Class 9 Science Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions
25 Feb 2026Life Processes in Living Organisms Class 9 Science Chapter 15 Questions And Answers Maharashtra Board
1. Match the pairs and explain. Answer. (1 – b),(2 – c),(3 – a),(4 – e) 2. Complete the paragraph. The milk was on the stove. Rasika was engrossed watching television. She smelled something burning. She ran towards the kitchen. The milk was boiling over. She held the vessel with her bare hands but, screaming, she let it go at once. This activity was controlled by ……………….. cells. Special ends of ……………….. in these cells collected the information, from where it was transferred to the ……………….. and then towards the terminal end of the ……………….. The chemicals produced at the terminal end passed through the minute space i.e. ………………. . In this way, ……………….. were conducted in the body and the process of ……………….. was completed by conducting the impulses from ……………….. to ……………… (Nerve, muscle cell, impulse, dendrite, synapse, axon, reflex action, cell body) Answer. Nerve, dendrite, cell body, axon, synapse, impulses, reflex action, nerve, muscle cell. 3. Write notes on Root pressure, Transpiration, Nerve cell, Human brain, Reflex action Answer. 1. Root pressure (1) The pressure created in the root cells is called a root pressure. Root cells are in contact with water and minerals in the soil. But the concentration inside the cells and the concentration in the surrounding soil is different from each other and thus there is concentration gradient created. (2) Due to concentration gradient, the water and minerals from the surrounding areas enter in the root cells. (3) Due to this, the root cells become turgid and exert pressure on the adjacent cells. (4) Due to root pressure, the water and minerals enter the xylem present in the roots. To reduce this difference in concentration they are continuously pushed forward. This continuous movement creates a water column that is continuously pushed ahead. (5) The pressure exerted by the root cells thus is sufficient to lift the water up in small shrubs and small trees. 2. Transpiration (1) There are stomata on the leaves of the plants. Through these opening the excess of water is thrown out in the form of water vapours. This process is called transpiration. (2) There are two guard cells around the opening of stomata. They have an external membrane. They control the opening and closing of the stomata. (3) Also some amount of water is lost due to evaporation from the leaves. (4) As a result, water level in the epidermal layer of the leaf decreases. (5) To compensate this loss, more water is brought to the leaves through the xylem. (6) Transpiration thus helps in absorption of water and minerals and their distribution to all parts of the plant. (7) Root pressure pushes the water up during the night time. 3. Nerve cell (1) Neurons or nerve cells are structural and functional units of the nervous system that carry impulses from one place to other. (2) Neuron has the ability to generate and conduct electrochemical impulses. (3) Every neuron has three main parts, viz. cyton or cell body, axon and dendrites. Dendrites pick up the electrochemical signals produced. (4) These signals are transferred to cyton and from cyton they are sent to axons. From axon of one neuron, the impulse is then given to dendrites of next neuron. 4. Human brain (1) Human brain is highly evolved organ. It is the main controlling centre of nervous system. It is the part of the central nervous system. It is very well protected inside the cranium or cranial cavity. (2) The brain is enclosed by meninges which are protective coverings. There are hollow ventricles inside the brain which are filled up with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is protective and nourishing in function. The average weight of adult human brain is about 1300 – 1400 grams and there are approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain. (3) There are three main parts of the brain, viz. Cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. 5. Reflex action (1) Reflex action is an immediate and involuntary response given to a stimulus from the environment. (2) The reflex action is so spontaneous that it does not require thinking or control by our brain. (3) Reflex actions are not controlled by brain. But the control and coordination is maintained by the reflex actions by which the load on the brain isreduced. They are of survival value as a person is saved from a dangerous situations due to reflex actions. (4) The path of reflex action is as follows : This is also known as reflex arc. Sense organs Sensory neurons -> Towards the spinal cord -> Coordination neuron -> Motor neuron-> Muscle or gland. 4. Name the hormones of the following endocrine glands and the function of each. Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Thymus, Testis, Ovary. Answer. Hormone Function (i) Growth hormone Stimulates growth of bones. (ii) Adrenocorticotropic hormone Stimulates adrenal gland. (iii) Thyroid-stimulating hormone Stimulates thyroid gland. (iv) Prolactin Stimulates milk production. (v) Follicle-stimulating hormone Controls growth of gonads. (vi) Luteinizing hormone Controls menstrual cycle and ovulation. (vii) Oxytocin Contracts uterus during parturition. (viii) Antidiuretic hormone Regulates water-level in the body. 2. Thyroid Hormone Function (i) Thyroxine Controls growth of body and metabolic activities. (ii) Calcitonin Controls calcium metabolism and calcium level in blood. 3. Adrenal Hormone Function (i) Adrenalin and nor-adrenalin Controls behaviour during crisis and emotional situation. (ii) Corticosteroid Maintains balance of Na+ and K+ and stimulates metabolism. 4. Thymus Hormone Function Thymosin Control the cells which give rise to immunity. 5. Testis Hormone Function Testosterone Stimulates growth of secondary sexual characteristics like beard, mustache, hoarse voice etc. in men. 6. Ovary Hormone Function (i) Oestrogen Stimulates growth of the endometrium. Stimulates growth of secondary sexual characteristics in women. (ii) Progesterone Prepares the endometrium for conception and maintains pregnancy. 5. Draw and label the diagrams. Human endocrine glands, Human brain, Nephron, Nerve cell, Human excretory system. Answer. 1. Human endocrine glands 2. Human brain 3. Nephron 4. Nerve cell 5. Human excretory system 6. Answer the following. a. Explain chemical co-ordination in humans and give the names and
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