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NCERT Class 10 Science Our Environment: In-text questions (page 214) Solutions
AI-written, checked on 23 Oct 2026
Solutions written by Shishya, checked — not the board's official answers
Step-by-step working for every question of In-text questions (page 214) in NCERT's Class 10 Science book, chapter “Our Environment”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.
How these were checked: the solutions were drafted with AI and then read and corrected on 23 Oct 2026. Every numerical final answer is recomputed from the question's own numbers by a calculator check that runs before each release; proofs and explanations were read, not machine-checked. The NCERT textbook is the authority — if something here disagrees with it, follow the book.
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In-text (page 214) Q1
Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?
- Biodegradable substances are broken down by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
- These microorganisms have specific enzymes that can digest natural materials such as food waste, paper, and wood.
- Non-biodegradable substances are materials that microorganisms cannot break down.
- Examples include plastics, glass, and metals, which lack the chemical structure that enzymes can act upon.
- Because they resist biological decomposition, non-biodegradable substances persist in the environment for a very long time.
Answer: Biodegradable substances are broken down by microorganisms, while non-biodegradable substances cannot be decomposed by them and persist in the environment.
In-text (page 214) Q2
Give two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
- Biodegradable substances are broken down by microorganisms into simpler substances like water, carbon dioxide, and humus.
- This process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
- The decomposition process requires oxygen, which can lead to a decrease in the oxygen available for other organisms in the environment.
- If large amounts of biodegradable waste decompose in water bodies, it can deplete dissolved oxygen, harming aquatic life.
Answer: Biodegradable substances can increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and deplete oxygen in water bodies during decomposition.
In-text (page 214) Q3
Give two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
- Non-biodegradable substances do not decompose naturally by microorganisms.
- They accumulate in the soil and water, causing long-term pollution.
- They can enter the food chain through plants and animals, leading to bioaccumulation.
- This accumulation can cause serious health problems in humans and other organisms.
Answer: Non-biodegradable substances cause long-term environmental pollution and lead to bioaccumulation in the food chain, causing health issues.
Other exercises in this chapter
- In-text questions (page 212) — 2 questions
- In-text questions (page 216) — 2 questions
- End-of-chapter exercises — 9 questions
← Our Environment: notes, practice and all exercises
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