CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology

CHAPTER 10 – MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE

PRACTICE MATERIAL FOR CBSE AISSCE, 2023

SYLLABUS
Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-
control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use.
IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR CHAPTER 10
Practice of writing of correct scientific names is a must.
Sewage treatment-Primary and secondary, BOD, Products with their medicinal values –Streptococcus,
Monascus, Trichoderma and other products with their scientific names, Biofertilizers agents (bacteria and
cyanobacteria), Yeast in brewing and bakery industry, Biogas plant, Biocontrol agents like Bt n others, Three
scientists involved in penicillin discovery.
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

YEAR 2010
1. Mention the product and its use produced by each of the microbes listed below:
(i) Streptococcus
(ii) Lactobacillus
(iii) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Ans –

2. Name two green-house gases produced by anaerobic microbes.

Ans - Carbon dioxide and methane.
3. How do plants benefit from having mycorrhizal symbiotic association?
Ans – Mycorrhizal association is found between fungi and the roots of higher plants. The fungihelp the plant in
the absorption of essential nutrients from the soil while plant in turn provides energy-yielding carbohydrates
to fungi.

YEAR 2011
4. Write the scientific name of the microbe used for fermenting malted cereals and fruitjuices.
Ans – Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
5. The diagram below is that of a typical biogas plant. Explain the sequence of eventsoccurring in a biogas
plant. Identify a, b and c.

Ans – The biogas plant tank is fed with slurry of dung. A floating cover is placed over the slurrywhich keeps on
rising as the gas is produced in the tank due to the microbial activity of methanogens like Methanobacterium.
Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
Methanogens grow anaerobically on cellulosic material in cowdung to produce large amount of methane, CO2
and H2. The biogas plant has an outlet, which is connected to a pipe to supply biogas. The spent slurry is
removed through another outlet and is used as fertiliser.
a—Sludge tank, b—Gas holder, c—Charge pit
6. (a) Why do farmers prefer biofertilisers to chemical fertilisers these days? Explain.
(b) How do Anabaena and mycorrhiza act as biofertilisers?
Ans – (a) Chemical fertilisers have significantly increased the soil pollution, reducing its quality.
Therefore, farmers use biofertilisers which enrich the quality of the soil.
(b) Anabaena fix atmospheric nitrogen, thus enriching the nitrogen content of the soil. Inmycorrhiza, the fungal
symbiont absorbs phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant
7. Name the enzyme produced by Streptococcus bacterium. Explain its importance inmedical sciences.
Ans – Streptococcus bacterium produces streptokinase.
It is used for removing clots from the blood vessels in a patient suffering from myocardialinfarction/or in a heart
patient.
8. Name the genus to which baculoviruses belong. Describe their role in the integrated pestmanagement
programmes.
Ans – Baculoviruses belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. They control only species- specific pest, do not
affect non-target organisms or beneficial insects are conserved, they aid in IPM problems and there is no
negative impact on plants or other animals.
9. Why are some molecules called bioactive molecules? Give two examples of such molecules.
Ans – This is because microbes like bacteria or fungi are used in their production.e.g., Citric acid — Acetic acid
Butyric acid — Lactic acidEthanol — Lipase
Streptokinase — Cyclosporin A (Any two)
YEAR 2012
10. Name the two different categories of microbes naturally occurring in sewage water.Explain their role
in cleaning sewage water into usable water.
Ans – Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria or fungi exist in sewage water.
After the primary treatment of water, aerobic bacteria are added in aeration tanks. Growthof these bacteria reduces
BOD as they consume organic matter. Anaerobic bacteria are added in anaerobic sludge digestors, where these
digest the sludge and form biogas, etc.
11. How do mycorrhizae act as biofertilisers? Explain. Name a genus of fungi that forms amycorrhizal
association with plants.
Ans – Mycorrhizae is a symbiotic association of a fungus with roots of higher plants. The fungus absorbs
phosphate from soil and passes it to the plant. It also provides resistance to root- borne pathogen and increase
tolerance of plant to salinity and drought. This way they act asbiofertilisers.
Genus of fungi - Glomus.
12. Mention the importance of Lactic acid bacteria to humans other than setting milk intocurd.
Ans – Lactic acid bacteria increase vitamin B12 absorption and check disease-causing microbes.
13. How do methanogens help in producing biogas?
Ans – Methanogens produce biogas by anaerobic decomposition of cellulosic material, i.e., excreta of cattle
(dung).
14. Mention the role of cyanobacteria as a biofertiliser.
Ans – It is a biological organism that fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
15. Name the source of cyclosporin-A. How does this bioactive molecule function in ourbody?
Ans - Trichoderma polysporum.
It acts as an immuno-suppresant and is used in organ transplant patient.
16. Name the source of statin and state its action on the human body.
Ans – Statin is produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus. It acts as a blood-cholesterollowering agent by
competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis ofcholesterol.
YEAR 2013
17. (a) Why are the fruit juices bought from market clearer as compared to those made athome?
(b) Name the bioactive molecules produced by Trichoderma polysporum and Monascuspurpureus.
Ans – Interferons protect non-infected cells from further viral infections, by creating cytokinebarriers.
18. Name the bacterium responsible for the large holes seen in “Swiss Cheese”. What arethese holes due
to?
Ans – Propionibacterium shermanii.
The holes are because of production of large amount of CO2.
Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
19. Describe how biogas is generated from activated sludge. List the components of biogas. Ans - TThe
activated sludge is pumped into large tanks called anaerobic sludge digesters. Here, bacteria which grow
anaerobically digest the bacteria and the fungi in the sludge. During this digestion, bacteria produce a mixture
of gases which form biogas. Biogas is made up of methane,hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide.
20. How does ‘starter’ added to milk help it to set into curd?
Ans – When a small amount of curd as starter is added to fresh milk, millions of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present
in the starter grow in milk and convert it to curd. During this process,acids are produced by LAB that coagulate
and partially digest the milk proteins.
21. Explain the role of the following in increasing the soil fertility and crop yield:
(a) Leguminous plants (b) Cyanobacteria (c) Mycorrhizae
Ans –
(a) Leguminous plants possess root nodules where nitrogen is fixed by symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria
Rhizobium and fertilise the soil.
(b) Cyanobacteria as biofertilisers
• They fix atmospheric nitrogen and increase the organic matter of the soil through their photosynthetic
activity, e.g., Nostoc, Anabaena, Oscillatoria, etc.
• Blue-green algae increase the soil fertility by adding organic matter to the soil
(c) Fungi as biofertilisers
• Fungi form symbiotic association with the roots of higher plants called mycorrhiza, e.g.,Glomus.
• The fungal hyphae absorb phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant.
• Mycorrhiza shows the following benefits:
(a) resistance to root-borne pathogens.
(b) tolerance to salinity and drought.
(c) overall increase in plant growth and development.
YEAR 2014
22. What are methanogens? Name the animals they are present in and the role they playthere.
Ans – Methanogens are bacteria which grow anaerobically on cellulosic material.
They are present in the rumen of cattles.
These bacteria are responsible for the breakdown of cellulose help in nutrition of animal.
23. Name the type of association that the genus Glomus exhibits with higher plants.
Ans – Symbiosis/Mycorrhizae/Mutualism.
24. Explain the significant role of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus in an ecological sensitivearea.
Ans – Nucleopolyhedrovirus is very useful for species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidalapplications (IPM),
They have been shown to have no negative impact on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even non-target insects.
25. Explain the process of sewage water treatment before it can be discharged into naturalwater bodies.
Why is this treatment essential?
Ans – (i) Primary treatment: This involves physical removal of particles from the sewage through filtration and
sedimentation. Initially, floating debris is removed by sequential filtration. Then the grit (soil and small
pebbles) are removed by sedimentation. The settled solids form the primary sludge and the supernatant forms
the effluent.
(ii) Secondary treatment or biological treatment: The primary effluent is passed in aeration tanks and
constantly agitated mechanically. Air is pumped into it. This allows vigorous growthof useful aerobic microbes
which consume organic matter in the effluent. This significantly reduces BOD of the effluent.
26. Identify ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’, ‘d’, ‘e’ and ‘f’ in the table given below:

Ans – (a) Bioactive molecule used to remove blood clot

(b) Trichoderma polysporum
(c) Immunosuppressant
(d) Statin
Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
(e) Blood cholesterol lowering agent
(f) Lactic acid
27. (a) Name the category of microbes occurring naturally in sewage and making it lesspolluted during
the treatment.
(b) Explain the different steps involved in the secondary treatment of sewage.
Ans (a) Aerobic microbes
(b) Secondary treatment or biological treatment
 Primary effluent is passed into large aeration tanks with constant mechanical agitationand air supply.
 Useful aerobic microbes grow rapidly and form flocs.
 Flocs are masses of bacteria associated with fungal filaments to form mesh-likestructures.
 The growing microbes consume organic matter and thus reduce the biochemicaloxygen demand (BOD).
 When BOD of sewage has reduced, the effluent is passed into settling tank.
 Here, the bacterial flocs settle and the sediment is called activated sludge.
 A small part of the sludge is used as an inoculum in the aeration tank and theremaining part is passed into
large tanks called anaerobic sludge digesters.
 In the digesters, heterotrophic microbes anaerobically digest bacteria and fungi insludge producing mixture of
gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide and CO2 which form the biogas
YEAR 2015
28. Explain the different steps involved during primary treatment phase of sewage.
Ans – Physical removal of particles (large and small),by filtration and sedimentation, forming primary
sludge/sedimented solids, forming effluent ( supernatant) for secondary treatment
29. State the medicinal value and the bioactive molecules produced by Streptococcus, Monascus and
Trichoderma.
Ans – Streptococcus ; Streptokinase , clot buster / remove clot from the blood vessels Monascus ; Statin , blood
cholesterol lowering agent / it inhibits the enzymes responsible for synthesis of cholesterol
Trichoderma ; cyclosporin A , immunosuppressive agents used in organ transplantation
30. Explain the process of secondary treatment given to the primary effluent up to the pointit shows
significant change in the level of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in it.
Ans – The primary effluent is passed into large aeration tanks where it is constantly agitated, mechanically
pumping air into it , this allows vigorous growth of useful aerobic microbes into flocs , these microbes
consumes the major part of organic matter in the effluent (this significantly reduces the BOD of the effluent)
31. Explain the function of ‘‘anaerobic sludge digester’’ in a sewage treatment plant.
Ans – Anaerobic sludge digester has anerobic bacteria that digests the aerobic bacteria and fungipresent in the
sludge during the digestion, these bacteria produce mixture of gases such as methane and H2S and CO2 /
biogas
YEAR 2016
32. Name a genus of baculovirus. Why are they considered as good biocontrol agents?
Ans – Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Species specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal application, no negative impact on non targetorganisms
33. (a) How do organic famers control pests? Give two examples.
(b) State the difference in their approach from that of conventional pest controlmethods.
Ans – (a) Natural predation / biological control. Examples - lady bird used to kill aphids // dragonflies used to
kill mosquitoes // Bacillus thuringiensis used to kill cotton bollworm / caterpillar / butterfly caterpillar (Any
two)
(b) Conventional Pest Control Organic farming based pest control
- use of chemical insecticides & - No chemical used.pesticides
- Harmful to non target organisms - Not harmful to non target organisms
- Cause environmental pollution - No adverse impact on environment
34. Name a free-living and a symbiotic bacterium that serve as bio fertilizer.Why are they socalled ?
Ans – Azospirillium / Azotobacter , Rhizobium = ½ + ½ ( any other correct example)
They enrich soil nutrient / nitrogen fixation
YEAR 2017
35. Name the microbes that help production of the following products commercially :
(a) Statin (b) Citric acid (c) Penicillin (d) Butyric acid
Ans – (a) Monascus purpureus (b) Aspergillus niger
(c) Penicillium notatum (d) Clostridium butylicum

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CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
36. Secondary treatment of the sewage is also called Biological treatment. Justify this statement and
explain the process.
Ans – Involves biological organism such as aerobic and anerobic microbes / bacteria and fungi todigest / consume
organic waste
Primary effluent is passed into aeration tank where vigorous growth of aerobic microbes(flocs) take place, BOD
reduced (microbes consume major part of organic matter), effluent is passed to settling tank where flocs
sediment to produce activated sludge , sludge is pumped to anerobic sludge digester to digest bacteria and
fungi
33. Give the binomials of two types of yeast and the commercial bioactive products they help to produce.
Ans - Saccharomyces cerevisiae- ethanol / alcohol
Monascus purpureus- statin
YEAR 2018
34. (a) Organic farmers prefer biological control of diseases and pests to the use ofchemicals for the
same purpose. Justify.
(b) Give an example of a bacterium, a fungus and an insect that are used as biocontrolagents.
Ans – (a) - Reduces dependence on toxic chemicals
- Protects our ecosystem or environment
- Protects and conserves non-target organisms / they are species - specific
- These chemicals being non-biodegradable may pollute the environment permanently
- These chemicals being non-biodegradable may cause biomagnifications
(any three)
(b) Bacteria – Bacillus thuringiensisFungus – Trichoderma
Insect – Ladybird / Dragonfly / Moth or any other correct example
35. Your advice is sought to improve the nitrogen content of the soil to be used forcultivation of a non-
leguminous terrestrial crop.
(a) Recommend two microbes that can enrich the soil with nitrogen.
(b) Why do leguminous crops not require such enrichment of the soil ?
Ans – (a) Azospirillum / Azotobacter / Anabaena / Nostoc / Oscillatoria / Frankia (Anytwo correct names of
microbes)
(b) They can fix atmospheric nitrogen , due to presence of Rhizobium / N2 fixing bacteriain their root
nodules
YEAR 2019
36. What are ‘flocs’, formed during secondary treatment of sewage ?
Ans – Masses of bacteria associated with fungal filament (to form mesh like structure)
37. Write any two places where methanogens can be found.
Ans - Anaerobic sludge (digester) , rumen of cattle / ruminants / stomach of cattle / gut of cattle ,marshy area ,
flooded rice fields , biogas plant (Any two)
37. Name the group of bacteria involved in setting milk into curd. Explain the process theycarry in
doing so. Write another beneficial role of such bacteria.
Ans – (group of) LAB / (group of) Lactic acid Bacteria / Lactobacillus species LAB produce acid that coagulate
and partially digest the milk proteins Increases Vitamin B12 / Checks disease causing microbes in the stomach
YEAR 2020
38. The microbes commonly used in kitchens are
(A) Lactobacillus and Yeast
(B) Penicillium and Yeast
(C) Microspora and E. coli
(D) Rhizopus and Lactobacillus
Ans – A / Lactobacillus and Yeast
39. Name the genus of baculovirus that acts as a biological control agent in spite of being a pathogen.
Justify by giving three reasons that make it an excellent candidate for the job.
Ans – Genus -Nucleopolyhedrovirus, species-specific , Narrow spectrum , No negative impact on (plants
/mammals/ birds /fish ) non-target organisms
40. ‘‘Micro-organisms play an important role for the biological treatment of sewage.’’Justify
Ans – Primary effluent passed into aeration tanks, constantly agitated and air is pumped in ,allows growth of
useful aerobic microbes into flocs / (masses of bacteria and fungal filaments), these microbes consume organic
matter and reduce Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of effluent.

Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
41. Explain the changes that milk undergoes when suitable starter/inoculum is added to it.How does
the end product formed prove to be beneficial for human health ?
Ans – Lactobacillus / lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in inoculum , grows in milk at a suitable
/ optimum temperature, multiplies converting milk to curd, produce acids that coagulateand partially digest the
milk proteins.
This improves its nutritional quality by increasing Vitamin B12 , LAB check diseases causing microbes in our
stomach
42. The bioactive molecule used as an immunosuppressive agent during organ transplant is
(A) Tetracyclin (B) Cyclosporin-A
(C) Statin (D) Streptomycin
Ans – (B) Cyclosporin-A
43. Mention the kind of interaction mycorrhizae exhibit. How is Glomus in mycorrhizal association
beneficial to the plants ?
Ans – Symbiotic relationship / mutualism
Absorbs phosphorus from the soil, provides resistance to the root borne pathogens, tolerance to salinity and
drought, overall increase in the plant growth ( any three)
44. Study the picture of biogas plant given below and answer the questions that follow :
(a) Name the components gaining entry from A into the chamber.
(b) Mention the group of bacteria and the condition in which they act on the componentthat entered
from A in the digester.
(c) Name the components that get collected in gas holder.

Ans - (a) Slurry of dung / dung and water

(b) (Microbial activity of) Methanogens / Methanobacterium , grow anaerobically
(c) Methane , CO2 / H2 (any one)
45. Large-holes in ‘Swiss-Cheese’ are due to
(a) Propionibacterium sharmanii (b) Saccharomyces cerevisae
(c) Penicillium chrysogenum (d) Acetobacter aceti
Ans. (a) / Propionibacterium sharmanii
MCQs/AR Questions/Case Based Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS
1.Big holes in Swiss cheese are made by ---------- .
(a).a fungus that releases carbondioxide.
(b).a bacterium that produces methane gas.
(c).Yeast
(d).a bacterium that produces large amount of carbondioxide.
2.The events of sewage treatment is given below
(a). Filtration (b).Chlorination (c). Biological treatment ( d).Sedimentation
Which one is the correct sequence of steps involved in sewage treatment?
(a)Steps A, B, C and D (b). Step B C, A, and D (c). Steps A, D, C and B (d). Steps A, D, B and C
3.Identify the organism which cannot fix atmospheric nitrogen.
(a).Nostoc ( b).Oscillatoria, (c).Anabaena(d).Spirogyra.
4.Activated sludge formed in STP is used in :
(a). Aeration tank to serve as inoculums
(b)Anaerobic sludge digester
c) Used in aeration tank as well as anaerobic sludge digester
(d)Used in sedimentation tank.

Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
5.Match the following list of microbes and their commercially important products:
Microbe Product
A).Aspergillusniger i)Lactic acid
B).Lactobacillus ii)Citric acid
C).Acetobacteraceti iii)Butyric acid
D).Clostridium butylicum iv)Acetic acid
( a). A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv ( b). A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv, (c.)A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii (d).A-ii, B- i, C-iv, D-iii
6.The spent slurry from the biogas plant is used as ………. .
(a).cooking fuel, (b).biofertiliser, (c).manure, (d).inoculum.
7.The use of biocontrol agents in farming will greatly reduce our dependence on….. .
(a).Fertilisers, (b).manure, (c).chemical pesticides( d).weedicides.
8.Which of the following is/are used in organic farming?
(a). Anabaena, (b).Azospirillum, (c).Trichoderma, ( d).All
9.Baculoviruses are pathogens that :
(a.) Attack viruses and bacteria, (b).attack insect pests,
(c). kill useful insects, (d). Kill nucleopolyhedrovirus.
10.Identify the wrong pair:
(a). Statin : Monascus, (b).Cyclosporin : Trichoderma
(c.) Penicillin : Staphylococci, (d.)Ethanol : Yeast
11.The vitamin whose content increases following the conversion of milk into curd by lactic acid bacteria is :
(a).Vitamin E, (b).Vitamin B 12 ,(c) Vitamin C , (d).Vitamin D
12.Which of the following alcoholic drink is produced without distillation?
(a). Whisky , (b). Brandy , (c).Rum , (d).Wine
13.Which of the following is immediately given to a patient brought to a hospital with myocardial infarction?
(a).Streptokinase, (b).Statin, (c).Penicillin, (d).Cyclosporin –A
14.Identify the process involved in making ― Toddy‖ .
(a).Lactic acid fermentation, (b).Alcoholic fermentation (c).Distillation, (d).All the above
15.Bottled juices are clarified by the use of ……… and ……… .
(a).Pectinase and lipase, (b).Protease and lipase,
(c).Protease and amylase, (d).Protease and pectinase.

Answer Key for MCQs

1.d, 2.c, 3.d , 4.c , 5.d , 6.c, 7. c, 8.d , 9.b, 10.c , 11.b , 12.d , 13.a , 14.b , 15.d
ASSERTION –REASON TYPE QUESTIONS
Answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below: -
(a)..Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b).Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c).A is true but R is false.
(d).A is false but R is true.
16.Assertion(A) : Statins produced by Monascus is used for lowering blood cholesterol.
Reason (R) : Statins stimulate the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol.
17.Assertion(A): Methanogens are present in the rumen of cattle.
Reason (R) :The break down of cellulosic materials in the rumen is carried out by methanogens.
18.Assertion (A) : Cyanobacteria like Nostoc and Anabaena are used as biofertilisers.
Reason (R) :Cyanobacteria absorb phosphorus from soil and passes it to crop.
19. Assertion (A) :Dough used for making dosa and idli is fermented by bacteria.
Reason (R)) :The puffed-up appearance of dough is due to production of lactic acid.
20.Assertion (A): Bacillus thuringiensis and Trichoderma are used as biocontrol agents by organic farmers.
Reason (R) : The use of biocontrol agents helps to reduce pollution caused by excessive use of fertilizers.
21.Assertion (A) : Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used for making bread.
Reason (R) : Fermentation carried out by Yeast enzymes produces CO2 .
22. Assertion (A) : Azospirillum can enrich nitrogen content in the soil.
Reason (R) : Ammonia is converted into free nitrogen by Azospirillum .
Answer Key for A-R Questions
16.c, 17.a, 18.c, 19.c, 20.c, 21.a, 22.c
DIAGRAM BASED / CASE BASED QUESTIONS
23.Observe the given diagram and answer the questions :
Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology

a).What is a and how is it useful to us?

b).Name the main gases collected in b.
c).Name the microbes present in the digester part. 3
24.The given diagram shows the root system of a leguminous plant.

a.Name the microbe present inside the root nodule and mention the role of it.
b.How is this microbe differ from Nostoc? (2)
c The application of fertilizers and pesticides has improved our food production. But excessive use of these
agrochemicals have adverse effect on environment and human health. So many
farmers are moving away from the use of agrochemicals and started practicing organic farming.
25.Organic farmers use a number of microbes for crop protection from pests.
a.Mention one benefit of microbial biocontrol method over pesticides.
b.Name a fungus and a bacteria which act as biocontrol agents.2
26.Sewage treatment plants are compulsory for all newly constructed residential apartments with many family
accommodations. Sewage treatment aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is
suitable for discharge to the surrounding environment or can be reused for watering plants. Untreated sewage
discharged into water bodies adversely affect the quality of water. The presence of high amount of organic matter
in water increases the BOD. The two stages in sewage treatment are physical treatment and biological treatment.
The secondary / biological treatment requires the action of aerobic and anaerobic microbes. The flocs formed in
the aeration tank help to reduce the BOD. The biogas generation is also possible through STPs.
a)The effluent from the primary settling tank is taken to --------
i.Anaerobic sludge digester, ii.Aeration tank ,
iii.Natural water bodies , iv.Biogas plant
b)Name two major categories of microbes which consume organic matter in the aeration tank. c)Give reason for
pumping a part of activated sludge in to aeration tank? d)Where is activated sludge formed in STP?
Answer Key for Diagram Based/Case Based Questions
23. a)Spent slurry/ sludge, used as manure.
b) CH4, CO2, H2S, H2
c) Methanogens/Methanobacterium
24. a)Rhizobium, Can fix atmospheric nitrogen.
b)Rhizobium is symbiotic nitrogen fixer, But Nostoc is photosynthetic free living
25.a)No pesticide pollution, No impact on health
Fungus- Trichoderma , Bacterium: Bacillus thuringiensis
26.a) Aeration tank b) Bacteria and fungi
c) It acts as inoculums d) In settling tank

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CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology
IMPORTANT SCIENTISTS, SCIENTIFIC NAMES, ABBREVIATIONS & IMP. FACTS
Toddy: It is a traditional drink of some parts of southern India is made by fermenting sap from palms.
Wine and Beer are produced without distillation whereas Whisky, Brandy and Rum are produced by distillation of the
fermented broth.
Alexander Fleming: He observed while on working on Staphylococci bacteria that these bacteria died due to a chemical
(Penicillin) produced by Penicillium notatum fungus. He named the chemical Penicillin.
Ernest Chain and Howard Florey: They established the potential of Penicillin as an effective antibiotic. Fleming, Chain
and Florey were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1945, for this discovery.
STP: Sewage Treatment Plant
Flocs: Masses of bacteria associated with fungal filaments to form mesh like structures.
BOD: Biochemical Oxygen Demand.
Methanobacterium: Bacteria (methanogens) which grow anaerobically on cellulosic material, produce large amount of
methane along with CO2 and H2.
IARI: Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
KVIC: Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
TMV: Tobacco Mosaic Virus
LAB: Lactic Acid Bacteria
IPM: Integrated Pest Management
Microbes Group Uses
1. Acetobacter aceti Bacterium Acetic acid
2. Aspergillus niger Fungus Citric acid
3. Azospirillum Bacterium Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer
4. Azotobacter Bacterium Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer
5. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Bacterium Biocontrol of butterfly
caterpillar
Biocontrol of insects and other
arthropods.
6. Baculoviruses (mainly nucleopolyhedrovirus) Virus
Used in Integrated Pest
Management (IPM).
7. Clostridium butyilicum Bacterium Butyric acid
8. Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) Bacteria Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer
9. Lactobacillus (LAB) Bacterium Lactic acid, milk to curd
10. Methanobacterium (methanogens) Bacterium Biogas (CH4) production i.e.,
source of energy
11. Monascus purpureus Fungus (a yeast) Statins (blood cholesterol
lowering agents)
Fungi (E.g. Glomus) +
12. Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer
plant
Penicillin (First antibiotic
13. Penicillium notatum Fungus (mould) discovered by Alexander
Fleming).
14. Penicillium roqueforti Fungus Roquefort cheese
15. Propionibacterium shermanii Bacterium In Swiss cheese formation
16. Rhizobium Bacterium Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer
Production of beverages, bread
17. Saccharomyces cerevisie (Baker’s
Fungus by fermenting dough, ethanol
yeast or Brewer’s yeast)
etc.
18. Streptococcus Bacterium Streptokinase (a clot buster)
19. Trichoderma polysporum Fungus Cyclosporine A (An
immunosuppressive agent)
20. Trichoderma sp Fungus Biocontrol
21. Anabaena, Nostoc, Oscillatoria Cyanobacteria Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer

MIND MAPS & IMPORTANT DIAGRAMS

Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

CBSE 10 Years+Diagrams+Important Topics+Syllabus Chapter 10 XII Biology

Fig: Steps of Sewage treatment

Fig: Secondary Treatment Fig: Aerial view of Sewage Plant

Fig: Biogas Plant

Shayar Singh, PGT-Biology Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone