Chapter–8

Human Health
and Diseases

1. Health
QQ It is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
QQ Health increases the longevity of people and reduces infant and maternal mortality rate.
QQ Good health is maintained by balanced diet, personal hygiene, regular exercise, yoga, vaccination
against infectious diseases, proper disposal of wastes, control of vectors and maintenance of hygienic
food and water resources.
QQ Health is affected by
OO Genetic disorders (defects inherited from parents from birth)

OO Infections

OO Life-style: (a) food and water we take in (b) rest (c) exercise (d) habits

2. Disease
QQ Any condition which interferes with the normal functioning of the body and causes disorder of the
mind or body is called a disease.
QQ The disease causing organisms are called pathogens.
QQ All parasites are pathogens as they cause harm to the host by living in/on them. They enter our
body, multiply and interfere with vital activities, causing morphological and functional damage. So
pathogens adapt to life within environment of host. For example, pathogen living in gut must survive
at low pH and resist digestive juices.
Diseases
Types

Table 8.1: Differences between infectious and non-infectious diseases

S. No. Infectious diseases Non-infectious diseases
(i) These are easily transmitted from one infected These are not transmitted from one person to
person to the other. the other.
(ii) Such diseases are due to extrinsic factors, i.e., Extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors, like
pathogens. deficiencies and hereditary factors, can cause
these diseases.
(iii) Public health and personal hygiene reduces the Public health and personal hygiene are
probability of disease. ineffective.
(iv) For example, HIV, tetanus, hepatitis-B. For example, cancer.

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 Table 8.2: Classification of infectious diseases based on pathogens
Infectious Diseases
Types

Bacterial Diseases

3. Bacterial Diseases
(i) Typhoid
OO It is caused by pathogenic bacterium Salmonella typhi.
OO It is spread by contaminated food and water.
OO It generally enters the small intestine and then migrates to other organs through blood.
Symptoms
(a) Constant high fever (39°C to 40°C) (b) Weakness (c) Stomach pain
(d) Loss of appetite (e) Constipation (f) Headache
(g) Intestinal perforation and death may occur in severe cases.
OO Typhoid fever can be confirmed by Widal test.
OO Mary Mallon, called Typhoid Mary, was a cook and a typhoid carrier who continued to spread
the disease for several years through the food prepared by her, before it was discovered.
(ii) Pneumonia
OO It is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
OO They infect alveoli (air-filled sacs) of the lungs where the alveoli get filled with a fluid resulting
in the decrease of respiratory efficiency of the lungs.
OO It is spread by inhaling droplets/aerosol from infected persons and sharing glasses and utensils
with an infected person.
Symptoms
(a) Fever (b) Chills (c) Cough
(d) Headache (e) In severe cases, lips and finger nails turn gray to bluish in colour.

4. Viral Diseases
(i) Common cold
OO It is caused by a group of viruses called rhino viruses.
OO These viruses infect the nasal epithelium and respiratory passage but not the lungs.
OO Their attack lasts for about 3–7 days.
OO It spreads by (a) contaminated objects like pens, books, cups, etc., (b) cough and sneeze droplets
from an infected person.
Symptoms
(a) Nasal congestion and discharge (b) Sore throat (c) Hoarseness
(d) Cough (e) Headache (f) Tiredness

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 (ii) Dengue fever
OO It is caused by virus Flavivirus.
OO Dengue is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with one of the four dengue virus
serotypes.
OO It affects infants, young children and adults with symptoms appearing 3–14 days after the infective
bite.
OO There is no vaccine or any specific medicine to treat dengue. People who have dengue fever
should rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Symptoms
(a) High fever (b) Severe headache (c) Pain behind the eyes
(d) Muscle and joint pain (e) Rash

(iii) Chikungunya
QQ It is caused by an alphavirus called Chikungunya virus.
QQ It is generally spread through bites from A. aegypti mosquitoes.
OO The best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by any
infected mosquitoes.
OO No specific treatment is known, but medications can be used to reduce symptoms.
Symptoms
(a) Fever up to 104°F (b) Severe joint pain (c) Muscle pain (d) Headache
(e) Nausea (f) Fatigue (g) Rash

5. Protozoan Diseases
(i) Malaria
OO It is caused by a protozoan Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum).
OO P. falciparum causes the most serious and fatal malignant malaria.
OO The vector of Plasmodium is female Anopheles mosquito which transfers the sporozoites (infectious
form).
OO Treatment is by antimalarial drugs like quinine, chloroquin.
OO Malaria can be prevented by killing mosquitoes by spraying DDT, BHC, etc., and using insect
repellents, mosquito nets, etc.
Life cycle of Plasmodium
OO Plasmodium requires two hosts to complete its life cycle—human and mosquito.
OO The infected female Anopheles mosquito transfers the infectious form of Plasmodium, i.e.,
sporozoites to the human body by biting.
OO The sporozoites reach the liver cells, where they multiply.
OO This is followed by their attack on red blood cells resulting in their rupture.
OO The ruptured RBCs release a toxin called haemozoin, which is responsible for high recurring
fever, chills and shivering.
OO Sexual stages (gametocytes) develop in red blood cells, from where these parasites enter the
female Anopheles mosquitoes when they bite an infected person.
OO In the body of mosquitoes, they fertilise and multiply in the stomach wall.
OO 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.

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 Fig. 8.1 Stages in the life cycle of Plasmodium

(ii) Amoebic dysentery (Amoebiasis)

OO It is caused by a protozoan endoparasite, Entamoeba histolytica, found in large intestine of humans.
OO Housefly acts as mechanical carrier and transmits the parasite from faeces of infected person to
the food.
OO Infection takes place through food and water contaminated by faecal matter.
Symptoms
(a) Abdominal pain (b) Constipation
(c) Cramps (d) Stool with excess mucous and blood clots.

6. Fungal Diseases
Ringworm
QQ It is caused by fungi of genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton.
QQ Human infection occurs either through contact with an infected person or from soil. It also spreads
through towels, clothes, combs, etc., of the infected persons.
QQ Heat and moisture help these fungi to grow that makes them thrive in skinfolds like in groin or
between toes.

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 Symptoms
(a) Dry and scaly lesions on skin, nails and scalp.
(b) Lesions are accompanied by intense itching.

7. Helminthic Diseases
(i) Ascariasis
OO It is caused by an intestinal endoparasite of human, Ascaris lumbricoides, commonly called
roundworm.
OO Eggs of parasite are excreted along with faeces of infected person, which contaminates water, soil
and plants.
OO Infection takes place through contaminated vegetables, fruits and water.
Symptoms
(a) Abdominal pain (b) Indigestion
(c) Internal bleeding (d) Muscular pain
(e) Fever (f) Anaemia
(g) Nausea and headache (h) Blockage of the intestinal passage.

(ii) Filariasis/Elephantiasis
OO It is caused by filarial worms, Wuchereria bancrofti and
Wuchereria malayi.
OO Female Culex mosquito is the vector.
Symptoms
(a) Inflammation of organs in which they live
(b) Blockage of lymph vessels of lower limbs resulting in swelling.
Lower limbs appear like legs of elephant, thus the name.
(c) Genital organs may also be affected, leading to deformation. Fig. 8.2 Diagram showing
inflammation in one of the lower limbs
due to elephantiasis
8. Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
QQ The following measures can prevent/control the infectious diseases:
A. For diseases transmitted through food and water like typhoid, amoebiasis, ascariasis.
(i) Maintenance of personal hygiene: By keeping the body clean, consuming clean drinking
water, food, vegetables and fruits.
(ii) Maintenance of public hygiene: Proper disposal of wastes and excreta, periodic cleaning
and disinfection of water reservoirs and pools, tanks, standard practice of hygiene in public
catering.
B. For Air-borne diseases like pneumenia, common cold:
(i) Maintain personal hygiene.
(ii) Maintain public hygiene.
(iii) Close contact with infected persons or their belongings should be avoided.
C. For vector-borne diseases like malaria, filariasis dengue chikunguniya to above measures,
close contact with infected persons or their belongings should be avoided.
(i) Eradication of vectors and their breeding places.
(ii) Use of mosquito nets.
(iii) Avoid stagnation of water

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 (iv) Introduce fishes like Gambusia in ponds that feed on mosquito larvas.
(v) Spray insecticides in ditches drainage areas, swamps.
(vi) Wire mesh at doors and windows to prevent entry of mosquitoes.
D. Vaccination and immunisation programmes for diseases like polio, diphtheria, tetanus, etc.
E. Use of antibiotics and drugs to treat the infected person.

9. Immunity
QQ It is the ability of an organism to resist or defend itself from the development of a disease.

(i) Innate immunity

OO It is present from the birth and is inherited from parents.
OO It is non-specific type of defence.
OO It is accomplished by providing different types of barriers to entry of foreign agents 4 types of
barriers are:
(a) Physical barriers
These barriers do not allow pathogens and foreign agents to enter the body, e.g., skin, mucous
membranes of digestive, respiratory and urinogenital tracts trapping microorganisms.
(b) Physiological barriers
Sweat, tears from eyes, acid in the stomach and saliva in mouth prevent microbial growth.
(c) Cellular barriers

WBCs (polymorphonuclear leukocytes PMNL-neutrophils), and monocytes (natural killer
lymphocytes) and macrophages phagocytose and destroy microbes.
(d) Cytokine barriers
Proteins called interferons produced by virus-infected cells protect non-infected cells from further
viral infection.

(ii) Acquired immunity

OO It is not present from the birth and develops during an individual’s lifetime.
OO It is pathogen specific.
OO It has the ability to distinguish diverse types of foreign molecules or antigens (specificity).
OO When the immune system encounters a pathogen for the first time, a primary response is
produced which is of low intensity. The memory of this encounter with the same pathogen is also
formed. On subsequent encounter with the same pathogen, a secondary or anamnestic response
is produced which is of very high intensity because of memory of first encounter.
OO Immune responses are produced by two types of lymphocytes:

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 (a) B-lymphocytes or B-cells produce an army of proteins called antibodies in blood, in response
to pathogens.
(b) T-lymphocytes or T-cells help B-cells to produce antibodies.
OO Two types of acquired immune responses or immunities develop in the body:
(a) Humoral immune response or antibody mediated immunity (AMI): It is mediated by
antibodies in the blood and lymph (humor).
(b) Cell-mediated immune response or cell-mediated immunity (CMI): It is mediated by
T-lymphocytes. It is responsible for graft rejection in organ transplant because of its ability
to differentiate between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’. Tissue matching, blood group matching are
thus essential before any graft/transplant and even after this, patients are given immune-
suppressant all their lives.
Table 8.3: Differences between active and passive immunity
S. No. Active immunity Passive immunity
(i) It is developed due to contact with pathogen It is developed when readymade antibodies are
(dead or living) or its antigen, that leads to injected into the body to protect body against
production of antibodies in the host body. foreign agents.
(ii) It has no or only few side effects. It may cause a reaction.
(iii) It is slow but long lasting. It is fast but lasts only for few days.
(iv) It takes time to develop its response. It is used when the immune response has to be
faster.
(v) For example, vaccination for polio, etc. For example, administration of tetanus
antitoxins, antibodies in colostrum, etc.
(vi) Injecting microbes deliberately during Foetus receives some antibodies from their
immunisation or infections organisms entering mother through placenta during pregnancy,
body induce active immunity. which induce passive immunity.

10. Antibodies
QQ Antibodies are protein molecules called
immunoglobulins (Ig) and are of 4 types—
IgA, IgM, IgE and IgG.
QQ An antibody has a Y-shaped structure.
QQ Each antibody molecule consists of four
polypeptide chains, two are long called heavy
(H) chains while the other two are short
called light (L) chains. Hence, an antibody is
represented as H2L2.
QQ IgG is the most prevalent antibody in the
blood followed by IgA and IgM.
QQ IgA is present in breast milk (colostrum).

Fig. 8.3 Structure of an antibody molecule

11. Vaccination and Immunisation

QQ Vaccination is the process of introduction of weakened or inactivated pathogens or proteins (vaccine)
into a person to provide protection against a disease.
QQ Vaccines are weakened or inactivated pathogens or proteins introduced into a person to provide
protection against a disease.

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QQ Immunisation is the process by which the body produces antibodies against the vaccine (primary
response) and develops the ability to neutralise pathogens during actual infection (secondary response).
QQ Vaccination provides immunisation after a time gap.
QQ Vaccination and immunisation are based on the property called ‘Memory’ of the immune system.
QQ The vaccine generates memory B- and T-cells that recognise the pathogen on subsequent exposure
and produce an intense immune response.
QQ If a quick immune response is needed, as in tetanus infection or snake bite, preformed antibodies or
antitoxin is injected into the patient. This type of immunisation is called passive immunisation.
QQ By recombinant DNA technology, vaccines have been produced on large scale, e.g., hepatitis-B
vaccine is produced from yeast.

12. Allergy
QQ The exaggerated or hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to certain antigens present in the
environment is called allergy.
QQ The substances/agents which produce an immune response in an individual are called allergens,
e.g., pollen grains, animal dander, dust, feathers, drugs like penicillin, etc.
QQ IgE antibodies are produced in response to allergens.
QQ Cause: Chemicals like histamine and serotonin released from the mast cells.
QQ Symptoms: (i) Sneezing (ii) Watery eyes (iii) Running nose (iv) Difficulty in breathing.
QQ Drugs like anti-histamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy.
QQ To determine cause of allergy, patient is injected with very small doses of suspected allergens and the
reactions are studied.
QQ Modern day lifestyle has lowered immunity and increased sensitivity to allergens.

13. Auto Immunity

QQ 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, hence body attacks self cells thus damaging the body.
QQ For example, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s disease.

14. Immune System

QQ Components of immune system:
OO Lymphoid organs

OO Immune cells

OO Soluble molecules like antibodies

OO Lymphoid tissues

Primary lymphoid organs Secondary lymphoid organs

(i) Primary lymphoid organs

OO The organs where lymphocytes originate and mature to become antigen-sensitive, e.g., bone
marrow and thymus, are called primary lymphoid organs where immature lymphocytes
differentiate into antigen sensitive lymphocytes.

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 (a) Bone marrow
OO It is the primary lymphoid organ where all blood cells including lymphocytes originate.
OO Bone marrow provides the micro-environment for the development and maturation of
B-lymphocytes.
(b) Thymus
OO Thymus is a lobed organ located near the heart and beneath the breastbone.
OO It is quite large at the time of birth but reduces with age.
OO It provides the micro-environment for the development and maturation of T-lymphocytes.

(ii) Secondary lymphoid organs

OO After maturation, lymphocytes migrate to secondary lymphoid organs.
OO The organs where lymphocytes interact with the antigen and proliferate to become effector cells,
e.g., spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer’s patches of small intestine and appendix are called
secondary lymphoid organs.
(a) Spleen
OO It is a large bean-shaped organ and contains lymphocytes and phagocytes.
OO It acts as a filter of the blood by trapping blood-borne microorganisms.
OO It has a large reservoir of erythrocytes.
(b) Lymph nodes
OO These are small solid structures present at different points along the lymphatic system.
OO They trap the microorganisms or other antigens that enter the lymph and tissue fluid.
OO Antigens trapped in the lymph nodes activate the lymphocytes and produce an immune response.
(c) Mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
OO It is formed of masses of lymphoid tissue lining the mucosa of respiratory, digestive and
urinogenital tracts.
OO 50 per cent of the lymphoid tissue in human body is formed by MALT.

15. Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

QQ It was first reported in U.S.A. in 1981 and in last 25 years, it has killed more than 25 million people.
QQ It is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
OO HIV belongs to the group retrovirus.
OO It has RNA genome enclosed in an envelope.
QQ 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.
QQ 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.

High risk individuals

(i) Those having multiple sexual partners.
(ii) Drug addicts taking the drugs intravenously.
(iii) Individuals who require repeated blood transfusions.
(iv) Children born to an HIV infected mother.

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QQ Diagnosis is done by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
QQ Incubation Period: Time gap between infection and appearance of AIDS symptoms is called the
incubation period. It may vary from few months to 5–10 years.

Life cycle of HIV

OO After getting into the body of a person, the virus enters the macrophages.
OO Here, RNA is replicated to form viral DNA by enzyme reverse transcriptase.
OO The viral DNA now gets incorporated into the host cell’s DNA and directs the infected cells to
produce viruses.
OO The macrophages continue to produce virus particles and hence act like HIV factory.
OO The virus particles enter helper T-lymphocytes (TH cells) in the blood, where they continue to
replicate and produce viral progenies.
OO Thus, the number of helper T-lymphocytes progressively decreases in the body of the infected
persons.

Fig. 8.4 Replication of retrovirus

OO With the decrease in number of T-cells, the immunity also decreases. The person is unable to
produce any immune response even against common bacteria like Mycobacterium, parasites like
Toxoplasma, viruses and fungi.
OO Infected cells can survive while viruses are being replicated and released.
Treatment
QQ There is no permanent cure for HIV.
QQ Anti-retroviral drugs: They can only prolong life of patient but cannot prevent death.

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 Preventive measures
QQ As no cure is there so prevenntion is best option. As it spreads due to conscious behaviour so
prevention is easy.
QQ National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) established in 1991 and other non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) educate people about AIDS.
QQ WHO has started a number of programmes to prevent the spreading of HIV infection that includes:
(i) making blood from blood banks safe from HIV.
(ii) ensuring the use of only disposable needles and syringes.
(iii) free distribution of condoms.
(iv) controlling drug abuse.
(v) advocating safe sex and promoting regular check-ups for HIV susceptible populations.

16. Cancer
QQ Cancer is defined as an uncontrolled division or proliferation of cells without any differentiation.
QQ Characteristics of cancer cells:
(i) The cells divide repeatedly with uncontrolled cell division.
(ii) The cancer cells do not require extracellular growth factors.
(iii) Cancer cells have lost the property of contact inhibition.
(iv) Due to repeated division, cells form a large mass of tissue called tumour.
(v) The cells pass out from the tumour to new sites for forming secondary tumours.
(vi) The invasion of cancerous cells from one part to the other parts by body fluid is called metastasis.
(vii) Tumours are of two types—benign and malignant.
Table 8.4: Differences between benign and malignant tumours
S. No. Benign tumour Malignant tumour
(i) It is a non-cancerous tumour. It is a cancerous tumour.
(ii) Benign tumour does not show metastasis and is It shows metastasis and thus invades other
non-invasive. body parts.
(iii) It stops growth after reaching a certain size. Malignant tumour shows indefinite growth as
proliferating cells, called Neoplastic or tumor
cells, grow rapidly, invade and damage other
tissues.
(iv) Limited adherence occurs amongst cells of There is no adherence amongst cells. They tend
benign tumour. to slip past one another.
(v) It is less fatal to the body. It is more fatal to the body.

QQ Oncogenic viruses have cancer-causing viral oncogenes.

QQ Normal cells have genes called cellular oncogenes (c-onc) or proto-oncogenes, which are present
in inactivated state but under certain conditions (like mutation) get transformed to cancer-causing
oncogenes.

(i) Causes of cancer

OO The cancer-causing agents are called carcinogens. These are of following types:
(a) Chemical agents: Aniline dyes, N-nitrosodimethylamine, benzopyrene, chemicals in cigarette
smoke.
(b) Physical agents: Ionising radiations like X-rays and γ-rays, non-ionising radiations like UV-rays,
damage DNA causing neoplastic transformation.
(c) Biological agents: Oncogenic viruses, some parasites.

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 (ii) Types of cancer
(a) Carcinoma: It is cancer of epithelial tissue, e.g., skin cancer.
(b) Melanoma: It is cancer of melanocytes of skin.
(c) Sarcoma: It is cancer of mesodermal tissue.
(d) Leukemia and lymphoma: It is cancer of haemopoietic cells (blood cells).

(iii) Cancer detection

(a) Blood and bone marrow tests are done for increased cell count in case of leukemia.
(b) Histopathological study or biopsy: In biopsy, a piece of the suspected tissue cut into thin
sections is stained and examined under microscope by a pathologist.
(c) Radiography: X-rays are used to detect cancer of the internal organs.
(d) Computed tomography: It uses X-rays to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal of
an object.
(e) MRI (Magnetic Resonance imaging): Non-ionising radiation and strong magnetic field are
used in MRI to accurately detect pathological and physiological changes in the living tissue.
(f) Monoclonal antibodies: Antibodies against cancer-specific antigens are also used for detection
of certain cancers.
(g) Techniques in molecular biology: Used to detect genes in individuals with inherited susceptibility
to certain cancers. Identification of such genes can help in prevention by advising to avoid
exposure to particular carcinogen to which they are susceptible like tobacco smoke for lung cancer.
(iv) Cancer treatment
OO The common approaches for treatment of cancer are:
(a) Surgery: The tumour cells are removed with the help of surgery to check the spread of cancerous
cells.
(b) Radiation therapy: A lethal irradiation of tumour cell is done, taking proper care of the normal
tissues surrounding the tumour mass.
(c) Chemotherapy: Cancerous cells are killed by several chemotherapeutic drugs. These drugs
exhibit side-effects like hair loss, anaemia.
(d) Immunotherapy: In this method, biological modifiers like α-interferons are used which
activate the immune system and help in destroying the tumour as tumor cells avoid detection
and destruction by immune system. Majority of treatments require combination of surgery,
radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

17. Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

QQ When drugs and alcohol are taken for purposes other than medicinal or taken in amounts or
frequencies that impairs physical, physiological or psychological functions, it is called drug abuse
and alcohol abuse, respectively.
QQ Drugs belong to different categories which are as follows.

(i) Opioids
OO Heroin is a depressant and slows down body functions.
OO Source: Morphine is extracted from the latex of poppy
plant Papaver somniferum. Heroin is obtained by acetylation
of morphine, is a white, odourless, bitter, crystalline
compound; commonly called smack.
OO Mode of intake: By snorting and injection.
OO Mode of action: They bind to specific opioid receptors in Fig. 8.5. Chemical structure of morphine
the central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal tract.

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 OO Effects: Heroin is a depressant and slows down body functions. Morphine is an effective sedative
and painkiller useful in patients who have undergone surgery.

(ii) Cannabinoids
OO Source: Obtained from inflorescence of the plant OH
Cannabis sativa. Flower tops, leaves and resins
of C. sativa in various combinations produce
hashish, charas, marijuana and ganja.
OO Mode of intake: By inhalation and oral ingestion.
O
OO Mode of action: They interact with the cannabinoid H
receptors present in the brain.
OO Effects: Effect the cardiovascular system of the body. Fig. 8.6. Skeletal structure of cannabinoid molecule

(iii) Coca alkaloid or cocaine

OO Source: Derived from the leaves and young branches of South American plant called Erythroxylum
coca (coca plant). Cocaine is commonly called coke or crack.
OO Mode of intake: By sniffing and snorting.
OO Mode of action: It has a potent stimulating action on central nervous system and interferes with
the transport of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
OO Effect: It is a strong stimulant of CNS and produces sense of euphoria and increased energy.
When taken in excess it causes headache, convulsions, hallucinations and even death due to
cardiovascular or respiratory failure.

(iv) Hallucinogens
OO Source: Obtained from plants like Atropa belladona and Datura sps. Lysergic acid diethyl amide
(LSD) is derived from the fungus Claviceps purperea. Plants with hallucinogenic properties have
even been used as medicines in religious ceremonies and rituals.
OO Mode of action: These drugs are called psychedelic drugs because of their effects on the cerebrum
and sense organs.
OO Effect: These drugs effect thoughts, feelings and perceptions of an individual. Medically these
are given to patients to cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia.

(v) Tobacco
OO Source: Tobacco plant.
OO Mode of intake: It is smoked, chewed or used as a snuff.
OO Mode of action: It has nicotine, an alkaloid, which stimulates the adrenal gland to release
adrenaline and noradrenaline which in turn increases the blood pressure and heart rate.
OO Effects:
(a) Smoking increases the chances of lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, coronary heart
disease, cancer of throat, gastric ulcer, cancer of urinary bladder, etc.
(b) Smoking leads to increase in carbon monoxide content of blood and reduces concentration
of haem-bound oxygen, as a result of which oxygen deficiency in the body is created.
(c) Chewing of tobacco causes oral cancer which becomes fatal in extreme conditions.

(vi) Alcohol
OO Mode of intake: Oral intake.
OO Mode of action: Alcohol has an anaesthetic effect on nervous system affecting cerebrum,
cerebellum and other parts.
OO Effect: It may cause euphoria, peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma, hepatitis, liver failure, liver cell
carcinoma.

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18. Addiction and Dependence
QQ The psychological attachment to certain effects such as euphoria and temporary feeling of well-being,
associated with drugs and alcohol is called addiction.
QQ People take drugs/alcohol when not needed, but with repeated use, tolerance level of receptions in
body increases; receptors thus respond to higher doses, leadinng to greater intake and addition.
QQ Reasons for alcohol abuse in adolescents:
(i) Social pressure.
(ii) Curiosity and need for adventure, excitement and experiment.
(iii) To escape from stress, depression and frustration.
(iv) To overcome hardships of daily life.
(v) Unstable or unsupportive family structure.
(vi) Effects might be perceived as beneficial for relieving stress
(vii) Perception that it is cool or progressive to smoke and consume alcohol. TV, movies, internet,
newspapers promote this perception.
(viii) Pressure to excel in academics or exams.
QQ The tendency of the body to manifest characteristic and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome on abrupt
discontinuation of regular dose of drugs/alcohol is called dependence.
QQ Characteristics of withdrawal symptoms:
(i) Anxiety    (ii) Shakiness
(iii) Nausea (iv) Sweating
(v) Vomiting (vi) Diarrhoea
  (vii) Insomnia (viii) Muscular and abdominal cramps
(ix) Restlessness (x) Depressed mood
(xi) Irritability
Withdrawal symptoms are at peak after 1–2 days of stopping the intake and slowly fade away. They
mostly disappear 3–4 weeks after abstinence.

19. Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

QQ Alcohol has an anaesthetic effect on nervous system, affecting cerebrum followed by cerebellum and
other parts.
QQ It affects the nervous system in following ways:
(i) Loss of judgement, will power and self control.
(ii) Loss of emotional control.
(iii) Loss of moral sense.
(iv) Visual problem.
(v) Staggering and incoherent speech.
(vi) Inflammation of axon of neuron leading to neuritis.
QQ Side-effects of drugs on males: Acne, aggressiveness, reduction in size of testicles, decreased sperm
production, premature baldness, enlargement of prostate gland, mood swings, depression, breast
enlargement, potential for kidney and liver dysfunction.
QQ Side-effects of drugs on females: Masculinisation, aggressiveness, mood swings, depression, abnormal
menstrual cycles, enlargement of clitoris and excessive facial and body hair; deapening of voice.
QQ Warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse:
(i) Drop in academic performance.
(ii) Absence from school/college.

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 (iii) Lack of interest in personal hygiene.
(iv) Isolation, depression, fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour.
(v) Deteriorating relationships with family and friends.
(vi) Fluctuation in weight, etc.
(vii) Loss of interest in hobbies.
(viii) Change in eating and sleeping habits and appetite.
QQ Those who take drugs intravenously develop a risk of AIDS and hepatitis-B.
QQ Use of alcohol during adolescence may lead to heavy drinking in adulthood.
QQ The chronic use of drug and alcohol damages nervous system and liver (cirrhosis) and the alcoholism
during pregnancy affects the foetus.
QQ May turn to stealing to get money for buying drugs/Alcohol.
QQ Becomes cause of mental and financial distress to one’s family.
QQ May manifest reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.

20. Prevention and Control

QQ Avoid undue pressure: Every child has his own choice and personality and hence should be respected
and nurtured accordingly. They should not be forced to perform beyond their threshold limits, be in
sports or studies, etc.
QQ Educating and counselling: Children should be educated and counselled to face problems, stresses,
to accept disappointments and features as part of life. We shold put in efforts to channellise child’s
energy into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga etc.
QQ Seeking help from parents and peers: Parents and friends can guide appropriately to sort out their
problems and can thus help the youth to vent out their feelings of anxiety and guilt.
QQ Looking for danger signs: Parents and teachers should be careful enough to look for and identify the
danger signs and if there, it should be brought to the notice of parents so that appropriate measures
can be taken to diagnose the malody and underlying causes. This would help in initiating proper
remedial steps and measures.
QQ Seeking professional and medical help whenever required. Help from psychologist, psychiatrists,
deaddiction and rehabilitation programmes and with sufficient will power, one can get rid of problem
completely.

NCERT Textbook Questions

Q. 1. What are the various public health measures which you would suggest as safeguard against
infectious disease?
Ans. The common preventive measures are as follows:
(i) Education: People should be educated about communicable diseases to protect themselves
from such diseases.
(ii) Isolation: The infected person should be isolated to minimise the spread of infection.
(iii) Vaccination: People should get vaccination on time to avoid infection.
(iv) Sanitation: The sanitation condition should be improved to avoid infection from polluted
water, contaminated food, etc.
(v) Eradication of vectors: The breeding places of vectors should be destroyed and adult vectors
should be killed by suitable methods.
(vi) Sterilisation: The patient’s surroundings and articles of use should be completely sterilised
so as to reduce the chances of infection.

Human Health and Diseases 307

Q. 2. In which way has the study of biology helped us to control infectious diseases?
Ans. Study of biology helps us to diagnose the pathogen in following ways:
(i) The life cycle of many pathogens is studied.
(ii) Alternate and reservoir hosts are known.
(iii) The mechanisms of transmission of disease is known.
(iv) The protective measures are suggested against disease and pathogen based on above studies.
(v) Suitable medicines against infectious diseases are suggested.
(vi) The preparation of vaccines against many pathogens also entitle the use of study of biology.
Q. 3. How does the transmission of each of following diseases take place?
(a) Amoebiasis (b) Malaria
(c) Ascariasis (d) Pneumonia.
Ans. (a) Amoebiosis
Caused by Entamoeba histolytica (Protozoan parasite).
Transmission:
(i) By ingesting cysts with food and water.
(ii) The cysts are carried by flies from faeces to food and drinks.
(b) Malaria
Caused by Plasmodium sps.
Transmission:
(i) Transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito.
(ii) Female Anopheles injects sporozoites along with saliva while sucking blood.
(c) Ascariasis
Caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. Is transmitted through contaminated food and water with
Ascaris eggs.
(d) Pneumonia
Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Transmission is through sputum, droplets or aerosols of
the patient.
Q. 4. What measures would you take to prevent water-borne diseases?
Ans. Measures to prevent water-borne diseases are:
(i) Use clean drinking water.
(ii) Periodic cleaning and disinfection of water reservoirs, pools and tanks.
(iii) Proper sanitary conditions.
(iv) Prevention of passage of garbage and sewage into water reservoirs.
Q. 5. Discuss with your teacher what does ‘a suitable gene’ mean, in the context of DNA vaccines.
Ans. The term ‘suitable gene’ refers to that specific segment of DNA which forms immunogenic protein.
Such genes can be cloned and then integrated with vector for introducing into an individual to be
immunised for certain disorder producing a particular vaccine against the pathogen.
Q. 6. Name the primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
Ans. Primary lymphoid organs are bone marrow and thymus. Secondary lymphoid organs are spleen,
lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer’s patches of small intestine and appendix.
Q. 7. The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter.
Expand each one to its full form:
(a) MALT (b) CMI (c) AIDS (d) NACO (e) HIV
Ans. (a) MALT—Mucosal associated lymphoid tissues.
(b) CMI—Cell-mediated immunity.
(c) AIDS—Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
(d) NACO—National AIDS Control Organisation.
(e) HIV—Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

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 Q. 8. Differentiate the following and give examples of each:
(a) Innate and acquired immunity
(b) Active and passive immunity
Ans. (a) Table 8.5: Differences between innate and acquired immunity
S. No. Innate immunity Acquired immunity
(i) It is present from birth and is inherited from It is not present from the birth.
parents.
(ii) It is non-specific. It is pathogen specific.
(iii) The various physical, physiological, cellular, The memory cells formed by B and T-cells
cytokine barriers are the basis of innate are the basis of acquired immunity.
immunity.
(iv) The innate immunity remains throughout The acquired immunity can be short-lived
life. or life long.

(b) Active and passive immunity: Refer to Table 8.1.

Q. 9. Draw a well labelled diagram of an antibody molecule.
Ans. Refer to Fig. 8.3.
Q. 10. What are the various routes by which transmission of human immunodeficiency virus takes place?
Ans. Various routes by which transmission of HIV takes place:
(i) Transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products.
(ii) By sharing infected needles in case of intravenous drug abusers.
(iii) Sexual contact with an infected person.
(iv) From mother to child through placenta.
Q. 11. What is the mechanism by which the AIDS virus causes deficiency in the immune system of
the infected person?
Ans. The virus enters macrophages after getting into the body of individual where RNA forms viral
DNA by reverse transcription. The viral DNA gets incorporated in the host cell’s DNA and directs
the infected cells to produce viral copies. The newly produced virus particles attack helper T-cells
and thus the number of T-cells decrease. Since the helper T-cells are essential for functioning of
immune system, the person suffers from various diseases due to deficient immune system.
Q. 12. How is a cancerous cell different from a normal cell?
Ans. (i) There is no adherence in cancerous cell whereas normal cells remain adhered to one another.
(ii) Tumour is formed in cancerous cells due to repeated uncontrolled cell division whereas it is
absent in normal cells.
(iii) Cancerous cells have no definite lifespan but normal cells have definite lifespan and old cells
are replaced by new cells.
Q. 13. Explain what is meant by metastasis.
Ans. Metastasis is the spread of cancerous cells through migration from one tissue to other tissue and
organs resulting in formation of secondary tumour. Malignant tumour is a mass of proliferating
cells called neoplastic cells. They grow rapidly and invade surrounding unaffected normal cells
or tissues. Cells get sloughed off from such tumour and migrate to distant sites through blood.
A new place of infection is thus established and a new tumour is formed. This property is called
metastasis.
Q. 14. List the harmful effects caused by alcohol/drug abuse.
Ans. The following are the harmful effects caused by alcohol/drug abuse:
(i) It affects the nervous system resulting in loss of judgement, will power and self-control,
visual problem, etc.
(ii) It may cause peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma, etc.
(iii) It may affect liver by causing hepatitis, liver failure, liver cell carcinoma, etc.

Human Health and Diseases 309

 (iv) Reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence, isolation, depression, fatigue, aggressive,
fluctuations in weight, appetite, etc.
(v) Those who take drugs intravenously are much more likely to acquire serious infections like
AIDS and hepatitis-B.
(vi) Damages nervous system and may cause liver cirrhosis.
Q. 15. Do you think that friends can influence one to take alcohol/drugs? If yes, how may one protect
himself/herself from such an influence?
Ans. Yes, friends can influence a person to take alcohol or drugs. It can be avoided by
(i) avoiding addicted friends.
(ii) avoiding experimental use of alcohol/drug just for curiosity and pressure.
Q. 16. Why is that once a person starts taking alcohol or drugs, it is difficult to get rid of this habit?
Discuss it with your teacher.
Ans. The repeated use of alcohol or drugs increases the tolerance level of the receptors present in our
body. Therefore, the receptors respond only to higher doses of alcohol or drugs. This leads to
greater intake and addiction. Addiction drives the people to consume more knowing that their
use makes them destructive. Hence, it is difficult to get rid of this habit.
Q. 17. In your view what motivates youngsters to take to alcohol or drugs and how can this be
avoided?
Ans. Reasons for alcohol abuse in children:
(i) Social pressure.
(ii) Curiosity and need for adventure, excitement and experiments.
(iii) To overcome hardships of daily life.
(iv) In order to escape from stress, depression and frustration.
(v) Unsupportive family structure.
Alcohol and drugs can be avoided by following ways:
(i) Avoiding undue peer pressure.
(ii) Educating and counselling problems and stresses to avoid disappointments and failure in life.
(iii) Seeking help from parents and peers.
(iv) Seeking professional and medical help whenever required.

Multiple Choice Questions [1mark]

Choose and write the correct option in the following questions.
1. HIV that causes AIDS, first starts destroying
(a) helper T-lymphocytes (b) B-lymphocytes
(c) leucocytes (d) thrombocytes
2. Antibodies in our body are complex
(a) glycoproteins (b) lipoproteins (c) steroids (d) prostaglandins
3. Lysozyme that is present in perspiration, saliva and tears, destroys
(a) certain types of bacteria (b) all viruses
(c) most virus-infected cells (d) certain fungi
4. Increased asthmatic attacks in certain seasons are related to
(a) eating fruits preserved in tin containers (b) inhalation of seasonal pollen
(c) low temperature (d) hot and humid environment.
5. To which type of barriers under innate immunity, do the saliva in the mouth and the tears
from the eyes, belong?
(a) Physiological barriers (b) Physical barriers (c) Cytokine barriers (d) Cellular barriers.

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 6. A person likely to develop tetanus us immunized by administering
(a) performed antibodies (b) wide spectrum antibotics
(c) weakened germs (d) dead germs.
7. The term ‘Health’ is defined in many ways. The most accurate definition of the health would
be: [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Health is the state of body and mind in a balanced condition
(b) Health is the reflection of a smiling face
(c) Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
(d) Health is the symbol of economic prosperity.
8. The clinical test that is used for diagnosis of typhoid is
(a) ELISA (b) ESR (c) PCR (d) Widal
9. Diseases are broadly grouped into infectious and non-infectious diseases. [NCERT Exemplar]
In the list given below, identify the infectious diseases.
(i) Cancer (ii) Influenza (iii) Allergy (iv) Small pox
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii) (c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (ii) and (iv)
10. The sporozoites that cause infection when a female Anopheles mosquito bites a person, are
formed in [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) liver of the person (b) RBCs of mosquito
(c) salivary glands of mosquito (d) gut of mosquito
11. Dengue in humans is caused by
(a) Viruses (b) Bacteria (c) Fungi (d) Helminthes
12. The disease chikungunya is transmitted by [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) house fly (b) Aedes mosquito (c) cockroach (d) female Anopheles
13. Many diseases can be diagnosed by observing the symptoms in the patient. Which group of
symptoms are indicative of pneumonia? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Difficulty in respiration, fever, chills, cough, headache
(b) Constipation, abdominal pain, cramps, blood clots
(c) Nasal congestion and discharge, cough, constipation, headache
(d) High fever, weakness, stomach pain, loss of appetite and constipation
14. In malignant tumors, the cells proliferate, grow rapidly and move to other parts of the body to
form new tumors. This stage of disease is called [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) metagenesis (b) metastasis (c) teratogenesis (d) mitosis
15. When an apparently healthy person is diagnosed as unhealthy by a psychiatrist, the reason
could be that [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) the patient was not efficient at his work
(b) the patient was not economically prosperous
(c) the patient shows behavioural and social maladjustment
(d) he does not take interest in sports
16. Which of the following are the reason(s) for rheumatoid arthritis? Choose the correct option.
[NCERT Exemplar]
(i) The ability to differentiate pathogens or foreign molecules from self cells increases.
(ii) Body attacks self cells
(iii) More antibodies are produced in the body
(iv) The ability to differentiate pathogens or foreign molecules from self cells is lost
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iv) (c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iii)
17. B-lymphocytes are associated with
(a) Humoral immunity (b) Inflammatory response
(c) Cell mediated immunity (d) Phagocytosis

Human Health and Diseases 311

 18. The substance produced by a cell in viral infection that can protect other cells from further
infection is [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) serotonin (b) colostrum (c) interferon (d) histamine
19. Transplantation of tissues/organs to save certain patients often fails due to rejection of
such tissues/organs by the patient. Which type of immune response is responsible for such
rejections? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Auto-immune response (b) Humoral immune response
(c) Physiological immune response (d) Cell-mediated immune response
20. Which of the following antibodies form innate immunity?
(a) IgE (b) IgD (c) IgM (d) IgG
21. Tobacco consumption is known to stimulate secretion of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. The
component causing this could be [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) nicotine (b) tannic acid (c) curamin (d) catechin
22. Which of the following is not a lymphoid tissue? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Spleen (b) Tonsils (c) Pancreas (d) Thymus
23. Which of the following glands is large sized at birth but reduces in size with ageing?
[NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Pineal (b) Pituitary (c) Thymus (d) Thyroid
24. Haemozoin is a [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) precursor of hemoglobin (b) toxin released from Streptococcus infected
cells
(c) toxin released from Plasmodium infected cells (d) toxin released from Haemophilus infected cells
25. Which of the following is not the causal organism for ringworm? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Microsporum (b) Trichophyton (c) Epidermophyton (d) Macrosporum
26. LSD is obtained from
(a) Erythroxylum coca (b) Cannabis sativa (c) Claviceps purpurea (d) Papaver somniferum

Answers
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (d)
11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (a) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (c) 19. (d) 20. (d)
21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (c) 24. (c) 25. (d) 26. (c)

Assertion-Reason Questions
In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given. Choose
the correct answer out of the following choices.
(a) Assertion and reason both are correct statements and reason is correct explanation for assertion.
(b) Assertion and reason both are correct statements but reason is not correct explanation for
assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
(d) Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement.
1. Assertion : Interferons are glycoproteins which are produced by virally infected cells.
Reason : Interferons stimulate inflammation at the site of injury.
2. Assertion : Tapeworm, roundworm and pinworm are endoparasites of human intestine.
Reason : Improperly cooked food is the source of intestinal infections.
3. Assertion : Dope test is blood test to know whether a person taking part in a competition used
and drug.
Reason : A drunken person usually feels tense and less talkative.

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 4. Assertion : Mast cells in the human body release excessive amounts of inflammatory chemicals,
which cause allergic reactions.
Reason : Allergens in the environment on reaching human body stimulate mast cells in
certain individuals.
5. Assertion : Second infection of the same pathogen is quickly eliminated.
Reason : Preformed memory B and T-cells elicit a quick and vigorous attack on pathogens.
6. Assertion : Immunisation is done by successful delivery of vaccines.
Reason : Vaccines are microbial preparations used to induce protective immunity.
7. Assertion : Proto-oncogenes are cellular genes required for normal growth.
Reason : Under certain conditions they lead to the oncogenic transformation of the cell.
8. Assertion : Morphine is useful for patients under depression.
Reason : Morphine is a very effective sedative painkiller.
9. Assertion : Tobacco contains nicotine which stimulates the adrenal gland.
Reason : Nicotine increases the blood pressure and the heart rate.
10. Assertion : Opioids help to enhance respiratory activity.
Reason : Opioids bind to the receptors in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

Answers
1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (d)

Case-based/Source-based Question
1. Study the diagram showing replication of HIV in humans and answer the following questions
accordingly:

Human Health and Diseases 313
 (i) What type of virus causes AIDS? Name its genetic material.
(ii) Name the enzyme ‘B’ acting on ‘X’ to produce molecule ‘C’. Name ‘C’.
(iii) Name the type of cells the AIDS virus enters into after getting in the human body.
Ans. (i) Retrovirus causes AIDS. RNA is its genetic material.
(ii) The enzyme ‘B’ is reverse transcriptase, ‘C’ is viral DNA.
(iii) Monocytes and helper T-lymphocytes.
2. Study the figures given below and answer the questions that follow.
(i) Identify (a) and (b) in the diagram of an antibody molecule given below.

a
b

(ii) Name the type of cells that produce this molecule.

(iii) Why is an antibody represented as ‘H2L2’ ?
Ans. (i) (a) Antigen binding site (b) Heavy chain
(ii) B-lymphocytes (B-cells).
(iii) Each antibody molecule has four polypeptide chains. The two smaller chains are called
light chains while the two longer chains are called heavy chains. Therefore an antibody is
represented as H2L2.
3. Given below is the structure of an antibody.

(i) A boy of ten years had chicken pox. He is not expected to have the same disease for the rest
of his life. Mention how it is possible.
(ii) Why is secondary immune response more intense than the primary immune response in
humans?
(iii) Some allergens trigger sneezing and wheezing in human beings. What causes this type of
response by the body?

314
 (i) The boy when encounters a pathogen for the first time, his body produces antibodies that
Ans.
results in the memory of the first encounter, to protect the body in future.
(ii) This is because of presence of antibodies developed during primary.
(iii) The exaggerated response of the immune systems to certain antigens (allergens) present in

the environment is the cause of this type of response.
4. Study the figures given below and answer the questions that follow.
OH

O
H

(i) Why do sports persons often fall a victim to cocaine addiction?

(ii) Why sharing of injection needles between two individuals is not recommended?
(ii) Mention the useful as well as the harmful drug obtained from the latex of Poppy plant.
Ans. (i) Plant source of cocaine is Erythroxylum coca. It has a potent stimulating action on central
nervous system, producing a sense of euphoria and increased energy. Excessive dosage of
cocaine causes hallucinations.
(ii) Sharing of needles can transmit diseases like HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B or C from infected to

non-infected individuals.
(ii) Useful drug—morphine, Harmful drug—heroin.

5. Observe the life cycle of HIV given in the diagram in Q. 1 above, and answer the questions
below.
(i) Retroviruses have no DNA. However, the DNA of the infected host cell does possess viral
DNA. How is it possible?
(ii) Name the group of viruses responsible for causing AIDS in humans. Why are these viruses
so named?
(iii) List any two ways of transmission of HIV infection in humans, other than sexual contact.
Ans. (i) On infecting the host cell, the viral RNA transforms into viral DNA by reverse transcription.
This viral DNA then incorporates into the host DNA.
(ii) Retrovirus cause AIDS in humans. These are named so because they have RNA genome and

reverse transcriptase enzyme which carries on the processes RNA → DNA → RNA.
(iii) Infected blood transfusion, sharing syringes/needles, children born to HIV mothers.

Very Short Answer Questions [1 mark]

Q. 1. Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia and amoebiasis are some of the human infectious diseases.
Which ones of these are transmitted through mechanical carriers? [CBSE (F) 2011]
Ans. Malaria and amoebiasis are transmitted through mechanical carriers.
Q. 2. Name the two intermediate hosts which the human liver fluke depends on to complete its life
cycle so as to facilitate parasitization of its primary host. [CBSE Delhi 2014]
Ans. Snail and Fish
Q. 3. Why is Gambusia introduced into drains and ponds? [CBSE (AI) 2014]
Ans. To feed on mosquito larvae so as to eliminate the vectors responsible for causing malaria.

Human Health and Diseases 315

 Q. 4. How does haemozoin affect the human body when released in blood during malarial
infection? [CBSE (F) 2014]
Ans. Haemozoin is responsible for the chill and high fever recurring every three to four days during
malarial infection
Q. 5. State two different roles of spleen in the human body. [CBSE (AI) 2012]
Ans. Spleen is the secondary lymphoid organ that stores lymphocytes, it filters microbes and acts as a
reservoir to store erythrocytes (Any two).
Q. 6. Name any two physiological barriers that provide innate immunity? [CBSE 2019 (57/2/1)]
Ans. Acid in stomach/saliva in mouth/tears in eyes. (Any two)
Q. 7. What is it that prevents a child to suffer from a disease he/she is vaccinated against? Give one
reason. [CBSE Delhi 2010]
Ans. The immunological memory induced by the vaccine in a child prevents the recurrence of a disease.
Q. 8. How does colostrum provide initial protection against diseases to new born infants? Give one
reason.
Ans. Colostrum contains several antibodies which are absolutely essential for developing resistance in
the new-born babies.
Q. 9. Name two diseases whose spread can be controlled by the eradication of Aedes mosquitoes.
[CBSE Delhi 2018]
Ans. Dengue/Chikungunya/yellow fever/Eastern equine encephalitis/West Nile fever/Zika virus
disease. (Any two)
Q. 10. What are interferons?
Ans. Virus infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from
further viral infection.
Q. 11. “Pranay suffered from measles at the age of 10 years. There are rare chances of his getting
infected with the same disease for the rest of his life.” Give reason for the statement.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2014]
Ans. First exposure to the infection works as vaccination, the immune system of the body gets familiar
with the nature of microorganisms and specific antibodies can be produced against infection.
Q. 12. In what way are monocytes a cellular barrier in immunity?
Ans. Monocytes can phagocytose (by the process called phagocytosis) and thereby destroy the pathogens.
Q. 13. High fever, loss of appetite, stomach pain and constipation are some of the symptoms seen in
a patient. How would the doctor confirm that the patient is suffering from typhoid and not
amoebiasis?
Ans. By performing Widal test.
Q. 14. Millions of chickens were killed in West Bengal, Orissa and Maharashtra recently. What was
the reason? [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. 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.
Q. 15. Why do pollen grains of some flowers trigger ‘sneezing’ in some people? [CBSE (F) 2012]
Ans. Pollen grains trigger sneezing by causing allergic reaction.
Q. 16. How do interferons protect us? [CBSE (AI) 2012; 2019 (54/4/1)] [HOTS]
Ans. Interferons protect non-infected cells from further viral infections, by creating cytokine barriers.
Q. 17. When does a human body elicit an anamnestic response? [CBSE (AI) 2013]
Ans. At the time of secondary response.
Q. 18. State the functions of mast cells in allergy response. [CBSE (F) 2013; 2019 (54/4/1)]
Ans. Mast cells release chemicals like histamine and serotonin in allergic response.
Q. 19. What is an autoimmune disease? Give an example. [CBSE (F) 2014]
Ans. 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.

316
Q. 20. Name two STDs which can be transmitted through contaminated blood.
Ans. Hepatitis-B and AIDS are the two STDs which can be transmitted through contaminated blood.
Q. 21. Name the category of the disease: Rheumatoid arthritis. [CBSE (F) 2012]
Ans. Auto-immune disease.

Short Answer Questions [2 marks]

Q. 1. Define the term ‘health’. Mention any two ways of maintaining it. [CBSE (AI) 2010]
Ans. 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)
Q. 2. List the symptoms of ascariasis. How does a healthy person acquire this infection?
[CBSE (AI) 2014]
Ans. Symptoms of ascariasis: Internal bleeding, muscular pain, anaemia, blockage of intestinal passage.
A healthy person can acquire this infection by intake of water, vegetables/fruits/foods
contaminated with eggs of the parasite.
Q. 3. Name the causative organism of the disease amoebiasis. List three symptoms of the disease.
[CBSE Delhi 2016]
Ans. Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebiasis.
Symptoms are constipation, abdominal pain/cramps, stool with excess mucous/blood clots.
Q. 4. Write the scientific names of the causal organisms of elephantiasis and ringworm in humans.
Mention the body parts affected by them. [CBSE Delhi 2011]
Ans.
Disease Causal Organism Body parts affected
Elephantiasis Wuchereria bancrofti and Wuchereria malayi. Lymph vessels of lower limbs and
genital organs.
Ringworm Microsporum, Trichophyton and Skin, nails and scalp.
Epidermophyton

Q. 5. Identify a, b, c and d in the following table: [CBSE (F) 2010]

S. No. Name of the human Name of the causal Specific organ or
disease bacteria/virus its part affected

(i) Typhoid Salmonella typhi a

(ii) Common cold b c

(iii) Pneumonia Streptococcus pneumoniae d

Ans. (a) small intestine (b) Rhino virus

(c) nose and respiratory passage (d) alveoli of lungs
Q. 6. Write the biological (binomial) names of causal organisms of the following diseases:
(a) Typhoid (b) Pneumonia [CBSE Sample Paper 2014]
Ans. (a) Salmonella typhi
  (b) Streptococcus pneumoniae
Q. 7. Write the biological (binomial) names of causal organisms of the following diseases:
(a) Elephantiatis (Filariasis) (b) Amoebiasis [CBSE Sample Paper 2014]
Ans. (a) Wuchereria bancrofti and Wuchereria malayi
(b) Entamoeba histolytica

Human Health and Diseases 317

 Q. 8. Name the host and the site where the following occur in the life-cycle of a malarial parasite:
(a) Formation of gametocytes]
(b) Fusion of gametocytes [CBSE Delhi 2010]
Ans.
Host Site of occurrence
(a) Formation of gametocytes Human Red blood cells
(b) Fusion of gametocytes Anopheles mosquito Intestine

Q. 9. 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. [CBSE (AI) 2010] [HOTS]
OR
Why is a person with cuts and bruises following an accident administered tetanus antitoxin?
Give reasons. [CBSE (AI) 2013] [HOTS]
Ans. 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.
Q. 10. A student on a school trip started sneezing and wheezing soon after reaching the hill station
for no explained reasons. But, on return to the plains, the symptoms disappeared. What is such
a response called? How does the body produce it? [CBSE Delhi 2013] [HOTS]
Ans. Such a response is called allergic reaction or allergy. On exposure to allergens like dust, pollens,
etc., chemicals like histamine and serotonin are released from the mast cells, resulting in an
allergic response.
Q. 11. A young boy when brought a pet dog home started to complain of watery eyes and running
nose. The symptoms disappeared when the boy was kept away from the pet.
(a) Name the type of antibody and the chemicals responsible for such a response in the boy.
(b) Mention the name of any one drug that could be given to the boy for immediate relief from
such a response. [CBSE Delhi 2013] [HOTS]
Ans. (a) Antibody: IgE; chemicals: Histamine and serotonin
(b) Drugs: Antihistamine, adrenalin, steroids. (Any one)
Q. 12. Name and explain the two types of immune responses in humans. [CBSE (AI) 2012]
Ans. The two types of immunity are active immunity and passive immunity.
Active immunity: Immunity developed in the host body due to production of antibodies in
response to antigens.
Passive immunity: When ready-made antibodies are directly given to protect the body against
foreign agents.
OR
The two types of immunity are humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity.
Humoral immunity: Immune responses given by antibodies found in the blood.
Cell-mediated immunity: Activation of T-lymphocytes mediate this immunity.
OR
The two types of immunity are primary immunity and secondary immunity.
Primary immunity: When our body encounters a pathogen for the first time, it produces primary
response.
Secondary immunity: Subsequent encounter with the same pathogen generates highly intensified
secondary response or secondary immunity.
Q. 13. List the two types of immunity a human baby is born with. Explain the differences between
the two types. [CBSE (AI) 2011]
Ans. The two types of immunity a human baby is born with are innate and passive/acquired immunity.
Innate immunity is a non-specific type of defence that provides barrier to the entry of antigens.

318
 Passive immunity is a pathogen-specific type of defence in which readymade antibodies are
directly given to protect body against foreign agents. The foetus receives antibodies through the
placenta.
Q. 14. Name the two types of immune systems in a human body. Why are cell-mediated and humoral
immunities so called? [CBSE Delhi 2011]
Ans. The two types of immune systems in a human body are innate and adaptive immunity.
Humoral immunity is called so because it consists of antibodies that are present in humors or
body fluids, whereas cell-mediated immunity is provided by T-cells and defends body against
viruses, fungi and some bacteria which enter host cells. T-cells recognise non-self cells and kill
them.
Q. 15. Explain the relationship between B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in developing an immune
response. [CBSE 2019 (57/3/1)]
Ans. 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.
Q. 16. Name the two special types of lymphocytes in humans. How do they differ in their roles in
immune response? [CBSE (AI) 2012]
Ans. 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.
Q. 17. What is colostrum? Why is it important to be given to the newborn infants?
Ans. The milk that comes out of the mammary glands during initial days of lactation is called colostrum.
It contains several antibodies (IgA most abundantly), absolutely essential for developing
resistance in the new-born babies.
Q. 18. Describe the role of lymph nodes in providing immunity. [CBSE (F) 2012]
Ans. Lymph nodes trap microorganisms or other antigens. These trapped antigens activate lymphocytes
present in the lymph and cause an immune response.
Q. 19. State the functions of primary and secondary lymphoid organs in humans. [CBSE Delhi 2011]
Ans. Primary lymphoid organs are the sites where immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen
sensitive lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid organs are the sites where the lymphocytes interact with antigens and
proliferate to become effector cells.
Q. 20. (a) Name one primary and one secondary lymphoid organ in the human body.
(b) How do they differ in their functions? [CBSE (F) 2013]
Ans. (a) Primary lymphoid organ: Bone marrow/thymus. (Any one)
Secondary lymphoid organ: Spleen/Lymph nodes/Mucosal associated lymphoid tissue
(MALT). (Any one)
(b) Primary lymphoid organs are the sites where immature lymphocytes differentiate into
antigen sensitive lymphocytes.
Secondary lymphoid organs are the sites where the lymphocytes interact with antigens and
proliferate to become effector cells.
Q. 21. (a) Name the lymphoid organ in humans where all the blood cells are produced.
(b) Where do the lymphocytes produced by the lymphoid organ mentioned above migrate
and how do they affect immunity?
Ans. (a) Bone marrow.
(b) The lymphocytes produced migrate to secondary lymphoid organs like spleen, lymph nodes,
etc. They trap the microorganisms thereby activating the lymphocytes present in the lymph
nodes and produce an immune response.

Human Health and Diseases 319

Q. 22. (a) Highlight the role of thymus as a lymphoid organ.
(b) Name the cells that are released from the above mentioned gland. Mention how they help
in immunity. [CBSE Delhi 2012]
Ans. (a) Immature lymphocytes differentiate into mature T-lymphocytes and become antigen-
sensitive in thymus.
(b) T-lymphocytes are released from thymus. T-cells help B-cells to produce antibodies and
provide cell-mediated immunity.
Q. 23. How does spleen act as a lymphoid organ? Explain.
Ans. 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.
Q. 24. Identify A, D, E and F in the diagram of an antibody molecule given below:

[CBSE Delhi 2011]

Ans. A—Antigen binding site     D—Light chain
E—Heavy chain      F—Disulfide bridge.
Q. 25. Why is tobacco smoking associated with rise in blood pressure and emphysema (oxygen
deficiency in the body)? Explain. [CBSE (AI) 2011] [HOTS]
Ans. Tobacco has nicotine that stimulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline which raise
blood pressure. Smoking tobacco releases carbon monoxide which reduces the concentration of
haem-bound oxygen. This causes emphysema.
Q. 26. 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. [CBSE (F) 2015] [HOTS]
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? [CBSE (AI) 2015] [HOTS]
Ans. 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.
Q. 27. What would happen to immune system, if thymus gland is removed from the body of a
person? [NCERT Exemplar] [HOTS]
Ans. 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.
Q. 28. Why an immunosuppressive agent is taken after an organ transplant? [HOTS]
Ans. Our immune system is capable to differentiate between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ cells/tissues. The
graft (grafting) is a non-self tissue which may be rejected by our immune system. So, to prevent
the rejection, immunosuppressants are taken after the transplant.

320
Q. 29. How are auto-immune diseases different from immunodeficiency disease? Give one example
of each in human.
Ans. Table 8.6: Differences between auto-immune and immunodeficiency diseases
S. No. Auto-immune disease Immunodeficiency disease
(i) When the immune system of the body When the immune system fails to function
starts attacking ‘self-cells’ and molecules, properly against pathogen or antigen, it is called
the disease is called auto-immune disease. immunodeficiency disease.
(ii) For example, rheumatoid arthritis. For example, AIDS.

Q. 30. 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.
[NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. 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.
Q. 31. (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.
Ans. (a) Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
(b) Refer to Basic Concepts Point 15 (Life cycle of HIV).
Q. 32. Identify A, B, C and D in the replication of HIV (retrovirus). [HOTS]

Ans. (A) Reverse transcription.

(B) Viral DNA incorporates into host genome.
(C) New viral RNA produced by infected cell.
(D) New viruses can infect other cells.
Q. 33. Name the cells that act as HIV factory in humans when infected by HIV. Explain the events
that occur in the infected cell. [CBSE (AI) 2012]
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.

Human Health and Diseases 321

 Ans. 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.
Q. 34. Differentiate between benign and malignant tumours. [NCERT Exemplar] [CBSE (AI) 2011]
Ans. Refer to Table 8.4.
Q. 35. What is “withdrawal syndrome”? List any two symptoms it is characterised by. [CBSE (F) 2014]
Ans. 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.
Q. 36. How does smoking tobacco in human lead to oxygen deficiency in their body?
[CBSE Delhi 2012]
Ans. Smoking increases the carbon monoxide (CO) content in the blood which has greater affinity
to haemoglobin than oxygen. CO forms a stable bond with haemoglobin and does not allow
binding of oxygen. Smoking also damages alveolar walls, which reduces respiratory surface
(emphysema).
Q. 37. (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. [CBSE Delhi 2018]
OR
Name an opioid drug and its source plant. How does the drug affect the human body?
[CBSE (AI) 2010]
Ans. (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.
Q. 38. Name the plant source of the drug popularly called “smack’. How does it affect the body of the
abuser? [CBSE Delhi 2012]
Ans. Plant source of ‘smack’ is Papaver somniferum or poppy.
Smack is a depressant and slows down body functions.
Q. 39. Name the plant source of cocaine. How does it affect the human body? [CBSE (F) 2012]
OR
Name the drug obtained from Erythroxylum coca and write its effects on the human body.
Ans. Plant source of cocaine is Erythroxylum coca. It has a potent stimulating action on central nervous
system, producing a sense of euphoria and increased energy. Excessive dosage of cocaine causes
hallucinations.
Q. 40. Name the plant source of ganja. How does it affect the body of the abuser? [CBSE (AI) 2012]
OR
From which plant are cannabinoids obtained? Name any two cannabinoids. Which part of the
body is affected by consuming these substances? [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. Cannabinoids are obtained from the inflorescence of the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana, hashish,
charas, ganja are some cannabinoids. These chemicals interact with cannabinoid receptors of the
body, mainly present in the brain. Cardiovascular system is affected adversely.
Q. 41. Name the blank spaces a, b, c and d in the table given below:
S. No. Name of the drug Plant source Organ system affected
(i) a Poppy plant b
(ii) Marijuana c d
Ans. (a) Morphine (b) Central nervous system
(c) Cannabis sativa (d) Cardiovascular system.

322
Q. 42. If a regular dose of drugs or alcohol is not provided to an addicted person, he shows some
withdrawal symptoms. List any four such withdrawal symptoms. [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. The withdrawal symptoms are:
(a) Anxiety (b) Shakiness
(c) Nausea (d) Sweating

Long Answer Questions–I [3 marks]

Q. 1. Name a human disease, its causal organism, symptoms (any three) and vector, spread by intake
of water and food contaminated by human faecal matter. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 3(i) or 5(ii) or 7(ii).
Q. 2. (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. [CBSE (AI) 2011]
OR
Name the bacterium that causes typhoid. Mention two diagnostic symptoms. How is this
disease transmitted to others? [CBSE (AI) 2012]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 3(i).
Q. 3. (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. [CBSE 2019 (57/2/1)]
Pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae/Haemophilus influenzae and that of common
Ans. (a)
cold is Rhinoviruses.
(b) Different symptoms:
S. No. Pneumonia Common cold
(i) Infects alveoli of lungs Infects nose & respiratory passage
(ii) Symptoms: Chills, lips/fingers may turn Symptoms: Sore throat, hoarseness
grey to black

(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.
Q. 4. Mention the name of the causal organism, symptoms and the mode of transmission of the
disease amoebiasis. [CBSE (AI) 2010]
OR
(a) Name the protozoan parasite that causes amoebic dysentery in humans.
(b) Mention two diagnostic symptoms of the disease.
(c) How is this disease transmitted to others? [CBSE Delhi 2012]
OR
(a) Name the agent that causes amoebiasis and the human body organ that it infects.
(b) Write the symptoms and the mode of transmission of the disease. [CBSE (AI) 2010; (F) 2013]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 5(ii).
Q. 5. Name any two organisms that are responsible for ringworms in humans. Mention two
diagnostic symptoms. Name the specific parts of the human body where these organisms
thrive and explain why. [CBSE (AI) 2012]
Ans. Microsporum/Trichophyton/Epideromophyton. (Any two)
Symptoms: Dry/scaly lesion on skin/nails/scalp, intense itching.

Human Health and Diseases 323

 These organisms thrive in body groin or between toes. They thrive better in heat/moisture/
perspiration.
Q. 6. (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? [CBSE (AI) 2011]
OR
Name the parasite that causes filariasis in human. Mention its two diagnostic symptoms. How
is this disease transmitted to others? [CBSE Delhi 2012]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 7(ii).
Q. 7. Trace the life-cycle of malarial parasite in the human body when bitten by an infected female
Anopheles. [CBSE (AI) 2012; Delhi 2017]
Ans. Plasmodium falciparum is the malarial parasite.
Refer to Basic Concepts Point 5(i) (Life Cycle of Plasmodium).
Q. 8.
(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?
Ans. (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 haemozoin. Parasites after entering the fresh RBCs take 48 to 72
hours 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.
Q. 9. (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. [CBSE Delhi 2011]
Ans. (a) Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites.
(b) When a female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, the parasites enter the mosquito’s
body 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.
Q. 10. Explain the role of the following in providing defence against infection in human body:
(i) Histamines
(ii) Interferons
  (iii) B-cells [CBSE (F) 2011]
Ans. (i) Histamines: These are chemicals which cause inflammatory responses.
(ii) Interferons: These are glycoproteins which protect non-infected cells from further viral
infection.
(iii) B-cells: These produce proteins called antibodies in response to pathogens into the blood to
fight with them.

324
Q. 11. 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. B
   [CBSE Delhi 2012]
Ans. (a) A—Gametocytes of Plasmodium enter the mosquito when it bites a
malarial patient and feed on blood. C
A
(b) C—Fertilisation. It occurs in the intestine of mosquito.
(c) B—Salivary gland of the female Anopheles mosquito. These release
sporozoites of Plasmodium.
Q. 12. Write the events that take place when a vaccine for any disease is
introduced into the human body. [CBSE (AI) 2013]
Ans. 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.
Q. 13.
(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. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
Ans. (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 a-interferon is given to cancer patient it activates immune
system and destroys tumour.
Q. 14. (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. [CBSE 2019 (57/3/2)]
Ans. (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.
Q. 15. Many microbial pathogens enter the gut of humans along with food. What are the preventive
barriers to protect the body from such pathogens? What type of immunity do you observe in
this case? [NCERT Exemplar] [HOTS]
Ans. Preventive barrier to protect body are:
(i) The mucus coating of the epithelium lining of the gut helps in trapping microbes entering the
body.
(ii) Saliva in the mouth and hydrochloric acid in gastric juice secreted by stomach prevent
microbial growth.
This type of immunity is innate immunity.

Human Health and Diseases 325

Q. 16. 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. [NCERT Exemplar] [HOTS]
Ans. 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.
Q. 17. 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.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2015, 2017] [HOTS]
Ans. 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.
Q. 18.
(a) What precaution(s) would you recommend to a patient requiring repeated blood
transfusion?
(b) If the advise is not followed by the patient, there is an apprehension that the patient
might contract a disease that would destroy the immune system of his/her body. Explain
with the help of schematic diagram only how the immune system would get affected and
destroyed. [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Ans. (a) A patient requiring repeated blood transfusion must ensure that the donor’s blood has been
screened for HIV and other pathogens before transfusion.
(b) Refer to Fig. 8.4
Q. 19. During a school trip to ‘Rohtang Pass’, one of your classmate suddenly developed ‘altitude
sickness’. But, she recovered after sometime.
(a) Mention one symptom to diagnose the sickness.
(b) What caused the sickness?
(c) How could she recover by herself after sometime? [CBSE Delhi 2016]
Ans. (a) Nausea/fatigue/heart palpitation
(b) The sickness was caused due to low atmospheric pressure at high altitude because of which
the body was deprived of oxygen.
(c) The body compensates low oxygen availability by increasing RBC production decreasing the
binding capacity of haemoglobin and by increasing breathing rate.
Q. 20. A heavily bleeding bruised road accident victim was brought to a nursing home. The doctor
immediately gave him an injection to protect him against a deadly disease.
(a) Write what did the doctor inject into the patient’s body.
(b) How do you think this injection would protect the patient against the disease?
(c) Name the disease against which this injection was given and the kind of immunity it
provides. [CBSE (AI) 2015] [HOTS]
Ans. (a) Tetanus antitoxins/Tetanus toxoid.
(b) The preformed antibody injected act on the pathogen immediately to provide protection.
(c) This injection was given against tetanus and it provides passive immunity.

326
Q. 21. To which category of cells do B-cells and T-cells belong? How do they differ from each other
with reference to their formation and response to antigens?
Ans. B-cells and T-cells belong to the category of lymphocytes, i.e., leucocytes (WBC).
Table 8.7: Differences between B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte
S. No. B-lymphocytes T-lymphocytes
(i) They mature in bone marrow. They mature in thymus gland.
(ii) They produce antibody against antigen. They directly attach the antigen or direct B-cells
to produce antibody.
(iii) They do not respond to organ transplantation. They respond to organ transplantation.

Q. 22. What is the basic principle of vaccination? How do vaccines prevent microbial infections?
Name the organism from which hepatitis B vaccine is produced. [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. Principle of vaccination is based on the property of ‘memory’ of immune system. In vaccination,
a preparation of antigenic proteins of pathogens or inactivated/live but weakened pathogens
is introduced into the body. The antigens generate primary immune response by producing
antibodies along with forming memory B-cells and T-cells. When the vaccinated person is attacked
by the same pathogens, second time/subsequent time the existing memory B-cells and T-cells
recognise the antigen and overwhelm the invaders with massive production of lymphocytes and
antibodies. Hepatitis B vaccine is produced from yeast.
Q. 23. The immune system of a person is suppressed. In the ELISA test, he was found positive to a
pathogen.
(a) Name the disease the patient is suffering from.
(b) What is the causative organism?
(c) Which cells of the body are affected by the pathogen? [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. (a) The disease is AIDS.
(b) The causative organism is Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
(c) It affects or destroys helper T-cells.
Q. 24. On a visit to a Hill station, one of your friend suddenly become unwell and felt uneasy.
(a) List two symptoms you would look for the term it to be due to allergy.
(b) Explain the response of the body to an allergen.
(c) Name two drugs that can be recommended for immediate relief.
[CBSE (F) 2016; 2019 (57/3/1)]
Ans. (a) Sneezing, watery eyes, running nose and difficulty in breathing are symptoms of allergy.
(Any two)
(b) In response to an allergen, the body releases antibodies of IgE type.
(c) Antihistamine, adrenalin, steroids. (Any two)
Q. 25. Name the cells HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) gains entry into after infecting the
human body. Explain the events that occur in these cells. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
Ans. HIV virus gains entry into Macrophages and (Helper) T-lymphocytes after getting into the human
body.
Events that occur in the cells are:
(i) Viral RNA forms DNA by reverse transcription using the enzymes reverse transcriptase and
directs the infected cells to produce viral particles.
(ii) Macrophages continue to produce viral particles and function as HIV factories.
(iii) The viral particles simultaneously enters into helper T-lymphocytes, replicates and produce
viral progenies.
(iv) The number of T-lymphocytes progressively decreases in the body of the infected person.
(v) During this person suffers from bouts of fever, weight loss. Also decrease in the number of
cells leads to weakening of immune system.

Human Health and Diseases 327

Q. 26.
(a) All human beings have cellular oncogenes but only a few suffer from cancer disease. Give
reasons.
(b) How is a malignant tumour different from a benign tumour? [CBSE (F) 2010]
Ans. (a) All humans have cellular oncogenes or proto-oncogenes, but only a few suffer from cancer
because cancer only occurs on activation of oncogenes. This activation is induced by
carcinogens which can be physical, chemical or biological. The chemical carcinogens present
in tobacco and smoke have been identified as a major cause of lung cancer.
(b) Refer to Table 8.4.
Q. 27. Prior to a sports event, blood and urine samples of sports persons are collected for drug tests.
(a) Why is there a need to conduct such tests?
(b) Name the drugs the authorities usually look for.
(c) Write the genetic names of two plants from which these drugs are obtained.
[CBSE Delhi 2016]
Ans. (a) Such tests are conducted to detect drug abuse to ensure fair game.
(b) The authorities look for cannabinoids, cocaine, coca alkaloid, coke, crack, hashish, charas,
ganja and hemp plant extract.
(c) These drugs are obtained from Cannabis, Atropa, Erythroxylum, Datura. (Any two)
Q. 28.
(a) Name a drug used (i) as an effective sedative and pain killer (ii) for helping patients to
cope with mental illnesses like depression, but often misused.
(b) How does the moderate and high dosage of cocaine affect the human body?
[CBSE (F) 2011]
Ans. (a) (i) Morphine
(ii) Lysergic acid diethyl amides (LSD).
(b) Cocaine has a potent simulating action on central nervous system producing a sense of
euphoria and increased energy. Excessive dosage of cocaine causes hallucinations.
Q. 29. A team of students are preparing to participate in the interschool sports meet. During a practice
session you find some vials with labels of certain cannabionoids.
(a) Will you report to the authorities? Why?
(b) Name a plant from which such chemicals are obtained.
(c) Write the effect of these chemicals on human body. [CBSE Delhi 2015] [HOTS]
Ans. (a) Yes. Because these may be abused by sports person.
(b) Cannabis (sativa)
(c) Cannabinoids effect cardiovascular system of the body.
Q. 30. A farmer while working on his farm was bitten by a poisonous snake. The workers in the
farm immediately rushed him to the nearby health centre. The doctor right away gave him an
injection to save his life. What did the doctor inject and why? Explain. [CBSE (F) 2017]
Ans. The doctor injected an antivenom. The antivenom contains preformed antibodies which when
injected act on the pathogen immediately provide protection by providing passive immunity.
Q. 31.
(a) Why is there a fear amongst the guardians that their adolescent wards may get trapped in
drug/alcohol abuse?
(b) Explain ‘addiction’ and ‘dependence’ in respect of drugs/alcohol abuse in youth.
[CBSE (AI) 2017]
Ans. (a) Adolescents are easily affected by (or are vulnerable to) peer pressure. Curiosity, need for
adventure and excitement, and experimentation constitute common causes for motivation. A
child’s natural curiosity motivates him/her to experiment. Television, movies, newspapers,
internet also promote drug use.
(b) Addiction is the psychological attachment to certain effects such as euphoria or temporary
feeling of well-being.
Dependence is the tendency of the body to show withdrawal syndrome or symptoms if
regular doses of drug/alcohol is abruptly discontinued.

328
Q. 32. A group of youth were having a ‘rave party’ in an isolated area and was raided by police.
Packets of ‘smack’ and syringes with needles were found littered around.
(a) Why is taking ‘smack’ considered an abuse?
(b) Write the chemical name of ‘smack’ and the name of its source plant.
(c) Syringes and needles used by the youth for taking the drug could prove to be very fatal.
Why? [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Ans. (a) Taking smack is considered as abuse because it is highly addictive. It is a depressant and
slows down body functions. It causes psychological and physical dependance.
(b) Its chemical name is diacetylmorphine and is obtained from poppy plant, Papaver Somniferum.
(c) Drugs taken intravenously (direct injection into the vein using a needle and syringe) are
much likely to acquire serious infections like AIDS and hepatitis B. The viruses, which are
responsible for these diseases are transferred from one person to another by sharing infected
needles and syringes.
Q. 33. Write the source and the effect on the human body of the following drugs:
(i) Morphine      (ii) Cocaine    (iii) Marijuana [CBSE Delhi 2011]
Ans. (i) Morphine: It is obtained from poppy plant Papaver somniferum. It binds to specific opioid
receptors present in central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
(ii) Cocaine: It is obtained from coca plant Erythroxylum coca. It interferes with the transport of
the neurotransmitter dopamine.
(iii) Marijuana: It is obtained from Cannabis sativa. It affects the cardiovascular system of the
body.
Q. 34. When someone buys packets of cigarettes, cannot miss the statutory warning that is present on
the packing which warns against smoking and says how it is injurious to health. Yet, smoking
is very prevalent in our society, both among young and old. Advise the adolescents about the
importance of avoiding smoking. (Mention any six points.) [CBSE Sample Paper 2016]
Ans. (i) Tobacco in cigarettes contains a large number of chemical substances including nicotine, an
alkaloid. Nicotine stimulates adrenal gland to release adrenaline and nor-adrenaline into
blood circulation, both of which raise blood pressure and increase heart rate.
(ii) Smoking is associated with increased incidence of cancers of lung, urinary bladder, throat
and oral cavity.
(iii) It is responsible for bronchitis and emphysema.
(iv) It is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, gastric ulcer, etc.
(v) Smoking increases carbon monoxide (CO) content in blood and reduces the concentration of
haem-bound oxygen. This causes oxygen deficiency in the body.
Q. 35. A doctor prescribed morphine as a sedative and pain killer to your cousin who had undergone
surgery. Even after recovery, he craved for the prescribed medicine. What do you conclude
about his condition, had he continued with the same medication? After appraising yourself,
what measures will you suggest to him to overcome this problem? Briefly explain any two.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2015, 2017] [HOTS]
Ans. His condition is drug dependence. It is the tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic and
unpleasant withdrawal syndrome if regular dose of drugs is abruptly discontinued. Because of
perceived benefits, drugs are frequently used repeatedly from which the person may not be able
to get out.
Following measures can be taken to overcome this problem:
(i) Education and counseling to face problems and stresses and to channelise the energy into
healthy pursuits like reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities.
(ii) Seeking help from parents to guide the person appropriately and immediately.
(iii) Seeking professional and medical help to the person to get rid of the problem completely
with sufficient efforts and will power (any two).

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Long Answer Questions–II [5 marks]
Q. 1. Describe the asexual and sexual phases of life cycle of Plasmodium that causes malaria in
humans. [CBSE Delhi 2013]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 5(i) (Life cycle of Plasmodium).
Q. 2. Name the form of Plasmodium that gains entry into the human body. Explain the different
stages of its life cycle in the human body. [CBSE (F) 2014]
Ans. Plasmodium vivax gains entry into the human body.
[Refer to Basic Concepts Point 5(i) (Life Cycle of Plasmodium)]
Q. 3. Malarial parasite ‘Plasmodium’ completes its life cycle in two hosts. Draw its complete life
cycle and explain various stages it follows throughout its life. [CBSE Sample Paper 2014]
Ans. Refer to Fig. 8.1.
Stages:
(a) The stage in which the parasite enters in the body of humans through saliva of mosquito—
sporozoite stage.
(b) Asexual reproduction of sporozoites in liver cells, resulting into bursting of those cells and
releasing outside into the blood.
(c) Sporozoites infect RBCs, cause them to get burst and represented by repeated cycles of fever.
Released parasites also infect other RBCs.
(d) Parasites then follow sexual stage in RBCs which is called as ring signet stage and appears as
a ring inside the RBCs under microscope. Usually presence of malarial parasite in humans is
identified by pathologists by this stage.
(e) Female mosquito takes up gametocytes with the blood of host. Fertilisation and development
takes place in the intestine of mosquito.
(f) From intestine, parasite comes to the salivary glands from where it reaches to human body
and that is how the cycle continues.
Q. 4. Under polio prevention programme, infants in India were given polio vaccines on a large scale
at regular intervals to eradicate polio from the country.
(a) What is a vaccine? Explain how does it impart immunity to the child against the disease.
(b) With the help of an example each, differentiate between active and passive immunity.
[CBSE (F) 2015]
Ans. (a) Refer to Basic Concepts Point 11.
(b) Refer to Basic Concepts Point 9.
Q. 5. Explain the process of replication of a retrovirus after it gains entry into the human body.
[CBSE (AI) 2014]
OR
(a) How does a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replicate in a host?
(b) How does a HIV-infected patient lose immunity?
(c) List any two symptoms of this disease. [CBSE (F) 2016]
Ans. (a) Refer to Fig. 8.4.
(b) An HIV-infected patient loses immunity due to loss of T-lymphocytes.
(c) Symptoms are fever, diarrhoea, susceptibility to other diseases and prone to microbial
infection. (Any two)
Q. 6.
(a) Name and explain giving reasons, the type of immunity provided to the newborn by the
colostrum and vaccinations.
(b) Name the type of antibody
(i) present in colostrum
(ii) produced in response to allergens in human body. [CBSE (F) 2014]

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Ans. (a) Colostrum provides passive immunity, because the infant gets antibodies from the mother’s
body directly for protection.
Vaccinations provide active immunity because in this case microbes are injected into the
body do develop immunity slowly.
(b) (i) IgA (ii) IgE
Q. 7. (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. [CBSE (F) 2014]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 14.
Q. 8.
(a) Name the types of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes and thymus are. Explain the role played
by them in causing immune response.
(b) Differentiate between innate immunity and acquired immunity. [CBSE (F) 2017]
Ans. (a) Thymus is primary lymphoid organ and lymph nodes are secondary lymphoid organs.
Thymus provides the microenvironment for immature lymphocytes to differentiate into
antigen-sensitive lymphocytes.
Lymph nodes serve to trap the microorganisms or other antigens, which happen to get into
the lymph and tissue fluid. Antigens trapped in the lymph nodes are responsible for the
activation of lymphocytes present there and cause the immune response.
(b) Refer to Table 8.5.
Q. 9. (a) Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of humans. Explain ‘Contact inhibition’ and
‘Metastasis’ with respect to the disease.
(b) Name the group of genes which have been identified in normal cells that could lead to
cancer and how they do so?
(c) Name any two techniques which are useful to detect cancers of internal organs.
(d) Why are cancer patients often given α-interferon as part of the treatment?
[CBSE Delhi 2014]
Ans. (a) Contact inhibition is the property of normal cells in which contact with other cells inhibits
their uncontrolled growth.
Metastasis is the property in which tumour cells reach distant sites in the body, through
blood.
(b) Proto oncogenes or Cellular oncogenes.
These genes when activated under certain condition could lead to oncogenic transformation
of the cells.
(c) Biopsy/radiography/CT/MRI (Any two)
(d) a-interferon activates immune system and destroys the tumour.
Q. 10. Your school has been selected by the Department of Education to organise and host an
interschool seminar on “Reproductive Health—Problems and Practices”. However, many
parents are reluctant to permit their wards to attend it. Their argument is that the topic is “too
embarrassing.”
Put forth four arguments with appropriate reasons and explanation to justify the topic to be
very essential and timely. [CBSE (AI) 2015]
Ans. (i) The issue of puberty and adolescence need to be addressed effectively with the respective age
group because many changes take place in the body during adolescence of which they are
supposed to be aware of.
(ii) To bring in awareness about their reproductive health and its effect on their physical,
emotional and social being.
(iii) To address the increase in sex abuse and sex crimes in our country.
(iv) Myths and misconceptions related to reproductive issues need to be cleared at the right time.

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Q. 11. You have attended a birthday party hosted by one of your classmates. You found some guests
at the party sitting in a corner making a lot of noise and consuming ‘something’. After a
while one of the boys from the group started screaming, behaving abnormally and sweating
profusely. On enquiry you found that the group members were taking drugs.
(a) Would you inform your parents/school authorities? Yes/No. Give reasons is support of
your answer.
(b) Prepare a note to be circulated amongst the schoolmates about the sources and dangers of
any two drugs.
(c) Write any two ways that you will suggest to your school principal so as to promote
awareness amongst the youth against the use of these drugs. [CBSE (F) 2015]
Ans. (a) Yes, so that it does not become a habit by repeated use. Consumption of drugs may cause
harmful effects.
(b)
Drug Source Danger
Cocaine Erythroxylum coca Affects central nervous system and interferes
with transport of dopamine.
Opioids/ Latex of Papaver somniferum Slows down body functions.
Heroin/Smack (poppy plant)
Cannabinoids Cannabis sativa Affects cardiovascular system
(c) Awareness can be promoted by organising poster making competitions, street plays, talks by
experts and interviews of experts.
Q. 12. What is cancer? How is a cancer cell different from normal cell? How do normal cells attain
cancerous nature? [NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. An abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells is termed as cancer.
S.No. Cancer cell Normal cell
(i) Cancer cells divide in an uncontrolled Normal cells divide in a controlled manner.
manner.
(ii) These cells do not show contact inhibition. These cells show contact inhibition.
(iii) Lifespan is indefinite. Lifespan is definite.

In our body, the growth and differentiation of cells is highly controlled and regulated. The normal
cells show a property called contact inhibition. The surrounding cell inhibits uncontrolled growth
and division of a cell. The normal cells when lose this property, become cancerous, giving rise to
masses of cells called tumours. Transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells is induced by
some physical, chemical or biological agents (carcinogens).
Q. 13. Explain the following in context of cancer:
(a) Benign tumour (b) Malignant tumour
(c) Oncogens/Carcinogens (d) Oncogenes
(e) Contact inhibition [CBSE Sample Paper 2014]
Ans. (a) Benign tumours are the masses of cells which remain confined to their original location and
do not spread to other parts of the body and cause little damage.
(b) Malignant tumours are the masses of proliferating cells called neoplastic or tumour cells.
These grow very rapidly, invading and damaging the surrounding normal tissues.
(c) Transformation of normal cells into cancerous, neoplastic cells may be induced by physical,
chemical or biological agents. These agents are called carcinogens. For example X-rays,
gamma rays, UV radiations and some chemicals like EtBr.
(d) The genes which may lead to oncogenic transformations of the cells are called oncogenes.

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 (e) Contact inhibition—Whenever normal cells come in contact with each other, after a definite
time they inhibit each others’ excess growth and multiplication. This property of normal
cells is called contact inhibition which maintains the normal shape and size of the body. But
cancer cells appear to have lost this property which results in their uncontrolled growth and
multiplication.
Q. 14. Why do some adolescents start taking drugs? How can the situation be avoided?
[NCERT Exemplar]
Ans. Refer to Basic Concepts Point 18.
For measures to avoid taking drug, refer to Basic Concepts Point 20.

Self-Assessment Test
Time allowed: 1 Hour Max. marks: 30
1. Choose and write the correct option in the following questions. (3×1 = 3)
(i) AIDS is caused by HIV. Among the following, which one is not a mode of transmission of
HIV?
(a) Transfusion of contaminated blood
(b) Sharing the infected needles
(c) Shaking hands with infected persons
(d) Sexual contact with infected persons
(ii) The target cell of HIV is
(a) B-cell (b) Macrophase
(c) Erythrocyte (d) helpher-T-cell
(iii) The interferons are
(a) antiviral proteins (b) antibacterial protein
(c) antifungal proteins (d) all of these
2. In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given.
Choose the correct answer out of the following choices. (3×1 = 3)
(a) Assertion and reason both are correct statements and reason is correct explanation for assertion.
(b) Assertion and reason both are correct statements but reason is not correct explanation for
assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct statement but reason is wrong statement.
(d) Assertion is wrong statement but reason is correct statement.

(i) Assertion : Acquired immunity supplements the protection provided by innate immunity.
Reason : An individual is born with innate immunity.
(ii) Assertion : T-helper cells are activated on stimulation by contact with antigens.
Reason : T-cells produce specialised proteins called antibodies.
(iii) Assertion : Allergens cause excessive immune response in human body.
Reason : Allergy involves IgA antibodies and interferons.
3. Name an allergen and write the response of the human body when exposed to it. (1)
4. What does LSD stand for? What is its source? (1)
5. Why is an antibody molecule represented as H2L2? (2)

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 6. The following table shows certain diseases, their causative organisms and symptoms. Fill the gaps.

S. No. Name of the Disease Causative organism Symptoms

(i) Typhoid — High fever, weakness, headache, stomach pain, constipation.
(ii) Pneumonia Streptococcus pneumonia —
(iii) — Rhino viruses Nasal congestion and discharge, sorethroat, cough,
headache.
(iv) Filariasis — Inflammation in lower limbs.

(2)
7. How does cell-mediated immune system work when our body is infected? (2)
8. (a) Why do the symptoms of malaria not appear immediately after the entry of sporozoites into
the human body when bitten by female Anopheles? Explain.
(b) Give the scientific name of the malarial parasite that causes malignant malaria in humans. (2)
9. List the specific symptoms of typhoid. Name its causative agent. (3)
10. Given below is the flow chart for cell mediated immune response.
Invading pathogen

Macrophage presents antigen

T-helper cells recognise antigen and produces T-lymphocytes memory cells

Killer T-cell      suppressor cell   Memory cells

Answer the following questions on the basis of the flow chart: (3×1 = 3)
(i) Name any two types of cells which act as ‘Cellular Barriers’ to provide Innate Immunity in
humans.
(ii) Thymus of a new born child was degenerating right from birth due to a genetic disorder.
Predict its two impacts on the health of the child.
(iii) How do cytokine barriers provide innate immunity in humans?
11. Explain metastasis. Why is it fatal? (3)
12. Explain the different measures for control and prevention of drug/alcohol abuse among
adolescents. (5)

Answers
1. (i)—(c), (ii)—(d), (iii)—(a) 2. (i)—(b), (ii)—(c), (iii)—(c)
zzz

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