Chapter 1- Nutrition in Plants

Multiple-choice Questions
1. Organisms which prepare food for themselves using simple, naturally
available raw materials are referred to as

(a) heterotrophs

(b) autotrophs

(c) parasites

(d) saprophytes

Soln:

The answer is (b) autotrophs

Explanation:

Organisms which prepare food for themselves using simple, naturally available raw
materials are referred to as autotrophs.

Organisms which are dependent on plants for their food are known as heterotrophs.

Parasites are those organisms which live and are dependent on the host for
food. They obtain food at the cost of their host.

Saprophytes are organisms which eat dead and decaying matter as food.

2. In the absence of which of the following, will photosynthesis not occur in

leaves?

(a) Guard cells

(b) Chlorophyll

(c) Vacuole

(d) Space between cells

Soln:
The answer is (b) Chlorophyll

Explanation:

The leaves have a green pigment called chlorophyll. It helps leaves to capture the
energy of the sunlight. This energy is used to synthesise (prepare) food from carbon
dioxide and water.

3. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(i) All green plants can prepare their own food.

(ii) Most animals are autotrophs.

(iii) Carbon dioxide is not required for photosynthesis.

(iv) Oxygen is liberated during photosynthesis.

Choose the correct answer from the options below:

(a) (i) and (iv)

(b) (ii) only

(c) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (i) and (ii)

Soln:

Answer is (a) (i) and (iv)

Explanation:

Statement ii) is wrong because animals are heterotrophs.

Statement iii) is wrong because CO2 is necessary for photosynthesis.

4. Pitcher plant traps insects because it

(a) is a heterotroph.

(b) grows in soils which lack nitrogen.

(c) does not have chlorophyll.

(d) has a digestive system like human beings.

Soln:

The answer is (b) grows in soils which lack nitrogen.

Explanation:

Pitcher plant grows in the soil, which is deficient in Nitrogen. Pitcher plants carry out
photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates. But for nitrogen source, it traps and
digests the insects.

5. The term that is used for the mode of nutrition in yeast, mushroom and
bread-mould is

(a) autotrophic

(b) insectivorous

(c) saprophytic

(d) parasitic

Soln:

The answer is (c) saprophytic

Explanation:

These are all fungi. They absorb the nutrients from the dead and decaying matter.
They secrete digestive juices, which help them to digest the organic material. This
type of absorbing nutrition is called the saprophytic mode of nutrition.

6. When we observe the lower surface of a leaf through a magnifying lens, we

see numerous small openings. Which of the following is the term given to
such openings?

(a) Stomata

(b) Lamina

(c) Midrib

(d) Veins
Soln:

The answer is (a) Stomata

Explanation:

Lamina is the green expanded part of the leaf with veins and veinlets. The midrib is
the middle prominent vein. Veins provide rigidity to leaves and act as channels for
the transport of water, minerals and food materials. Stomata are the minute pores
usually located on the underside of the leaves and take part in the exchange of
gases (02 and CO2) during photosynthesis and respiration. They are surrounded by
guard cells.

7. Two organisms are good friends and live together. One provides shelter,
water, and nutrients, while the other prepares and provides food. Such an
association of organisms is termed as

(a) saprophyte

(b) parasite

(c) autotroph

(d) symbiosis

Soln:

The answer is (d) symbiosis

Explanation:

Saprophyte is those which feed on dead and decaying matter. Parasites are
organisms which feed on other organisms. Autotrophs are organisms which prepare
their own food.

8. Which of the following raw material is available in the air for

photosynthesis?

(a) Oxygen

(b) Carbon dioxide

(c) Nitrogen
(d) Hydrogen

Soln:

The answer is (b) Carbon dioxide

Explanation:

Plants prepare their own food by using Carbon dioxide and water to produce
carbohydrates and oxygen. Carbon-di-oxide present in the air is utilized by plants as
a carbon source.

Very Short Answer Questions

9. Potato and ginger are both underground parts that store food. Where is the
food prepared in these plants?

Soln:

In the plants, the shoot system and leaves stay above ground. They prepare food by
photosynthesis and store energy in the underground part of the plant.

10. Photosynthesis requires chlorophyll, and a few other raw materials. Add
the missing raw materials to the list given below: Water, minerals,
_____________, ______________.

(a) (b)

Soln:

Sunlight/light energy, (b) carbon dioxide.

Short Answer Questions

11. A goat eats away all the leaves of a small plant (balsam). However, in a few
days, new leaves could be seen sprouting in the plant again. How did the plant
survive without leaves?

Soln:

Plants have stored food in their stems and roots. Because of this, plants live for a
few days without leaves.

12. Unscramble the following to form terms related to modes of nutrition.

(i) RASPAEIT

(ii) ROPEHYTSAP

(iii) TOROPHAUT

(iv) SIBIOMSYS

Soln:

1. PARASITE
2. SAPROPHYTE
3. AUTOTROPH
4. SYMBIOSIS

13. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. But farmers who cultivate
pulse crops like green gram, Bengal gram, black gram, etc., do not apply
nitrogenous fertilizers during cultivation. Why?

Soln:

Roots of pulses have a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria called Rhizobium. This
bacteria fixes atmospheric nitrogen, which will be utilized by leguminous plants.
Hence, farmers don’t apply nitrogen fertilizers while cultivating cereals.

14. Wheat dough is left in the open, and after a few days, it starts to emit a foul
smell and becomes unfit for use. Give reason.

Soln:

Carbohydrates present in the dough will provide nutrients for the growth of yeast and
other fungi. These break down glucose to emit a foul smell and spoil dough.

15. Sunlight, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, water and minerals are raw materials
essential for photosynthesis. Do you know where they are available? Fill in the
blanks with the appropriate raw materials.

(a) Available in the plant: _______________

(b) Available in the soil: _______________, _______________

(c) Available in the air: _______________

(d) Available during day: _______________

Soln:

(a) Available in the plant: Chlorophyll

(b) Available in the soil: Water, Minerals

(c) Available in the air: Carbon-di-oxide

(d) Available during day: Sunlight

16. Observe the diagram given in Figure 1.1 and label the following terms
given in the box.

Soln:

Long Answer Questions

17. Match the organisms given in Column I with their mode of nutrition given in
Column II.

Column I Column II

a) Mango tree i) Insectivorous plant

b) Mushroom ii) Heterotroph

c) Pitcher Plant iii) Autotroph

d) Cuscuta iv) Saprophyte

e) Elephant v) Parasitic

Soln:

Column I Column II

a) Mango tree iii) Autotroph

b) Mushroom iv) Saprophyte

c) Pitcher Plant i) Insectivorous plant

d) Cuscuta v) Parasitic

e) Elephant ii)Heterotroph

18. Wild animals like tiger, wolf, lion and leopard do not eat plants. Does this
mean that they can survive without plants? Can you provide a suitable
explanation?

Soln:

Wild animals like tiger, wolf, lion and leopard do not eat plants. But they feed on
herbivore animals which eat plants. If plants do not exist, these animals cannot exist
due to the lack of food. Further, wild animals cannot live as they will not get food.
Hence, it is said that, directly or indirectly, all living organisms depend on plants for
food.

19. Fill in the blanks of the paragraph given below with the words provided in
the box.
Leaves have a green pigment called (a) which captures (b) from sunlight. This
(c) is used in the process of (d) and along with other raw materials like (e) and
(f), synthesize (g).

Soln:

Leaves have a green pigment called Chlorophyll which captures energy from
sunlight. This energy is used in the process of photosynthesis and, along with other
raw materials like water and carbon-di-oxide synthesises food.

20. Spot as many organisms as possible in the puzzle given in Figure 1.2 by
encircling them as shown. Write the names on a sheet of paper and categorise
them into autotrophs and heterotrophs. Classify the heterotrophs into
herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and saprophytes.

Soln:

Number of organisms: 22

(Some examples are given. You may find the rest of the organisms.)

Autotrophs – Rose, Mango, Bhindi, Carrot, Banyan, Tulsi, Ginger, Yam

Heterotrophs – Elephant, Ant, Yeast, Tiger, Mushroom, Fox, Mice, Owl, Cow, Crow,
Rabbit, Bee, Fish
Herbivores – Elephant, Cow, Rabbit, Bee

Carnivores – Fox, Tiger

Omnivores – Ant, Mice, Owl, Crow, Fish

Saprophytes – Mushroom, Yeast

21. Can you give me a name? Solve each of the following riddles by writing the
name of the organism and its mode of nutrition. One riddle is solved to help
you.

(a) I am tall, but I cannot move. I am green and can prepare my own food. tree,
autotroph

(b) I live in water; people keep me in an aquarium and feed me. ,

(c) I am small, and I can fly. I disturb your sleep, bite you and suck your blood
which is my food. ,

(d) I am white and soft. I grow well in the rainy season. Children pluck me from
the ground and admire me. I absorb nutrients from decomposed dead parts of
plants and animals in the soil. ,.

Soln:

(b) fish, heterotroph

(c) mosquito, parasite

(d) mushroom, saprophyte

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Frequently Asked Questions NCERT Exemplar for Class

7 Science Chapter 1 Nutrition in Plants
Q1

Potato and ginger are both underground parts that store food. Where
is the food prepared in these plants?
In these plants, the shoot system and leaves stay above ground. They prepare food
by photosynthesis and store energy in the underground part of the plant.
Q2

A goat eats away all the leaves of a small plant (balsam). However, in
a few days, new leaves could be seen sprouting in the plant again. How
did the plant survive without leaves?

Plants have stored food in their stems and roots. Because of this, plants live for a
few days without leaves.
Q3

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. But farmers who

cultivate pulse crops like green gram, Bengal gram, black gram, etc.,
do not apply nitrogenous fertilisers during cultivation. Why?

Roots of pulses have a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria called Rhizobium. This
bacteria fixes atmospheric nitrogen, which will be utilised by leguminous plants.
Hence, farmers don’t apply nitrogen fertilisers while cultivating cereals.
Q4

Wheat dough is left in the open, and after a few days, it starts to emit
a foul smell and becomes unfit for use. Give a reason.

Carbohydrates present in the dough will provide nutrients for the growth of yeast and
other fungi. These break down glucose to emit a foul smell and spoil dough.
Q5

Wild animals like tiger, wolf, lion and leopard do not eat plants. Does
this mean that they can survive without plants? Can you provide a
suitable explanation?

Wild animals like tiger, wolf, lion and leopard do not eat plants. But they feed on
herbivore animals which eat plants. If plants do not exist, these animals will not exist
due to the lack of food. Further, wild animals cannot live as they will not get food.
Hence, it is said that, directly or indirectly, all living organisms depend on plants for
food.