GSEB Class 9 Science Solutions Chapter 13 Why do we Fall Ill

 

Question 1. State any two conditions essential for good health.
Answer: The conditions necessary for good health include:

• Social peace and fairness, which are vital for social and mental wellness.
• Access to adequate amounts of healthy and nourishing food.

In simple words: For good health, it's important to have social peace and fair treatment for mental well-being, along with enough nutritious food.

Exam Tip: To score full marks, clearly list distinct conditions and explain their importance briefly.

 

Question 2. State any two conditions essential for being free of disease.
Answer: Two important conditions for remaining free from disease are:

• Good personal hygiene and maintaining clean surroundings.
• Receiving timely vaccinations to protect against illnesses.

In simple words: To stay disease-free, personal cleanliness, clean surroundings, and getting vaccinations on time are crucial.

Exam Tip: When discussing disease prevention, focus on individual actions and public health measures.

 

Question 3. Are the answers to the above questions necessarily the same or different? Why?
Answer: The answers to these questions are different because we consider health at a societal level, involving the interactions of people within a community. In contrast, when we discuss disease, our thoughts are usually at an individual level.
In simple words: The answers are different because 'health' means looking at society and how people interact, while 'disease' focuses on one person.

Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between "health" (a broader concept including social well-being) and "disease" (often an individual's physical state).

 

Question 4. List any three reasons why you would think that you are sick and ought to see a doctor. If only one of these symptoms were present, would you still go to the doctor? Why or why not?
Answer: Symptoms that suggest we are unwell and should consult a doctor include:
(i) Cough and cold
(ii) Fever
(iii) Headache
(iv) Feeling nauseous
(v) Loose motion
Yes, we should visit the doctor even if only one of these symptoms is present. Each symptom shows a possible sign of an illness. Ignoring any single one could cause more serious problems later.
In simple words: If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or headache, you should see a doctor. Even one symptom is a warning sign, and ignoring it can cause bigger problems.

Exam Tip: Provide a range of common symptoms and clearly explain why medical attention is important even for a single symptom.

 

Question 2. In which of the following case do you think the long-term effects on your health are likely to be most unpleasant? if you get jaundice, if you get lice, if you get acne. Why?
Answer: Long-term health effects are most likely to be quite unpleasant if you get jaundice. Jaundice is a chronic illness that takes a long time to heal. It often tends to come back, and its damaging effects are visible throughout the entire body.
In simple words: Jaundice has the worst long-term effects because it's a chronic illness that takes a long time to cure, can return, and harms the whole body.

Exam Tip: When comparing health conditions, consider their duration (acute vs. chronic), severity, and potential for recurrence or widespread bodily impact.

 

Question 3. Why are we normally advised to take bland and nourishing food when we are sick?
Answer: When unwell, we are usually advised to eat bland and healthy food because it is easy to digest and helps a quick recovery. Consuming enough nutritious food also assists in boosting the person's immune system.
In simple words: We're told to eat bland, nourishing food when sick because it's easy to digest, helps us recover fast, and boosts our immune system.

Exam Tip: Focus on the dual benefits of bland food (easy digestion) and nutritious food (immune support, faster recovery) when explaining this advice.

 

Question 4. What are the different means by which infectious diseases are spread?
Answer: Infectious diseases can spread from one person to another through different ways, such as air, water, sexual contact, or via vectors.
(i) Air: When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they release microbes. These tiny organisms can cause infection if another person breathes them in. Examples include common cold, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
(ii) Water: Germs that cause illness found in unclean water can lead to the spread of infection to other people. Examples include cholera and typhoid.
(iii) Sexual contact: Illnesses can pass from one partner to another during sexual activity. Examples are AIDS and syphilis.
(iv) Vectors: Some diseases move from one person to another with the assistance of carriers. For instance, the female Anopheles mosquito acts as the carrier for malaria.
In simple words: Infectious diseases spread through air (coughing/sneezing), water (contaminated supply), sexual contact, or by carriers like mosquitoes.

Exam Tip: For this type of question, list each mode of transmission with a brief explanation and relevant examples to illustrate your points clearly.

 

Question 5. What precautions can you take in your school to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases?
Answer: To reduce the number of infectious diseases in school, several precautions can be taken:

• Avoid locations that are too crowded.
• Ensure good sanitation and proper cleanliness throughout the school.
• Provide access to safe drinking water.
• Offer separate and clean toilet facilities for both boys and girls.
• Educate students to promote healthy habits, such as covering their mouths with a handkerchief when sneezing or coughing.

In simple words: Schools can prevent disease by avoiding crowds, ensuring cleanliness, providing safe water, maintaining clean toilets, and teaching healthy habits like covering coughs.

Exam Tip: When asked for precautions in a specific setting like a school, think about environmental factors, hygiene practices, and educational initiatives.

 

Question 6. What is immunisation?
Answer: Immunisation is the process where a person gains protection against an infectious illness. This is achieved by giving a vaccine that contains weak or inactive disease microbes. These microbes then help to stimulate the body's immune system to fight the agents that cause the disease.
In simple words: Immunisation makes a person safe from a disease using a vaccine with weak germs that make the body's defense system stronger.

Exam Tip: Define immunisation by explaining both what it is (making immune) and how it works (vaccine with microbes activating the immune system).

 

Question 7. What are the immunisation programmes available at the nearest health centre in your locality? Which of these diseases are the major health problems in your area?
Answer: The various immunisation programs offered at the closest health centre include:

• BCG vaccination service for tuberculosis.
• Polio drops to guard against the polio virus.
• Hepatitis vaccine.
• Vaccine that protects from chickenpox.
• DPT vaccine to shield against diphtheria, pertussis, and whooping cough.
• Vaccination for measles.

The primary health problems in our area are:

• Hepatitis
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Chickenpox
• Measles

In simple words: Local health centers offer vaccines for diseases like TB, polio, hepatitis, chickenpox, DPT, and measles. Major local health issues include hepatitis, TB, typhoid, chickenpox, and measles.

Exam Tip: When listing programs and problems, be specific with disease names and vaccine types.

 

In-Text Activities Solved (Textbook Page 176) Activity 13.1

 

Question a. We have all heard of the earthquakes in Latur, Bhuj, Kashmir etc., or the cyclones that attack the coastal regions. Think of as many different ways as possible in which people's health would be affected by such a disaster if it took place in our neighbourhood.
Answer: If a disaster like an earthquake or a cyclone happens, people's health can be negatively impacted, as these events can cause:

• Extensive destruction of lives and belongings.
• Many individuals might become physically disabled because of losing body parts like hands or legs.
• People could experience mental trauma and discomfort.
• Many people would sustain injuries, cuts, and broken bones.
• Individuals might lose their houses and have to endure harsh cold or hot weather while staying outdoors or in shelters.
• Deceased bodies and garbage can become breeding sites for numerous illnesses.
• Issues related to hygiene, healthy food, and clean drinking water might also arise.
• Economic difficulties could arise, preventing people from being able to keep themselves healthy.

In simple words: Disasters like earthquakes harm health through widespread death and damage, physical disability, mental shock, injuries, homelessness, disease spread from dead bodies and waste, lack of hygiene and clean food/water, and economic issues affecting health.

Exam Tip: When describing disaster impacts, cover a broad range of effects including physical, psychological, environmental, and socio-economic aspects.

 

Question b. How many of these ways we can think of are events that would occur when the disaster is actually happening?
Answer: The events that would take place while the disaster is actively happening are listed above from points (i) to (iv).
In simple words: The events happening during the disaster itself are the first four points mentioned earlier.

Exam Tip: Refer back to the previous list and ensure the selected points accurately describe immediate impacts.

 

Question c. How many of these health-related events would happen long after the actual disaster, but would still be because of the disaster?
Answer: The events that would happen long after the disaster, but are still due to it, are listed above from points (v) to (viii).
In simple words: The health problems that occur much later but are still caused by the disaster are points five through eight from the list.

Exam Tip: Distinguish clearly between immediate impacts and longer-term consequences of a disaster by referencing specific points from your previous answer.

 

Question d. Why would one effect on health fall into the first group, and why would another fall into the second group?
Answer: The points listed from (i) to (iv) are the immediate outcomes of the disaster, directly impacting individuals.
The subsequent group of effects, from point (v) to point (viii), are those that appear after the disaster has taken place. This is because the damage caused by the disaster leads to a large accumulation of organic waste, and rotting bodies of animals and humans, which then pollute the soil and water. This can lead to many diseases, extensive pollution, soil erosion, and the decaying waste also acts as a breeding site for mosquitoes.
In simple words: Points (i)-(iv) are immediate health effects, impacting people right away. Points (v)-(viii) are later effects, happening because disaster damage creates waste, pollution, and disease breeding grounds after the event.

Exam Tip: Categorize impacts based on their timing relative to the disaster, explaining the cause-and-effect for each group.

 

(Textbook Page 177) Activity 13.2

 

Question a. Find out what provisions are made by your local authority (panchayat/municipal corporation) for the supply of clean drinking water.
Answer: The local authorities and the Municipal Corporation in our area make sure pure drinking water is supplied through the Jal board and other government departments. They clean, purify, and add chlorine to the water before it is sent to our homes, ensuring we receive a supply of clean drinking water.
In simple words: Our local government, through the Jal board, cleans, treats, and chlorinates water before sending it to homes to ensure clean drinking water supply.

Exam Tip: When discussing local authorities' roles, mention specific departments and steps involved in ensuring public services like clean water supply.

 

Question b. Are all the people in your locality able to access this?
Answer: No, not everyone in our locality can access this water. Only those who have pipe connections to the Municipal Corporation's water lines or gather water from roadside taps have access to the provided supply. Other people must depend on water from wells, tube wells, or groundwater taken out with hand pumps.
In simple words: No, only homes with municipal pipe connections or access to roadside taps get this water. Others rely on wells, tube wells, or hand pumps.

Exam Tip: For questions about access, consider different groups within the community and their varied means of obtaining resources.

 

(Textbook Page 177) Activity 13.3

 

Question a. Find out how your local authority manages the solid waste generated in your neighbourhood. Are these measures adequate? If not, what improvements would you suggest? What could your family do to reduce the amount of solid waste generated during a day/week?
Answer: The solid waste from homes is collected by the local authority, such as the Municipal Corporation, and then taken to landfill sites. However, these methods are not sufficient because landfills are quickly filling up, and nearby areas are forced to breathe polluted air that smells bad from decaying trash. These sites also become breeding places for many disease-causing organisms, which then spread illnesses more quickly.
Steps that can be taken to lessen such waste include reusing or recycling items. Organic waste can undergo composting or vermicomposting. My family is quite worried about the issues caused by household waste. Therefore, we either reuse items that can be used again or send them to recycling centres. We have also built a small composting pit in our garden where we place fruit and vegetable peels to create organic fertilizer, which helps to feed the plants in our garden.
In simple words: Local authorities send home waste to landfills, which isn't enough as they fill fast, causing air pollution and spreading diseases. We should reuse or recycle waste. Organic waste can be composted. My family reuses, recycles, and composts food peels in our garden.

Exam Tip: Address all parts of a multi-faceted question. Start by describing the current situation, then evaluate its adequacy, suggest improvements, and finally, provide personal actions.

 

(Textbook Page 178) Activity 13.4

 

Question a. Survey your neighbourhood to find out:
1. How many people suffered from acute diseases during the last three months,
2. How many people developed chronic diseases during this same period,
3. And finally, the total number of people suffering from chronic diseases in your neighbourhood.
Answer: This survey can be conducted by the student(s) themselves.
In simple words: Students should carry out this survey themselves to find out how many people in their neighborhood had acute or chronic diseases recently.

Exam Tip: For survey-based questions, state clearly that the activity is to be performed by the student, if the answer simply indicates this.

 

Question b. Are the answers to questions 1 and 2 different?
Answer: The answers to questions 1 and 2, mentioned above, would be different. This is because more people would likely be found who have experienced an acute illness rather than a chronic one.
In simple words: Yes, the answers to questions 1 and 2 will differ because acute illnesses affect more people than chronic ones.

Exam Tip: Explain the difference based on the common prevalence of acute versus chronic diseases in the general population.

 

Question c. Are the answers to questions 2 and 3 different?
Answer: The answer to questions 2 and 3 would be the same. Chronic illnesses last for a long time, so the chance of finding people who had a chronic disease but are no longer suffering from it is very low.
In simple words: The answers to questions 2 and 3 would be similar because chronic diseases last a long time, meaning most who developed them are still suffering.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the prolonged nature of chronic diseases to justify why the numbers for "developed" and "suffering from" would be similar.

 

Question d. What do you think could be the reason for these differences? What do you think would be the effect of these differences on the general health of the population?
Answer: Acute diseases are short-lived because our immune system reacts to them, or they are quickly cured with appropriate medicine. In contrast, chronic diseases result from infection, organ damage, or metabolic problems, and they persist for a long duration. The negative impacts of chronic diseases can be observed in individuals as poor health, weight loss, and fatigue over an extended period.
In simple words: Acute diseases pass quickly due to immunity or medicine. Chronic diseases, caused by infection or organ issues, last long, leading to poor health, weight loss, and fatigue for a long time.

Exam Tip: Clearly differentiate between acute and chronic diseases based on their duration, causes, and typical health impacts on individuals and the population.

 

(Textbook Page 182) Activity 13.5

 

Question a. Find out how many of you in your class had cold/cough/fever recently.
Answer: Only a small number of students experienced a cold or cough.
In simple words: Only a few students in the class recently had a cold or cough.

Exam Tip: For survey-type questions, provide a concise summary of the expected outcome.

 

Question b. How long did the illness last?
Answer: The illness persisted for approximately 3-4 days.
In simple words: The sickness lasted for about 3-4 days.

Exam Tip: Be direct and factual with the duration, as this is a specific detail requested.

 

Question c. How many of you took antibiotics (ask your parents if you had antibiotics)?
Answer: Most parents indicated that no antibiotics were administered. A few parents, however, stated that antibiotics were given.
In simple words: Most parents said no antibiotics were given, but some mentioned they were.

Exam Tip: Report a balanced summary of the survey results, including both common and less common responses.

 

Question d. How long were those who took antibiotics ill?
Answer: They were ill for 3-4 days.
In simple words: Those who took antibiotics were sick for 3-4 days.

Exam Tip: Provide the specific duration as requested.

 

Question e. How long were those who didn't take antibiotics ill?
Answer: They were ill for 3-4 days.
In simple words: Those who didn't take antibiotics were sick for 3-4 days.

Exam Tip: State the duration concisely.

 

Question f. Is there a difference between these two groups?
Answer: There was no noticeable difference.
In simple words: No, there was no difference between the two groups.

Exam Tip: Give a clear, brief answer to a yes/no question before providing any explanation in the next part.

 

Question g. If yes, why? If not, why not?
Answer: There is no difference because common cold and cough are typically signs of a viral illness. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria but not against viruses, as viruses do not use the same chemical processes that bacteria do. Viruses can only be fought off by the immune system of the affected individual.
In simple words: There's no difference because colds are viral, and antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Viruses are fought only by the body's immune system.

Exam Tip: Explain the fundamental difference between bacterial and viral infections and why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, linking it to the body's immune response.

 

(Textbook Page 186)

 

Activity 13.6

 

Question a. Conduct a survey in your locality. Talk to ten families who are well-off and ten who are very poor (in your estimation). Both sets of families should have children who are below five years of age. Measure the heights of these children. Draw a graph of the height of each child against its age for both sets of families.
Answer: Students can gather the necessary data and create the graph as instructed.
In simple words: Students should collect data from rich and poor families on children's heights and ages, then draw a graph as directed.

Exam Tip: For practical activities, confirm that students are expected to perform the task themselves.

 

Question b. Is there a difference between the groups? If yes, why?
Answer: Yes, a difference would be observed between the groups. Children from wealthier families are more likely to receive a balanced diet, engage in suitable exercise, live in clean and sanitary conditions, and have better clothing and living environments. These factors contribute to their proper growth and overall development.
In simple words: Yes, wealthier children are more likely to have a balanced diet, good exercise, clean living conditions, and better clothes, which helps their growth.

Exam Tip: When explaining differences related to socio-economic status, link it directly to factors like nutrition, hygiene, and living conditions that impact growth.

 

Question c. If there is no difference, do you think that your findings mean that being well-off or poor does not matter for health?
Answer: It matters a great deal whether a family is wealthy or very poor. Affluent families have greater access to various resources, which leads to a higher likelihood of them enjoying a healthier life.
In simple words: It matters a lot if a family is rich or poor. Rich families get more resources, which makes them much more likely to live a healthier life.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the strong correlation between socio-economic status and health outcomes, highlighting access to resources as a key factor.

 

(Textbook Page 187) Activity 13.7

 

Question a. Rabies virus is spread by the bite of infected dogs and other animals. There are anti-rabies vaccines for both humans and animals. Find out the plan of your local authority for the control of rabies in your neighbourhood. Are these measures adequate? If not, what improvements would you suggest?
Answer: The local authorities in our area offer free anti-rabies vaccines at nearby health centres and dispensaries.
These measures are sufficient, but more actions can be taken to stop incidents of stray dogs or other animals biting people. Some suggested improvements include:

• Pet owners should be advised to ensure their dogs receive regular vaccinations according to their veterinary doctor's advice.
• People should be informed about the availability of anti-rabies vaccines at local health centres. Stray dogs and other animals should also be given the anti-rabies vaccine.
• Public awareness campaigns should be launched about rabies disease and its treatment methods.

In simple words: Local authorities provide free anti-rabies vaccines. To improve, pet owners should vaccinate their dogs, people need more awareness about the vaccine and disease, and stray animals also need vaccination to prevent bites.

Exam Tip: When suggesting improvements for public health issues, consider a multi-pronged approach involving education, animal control, and accessible medical services.

 

Gujarat Board Class 9 Science Why Do We Fall III Textbook Questions And Answers

 

Question 1. How many times did you fall ill in the last one year? What were the illnesses? (a) Think of one change you could make in your habits in order to avoid any of/most of the above illnesses. (b) Think of one change you would wish for in your surroundings in order to avoid any of/most of the above illnesses.
Answer: I became ill once in the past year. The illness was a common cold, which caused a cough and a sore throat.
(a) I stopped drinking cold water during the infection and ate more food rich in vitamin C.
(b) The environment should be clean and have more green trees. There should also be an effective waste management system to prevent the spread of diseases.
In simple words: I was sick once with a cold. (a) I changed my habit to avoid cold water and ate more vitamin C. (b) I wish for clean surroundings, more trees, and better waste management.

Exam Tip: For personal experience questions, provide a clear, concise answer, and then suggest practical, relevant changes for both personal habits and environmental factors.

 

Question 2. A doctor/nurse/health-worker is exposed to more sick people than others in the community. Find out how she/he avoids getting sick herself/himself.
Answer: Although a doctor, nurse, or health-worker encounters more unwell people than others in the community, they avoid getting sick by following practices such as:

• Using sterilised equipment.
• Washing their hands after checking each patient.
• Wearing gloves and using sanitisers to prevent contact with dangerous germs.
• Using phenyl and other cleaning agents at their workplace to keep it free from infections.

In simple words: Doctors and nurses avoid illness by using sterile tools, washing hands, wearing gloves, using sanitizers, and cleaning their workspace with disinfectants.

Exam Tip: List specific hygiene and safety protocols that healthcare professionals follow to protect themselves, focusing on practical measures.

 

Question 3. Conduct a survey in your neighbourhood to find out what the three most common diseases are. Suggest three steps that could be taken by your local authorities to bring down the incidence of these diseases.
Answer: The three most prevalent diseases are:

• Cough and cold
• Jaundice
• Malaria

Three actions that local authorities can take to reduce the occurrence of these diseases include:

• Eliminating mosquito breeding sites such as standing water and ditches. This can also be done by applying chemicals that eliminate mosquitoes.
• Ensuring clean surroundings with a proper waste management and garbage disposal system.
• Guaranteeing the provision of clean drinking water and initiating awareness programs to inform people about disease prevention.

In simple words: A survey might show cough/cold, jaundice, and malaria as common diseases. Local authorities can reduce these by removing mosquito breeding grounds, improving waste management, and providing clean water with awareness programs.

Exam Tip: For a multi-part question, clearly separate the identified diseases from the suggested solutions. Ensure the solutions are practical and relevant to local authorities.

 

Question 4. A baby is not able to tell her/his caretakers that she/he is sick. What would help us to find out (a) that the baby is sick? (b) what is the sickness?
Answer: The different symptoms that can help us determine:
(a) That the baby is ill include vomiting, fever, cough and cold, loose stools, constant crying, and not eating enough food.
(b) The specific sickness can be identified by observing the disease signs based on the symptoms shown. For example, vomiting and loose stools suggest a stomach infection. Additionally, laboratory tests can be performed to confirm the existence of a disease.
In simple words: To tell if a baby is sick, look for vomiting, fever, crying, or not eating. To know what the sickness is, observe symptoms like loose stools for stomach issues, and do lab tests to confirm.

Exam Tip: When describing how to identify illness in non-verbal individuals, focus on observable symptoms and diagnostic methods.

 

Question 5. Under which of the following conditions is a person most likely to fall sick?
(a) When she is recovering from malaria.
(b) When she has recovered from malaria and is taking care of someone suffering from chicken-pox.
(c) When she is on a four-day fast after recovering from malaria and is taking care of someone suffering from chicken-pox. Why?
Answer: A person is most likely to get sick if they are on a four-day fast after recovering from malaria and are also caring for someone with chickenpox. This is because after malaria, it takes time for all body organs to start working correctly again. Furthermore, without enough proper and healthy food, the person becomes more susceptible to infections like chickenpox and other illnesses. Therefore, the likelihood of them becoming infected rises due to these factors.
In simple words: A person is most likely to get sick if fasting for four days after malaria recovery and caring for someone with chickenpox. Malaria weakens organs, and fasting without proper food lowers immunity, making them very vulnerable to new infections.

Exam Tip: Analyze the combined stress factors (recent illness, fasting, exposure to another disease) and explain how each contributes to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility.

 

Question 6. Under which of the following conditions are you most likely to fall sick?
(a) When you are taking examinations.
(b) When you have travelled by bus and train for two days.
(c) When your friend is suffering from measles. Why?
Answer: We are most likely to become ill if we visit a friend who has measles. Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through the air via tiny droplets released by an infected person when they cough or sneeze. If this exposure occurs, the disease can infect you as well.
In simple words: You're most likely to get sick if your friend has measles because it's a contagious disease that spreads through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Exam Tip: Identify the condition involving direct exposure to a highly contagious airborne disease as the most significant risk factor. Explain the mode of transmission to justify your choice.