Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 9 Biology Chapter 1 Introducing Biology

Exercise 1

Question A:
Answer: (a) (iv) fossils
(b) (iv) biotechnology
These answers identify specific branches and topics within the study of life sciences. Fossils are particularly important as they provide a physical record of how organisms lived millions of years ago.
Teacher's Tip: Think of fossils as "nature's history book" made of stone.
Exam Tip: Always write both the option number and the text for multiple-choice questions to ensure full marks.

Question B.1:
Answer: (a) Biotechnology
(b) Horticulture
(c) Palaeontology
(d) Immunology
(e) Ichthyology
This list covers diverse scientific fields that focus on everything from plant cultivation to the study of fish. Understanding these terms helps us navigate different scientific careers and areas of research.
Teacher's Tip: "Ichthy" is a Greek root for fish, so any word starting with it usually relates to our finned friends!
Exam Tip: Spell these scientific terms carefully, as incorrect spelling can lead to marks being deducted in biology exams.

Question B.2:
Answer: (a) limbs, joints
(b) Genome
(c) silkworms
(d) origin, descent
(e) parasites
(f) Jeevaj (viviparous)
(g) Hippocrates
These terms represent key concepts and figures in the history and study of biological sciences. Hippocrates, for example, is widely considered the father of modern medicine.
Teacher's Tip: For "viviparous," remember that "vivi" means alive, referring to animals that give birth to live young.
Exam Tip: Use capital letters for proper names like Hippocrates to maintain correct grammatical standards.

Question B.3:
Answer: Column A - Column B
Ichthyology - Fishes
Ornithology - Birds
Ecology - Environment
Virology - Viruses
Herpetology - Snakes
Palaeontology - Fossils
Cytology - Cells
Pathology - Diseases
Matching these fields with their subjects helps in organizing scientific knowledge effectively. It shows how biology is divided into specialized sections for detailed study.
Teacher's Tip: "Cyto" always refers to cells, so anytime you see it, think of the building blocks of life.
Exam Tip: In matching questions, rewrite the correct pairs side-by-side rather than drawing criss-cross lines.

Question B.4:
Answer: 1. Biotechnology
2. Bioengineering
These two fields involve the practical application of biological knowledge to solve human problems. They often involve creating new medical tools or improving the way we produce food.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a "Bioengineer" as someone who builds tools to help living things function better.
Exam Tip: If a question asks for two examples, label them clearly with numbers 1 and 2.

Question B.5:
Answer: 1. Insects - Entomology
2. Birds - Ornithology
3. Fungi - Mycology
4. Heredity - Genetics
This section pairs biological subjects with their specific branch names. For example, Genetics is the crucial study of how traits are passed from parents to children.
Teacher's Tip: "Myco" is the root for fungi; imagine "My" (my) "Cology" (mushrooms).
Exam Tip: Always use a hyphen (-) to separate the subject from its scientific name for better clarity.

Question B.6:
Answer: 1. Biotechnologist
2. Teacher
3. Bacteriologist
4. Druggist
5. Dentist
6. Entomologist
These are professions that directly apply biological principles to their work every day. From treating teeth to studying bacteria, these experts keep our society healthy and informed.
Teacher's Tip: Notice how many of these titles end in "-ist," which usually refers to a person who is a specialist in that field.
Exam Tip: Make sure you know which professional matches which branch of biology to answer career-related questions.

Question C.1:
Answer: Biology is the study of living beings, all plants and animals including humans. Biology had flourished greatly in ancient India during 2500 B.C. to 650 B.C. The roots of biology can be traced back to pre-historic periods, when primitive man lived in jungles and caves. Biology has slowly grown through the ages, but developed very fast in the 20th century and is showing signs of even faster growth in the 21st century.
This definition explains that biology encompasses all life forms and has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. It highlights how our understanding of life has accelerated rapidly in recent times due to new technology.
Teacher's Tip: Biology isn't just in books; it's happening all around you in every park, garden, and even inside your own body!
Exam Tip: When describing the history of biology, mentioning the specific time period (2500 B.C. to 650 B.C.) shows the examiner you have read the text thoroughly.

Question C.2:
Answer: The knowledge of biology has greatly helped us in the field of human health. It helps us to understand the cause of many diseases. We are able to identify various micro-organisms that cause diseases in man. We can study their mode of living and the different ways in which they spread diseases. The understanding of disease-causing microorganisms has led to the development of new drugs, both natural and synthetic drugs that can kill these organisms.
By studying life at a microscopic level, biologists can pinpoint the exact causes of illnesses. This scientific approach allows doctors to provide treatments that are specifically designed to target and eliminate harmful germs.
Teacher's Tip: Think of doctors as "applied biologists" who use their knowledge of life to heal and protect people.
Exam Tip: Use keywords like "micro-organisms" and "synthetic drugs" to demonstrate a strong scientific vocabulary in your answers.

Question C.3:
Answer: A farmer, although has never studied biology, knows by his experience how to increase his produce. He knows how to plough and plant crops and select good quality seeds for sowing. He is also familiar with various methods of irrigation. He knows the technique of cross-breeding and removing weak and unwanted plants and cultivating improved varieties at the right time.
A housewife, by using her experience knows which fruit or vegetable to grow and for how much time. She also knows the nutritional values of various foodstuffs. A housewife adopts various principles of maintaining hygiene at home. She knows to tame some useful animals like cow, goat and dog for her maximum benefit.
This demonstrates that biological principles are used daily by people who may not even be scientists by profession. Practical knowledge of plants, animals, and nutrition helps us sustain our families and improve our quality of life.
Teacher's Tip: Experience is a great teacher; your grandparents are practicing biology every time they garden or cook a healthy meal!
Exam Tip: When giving examples of daily life applications, separate the "farmer" and "housewife" points into distinct paragraphs for better readability.

Question C.4:
Answer: (a) Zoology is the study of animals, whereas Entomology is the study of insects.
(b) Genetics is the science of transmission of body characteristics from parents to offspring, whereas Embryology is the study of formation and development of embryos of plants and animals.
(c) Botany is the study of plants, whereas Mycology is the study of fungi.
(d) Space Biology is the study of survival problems of living things in outer space, whereas Exobiology is the study of life elsewhere in the universe.
(e) Biotechnology is the use of living cells or micro-organisms in industry and technology, whereas Bioinformatics is the management and analysis of biological information stored in databases.
These comparisons show how specific branches of biology differ based on their subject matter and goals. For instance, while both study life, one might focus on cells while another focuses on data management.
Teacher's Tip: To remember the difference, think: Botany = Plants, and Zoology = Zoo (Animals).
Exam Tip: In "distinguish between" questions, always use comparative words like "whereas" or "while" to link the two definitions.

Question D.1:
Answer: Yes, Biology can help in further increasing the yield of food. New varieties of plants and new breeds of cattle, poultry, etc. are being developed with the knowledge of biology. The science has also increased our knowledge of diseases of plants and animals, and how to cure them. All these efforts are helping us to produce more food in fields, dairies and poultry farms.
Biological research allows us to grow more resilient crops and raise healthier livestock, which is essential for feeding the world's population. It also helps us protect our food supply from pests and environmental changes.
Teacher's Tip: More food and better health for the whole world start with the simple study of a plant or an animal cell!
Exam Tip: Start your answer with a definitive "Yes" or "No" when asked a direct question before providing your supporting reasons.