasons are as follows-
a) Bacteria present in the curd continue to act on the remaining sugar and produce lactic acid.
b) The warm conditions outside the refrigerator allow these bacteria to grow and carry out
fermentation more actively.
Therefore, more lactic acid is produced and the curd becomes more sour.
Q9. Observe the given experimental set-up and answer.
(i) What happens to the sugar solution in flask A?
Answer: In flask A ,yeast grows in the sugar solution and breaks down the sugar during
respiration. Carbon dioxide gas is produced.
(ii) What do you observe in test tube B after four hours? Why?
Answer: In test tube B the lime water becomes milky because the carbon dioxide produced
by yeast reacts with lime water.
(iii) What would happen if yeast was not added in flask A? Why?
Answer: If yeast was not added in flask A then there would be little or no carbon dioxide
production because yeast is responsible for breaking down the sugar and releasing carbon
dioxide.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. Who first used the word “cell” in science?
Answer: Robert Hooke first used the word “cell” after observing a thin slice of cork through
a microscope.
Q2. Who is known as the Father of Microbiology?
Answer: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is known as the Father of Microbiology.
Q3. Name the three basic parts of a cell.
Answer: The three basic parts are:
1. Cell membrane
2. Cytoplasm
3. Nucleus
Q4. Why is the cell wall important in plant cells?
Answer: Cell wall is very crucial for plants as it provides rigidity, strength and support to the
plant cells.
Q5. Name any four groups of microorganisms.
Answer: Four groups of microorganisms are-
Protozoa, algae, fungi and bacteria.
Q6. What is the role of microorganisms in decomposition?
Answer: Microorganisms plays a major role in decomposition as they break down plant and
animal waste into simpler, nutrient-rich substances and help recycle nutrients in nature.
Q7. What is the role of yeast in making bread?
Answer: Yeast used in making bread produces carbon dioxide during respiration.
The carbon dioxide forms bubbles that make the dough soft and fluffy.
Q8. What is the role of Lactobacillus in curd formation?
Answer:
Lactobacillus is a bacteria which used to ferment the sugar present in milk and produces
lactic acid, which converts milk into curd and gives it a sour taste.
Q9. How does Rhizobium help plants?
Answer:
Rhizobium bacteria live in root nodules of leguminous plants and make atmospheric nitrogen
useful to plants. This improves soil fertility.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1. Explain the main parts of a cell and their functions.
Answer:
A cell has three basic parts: cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.
1) Cell membrane: It encloses the cell and separates it from other cells. It allows essential
materials to enter and waste materials to leave.
b) Cytoplasm: It contains various components and substances such as proteins,
carbohydrates and fats. Most life processes take place in the cytoplasm.
c) Nucleus: It controls the activities of the cell and regulates its growth.
d) Cell wall: Plant cells have an additional cell wall which provides strength and rigidity.
e) Chloroplast: It contains chlorophyll and helps in photosynthesis.
f) Vacuole: In plant cells, the large vacuole stores substances, helps remove waste and
maintains the shape of the cell.
Q2. Explain how the shape and structure of a cell are related to its function.
Answer:
Cells have different shapes and structures according to the functions they perform.
Examples are as follows –
a) Nerve cells are long and branched. This structure helps them carry messages to different
parts of the body.
b) Muscle cells are spindle-shaped and flexible. They contract and relax to help in
movement.
c) Cheek cells are thin and flat and form a protective lining inside the mouth.
Thus, the shape and structure of a cell help it perform its specific function efficiently.
Q3. What are microorganisms? Describe their importance in our daily life.
Answer: Microorganisms are very small living organisms that cannot be seen with the naked
eye. They are found in water, soil, air and even inside living organisms.
Microorganisms are useful in many ways:
1. Decomposition: Bacteria and fungi decompose plant and animal waste.
2. Manure formation: They convert plant waste into nutrient-rich manure.
3. Food preparation: Yeast is used in making bread, cakes and other foods.
4. Curd formation: Lactobacillus helps convert milk into curd.
5. Nitrogen fixation: Rhizobium helps make atmospheric nitrogen useful to plants.
 6. Biogas production: Some microorganisms help produce biogas from plant and
animal waste.
Thus, microorganisms play an important role in our lives and in maintaining the environment.
Q4. Explain how microorganisms help in maintaining soil fertility and cleaning the
environment.
Answer: Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down dead plants, fallen leaves
and other organic waste into simpler substances. This process is called decomposition.
The simpler substances become rich in nutrients and form manure. These nutrients return to
the soil and help plants grow better.
Some bacteria such as Rhizobium live in the root nodules of leguminous plants. They trap
nitrogen from the air and make it useful for plants. This increases the nitrogen content and
fertility of the soil.
Therefore, microorganisms help both in recycling nutrients and cleaning the environment.
Q5. Explain the role of yeast and Lactobacillus in food preparation.
Answer: Yeast is a type of fungus. It grows well in warm conditions. During respiration,
yeast breaks down food and releases carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles in the
dough, making it soft and fluffy. Therefore, yeast is used in making bread, cakes and other
baked foods.
Lactobacillus is a bacterium present in curd. It feeds on the sugar in milk and ferments it to
form curd. It produces lactic acid, which makes the curd sour. Lactobacillus also helps in the
fermentation of foods such as idli, dosa and bhatura.
Q6. Differentiate between plant cells and animal cells.
Answer:
Plant Cell Animal Cell
Plant cells have a cell wall. Animal cells do not have a cell wall.
They have chloroplasts. They do not have chloroplasts.
They generally have a large vacuole. Vacuoles are usually absent or small.
They have a more rigid structure. They generally have a more flexible structure.

➢ Both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.