UNIT-III

NATURAL RESOURCES
PART-A
1. Define eutrophication
Eutrophication is the enrichment of water by addition of nutrient like nitrogen and phosphorus. The
extra nutrients encourage the growth of algal blooms. These algae eventually die and decompose, removing
the oxygen from the water and it cause the death of fish. This process is called eutrophication.
2. Differerentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy resources
S.no Renewable Energy resource
Non-Renewable Energy Resource
1
They are natural resources which can
A non Renewable energy resource is an
be regenerated continuously. It is used energy resource that is not replaced or it is
again and again
replaced very slowly by natural process.
2
3

They can be regenerated and used again

and again
Examples: Solar energy ,Wind energy
Ocean energy, Geothermal energy
Biomass energy

They cannot be regenerated and cannot be

used again and again
Examples :coal, petroleum ,CNG,LPG,
Nuclear energy

3. What are the three effects of deforestation?

1. Shifting of people:
Due to deforestation, people from one area to another to meet their requirements.
2. Loss of biodiversity:
Loss in biodiversity and on a natural global scale is known to cause the extinction of many species.
3. Changes in climate:
The temperature will increase and loss in humidity will occur.
4. Suggest three damages caused by the use of fertilizers
Micronutrient imbalance
Eutrophication
Blue baby syndrome
Ground water pollution
Soil acidity
5. List the advantages and disadvantages of hydel/hydro electric power
Advantages:
1.Electricity
2. Water Sports And Leisure / Pleasure Activities.
3 Irrigation Purposes.
4No Pollution
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive To Build
2.Natural Environments Is Destroyed.
3.Affect Aquatic Life
4.Geological Damage

6. Define food security

Food security is a complex sustainable development issue, linked to health through malnutrition, but also
to sustainable economic development, environment, and trade.
Food security is built on three pillars:
Food availability
Food access
Food use
7. What are the factors that contribute to land degradation?
Population
Urbanisation
Fertilizers and Pesticides
Damage of top soil
8. What is cyclone?
A system of winds rotating inwards to an area of low barometric pressure, with an anticlockwise
(northern hemisphere) or clockwise (southern hemisphere) circulation; a depression.
9. Mention the major environmental impacts of mining

Conversion of productive land into mining and industrial areas.

Mining and extraction process are one of the sources of air, water and land pollution.

Mining involves huge consumption of energy resources like coal, petroleum, natural gas etc. which are
in-turn non renewable sources of energy.

Surface mining directly degrades the fertile soil surface thus effect ecology and climate if that
particular area.

10. Define overgrazing and List the changes caused by over grazing
Overgrazing is a process of, eating away the vegetation without giving it a chance to regenerate.
Effects of overgrazing/impacts
Decreases the water holding capacity of the soil.
The ground cover would be depleted causing soil erosion.
The native plants would be replaced by less favourable plants
The food web in the area would be disrupted
11. What are renewable resources?
They are natural resources which can be regenerated continuously. It is used again and
again
Examples:
Solar energy = Solar cells, Solar heat collectors, Solar water heater
Wind energy = Wind mills, Wind farms
Ocean energy = Tidal energy, Ocean Thermal energy, Geothermal energy Biomass
energy = Biogas, Bio fuel, Hydrogen fuel

12. Define the term landslide

Landslide or Landslip is a geological phenomenon.

The rapid downward and outward movement of sliding of a mass of earth and rock

The action of gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide

Underwater landslide can cause Tsunami

13. What are non renewable resources?

A non Renewable energy resource is an energy resource that is not replaced or it is replaced very
slowly by natural process.
They cannot be regenerated and cannot be used again and again
Examples are coal, petroleum, CNG, LPG and Nuclear energy
14. What is desertification?

Progressive destruction or degradation of a grass land or arid land into a desert is known as
desertification.

Such actions include Overgrazing, repeated burning, intensive farming and stripping of vegetation for
firewood

15. Define flood

A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. Flooding may result from the
volume of water a body of water, such as a river or lake, which overflows and causes the water to get escape
its usual boundaries.
16. What is drought?
Drought is defined as a period in which a region has a scarcity in its water supply.
17. Explain nuclear fission and fusion
Nuclear Fission
Heavier nucleus is split into lighter nuclei, on bombardment by fast moving neutrons, and a large
amount of energy is released
Nuclear fusion:
Lighter nucleuses are combined together at extremely high temperatures to form heavier nucleus and
a large amount of energy is released.
18. Define Biodegradation and how it occurs
Biodegradation is a chemical dissolution of materials by bacteria or by other biological methods
It occur in two ways

1. Mineralisation
2. Biotransformation
19. Define bioconversion and its types
Bioconversion is the process of converting the waste into useful source of energy
Types of Bioconversion
Enzymatic hydrolysis
Synthesis gas fermentation
Composting/Grub composting
20. Define biodegradable pollution and its types
Biodegradable matter is generally organic material such as plant and animal matter and other
substances originating from living organisms, it pollutes the environment.
Based on degradability, it is classified into 4 groups
1. Very easily degradable
2. Easily degradable
3. Potentially degradable
4. Very slowly degradable
PART-B
1. Explain the following in detail
(i) Mineral resource
(ii) Food resource
(I) MINERAL RESOURCES

A mineral is a naturally occurring homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical
composition and characteristic crystalline structure, colour and hardness.
Ores
A mineral or an aggregate of minerals from which a valuable constituent, especially a metal, can be profitably
mined or extracted.
Formation of mineral deposits
The formation of mineral deposits is a very slow biological process. It may take millions of years to develop
as a mineral deposit.
Various biological processes
Mineral deposits are formed due to the biological decomposition of dead animals and organic matters.
Mineral deposits are formed due to the concentration of minerals during cooling of molten rock.(lava
from volcano)
Mineral deposits are formed due to the evaporation of the sea water.
Mineral deposits are formed due to the concentration of minerals during weathering, transport and
sedimentation.
Mineral deposits can be classified into three main groups:
Identified resources
Undiscovered resources
Reserve

Identified resources
Identified resources are a mineral resource which is known about their location, existence, quantity and quality
by the direct geological evidence and measurements.
Example: Russell gold deposit in South Carolina.
Undiscovered resources
Undiscovered resources are a mineral resource which has not been discovered, but assumed to exist on the
basis of geological knowledge and theory. Their specific locations, quality and quantity are unknown.
Example: Tongass National Forest-South eastern Alaska.
Reserve
Reserve is a mineral resource which can be recovered at a profit.This will be a mine either in production or
going into production.
Example: The Ekati Diamond mine in Northern Canada.
USES OF MINERALS
Minerals provide important wealth to a country.The mineral are used for various purposes.
Industrial Use
Industries like Iron,Aluminium,Copper,Chromate are mainly depending on the mineral resources.
These industries provide an IMPORTANT economy to our country.
Agricultural Use
Used as Fungicide and Pesticide.
Sulphur -Used for fungicides, sulphuric acid, explosives, kills bacteria, vulcanizes rubber, used in coal and
fuels and fertilizers.
Lubricants -Minerals are used as lubricants
Graphite - used in pencils and as lubricants for machinery.
For Jewellery
Diamond - It is used in cutting tools, blades, saws and beautiful gemstones in jewellery.
Gold - Used in dentistry and medicine, jewellery and arts.
Silver -Uses include photography, jewellery, electronics, as currency, alloys.
Pharmaceuticals
Minerals are used as pharmaceutical and in chemical industries for various purposes.
Example: Bismuth replaces toxic lead in many applications.
Storage Devices
Cadmium is used in plating and alloying, pigments, plastics and batteries.
Electrical Use
Garnet is used in water filtration, electronic components, ceramics, glass, jewellery and abrasives used in
wood furniture and transport manufacturing.
Important Mineral reserves in the world

Mineral
Bauxite
Chromium
Copper
Gold
Iron ore

Uses
ore of Aluminium
Alloys,Electroplating
alloys,Electric wires
Jewellery
Iron and steel

Lead

Solder,Pipes

Countries
Australia,Jamaica,Brazil.
India,South Africa,Turkey.
Chile,USA,Canada.
Chile,USA,Canada.
Brazil,Australia,China,Canada and
venezuela
USA,Mexico,Canada.

(Explain mining and its types along with case study)

MINING

Mining refers to the process of extracting metals and minerals from the earth.
Types of mining
There are basically two types of mining.
1. Open-cast or surface mining
2. Underground mining
1. Surface Mining
The minerals or rocks are mined at the surface or very close to the surface.
There are many types of surface mining processes. They are
(a)Strip mining process
The surface of the earth is stripped and the soil, rocks that lie above is removed generally by heavy
machinery and then the material is extracted.
(b)Mountain top process
This process involves blasting of the top of mountains and the minerals are extracted below it.
(c)Open pit process
Mining is done close to the surface, large open holes are dug in the ground. Explosives are used to
get large blocks of rocks out of the way.
(d)Hydraulic mining process
In this process, high pressure water jets are used to dislodge rocks and minerals.
2. Underground mining
Underground mining is a technique used to access ores and valuable minerals by digging into the ground and
extract them.
There are many types of underground mining process .They are
(a) Slope mining process
Slopes are made into the ground and desired material is accessed .Coal is mined by this
process.
(b)Hard rock process
Tunnels deep in the ground are dug sometimes with dynamite or large drills. Tin, Lead, Copper,

Silver, Gold etc.., are mined by this process

3) Borehole process
By using a drill, a deep hole is dug and a high pressure water jet is used to force the materials
up the hole .Sand, Galena, Gold etc., are mined by this process.
CASE STUDY

In 1995,in Guyana, more than four billion liters of waste water that contained cyanide, slipped into a
river. All the fish in the river died, plant and animal life was completely destroyed and soils were heavily
poisoned, making the land useless for agriculture. The main source of drinking water for the local people was
also polluted.

(ii)FOOD RESOURCE
Food is an essential requirement for all living beings. The resources that are used as food or provided food for
organisms are called as food resources. Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the
body. It is usually of plant or animal origin and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats,
proteins, vitamins and minerals.250.000 species exist on earth, and 100 are used to feed the world. 15 plants
and 8 animal species supply 90% of food.
Example: wheat, rice, corn/maize, potato.
Human depend on
Croplands
Range lands
Oceanic fisheries
Croplands
Cropland is a land which is fit or used for growing crops. It mostly produces grains and provides about 76% of
the worlds food.
Examples: rice, wheat, maize, millet, barley, etc.
Range lands
Rangeland is a collective term for native grasses and shrubs that cover an arid or semi- arid area. It produces
food mainly from the grazing livestock.
Examples: meat, milk, fruits etc
Oceanic fisheries
A fishery is an area with an associated fish or aquatic population which is harvested for its commercial value.
Examples: fish, prawn, crab, etc.
Major food resources
Our earth contains thousands of plants and animals.
Plant as food resources
Plants serve as food for herbivores and omnivores. Agriculture produces major food products namely cereals,
pulses, species, beverages, fruits and vegetables.

Animals as food resources

Animals are the main sources of food for carnivores and omnivores. the meat of animal is the food source for
many organisms.
(Explain the world food problems in detail and how it will affect the other resources)
World food problems
The food problems are due to
Population pressures
Environmental degradation like soil erosion, salinity, water logging affects agricultural lands.
In developing countries, urbanization is a major problem because it reduces the agricultural lands.

Under nutrition and malnutrition

Nutrition (or) nourishment -> deficiencies of specific nutrients
To maintain good health human needs large amount of macronutrients like carbohydrates proteins, fat and
micronutrients like vitamins and some minerals. Nutrients are essential to resist disease.
Under nutrition
Consuming insufficient food to meet ones minimum daily energy requirement for a long enough time to cause
harmful effects is known as under nutrition.
Effects of under nutrition
Visible effects- low weight, unhealthy appearance
Unseen effects-muscles, heart and lungs can begin to deteriorate
This can develop into fatigue, difficulty in breathing and when the body stops being able to produce enough
healthy blood cells. it can result in the development of anaemia.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when human body does not get enough nutrients, proteins, essential
fats, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
Effects of malnutrition
Protein deficiency- weight loss, diarrhoea, stunted growth
Iron deficiency-anaemia
Iodine deficiency- goitre
Vitamin a deficiency- blindness
(Discuss the impact of mining on environment and human health)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MINING ACTIVITIES

Effects of Mining on Environment

Loss of Vegetation
Mining techniques caused irreversible damage to trees ,birds and animals.
Large scale deforestation takes place.

Loss of Aquatic life

Release of toxic chemicals into the water is obviously harmful for the flora and the fauna of the water
bodies. During mining, sometimes mercury enters the food chain through aquatic animals.
Cyanide, which is highly poisonous, is used to separate gold from sediment and rock. If cyanide is
released into the environment, it causes the damage to the aquatic life.
Effects of mining on land loss of biodiversity
Forest provide home to a large number of organisms. Mining leads to loss of habitat of large number of
animals.
Pollution
Mining changes the chemical composition of the land .It changes the soil fertility.
Effect on water pollution
Chemicals like mercury, cyanide, sulphuric acid, arsenic and methyl mercury are used in various
stages of mining are released into nearby water bodies. They cause water pollution.
Spread of disease
Water-borne diseases are caused due to the stagnant of water in the pits created during mining.
2. Discuss in detail about over exploitation of forest

Over exploitation means destruction and extinction of resources.

Factors causing over exploitation:
The factors which leads to overexploitation are

The demand for raw materials

Increase in population
Increasing civilization
Increase in industrial activities
Mining activities
Farming
Forest fires
River projects

Effects of over exploitation

Loss in biodiversity
Fall in economic level
Plant and animal species become endangered
Climate changes in environment

3. Discuss the problems associated with over exploitation of

(i) Mineral resource
(ii) Ground water
OVER EXPLOITATION OF MINERAL RESOURCE:
(a)Mining is hazardous occupation:

1. This occupation involves several health risk dust produced during mining operation are injurious to health
and cause lung diseases.
2. Extraction of some toxic or radioactive minerals leads to life threatening hazards.
3. Dynamite explosion are extremely poisonous.
4. Underground mining is more hazardous than surface mining as there are more chances if accidents like roof
falls, flooding and inadequate ventilation etc.
(b) Rapid depletion of high grade minerals:
Increasing demand for high grade minerals has compelled miners to carry out more extraction of minerals,
which require more energy sources and produce large amount of waste materials.
(c) Wastage of upper soil layer and vegetation:
Surface mining results in the complete destruction of upper soil layer and vegetation. After extraction, the
wastes are dumped in an area which destroys the total surface and vegetation.

(d) Environmental problems:

Over exploitation of mineral resources resulted in many environmental problems like:
1. Conversion of productive land into mining and industrial areas.
2. Mining and extraction process are one of the sources of air, water and land pollution.
3. Mining involves huge consumption of energy resources like coal, petroleum, natural gas etc. which are inturn non renewable sources of energy.
4. Surface mining directly degrades the fertile soil surface thus effect ecology and climate if that particular
area.
OVER EXPLOITATION OF WATER:
The rapid increase in demand for water resources has increased ground water usage.
Effects of over exploitation are:
1) Decrease in ground water:
Ground water level decreases due to increased usage of ground water.
Causes:
The erratic and inadequate rainfall
The building construction activities

2) Ground subsidence :
The ground water withdrawal is more than its recharge rate. It is most often caused by human
activities, mainly from the removal of subsurface water.

Problems:
structural damage in buildings
fracture in pipes
reversing the flow of canals and tidal flooding
3) Lowering of water table:
Over utilization of ground water leads to lowering the water table
Problems:
lowering the water table
Decreased pressure in the aquifers and changes in the speed and direction of water flow.
4) Intrusion of salt water:
In coastal areas, over exploitation of ground water would lead to rapid intrusion of salt water from the
sea.
5) Earthquake and landslides:
Over utilization of ground water leads to decrease in water level, which cause earthquake, landslide, and
famine.

6) Drying up of wells:
As a result of over utilization of ground water, the level of ground water gets depleted at a much faster rate
than their regeneration. This leads to drying up of dug wells and bore wells.
7) Pollution of water:
When ground water level near the agricultural land decreases, water, containing the nitrogen as nitrate
fertilizer, percolates rapidly into the ground and pollutes the ground water.
Problems:
structural damage in buildings
fracture in pipes
reversing the flow of canals and tidal flooding
8) Water Logging :
When excessive irrigation is done with brackish water, it raises the water table gradually leading to water
logging and salinity problems.
9) Loss of integrity of fresh water ecosystems
Human activities for infrastructure development like creation of dams, land conversion, etc. are responsible
for this loss of integrity of fresh water ecosystems. Water quality and quantity, fisheries, habitats, etc. are at
risk due to this loss of integrity.
10) Risk to ecosystem functions :
Population and consumption growth increase water pollution. Virtually all ecosystems functions including
habitat, production and regulation functions are at risk.
4. Discuss the benefits and problems of dams with reference to case study

A barrier constructed across a waterway to control the flow or raise the level of water. dams are the artificial
structures constructed across the river to store water. Dams are constructed for a specific purpose such as
water supply, flood control, irrigation, navigation, sedimentation control and hydropower
BENEFITS OF DAMS

Water storage
For domestic and industrial purpose
Urban depend on stored water
Used in the time of low rain fall
Agricultural demands
Meeting the needs of agricultural irrigation
Help agriculture to meet the water scarcity
Flood control
Dams and reservoirs are used to maintain water levels in the river
Recreational purpose
It is especially used in the areas where there is lack of surface water

Habitat for aquatics

Excellent habitat for fishes, reptiles and aquatic plants
Electrical generation
It generate hydro electric power, which is clean, dependable, efficient and renewable
It does not contribute global warming, pollution, acid rain and ozone depletion.
PROBLEMS OF DAMS

Soil erosion
Dams erode the land
Species extinction
Interfere with lifecycle of marine organisms and forcing species to extinction
Spread of disease
Turns breeding grounds of mosquitoes, snails and flies, this leads to spread of disease
Affects the water table level
It alters the natural water table
Decrease dissolved oxygen level
Hydro power damages the surrounding environment and alters the quality of water by creating low
Decreased oxygen level
Conflict over the country

Dams leads to serious problems between neighbouring countries and also between states
Geological damage
Large dams can cause Earth quakes
EFFECTS OF DAMS ON FOREST:

Areas of forest are cleared for the dam projects.

It causes the loss of aquatic life.
It leads to the loss of valuable plants and life of many animals.
EFFECTS OF DAMS ON TRIBAL PEOPLE:

The displacement of tribal people from one area to another area will occur.
Tribal were mainly depended on the forest resources for their food and shelter. the constructional
projects will make them to lose their habitat.
The change in their lifestyles and area will make them to lose their health.

CASE STUDIES

The Narmada sagar project has submerged 3.5 lakhs hectares of forest having teak and bamboo trees.
The tehri dam project has submerged 1000 hectares of forest affecting the plane species.
Aswan Dam in Egypt- altered the level of water table
Hoovar Dam in USA-number of earth quakes and depressed the earth surface at its location

5. Explain the adverse effects of modern agriculture on soil and water sources
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fibre, bio-fuel and other products
used to sustain human life.
Types of agriculture
The two types of agricultural system are
1. Traditional agriculture
2. Modern agriculture
Effects/impacts of on soil and water sources
Effects/impacts of traditional agriculture
Deforestation
Soil erosion
Loss of nutrient
Traditional agriculture:
Traditional agricultural tools involve physical works of a human and animals and farmers use manure from the
livestock to fertilize the crops and some of the crop to feed the livestock-> domesticated animals
Modern agriculture:
Modern agriculture involves machines and use of artificial fertilizer and nowadays using many modern
techniques to yield many crops in small amount of land.

Impacts (or) Effects of modern agriculture

1. Impacts of Fertilizers
Micronutrient imbalance
A micro nutrient disorder may occur when the nutrient level is deficient or in excess. Most
commercially prepared fertilizers only include the macro nutrient like nitrogen ,phosphorous and potassium.
This leads to micronutrient imbalance.(eg:zinc,iron,copper,iodine)
Eutrophication
Eutrophication is the enrichment of water by addition of nutrient like nitrogen and phosphorus. The
extra nutrients encourage the growth of algal blooms. These algae eventually die and decompose, removing
the oxygen from the water and it cause the death of fish. This process is called eutrophication.
Blue baby syndrome
Blue baby syndrome" can also be caused by methemoglobinemia. It is occurred due to high nitrate
contamination in groundwater resulting in decreased oxygen carrying capacity of haemoglobin in babies and
leading to death
Ground water pollution
The main environmental problem associated with fertilizer use in contamination of ground water with
nitrates and phosphates. High nitrate levels in drinking water are considered to be dangerous to human health

Soil acidity
It occurs due to the production of organic acids by decomposing organic matter
2. Impacts of Pesticides
A pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control pests. It is used in homes, parks, schools,
building, forest and roads.
First generation pesticides
It consist of organic and inorganic compounds
Organic compounds-Nicotine, Neem oil
Inorganic compounds-Arsenic, Lead, Mercury
Second generation pesticides
Second generation Pesticides are synthetic compounds. It is used to kill the target pest. They produce
number of side effects. It also kills the other beneficial insects, birds, earthworms, fish around in the crop field
Examples of second generation pesticides
Chlorinated hydrocarbons-DDT
Organophosphates-Dimethane
MalathionCarbamates - Carbayl
Producing new pest
Pesticides kill not only pests but it kill natural enemies of pests

Biomagnification
Biomagnification is the process in the ecosystem by which higher concentration of particular chemical
such as DDT are reached in organisms that higher up in the food chain. Top food chain generally suffer greater
harm from a persistent toxin or pollutant than those at lower levels.
Risk of cancer
Genetic damage, reproductive problems and cancer effects are the risk associated with pesticides
Reduction of beneficial species
Animals which are interacted with the target pest can also be affected by the chemical application. It
results in loss of bio-diversity of an area and affect natural biological balances.
Desired qualities of an ideal pesticide

It must kill the target pest

It should be non toxic to humans, mammals or fish.
It should be safe and easy for use
It should be biodegradable and UV degradable
It should not produce new pest

6. What is overgrazing and changes caused by overgrazing?

Overgrazing
Overgrazing is a process of, eating away the vegetation without giving it a chance to regenerate.
Effects of overgrazing/impacts
Overgrazing removes damager or reduces the amount of vegetation that is growing on an area.
The soil temperature is increased which holds the roots loosely and allows soil erosion by winds and
rain.
Decreases the water holding capacity of the soil.
The ground cover would be depleted causing soil erosion.
The native plants would be replaced by less favourable plants
The food web in the area would be disrupted
Droughts might occur due to the overheating of the land due to no ground cover.
Permanent change in soil fertility.

7. Explain the various renewable resources/non - energy resources on earth

(Or)
What are the renewable energy resources on earth?

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES

Definition: They are natural resources which can be regenerated continuously. It is used again
and again
Examples:
Solar energy = Solar cells, Solar heat collectors, Solar water heater
Wind energy = Wind mills, Wind farms
Ocean energy = Tidal energy, Ocean Thermal energy, Geothermal energy Biomass
energy = Biogas, Bio fuel, Hydrogen fuel
Importance of renewable source of energy
1. Abundant in nature
2. Renewed within minimum effort and money
3. Pollution free and eco-friendly
1. SOLAR ENERGY:

The Energy that we get directly from the sun is called solar energy. It is used for heating, lighting, cooling
homes, generating electricity and for industrial process.
Solar energy conversion
Solar energy originates from the thermonuclear fusion reactions taking place in the sun
Direct sunlight

Useful forms
Solar energy conversion occurs by 2 mechanisms
1. Thermal conversion
2. Photo conversion
1. Thermal conversion
Definition
Thermal conversion is the absorption of thermal energy in the form of IR radiation. Solar thermal conversion
systems use mirrors or reflectors to concentrate sunlight onto the container full of liquid. Sometimes water is
used and other liquids are used. The liquids are heated up to high temperatures to produce stream. The stream
is used to run a turbine. The turning motion of the turbine is used to create electricity.
Methods of thermal conversion
1. Solar heat collectors
2. Solar water heaters
1. Solar heat collectors
(a)Glazed flat plate collectors
Glazed flat plate collectors are insulated, weather proofed boxes that contain a dark absorber plate under one
or more glass or plastic covers

(b)Unglazed flat-plate collectors

Unglazed flat-plate collectors typically used for solar pool heating have a dark absorber plate made of metal or
polymer without a cover or enclosure
Uses

Used in cold places where houses are kept in hot condition using solar heat collectors.
It is used to collect heat for space heating,domestic hot water system

2. Solar water heater

Solar water heater is an insulated box inside of which is painted with black paint. Provided with a glass lid to
receive and store solar heat. Inside the box it has black painted copper coil, which heats the cold water, then
flows out into a storage tank. From the storage tank water is then supplied through pipes.
There are two types of heating systems are active and passive
Uses
Solar water heaters are used for converting the cold water into hot water
Significance /uses of solar energy:
They are noise & pollution free
Solar water heaters, cookers require no fuels
Solar cells can be used in remote & isolated forest & hilly regions
2. Photo conversion (or) Solar cells (or) photovoltaic cells (or) PV cells
Photo conversion involves conversion of light energy directly into electrical energy
Photo conversion can be made by photo galvanic cell or solar cell

Solar energy (Photo galvanic cell)

Solar cells consist of a p-type semiconductor and n-type semi-conductor
They are in close contact with each other.

When the solar rays fall on the top layer of p-type semi-conductor, the electrons from the valence band
get promoted to the conduction band and cross the p-n junction into n-type semi-conductor.
Thus potential difference produced between two layers causes flow of electrons (ie., an electric current)
Uses

Used in calculators
Electronic watches
Street lights
Water pumps to run radios and TVs.

Solar Battery
Large number of solar cells is connected in series to form a solar battery.
Solar battery produces more electricity which is enough to run water pump, to run street-light etc
2) WIND ENERGY
Definition
Moving air is called wind.
Energy recovered from the force of the wind is called wind energy.
The energy possessed by wind is because of its high speed.
The wind energy is harnessed by making use of wind mills.

Methods of Harvesting wind energy

1. Wind Mills
The strike of wind on the blades of the wind mill rotates it continuously.
The rotational motion of the blade drives machines like water pump, flour mills, electric generators
etc.

2. Wind farms
Wind farm consists of large number of wind mills .
The wind farms produce a large amount of electricity.
Conditions
The minimum speed required for satisfactory working of a wind generator is 15 km/hr.
Advantages
It does not cause any air pollution
It is very cheap.
Dis-advantages
It produces unwanted sound
Wind farms gives hazards to bird life
3. Ocean energy
Definition
Ocean energy provides several forms of renewable energy and it is driven by different forces
It can be obtained from ocean in two ways
i) From ocean waves or tides
ii) From ocean heat
(i)From ocean tides or waves
Tidal energy (or) Tidal power
Ocean tides, produced by gravitational forces of sun and moon, contain enormous amount of energy.
The high tide and low tide refer to the rise and fall of water in the oceans.
The tidal energy can be harnessed by constructing a tidal barrage.
During high tide, the sea-water which flow into the reservoir of the barrage, rotates the turbine, which
inturn produces electricity by rotating the generators

Uses of tidal energy:

Do not require large areas
Pollution free energy source
No fuel is used & does not produce any wastes.
2. From Ocean heat

The heat stored in sea water can also be converted into electricity
Ocean thermal energy (OTE)
The temperature difference between the surface level & deeper level of the oceans are used to generate
electricity.
The energy available due to the difference in temperature of water is called ocean thermal energy.
Condition
The temperature difference should be of 200C or more between surface water and deeper water.
Process
The warm surface water of ocean is used to boil a low boiling liquid like ammonia.
The high vapour pressure thus produced turns the turbine of the generator and generates electricity.
Uses
OTE is Continuous, renewable, pollution free, used to produce H2,
4. Geo-thermal Energy
Definition
The energy harnessed from high temperature & pressure present inside the earth is called geothermal
energy.
1. Natural geysers
In some places, the hot water (or) steam comes from the ground through cracks naturally

2. Artificial geysers
In some places, we can drill a hole up to the hot region & make the hot water to rush out through
the pipe with very high pressure.
Thus, the hot water (or) steam coming out from the natural (or) artificial geysers is allowed to rotate
the turbine of a generator to produce electricity.

Uses

Power generation is higher than solar & wind energies

Can be brought online quickly,
Used for direct uses such as hot water bath, resorts, aquaculture, greenhouses.
Pollution less

5. Biomass energy
Definition
Biomass is the organic matter, produced by plants or animals,
Eg: Wood, crop residues, seeds, cattle dung, sewage, agricultural wastes.
1. Biogas
Mixture of methane, carbon-di-oxide and hydrogen sulphide
It contains about 65% of methane gas as a major constituent
Biogas is obtained by the anaerobic fermentation of animal dung or plant wastes in the presence of
water.
2. Bio fuels
Bio fuels are the fuels, obtained by the fermentation of biomass.
Examples:
(a)Ethanol = Easily produced from the sugarcane. Its calorific value is less than petrol,
(b)Methanol = obtained from ethanol or sugar-containing plants.
(c)Gasohol = Gasohol is a mixture of ethanol + gasoline.
3. Hydrogen Fuel
Hydrogen can be produced by thermal dissociation or photolysis or electrolysis of water.
Advantages
Eco-friendly
Waste products are biodegradable
No green house emission
Cheaper fuel
Disadvantages
Not sustainable
8. Explain the various conventional energy resources
Non renewable energy resources
Definition
A non Renewable energy resource is an energy resource that is not replaced or it is replaced very slowly by
natural process. They cannot be regenerated and cannot be used again and again
Examples are coal, petroleum, CNG, LPG and Nuclear energy
1. Coal
Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed in several stages
It was subjected to intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
It is formed out of organic matter deposited, decomposed and compressed
Coal is the product of compression and heating organic matter
Coal is a highly carbonaceous matter.

Various stages of coal

Wood Peat (60% carbon) Lignite (70% carbon) Bituminous coal (80% Carbon)

 Anthracite (90% carbon)

Advantages

Affordable energy resource because of its stable price

Easy to burn
High energy upon combustion
Inexpensive
Abundant in nature
Reliable energy resource

Disadvantages
When coal is burnt it produces CO2 causes global warming
Coal contains impurities like S and N; it produces toxic gases during burning.
2. Petroleum
Petroleum is naturally occurring liquid fuel
In Latin word petrarock and oleum oil or crude oil
Petroleum or crude oil = hydrocarbons +small amount S, O, N.
it is a dark viscous liquid found in deep earth crust
Crude oil is the mixture of paraffinic, olefinic and aromatic hydro carbons

Occurrence
Petroleum was formed by the decomposition of dead animals and buried under high temperature
and pressure for million years
Fractional distillation
Hydrocarbons are separated by fractioning the crude oil.

3. Compressed Natural Gas

CNG is a natural gas (methane) compressed to high pressure about 1000 atmospheres
A steel cylinder consist of 15kg of CNG contains about 20m3 of natural gas at 1 atmospheric pressure
1. Mixture of 50-90% methane and small amount of other hydrocarbons.
2. Its calorific value ranges from 12,000-14,000 k-cal/m3.
(i) Dry gas = the natural gas + lower hydrocarbons like methane and ethane, is called dry gas.
(ii) Wet gas = natural gas + higher hydrocarbons like propane, butane along with methane is called wet gas.
Uses
Substitute for petrol and diesel
Safer fuel
Mixes better with air
Less pollution
Less CO emission
4. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
LPG or refinery oil is obtained as a product during the cracking of heavy oils or from natural gas
The main constituents are
1. N-butane
2. Iso-butane
3. Butylenes
4. Propane
5. Little or no propylene
The petroleum gas, converted into liquid under high pressure is LPG
LPG is colourless and odourless gas.
During bottling some mercaptans is added, to detect leakage of LPG from the cylinder.
Uses

Domestic and industrial fuel

LPG as a motor fuel

5. Nuclear Energy
Dr. H. Bhabha father. India has 10 nuclear reactors, which produce 2% of Indias electricity.
Nuclear energy due to the conversion of some amount of mass into energy
The less mass is converted into Einstein equation
E=MC2
E Energy
MMass
Vvelocity of light

a) Nuclear Fission
Heavier nucleus is split into lighter nuclei, on bombardment by fast moving neutrons, and a large
amount of energy is released.
Example:
Fission of U235
When U235 nucleus is hit by a thermal neutron, it undergoes the following reaction with the release of
3 neutrons.
U92235 + n10

Ba13956 + Kr 9436+ 3n10 + Energy

Each of the above 3 neutrons strikes another U235 nucleus causing (3x3) 9 subsequent reactions.
These 9 reactions further give rise to (3x9) 27 reactions.
This process of propagation of the reaction by multiplication in threes at each fission is called chain
reaction.
Fission reaction of U235 is given below.
92U235 +0n1

36Kr92 + 56Ba141 + 3 0n1 + energy

Nuclear fission-chain reaction

b) Nuclear fusion:
Lighter nucleuses are combined together at extremely high temperatures to form heavier nucleus and
a large amount of energy is released.
Example
Fusion of H21 .Two hydrogen-2 (Deuterium) atoms may fuse to form helium at 1 billion0C with
the release of large amount of energy
1H2+1H2 3He2+0n1+energy
Nuclear power of India
Tarapur(Maharashtra),
Ranapratap
Sagar
(Rajasthan)
Kalpakkam (Tamilnadu)
Narora (U.P).

9. Discuss the production of biogas. Mention its uses

Definition
Biogas typically refers to a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in
the absence of oxygen.
Biogas is primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and may have small amounts
of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), moisture and siloxanes.
Composition of biogas

Production of biogas
Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant
material, sewage, green waste or food waste.
Biogas can be produced by anaerobic digestion with anaerobic bacteria, which digest material inside a
closed system or fermentation of biodegradable materials.
Steps in bio-gas production
production of biogas consist of following steps
1. Manure collection
2. Anaerobic digestion
3. Anaerobic digester
4. Effluent storage
5. Sludge removal

Figure :Steps in Biogas production

Manure collection
Manure is easily collected on dairy farms
The composition on manure varies according to feed rations and different farm management practices
The amount of manure depend upon type,weight and number of animals and the feed rations
Anaerobic digester
The main components are slurry preparation area,manure pump,loading methods and Effluent tank
The components of digester should
be arranged to minimize heat loss

provide a simple flow path for material

be automated as possible
easily available for maintenance and repair

All materials are corrosion resistent

Easily cleaning
Slurry is supplied continously by batches
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a series of biological processes I which micro organisms break down biodegradable
materials in the absence of oxygen
Acidogenic Bacteria
converts sugars and amino acids into Carbon-di-oxide,Hydrogen,Ammonia and Organic acids
Acetogenic Bacteria
converts organic acids into acetic acid along with Carbon-di-oxide,Hydrogen and Ammonia
Methanogens
converts these products to methane and Carbon-di-oxide
Optimum gas production occurs in two temperature
Mesophilic bacteria - 35C
Thermophilic bacteria - 40C-60C

Figure: Production of Biogas

Effluent storage
The effluent flows through an overflow pipe into a covered manure pit
The organic content of the processed manure is reduced and stabilized
The effluent is colourless, Odourless liquid which does not attract rodents and flies
The effluents are highly nitrogen content
It act as a excellent fertilizer for plants
Sludge removal
The sludge is collected at the bottom of the digester tank, it must removed regularly to
reduce the accumulation
The sludge is removed from the digester through the sludge gates built in the bottom
of the digester which is operated by hydraulic valves
When the gates are opened, the sludge flows into the auger channel and auger
conveys the sludge to storage pit

Uses of biogas
As a fuel for boilers and heaters
As a fuel providing heat for Chilling/Refrigeration
As a fuel for engines, turbines and fuel cells
Methane reduces the impacts of global warming
Improves nutrient properties of soil
Treatment of waste reduce water, air pollution, bad odors and pathogens
ECOSAN program
ECOLOGICAL SANITATION (ECOSAN) is executed by Indian NGO Navsarjan
Trust supported by SDC
Ecological sanitation is an approach which is characterized by a desire to safely "close
the loop" (mainly for the nutrients and organic matter) between sanitation and
agriculture.
Ecosan systems safely recycle excreta resources (plant nutrients and organic matter)
to crop production in such a way that the use of non-renewable resources is
minimized.
VKNARDEP
Vivekananda Kendra - Natural Resources Development Project (VKNARDEP),
India
This is a biogas plant constructed from bricks and concrete shallow in pit for small

farmers
Cattle manure is blended with water and added to digester tank, displacing solid
residue at the outlet. Decomposition of the manure produces biogas which is tapped
off and used for cooking.
Between 1986 and 2006, 2,000 biogas plants installed in southern Tamil Nadu,
directly benefiting around 12,000 people.
By 2009, a total of 2,500 biogas plants had been installed including 100 of the
VINCAP design benefitting some 15,600 people.

10. Discuss the following

(i) Land resource
(ii) Land degradation and factors responsible for land degradation
(iii) Soil erosion
(iv)Desertification and its ill effects
(v)man induced landslides
(i)LAND RESOURCES
Land as a resource
Land is the most important and a valuable resource for mankind as it provides food,
fibre, wood, medicine and other biological materials need for food. soil is the mixture of
inorganic (rocks and minerals) and organic materials (dead animals and plants). top soil is
classified as renewable resources, because it is continuously regenerated by natural process at
a very slow rate. but, if the rate of erosion is faster than the rate of renewal, then the soil
becomes a non-renewable resource.
Uses of land resources
1. Land provides food, wood, minerals, etc., for us.
2. Land nurtures the plants and animals that provide our food and shelter.
3. Land is used as water shed or reservoir.
4. Land act as a dust bin for most of the wastes, created by the modern society.
5. Land is used for construction of buildings, industries.
(ii) LAND DEGRADATION AND FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAND
DEGRADATION
Land degradation is the process of deterioration of soil or loss of fertility of the soil.
Harmful effects of land (soil) degradation
1. The soil texture and structure are deteriorated.
2. Loss of fertility, due to loss of invaluable nutrients.
3. Increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity, and acidity problems.
4. Loss of economic social and biodiversity.
Causes of (or factors affecting) land degradation

1. Population: as population increases, more land is needed for producing food, fibre
and fuel wood.
2. Urbanisation: the increased urbanisation due to population growth reduces the extent
of agricultural land.
3. Fertilizers and Pesticides: increased applications of fertilizers and pesticides are
needed to increase farm output in the new lands, which again leads to pollution of
land and water and soil degradation
4. Damage of top soil: increase in food production generally leads to damage of top soil
through nutrient depletion
5. Water logging, soil erosion, salination, and contamination of the soil with
industrial wastes all cause land degradation.
(iii) SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion is the process of removal of top layer of the soil from one place to
another by natural agents like sun, wind, water or by man.
Types of soil erosion
Two types of soilerosion
1. Natural or Geographical soilerosion
It is caused due to wind,water etc
2. Artificial or manmade soil erosion
Erosion caused due to human activities such as deforestation,cultivating
lands,road construction and building dams etc.
Factors causing soil erosion
Slope
Steeper the slope, the greater the erosion
Increased velocity of water flow
Greater the concentration of flooding water
Soil structure
Grouping or arrangement of soil particles
Over cultivation
Organic material is the main source of soil organism both plant and animal. It
influences the infiltration capacity of the soil therefore reducing runoff
Wind
Soil is easily blown away by the force of wind which carry the fine particles of soil
Rain or Precipitation
Heavy rain falls, the impact of the drop causes the soil to erode easily
Flooding
It cause soil to erode, water carries the soil away

Soil type
Sandy soil type are more easily eroded than the clay type soils
Ploughing

Ploughing of fields makes soil to erode easily

Overgrazing
Cattle, sheep, goat and other animals take away the vegetation cover and expose the
bare soil
Effects of Soil Erosion
Due to loss of top soil, the following effects take place
Decrease soil fertility
Top layer of soil contains most of the organic matter and nutrients
Loss of this soil reducing soil fertility and affecting its structure badly
Damage to the crops
Soil erosion by wind cause sandy storms which damage the crops
Flood
Soil eroded by water gets deposited on river beds, thus increase their level and causes
floods
Desertification
Soil eroded also leads to desertification. It refers to increase of desert areas
Prevention of soil erosion
Terracing
Terracing is an alternative management practice for water conservation and erosion
control
It decreases the slope length and reduces damage by surface water runoff

Contour Farming
Contour Farming is very effective practise for soil erosion
Each furrow acts as a reservoir to receive and retain runoff water

Alley cropping or strip cropping

Alley cropping or agro forestry: it involves planting crops in strips or alleys between
rows of trees of shrubs that can provide fruits and fuel wood.
Even when the crop is harvested, the soil will not be eroded because trees and shrubs
still remain on the soil and hold the soil particles.

Wind breaks or shelter belts

The trees are planted in long rows along the boundary of cultivated lands, which
block retaining soil moisture, supply of some wood for fuel and provide habitats for birds.
They are commonly planted around the edges of fields on farms

(iv)DESERTIFICATION
Progressive destruction or degradation of a grass land or Arid land into a desert is
known as desertification.
Such actions include Overgrazing, repeated burning, intensive farming and stripping
of vegetation for firewood

Causes of Desertification
1. Deforestation
This directly leads to lower rainfall and higher temperature
2. Climate change
Formation of desert, failure of monsoon and frequent drought
3. Mining
It causes deforestation, which may ultimately result in desertification. It cause
destruction of water table and surface water. The habitat of lot of organisms is destroyed by
mining
4. Pollution
Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides and disposal of toxic water into the land
also leads to desertification

5. over cultivation
Growing too many crops, year after year on the same place of land damages the soil
structure and reduces the land fertility
6. Overgrazing
cattle, sheep, goat and other animals take away the vegetation cover and expose the
bare soil
7. Poor irrigation
This makes ground too salty
8. Drought
Damage the vegetation
Consequences of vegetation
Economic loss

Desertification cause drop in biological productivity

Major threat to bio diversity
Affect the lives of wild species, domestic animals, agricultural crops and people
Deterioration of land resources
Land get destructed continuously
Decrease plant nutrient in the soil
Reduction of plant cover which is caused due to desertification causes reduction in the
quantity of plant nutrient in the soil
Steps to reduce Desertification
1. Reduce Overgrazing and deforestation
2. Limit human activities such as destructive forms of planting, irrigation and mining that
leave soil barren
3. Plant more trees and grasses to hold water
4. Plant leguminous plant that extract nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil to restore
fertility
(v)LANDSLIDES
Landslide or Landslip is a geological phenomenon. The rapid downward and outward
movement of sliding of a mass of earth and rock
The action of gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide
Underwater landslide can cause Tsunami
During construction of roads and monitoring activities huge portions of fragile
mountainous areas are cut and thrown into adjacent areas and streams. The
land masses weaken the already fragile mountain slopes and lead to landslides
called man induced landslides.
Causes of landslides
Natural causes
Elevation of pore water pressure
Vibrations caused by earth quakes
Volcanic eruption

Human causes
Removal of vegetation
Interference or changes in natural drainage
Modification of slopes by construction of roads, railways, buildings
Overloading slopes
Mining and quarrying activities
Vibrations from heavy traffic, blasting
Excavation or displacement of rocks
Effects of landslides
Landslides cause property damage, injury and death
Negative economic effects
Water availability, quantity and quality can be affected by land slides
Loss of habitat and biodiversity
Prevention of land slides
By slope vegetation
Diverting Debri pathways
Landslide warning signs
Areas that is generally prone to landslides hazards
On existing old landslides
On or at the base of slopes
In or at the base of minor drainage hollows
At the base or top of an old fill slope
At the base or top of a steep cut slope
Areas that are typically considered safe from land slides
On hard, on-joined bedrock that has not moved in the past
Flat-lying areas away from sudden changes in slope angle
(vi)DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is the destruction of forest resources due to natural and man-made
activities.
Causes of Deforestation:
1. Increase in demand of wood products:
Forests are the valuable assets for our country. They provide habitat for plants and
animals. The people who need wood for their domestic purpose make deforestation.
2. due to fuel requirements:
To meet the fuel requirements, the rural people are cutting down the trees.

3. due to developmental projects:

The developmental projects across the various parts of the country also cause a major
change in the forest.
4. due to mining operations:
Mining reduces the area of forest.
5. Farming:
Due to farming across various parts of our country, the cultivation of plants will differ
and also due to the demand, deforestation will take place.
6. Increase in population:
Due to the increase in population, forests are converted into rural areas which destroy
the living plants and animals.
7. Forest fires:
Due to the increase in temperature, the forest fires will happen. this results in destroy
of plants and animals.
Effects:
1. Shifting of people:
Due to deforestation, migration of people from one area to another to meet their
requirements.
2. Loss of biodiversity:
Deforestation on a huge scale results in loss in biodiversity and on a natural global
scale is known to cause the extinction of many species.
3. On nutrient cycles:
Disturb the hydrological cycle and hence makes the land to lose its fertility.
4. Changes in climate:
The temperature will increase and loss in humidity will occur.
5. Increase in floods and landslides:
Floods and landslides occur due to the destruction of trees.
6. Loss of wood:
By cutting the trees, the wood resources will become scarce.
7. Loss in economy:
Destroying medicinal plant leads to the loss in country economy.
8. Affects global warming:
Deforestation will bring greater effects in climate.The emission of carbon dioxide will
result in the global warming.
9. Loss of forest products:

The products of forest will greatly depleted due to the sudden destruction of tress.
10. on pollution:
Trees are the major pollution controllers. When deforestation occurs, the air pollution
will not be controlled.
11. Soil degradation:
Deforestation makes the land infertile.
Preventive measures:
1. Plant more trees
2. Shifting cultivation must be reduced
3. Awareness programmes must be organized for afforestation
4. Cattle grazing must be controlled
5. Develop alternative renewable energy sources to meet the energy requirement of remote
villages
6. Forest fires must be controlled.
7. The developmental projects should not disturb the forest environment

11. Explain the role of individual in conservation of natural resources

Role of individual in conservation of natural resources:
1. Conservation of energy
Turn off lights, fans and other appliances when not in use.
Dry the clothes in sun instead of drier
Use solar cooker for cooking food on sunny days and will cut down LPG expenses.
Grow trees and climbers near the houses and get a cool breeze and shade. This will
cut off electricity charges on coolers and A/C
Ride bicycle or just walk instead of using your car or scooter.
Always use pressure cooker.
2. Conservation of water:
Use minimum water for all domestic purpose
Check for water leaks in pipes & toilets & repair them properly
Reuse the soapy water after washing clothes for washing courtyards, drive ways etc.
Use drip irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency & reduce evaporation
The waste water from kitchen, bath tub can be used for watering the plants
Build rainwater harvesting system in your home
3. Conservation of soil:
Grow plants, trees & grass which bind the soil & prevent its erosion
Dont irrigate the plants using strong flow of water, as it will wash off the top soil

Soil erosion can be prevented by the use of sprinkling irrigation

Use green manure in the garden, which will protect the soil
Use mixed cropping, so that specific soil nutrients will not get depleted
While constructing the house dont uproot the trees

4. Conservation of food resources:

Eat minimum amount of food, avoid over eating.
Dont waste the food; instead give it to someone before getting spoiled.
Cook only required amount of food
Dont cook food unnecessarily
Dont store large amounts of food grains & protect them from insects.
5. Conservation of forest:
Use non-timber products
Plant more trees & protect them
Grassing, fishing must be controlled
Minimize the use of papers & fuel wood
Avoid developmental work like dam, road, and construction in forest areas
11. Explain in detail Environmental Biochemistry
Biochemistry deals with chemical changes brought about by living organisms
PROTEINS
Proteins are naturally occurring polypeptides of molecular weight greater than 5000
Proteins are naturally occurring in human body.
They are building blocks of tissue.
Proteins are polymer chains made of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
During human digestion, proteins are broken down in the stomach to smaller
polypeptide chains via hydrochloric acid
Structure of proteins
Most proteins fold into unique 3-dimensional structure
Primary structure
The primary structure of protein is an amino acid sequence. A protein is a polyamide
in which the amino acids occur in the polymer chain

Secondary structure
Secondary structure is made up of hydrogen bonds.
The most common examples are alpha helix,
beta sheet
Turns.
The helical structure is maintained by hydrogen bonds from NH groups on
one part of chain to the c=0 groups on or above the coil.
The R groups of Amino acids pointed out from coil
Another way is called BETA- pleated sheet. It is zigzag pattern of amino acids
extend above or below the pleats

Tertiary structure
The tertiary structure controls the basic function of the protein.
Alpha, beta and random coil structures interact themselves to form the higher order
structures.
This type of structure involves the formation of covalent bond.
It is a biologically active structure due to R groups of amino acid chain interactions.

Quaternary structure
Two or more protein structures associate to make a largest structure as a single unit.

Functions of proteins
Repair and maintenance
Protein is termed as building block of body
it is used for maintenance of body tissue, including development and repair.
Hair, skin, eyes, muscles and organs are all made from protein
children need more protein per pound of body weight than adults
Energy
Protein as a major source of energy.
If you consume more protein than you need for body tissue maintenance and other
necessary functions.
Your body will use it for energy.
other energy resources -carbohydrates, the protein ,fat
Hormones
Protein is involved in creation of some hormones.
Insulin a small protein - regulates blood sugar .
Secretin -protein hormone-assists in digestive process by stimulating pancreas and
intenstine to create digestive juices

Transportation and storage of molecule

Protein is a major element in transportation of some molecules.
Example hemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body.
Protein is also used to store certain molecules.
Ferritin is an example of protein that combines with iron for storage in the liver
Antibodies
Protein forms antibodies that help prevent infection, illness and disease.
These proteins identify and assist in destroying antigens such as bacteria and viruses