Chapter 9 – Growth and Development

Looking for a quick and simple way to revise this chapter? The topic Growth and Development is important for your WBBSE Class 10 Geography exam. Here, you will get important questions and answers in easy English. These questions are based on important topics and common exam patterns. This will help you revise quickly, understand clearly, and score better marks in your Madhyamik exam.

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Single word questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. In a growing plant, the very first phase during the process of frowth is-
(a) Cell division
(b) Cell differentiation
(c) Cell elongation
(d) cell maturation

Ans: (a) Cell division

2. Growth is primary affected by two climate factors which are-
(a) light and wind
(b) Rainfall and temperature
(c) Temperature and relative humidity
(d) Light and temperature

Ans: (d) Light and temperature

3. Which one is the internal factor affecting plant growth?
(a) Temperature
(b) Light
(c) Enzymes
(d) Carbon dioxide

Ans: (c) Enzymes

4. Which one is external factor for growth?
(a) Light
(b) Hormone
(c) Enzyme
(d) Nutrition

Ans: (a) Light

5. The bones of the old persons become brittle due to accumulation of-
(a) Magnesium
(b) Phosphorus
(c) Calcium
(d) None of the above

Ans: (d) None of the above

6. The phase of growth from start to end, when the process of growth occurs at a fast pace, is called-
(a) Grand period
(b) Stagnant period
(c) Lag period
(d) steady period

Ans: (a) Grand period

7. Which of the following occurs first during the growth of a developing organism?
(a) Cell maturation
(b) Cell transformation
(c) Cell development
(d) Cell division

Ans: (d) Cell division

8. The branch of biological science that deals with the study of senescence and ageing is called-
(a) Anthropology
(b) Psychology
(c) Geronotology
(d) Physiology

Ans: (c) Geronotology

9. The growth in width of a plant is treated as-
(a) Primary growth
(b) Reproductive growth
(c) Vegetative growth
(d) Secondary growth

Ans: (d) Secondary growth

10. Permanent increase of dry weight is called-
(a) Growth
(b) Differentiation
(c) Development
(d) Division

Ans: (a) Growth

11. Number of phases of growth of organisms is-
(a) Two
(b) Five
(c) Three
(d) Four

Ans: (c) Three

12. The metabolic process that involves the increase in dry weight of the body is denoted as –
(a) Anabolic metabolism
(b) Catabolic metabolism
(c) Differential metabolism
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Anabolic metabolism

13. The growth of a plant is measured with –
(a) Arc indicator
(b) Barometer
(c) Potometer
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Arc indicator

14. The metabolic process in which the dry weight of the body decreases, is called-
(a) Anabolic metabolism
(b) Catabolic metabolism
(c) Differential metabolism
(d) All of these

Ans: (b) Catabolic metabolism

15. Which of the following is an example of an external factor of growth?
(a) Gene
(b) Hormone
(c) Sunlight
(d) All of these

Ans: (c) Sunlight

16. In plants, the growth that occurs due to cell division of secondary meristem is called-
(a) Reproductive growth
(b) Primary growth
(c) Vegetative growth
(d) Secondary growth

Ans: (d) Secondary growth

17. Quick loss of calcium occurs in bones of human females-
(a) Predelivery
(b) Postdelivery
(c) Before puberty
(d) After puberty

Ans: (b) Postdelivery

18. The stage of human development in which ability for detecting light and sound develops is-
(a) Childhood
(b) Neonatal stage
(c) Matured stage
(d) Adolescence

Ans: (b) Neonatal stage

19. Secondary asexual characters appear during-
(a) Childhood
(b) Matured age
(c) Neonatal stage
(d) Adolescence

Ans: (d) Adolescence

20. Among vertebrates, indirect development occurs in-
(a) Birds
(b) Mammals
(c) Birds
(d) Reptiles

Ans: (d) Reptiles

21. The glands which become hyperactive during adolescence are-
(a) Sebaceous glands
(b) Sweat glands
(c) Reproductive glands
(d) All of these

Ans: (d) All of these

22. Phase of cell enlargement is controlled by-
(a) Insulin
(b) ADH
(c) Thyroxin
(d) Somatotropic hormone

Ans: (d) Somatotropic hormone

23. Development of an organism starts from-
(a) Male gametes
(b) Ovary
(c) Egg cell
(d) Zygote

Ans: (d) Zygote

24. The second phase of growth is-
(a) Cell division phase
(b) Cell enlargement phase
(c) Cell differentiation phase
(d) Late phase

Ans: (b) Cell enlargement phase

25. The last phase of growth is –
(a) Phase of cell enlargement
(b) Phase of cell division
(c) Phase of cell differentiation
(d) Late phase

Ans: (c) Phase of cell differentiation

26. Increase in number of cells in meristem can be treated as-
(a) Phase of cell enlargement
(b) Phase of cell differentiation
(c) Phase of cell division
(d) Phase of cell elongation

Ans: (c) Phase of cell division

27. Transformation of meristematic tissue into permanent tissue occurs in-
(a) Phase of cell differentiation
(b) Phase of cell enlargement
(c) Phase of cell division
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Phase of cell differentiation

28. The total number of developmental phases in human life is-
(a) Five
(b) Six
(c) Four
(d) Three

Ans: (a) Five

29. If anabolism takes over catabolism, the dry weight of the body increases. This is called-
(a) Regular growth
(b) Positive growth
(c) Irregular growth
(d) Negative growth

Ans: (b) Positive growth

30. The organ which is responsible for husky or cracked voice in males is-
(a) Larynx
(b) Chest muscle
(c) Tongue
(d) Bronchiole

Ans: (a) Larynx

31. The human developmental phase, in which sexual urge starts to develop is called the –
(a) Matured stage
(b) Neonatal stage
(c) Childhood
(d) Adolescence

Ans: (d) Adolescence

32. Which of the following is not a character of senescence?
(a) Fatigue
(b) Wrinkled skin
(c) Degeneration of bones
(d) Development of bone

Ans: (d) Development of bone

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks

1. An increase in dry weight accompanied by an increase in size and volume of the living organism is called _____________.(growth)
2. Plants which avoid sunlight are called __________ _______________.(sciophytes / shade-loving plants)
3. Due to growth __________ weight of the body increases. (dry)
4. Growth in animals occurs for a _________ period of time. (definite)
5. After fertilisation, a unicellular ___________ is formed. (zygote)
6. During cellular differentiation, _____________ cell wall is formed. (secondary)
7. During cell enlargement phase, a young cell absorbs ___________ to increase its volume. (water)
8. During. ___________ a human baby learns to utter meaningful words. (childhood)
9. The age 10-19 of human is called _________ phase. (adolescent)

2B. True or false

1. Growth is an increase in dry weight accompanied by an increase in size and volume of the living organism. (True)
2. The science which deals with the study of aging to called gerontology.(True)
3. In human life, 10 to 15 years of age indicates childhood.(False)
4. Germ cell production in gonads starts during adolescence. (True)
5. Gradual loss of memory occurs during old age.(True)
6. Study of human development is known as gerontology. (False)

2C. Single word questions and answers

1. Mention one example of homometabolic metamorphosis.
Ans: A butterfly is an example of homometabolic metamorphosis.

2. How do you denote the phase between childhood and adulthood?
Ans: This phase is called adolescence.

3. Name two hormones which take part in metamorphosis.
Ans: The two hormones involved in metamorphosis are thyroxine and ecdysone.

4. Which hormone helps in the absorption of the tail of the tadpole?
Ans: Thyroxine helps in the absorption of the tadpole’s tail.

5. Mention two internal factors of growth-regulation.
Ans: Two internal factors of growth regulation are genes and hormones.

6. How do you denote the growth of an organism in unit time?
Ans: It is denoted as the growth rate.

7. What is produced after division of a zygote?
Ans: After division of a zygote, an embryo is produced.

8. Which type of metabolism is growth?
Ans: Growth is a type of anabolic metabolism.

9. Which phase of human growth is called the period of turmoil?
Ans: Adolescence is called the period of turmoil.

10. Give one example of isometric growth.
Ans: Fish show isometric growth.

11. How do you denote the span of human life from 2 months to 10 years?
Ans: This span is called childhood.

12. Which is the first site of growth?
Ans: The meristem is the first site of growth.

3. Short-type questions and answers

1. Name the five phases of human development.
Ans: The five phases of human development are the neonatal stage, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

2. Difference between plant growth and animal growth.
Ans:

Plant Growth	Animal Growth
Plant growth is mostly indefinite.	Animal growth is definite.
Plants keep growing throughout life.	Animals stop growing after a certain age.

3. What is human development?
Ans: Human development is the gradual physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that happen from birth to old age.

4. What is negative growth?
Ans: Negative growth occurs when the body loses weight because catabolism becomes greater than anabolism, meaning the body breaks down more materials than it produces.

5. What is meant by phase of cell division of growth?
Ans: The phase of cell division is the initial stage of growth where cells continuously divide by mitosis. This increases the number of cells, forming the basic foundation for further growth.

6. Mention the different types of growth depending on nature.
Ans: Depending on nature, growth is of two types:

Allometric growth – different body parts grow at different rates.
Isometric growth – all parts of the body grow at the same rate.

7. What is neonatal phase?
Ans: The neonatal phase is the time from birth to one month. In this stage, the baby starts adjusting to the outside world and shows fast but delicate growth.

8. Write down the characteristics of neonates.
Ans: Neonates have soft bones, weak muscles, and limited vision. They have a fast heartbeat, irregular breathing, and they depend completely on adults for food, warmth, and protection. Their brain and immune system are still developing.

9. What is meant by childhood?
Ans: Childhood is the stage from two months to about ten years. During this period, children grow steadily, improve their thinking skills, learn emotions, and develop social behavior. It is a time of curiosity and quick learning.

10. What is adoloscence?
Ans: Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood when rapid body growth occurs, hormones become active, and many physical and mental changes happen.

11. What are the secondary sexual characters?
Ans: Secondary sexual characters are the bodily features that appear during puberty, such as beard, moustache, and deep voice in boys, and breast development and broader hips in girls.

12. Write down some characteristics features of adolescent phase.
Ans: The adolescent phase shows rapid growth, hormonal changes, mood variations, development of secondary sexual characters, and an increase in curiosity and mental development.

13. What is senescence?
Ans: Senescence is the aging stage of life when the body gradually weakens and many body functions slow down, leading to signs of old age.

4. Long-type questions and answers

1. What is growth? Explain different types of growth in living organisms.
Ans: Growth means a permanent increase in the size, length, volume, and number of cells of a living organism. It happens when the body builds more anabolism than it breaks down catabolism, causing the dry weight of the organism to increase.

Types of growth:

Type of Growth	Description	Example
Isometric growth	All parts of the body grow at the same rate.	Fish
Allometric growth	Different body parts grow at different rates.	Frog
Indefinite growth	Growth continues throughout life.	Plants
Definite growth	Growth stops after a certain age.	Animals and humans

2. (a) Define growth. (b) Name the different phases of plant growth.
Ans: Growth means a permanent increase in the size, length, volume, and number of cells of a living organism. It happens when the body builds more anabolism than it breaks down catabolism, causing the dry weight of the organism to increase.

Phase of Growth	Description
Cell division phase	New cells are formed by repeated cell division (mitosis), increasing the number of cells.
Cell enlargement phase	Cells grow in size by taking in water and increasing the volume of cytoplasm.
Cell differentiation phase	Cells become specialised to form different tissues and organs.

3. Define five phases of human development.
Ans: The five phases of human development are:

Senescence: This is the stage when signs of aging appear. Body functions become slower, strength decreases, and the ability to fight diseases becomes weak.
Neonatal phase: This phase is from birth to one month. The newborn adjusts to the outside environment, starts breathing and feeding, and shows quick but delicate growth.
Childhood: This stage is from about 2 months to 10 years. It shows steady growth of the body and improvement in mental, emotional, and social abilities.
Adolescence: This stage is from 11 to 19 years. It is marked by rapid growth of the body, active hormones, appearance of secondary sexual characters, and many physical and mental changes.
Adulthood: In this stage, the body becomes fully mature. Growth in height stops, the reproductive system works completely, and physical and mental abilities reach their best level.