CBSE Class 12 Biology Human Health and Disease Assignment Set C

Very Short Answer Questions

Question. Millions of chickens were killed in West Bengal, Orissa and Maharashtra recently. What was the reason? 
Answer: Millions of chickens were killed (culled) in West Bengal, Orissa and Maharashtra because they were found to be infected with H5N1 virus, the causal organism of Bird Flu.

Question. How do interferons protect us? 
Answer: Interferons protect non-infected cells from further viral infections, by creating cytokine barriers.

Question. What is an autoimmune disease? Give an example. 
Answer: It is an abnormal immune response in which the immune system of the body starts rejecting its own body cells or ‘self’ cells and molecules. For example, rheumatoid arthritis.

Question. Define the term ‘health’. Mention any two ways of maintaining it. 
Answer: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
Good health is maintained by balanced diet/personal hygiene/regular exercise. (Any two)

Question. Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia and amoebiasis are some of the human infectious diseases.
Which ones of these are transmitted through mechanical carriers?
Answer: Malaria and amoebiasis are transmitted through mechanical carriers.

Question. Name any two organisms that are responsible for ringworms in humans. Mention twodiagnostic symptoms. Name the specific parts of the human body where these organisms thrive and explain why. 
Answer: Microsporum/Trichophyton/Epideromophyton. (Any two) Symptoms: Dry/scaly lesion on skin/nails/scalp, intense itching.
These organisms thrive in body groin or between toes. They thrive better in heat/moisture/perspiration.

Question. (i) Write the scientific names of the two species of filarial worms causing filariasis.
(ii) How do they affect the body of infected person(s)?
(iii) How does the disease spread?
                      OR
Name the parasite that causes filariasis in human. Mention its two diagnostic symptoms. How is this disease transmitted to others? 
Answer: Filariasis/Elephantiasis
• It is caused by filarial worms, Wuchereria bancrofti and Wuchereria malayi.
• Female Culex mosquito is the vector.

Question. What is “withdrawal syndrome”? List any two symptoms it is characterised by. 
Answer: It is the state experienced by addicts when their regular dose of alcohol/drug is abruptly discontinued. It is often characterised by anxiety, shakiness, nausea and sweating.

Question. Explain the relationship between B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in developing an immune response. 
Answer: B-lymphocytes produce antibodies to fight pathogen.
T-lymphocytes do not produce antibodies but help B cells to produce them. They can also destroy pathogen directly.

Question. Name two STDs which can be transmitted through contaminated blood.
Answer: Hepatitis-B and AIDS are the two STDs which can be transmitted through contaminated blood.

Question. What are interferons?
Answer: Virus infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection.

Question. Why does a doctor administer tetanus antitoxin and not a tetanus vaccine to a child injured in a roadside accident with a bleeding wound? Explain.
                                                                  OR
Why is a person with cuts and bruises following an accident administered tetanus antitoxin? Give reasons. 
Answer: Tetanus is caused by a microbe which has a deadly and fast action. Action of vaccine is slow and this delay may become fatal. Therefore, antitoxins are administered which neutralise the effect of the bacterial toxin.

Question. How does spleen act as a lymphoid organ? Explain.
Answer: The spleen is a large bean-shaped organ. It mainly contains lymphocytes and phagocytes. It acts as a filter of the blood by trapping blood-borne microorganisms. Spleen also has a large reservoir of erythrocytes.

Short Answer Questions

Question. (a) Name the source plant of heroin drug. How is it obtained from the plant?
(b) Write the effects of heroin on the human body. 
                      ​​​​​​​                      OR
Name an opioid drug and its source plant. How does the drug affect the human body?
Answer: (a) The source drug of heroin is poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).
It is derived by acetylation of morphine, which is obtained from the latex of the poppy plant.
(b) Heroin is a depressant and slows down the body functions.

 Question. Draw a well labelled diagram of an antibody molecule.
Answer: 

Question. When you go for a trek/trip to any high altitude places, you are advised to take it easy and rest for the first two days. Comment, giving reasons. 
                      ​​​​​​​                      ​​​​​​​                      OR
Why do tribes who live in high altitude of Himalayas experience discomfort in respiration?
How do they get adapted to survive in such a situation? 
Answer: At high altitudes it is advised to take easy due to low oxygen availability. This may also cause altitude sickness. It is also advised to take rest because body compensates the low oxygen availability during rest by increasing RBC production and decreasing the binding capacity of haemoglobin, in turn increasing the breathing rate.

Question. What would happen to immune system, if thymus gland is removed from the body of a person? 
Answer: Thymus is the primary lymphoid organ. In thymus gland, immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen-sensitive lymphocytes. If thymus gland is removed from the body of a person, his immune system becomes weak. As a result the person’s body becomes prone to infectious diseases.

Question. How are auto-immune diseases different from immunodeficiency disease? Give one example of each in human.
Answer: 

Question. In the metropolitan cities of India, many children are suffering from allergy/asthma. What are the main causes of this problem? Give some symptoms of allergic reactions.
Answer: Allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens present in the environment. In metropolitan cities lifestyle is responsible in lowering of immunity and sensitivity to allergens. More polluted environment increases the chances of allergy in children.
Some symptoms of allergic reactions are sneezing, watery eyes, running nose and difficulty in breathing.

Question. Name the two special types of lymphocytes in humans. How do they differ in their roles in immune response? 
Answer: B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes are the lymphocytes in humans.
B-cells produce pathogen specific antibodies and are responsible for humoral immune response.
T-cells help the B-cells to produce antibodies and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity.

Question. Name the cells that act as HIV factory in humans when infected by HIV. Explain the events that occur in the infected cell.
                      ​​​​​​​                      ​​​​​​​                      OR
Name the type of cells the AIDS virus first enters into after getting inside the human body.
Explain the sequence of events that the virus undergoes within these cells to increase their progeny.
Answer: Macrophages/Helper T-cells act as HIV factory.
The virus enters macrophages or helper T-cells where RNA genome of the virus forms viral DNA with the help of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The viral DNA then gets incorporated into host cell’s DNA and directs infected cells to produce new virus particles.

Question. (a) Name the respective forms in which the malarial parasite gains entry into (i) Human body and (ii) Body of female Anopheles.
(b) Name the hosts where the sexual and the asexual reproductions of malarial parasites occur respectively.
(c) Name the toxin responsible for the appearance of symptoms of malaria in humans. Why do these symptoms occur periodically?
Answer: (a) (i) Sporozoite
(ii) Gametocytes.
(b) Sexual reproduction occurs in mosquito and asexual reproduction takes place in human body.
(c) The name of the toxin is ha Peamraoszitoeisn .a fter entering the fresh RBCs take 48 to 72hours to complete the erythrocytic cycle, rupturing the erythrocytes. They then burst to release toxic substance called haemozoin and the symptoms like chill and high fever occurs periodically.

Question. (a) Name the causative agent of typhoid in humans.
(b) Name the test administered to confirm the disease.
(c) How does the pathogen gain entry into the human body? Write the diagnostic symptoms and mention the body organ that gets affected in severe cases.
                                            OR
Name the bacterium that causes typhoid. Mention two diagnostic symptoms. How is this disease transmitted to others? 
Answer: Typhoid
• It is caused by pathogenic bacterium Salmonella typhi.
• It is spread by contaminated food and water.
• It generally enters the small intestine and then migrates to other organs through blood.

Question. (a) Name the causative agents of pneumonia and common cold.
(b) How do these differ in their symptoms ?
(c) Mention two symptoms common to both. 
Answer: (a) Pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae/Haemophilus influenzae and that of common cold is Rhinoviruses.
(b) Different symptoms:

(c) Common symptoms:
(i) In both the cases the infected person is inflicted with cough.
(ii) In both the cases the patient suffers from headaches.

Question. (a) Name and explain any four lymphoid organs present in humans.
(b) Categorise the named lymphoid organs as primary or secondary lymphoid organs, giving reasons. 
Answer: Components of immune system:
• Lymphoid organs
• Immune cells
• Soluble molecules like antibodies
• Lymphoid tissues

Question. (a) Name the stage of Plasmodium that gains entry into the human body.
(b) Trace the stages of Plasmodium in the body of female Anopheles after its entry.
(c) Explain the cause of periodic recurrence of chill and high fever during malarial attack in humans. 
Answer: (a) Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites.
(b) When a female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, the parasites enter the mosquito’sbody and undergo further development. The parasites multiply within them to form sporozoites that are stored in salivary glands until their transfer to human body.
(c) The rupture of RBCs release a toxic substance called haemozoin, which is responsible for the chill and high fever recur.

Question. Study a part of the life cycle of malarial parasite given alongside. Answer the questions that follow:
(a) Mention the roles of ‘A’ in the life cycle of the malarial parasite.
(b) Name the event ‘C’ and the organ where this event occurs.
(c) Identify the organ ‘B’ and name the cells being released from it.
Answer: (a) A—Gametocytes of Plasmodium enter the mosquito when it bites a malarial patient and feed on blood. 

(b) C—Fertilisation. It occurs in the intestine of mosquito.
(c) B—Salivary gland of the female Anopheles mosquito. These release sporozoites of Plasmodium.

Question. Write the events that take place when a vaccine for any disease is introduced into the human body.
Answer: The vaccine contains proteins of pathogen or inactivated/weakened pathogen. When a dose of vaccine is introduced into the human body, it behaves as an antigen and the body produces antibodies in response to the antigen. This response generates active immunity. The antibodies thus produced will neutralise the pathogenic agents during actual infection. The vaccines also generate memory B-cells and T-cells that recognise the pathogen quickly on subsequent exposure and overwhelm the invaders with a massive production of antibodies.

Question. (a) It is generally observed that the children who had suffered from chicken-pox in their childhood may not contract the same disease in their adulthood. Explain giving reasons the basis of such an immunity in an individual. Name this kind of immunity.
(b) What are interferons? Mention their role. 
Answer: (a) The first infection of chicken pox produces a primary response and antibodies are generated against chicken pox virus, subsequent encounter with the same virus elicits a highly intensified secondary response, due to the memory cells formed during the first encounter.
This kind of an immunity is active immunity.
(b) Proteins secreted by viral infected cells, which protects non-infected cells from viral infection are called interferous. When α-interferon is given to cancer patient it activates immune system and destroys tumour.

Question. (a) How does the human body respond when vaccine is introduced into it ?
(b) It is said that vaccinations are a must for a healthy society. Justify. 
Answer: (a) B-cells assisted by T-cells produce antibodies against weakened antigens, which have been introduced as vaccine. These antibodies neutralise the pathogens (during actual infection) and also generate memory B-cells and T-cells.
(b) B and T memory cells recognise the pathogen in case of actual infection and produce antibodies to kill the pathogen. Thus the population will remain healthy if they are vaccinated prior to the infection.

Question. A person shows strong unusual hypersensitive reactions when exposed to certain substances present in the air, identify the condition. Name the cells responsible for such reactions. What precaution should be taken to avoid such reactions. 
Answer: The condition is called allergy. Mast cells are responsible for such reactions.
To avoid such reactions following precautions must be taken.
(i) Use of drugs like antihistamine, adrenaline and steroids quickly reduces the symptoms.
(ii) Avoid contact with substances to which a person is hypersensitive.

Question. Your classmate complains of headache and cough. The doctor confirms that he is suffering from Pneumonia and not common cold, on the basis of certain symptoms. List these symptoms. Mention any two precautions to be followed to prevent the spread of this disease.
Answer: Doctor confirms pneumonia on the basis of the following symptoms—fever/chills/grey-blue lips and finger nails (any two).
It is not common cold as the following symptoms are not observed – Nasal congestion/sore throat/hoarseness (any two).
Precautions to be followed are:
(i) Cover the nose when near the patient.
(ii) Do not share glasses and utensils or articles used by the infected person.

Long Answer Questions

Question. Name a human disease, its causal organism, symptoms (any three) and vector, spread by intake of water and food contaminated by human faecal matter.
Answer: (i) Typhoid
• It is caused by pathogenic bacterium Salmonella typhi.
• It is spread by contaminated food and water.
• It generally enters the small intestine and then migrates to other organs through blood.
(i) Malaria
 • It is caused by a protozoan Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum).
• P. falciparum causes the most serious and fatal malignant malaria.
• The vector of Plasmodium is female Anopheles mosquito which transfers the sporozoites (infectious form).
• Treatment is by antimalarial drugs like quinine, chloroquin.
• Malaria can be prevented by killing mosquitoes by spraying DDT, BHC, etc., and using insect repellents, mosquito nets, etc.
(i) Ascariasis
• It is caused by an intestinal endoparasite of human, Ascaris lumbricoides, commonly called roundworm.
• Eggs of parasite are excreted along with faeces of infected person, which contaminates water, soil and plants.
• Infection takes place through contaminated vegetables, fruits and water.

Question. Trace the life-cycle of malarial parasite in the human body when bitten by an infected female Anopheles. 
Answer: Plasmodium falciparum is the malarial parasite.
Life cycle of Plasmodium
• Plasmodium requires two hosts to complete its life cycle—human and mosquito.
• The infected female Anopheles mosquito transfers the infectious form of Plasmodium, i.e.,sporozoites to the human body by biting.
• The sporozoites reach the liver cells, where they multiply.
• This is followed by their attack on red blood cells resulting in their rupture.
• The ruptured RBCs release a toxin called haemozoin, which is responsible for high recurring fever, chills and shivering.
• Sexual stages (gametocytes) develop in red blood cells, from where these parasites enter the female Anopheles mosquitoes when they bite an infected person.
• In the body of mosquitoes, they fertilise and multiply in the stomach wall.
• Sporozoites are now stored in the salivary gland of mosquito till it is again transferred to human body by a mosquito bite. After entering the human body, all the events are repeated.

Question. (a) Name the virus that causes AIDS in humans.
(b) Explain the sequence of events that follows when this virus attacks to cause immune deficiency in humans.
Answer: (a) Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
(b) (Life cycle of HIV).• It was first reported in U.S.A. in 1981 and in last 25 years, it has killed more than 25 million people.
• It is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• HIV belongs to the group retrovirus.
• It has RNA genome enclosed in an envelope.
• Transmission of HIV occurs through following ways:
(i) By sexual contact with the infected person.
(ii) By transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products.
(iii) By sharing infected needles.
(iv) From infected mother to her child through placenta. 
• It is not spread by more touch or physical contact. It only spreads through body fluids. Hence the infected persons should not be isolated from family and society.