Blog

Who were the Mughals?

Introduction

India displayed political division and factionalism around the start of the sixteenth century. The strong Delhi Sultanate was afflicted with many issues. Their power was only limited in the vicinity of Delhi. Bahmani, Vijayanagar, and Deccan kingdoms were split up into smaller pieces. This was a golden opportunity for the Central Asian kings, who had been waiting to invade India and increase their dominance in this region. Babur was one such invader from Central Asia who, after losing power over his paternal principality of Farghana, set out to conquer the Indian subcontinent. Babur was the man who established the Mughal dynasty in India. He was the descendant of Genghis Khan and Amir Timur and was responsible for establishing the Mughal empire in India.

The Mughal Empire

After defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the initial Battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire. The majority of the Indian subcontinent was covered in this empire until 1707, after which it began to wane due to weaker Mughals who were incapable to extend it. The Mughal kings governed India for more than three hundred years. The Mughal Empire was the first to exploit gunpowder technology to establish its dominance in India, hence it was also known as the “Gunpowder Empire.”

One of the largest empires in medieval India, the Mughal empire had strongmen like Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb.

The Mughal descendants

Birth of the Mughal state

  • The final Tughlaq monarch was vanquished by Babur in 1526, and he establishes the Mughal Empire.
  • It was well maintained by his successors Akbar, Shahjahan, Jahangir, and Aurangzeb, who strengthened the empire by conquering challenges that stood in the way of its growth. To create a strong Mughal empire, they developed an effective administrative and bureaucratic structure.
  • Akbar used a diplomatic strategy to gain the trust of his Hindu competitors as well as a policy of religious tolerance, which assisted him in establishing a sizable and powerful state.
  • As a result of the Mughal era’s cultural advancement, advancement in architecture, and efficient administrative practices, emperors were able to consolidate their control over nearly the entirety of India, as well as portions of Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
  • They developed a network of trade with other countries, hence bringing prosperity to India.

 Trade 

  • During the Mughal era, an abundance of agricultural products drove the growth of a global commerce network.
  • The Mughals encouraged trade both inside and outside their kingdom. They also offered international traders the necessary protection.
  • Various reductions were made on the inland tax and customs fees.
  • India used to export textiles made of silk, wool, and cotton back then, as well as spices, opium, and indigo.
  • Horses, bullion, and opulent items like wine, corals, and perfumes were among the things they used to import for the royal family.

Bureaucracy and Division of the kingdom

  • The Mughal government featured a centralized administration, with the King serving as the ultimate decision-maker.
  • A group of ministers and officials, including Wazir, Mir Bakshi, Qazi, and Mir Saman, among others, aided him.
  • The empire was further divided into 15 provinces called subas, each of which was governed by a subedar.
  • These provinces were further subdivided into districts or sarkars and were governed by a faujdar.
  • Furthermore, Parganas, which were managed by shiqdars, were used to split districts into smaller groups.
  • Under the control of the Panchayats, muqaddams were in charge of all the villages in the parganas.
  • The “Mansabdari” system was developed by the Mughals for effective military management. The Emperor hired, evaluated, and demoted the Mansabdars from their position as and when required.

Beginning the End of the Mughal empire

  • Internal problems

By the conclusion of Aurangzeb’s reign, a lot of internal strife had already begun.

These tensions included a succession battle, problems administering a big empire, flaws in the Mansabdari system, an increase in the power of the nobles, and rebellions by Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, and Satnamis.

  • Fragments of the Mughal Empire

During the eighteenth century, the Mughal empire spread in northern and southern India, and hence managing them was difficult. Along with this, internal conflicts and persistent outside threats set the road for the empire’s decline.

The Mughal empire eventually broke up into two separate types of provincial states. The destabilization of the Mughal centralized political structure led to the rise of successor states like Bengal, Awadh, and Hyderabad.

The other was “new states,” which were founded by Mughal dynasty rebels such as the Maratha Confederacy, Jats, and Sikhs, who declared to be independent of Mughal dominion. The Mughal empire was divided into various pieces by the end of Aurangzeb’s rule.

  • External rivals for power

By the second half of the eighteenth century, the weak Mughal kings after Aurangzeb were exploited by their foreign competitors. The Empire was utterly destroyed by foreign invaders like Ahmad Shah Abdali from Afghanistan and Nadir Shah from Iran.

The English East India Company (EEIC), which came for trading, was made aware of the Mughal Empire’s frailty. This gave them confidence that by controlling political matters, the British Empire may grow in India. Finally, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was expelled by the British in 1857, thereby ending the Mughal era.

 Summary

India displayed political division and factionalism around the start of the sixteenth century. Delhi Sultanate was afflicted with problems. The lack of a centralized government and ongoing internal strife offered Babur the chance to end the Delhi Sultanate and usher in the Mughal Empire. The empire was at its height under the early Mughals’ control, but after Aurangzeb, when his successors proved unable to maintain the empire, it began to decline. Additionally, ongoing external obstacles include many invasions from the northwest and the eventual rise to power of the English which shook the foundation of the Mughal empire.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Explain the Mansabdai system.
Ans: Mansab is the Arabic word for an office or rank. A mansabdar was a high-ranking officer. The Mansabdar was in charge of sustaining order and providing soldiers with instruction. The mansab, or rank, was assigned based on the significance and nature of the employment.

2. What was the Deccan policy of Aurangzeb? What effects did this policy have?
Ans: To subjugate the independent kingdoms in the south, Aurangzeb spent the last half of his reign in the Deccan.

His actions had the following results:

  • Although he annexed Bijapur and Golconda, it was challenging for him to rule these kingdoms from Delhi.
  • The state’s resources were depleted by his protracted conflict with the Marathas and his important time.
  • During his absence in the north, various revolutions emerged.

3. What was the religious policy of Akbar?
Ans: Following is the religious policy of Akbar

  • Akbar promoted religious tolerance, which was known as his Sulh-i-kul policy (universal peace).
  • Jizyah (a tax on non-Muslims) and pilgrimage tax were eliminated by him.
  • He constructed temples and even participated in Hindu holidays.
  • Ibadat Khana was created by him for religious discourse.

Meaning and Importance Of Apiculture

Introduction

Apiculture is the practice of culturing honey bees on a bigger scale to yield beeswax and honey. It is a scientific approach to rear the bees in man-made hives, raising their numbers and caring for them. Beekeepers or apiarists are those who practice apiculture. Man-made beehives are artificial bee hives. These are made of wooden boxes and contain rows. Bees stay in these hives and fill the rows with wax, honey, etc. The designs of these hives should be such that they will facilitate the healthy growth of bees and honey harvesting.

man extracting honey from bee hive

How honey is collected by honey bees?

Long distances are covered by worker bees as they search for food. Their honey stomachs serve as temporary storage for the nectar they obtain from flowers. When they get to the hive, they regurgitate this nectar and deposit it in honeycombs. The regurgitation is a viscous liquid called honey that has undergone dehydration.

Artificial bee hives.

The life cycle of the Honey bee

Honey bees go through four developmental stages. They begin as eggs, grow into larvae, then transition into the pupa stage before reaching adulthood.

  • Egg stage- After a drone successfully fertilizes a queen bee,  she lays both fertilized and unfertilized eggs. A queen bee may produce between 2000 and 3000 eggs every day, each of which is contained in a cell. Unfertilized eggs grow into male drones, whereas fertilized eggs become worker bees.
  • Larval stage-After three days the eggs hatch into worm-like larvae.  Larvae are without legs, wings, or other appendages. Royal jelly is provided to larvae during the first two to three days, followed by pollen and honey. Only royal jelly is used to feed the queen larva.
  • Pupal stage-In this stage the larvae wrap themselves up in a cocoon and enclose themselves in their cells. During the pupal stage, all organs such as the abdomen, head, eyes, thorax, and appendages including wings, legs, and antennae are developed completely.
  • Adult stage- Once the larvae develop, they appear like adult bees after they hatch out from the capped cell.

Diagram of life cycle of honey bees.

Common varieties of bees

Common honey bee species include-

  • Apis dorsata.– As well known as rock bees they are enormous, vicious bees. The raising of rock bees is challenging.
  • Apis Florea– Referred to as “little bees” because of their tiny size. They rarely sting, but because they move around a lot, domestication is fairly challenging.
  • Apis melliferaAlso known as the western bee or European bee. It is the most domesticated species in the world and stings less frequently.
  • Apis indica– Frequently called Asian bees or Indian bees. They originated in Asia and are simple to domesticate to make honey.

Importance of Beekeeping

  • The purpose of apiculture is to produce bee products that have a marketable value.
  • Honey is the main apicultural product that is obtained. Because of its distinct sweetness, honey is employed extensively in the food sector.
  • Additionally, several therapeutic herbs and honey are combined in some traditional medicines.
  • The glandular fluid made by honey bees for the construction of the honeycombs in which they store their honey is known as beeswax.
  • In the production of soaps, candles, and cosmetics, beeswax is commonly used.
  • Another type of glandular fluid produced by worker honey bees, which is used for feeding queen bee larvae is the royal jelly.
  • This royal jelly improves collagen synthesis and helps women who are experiencing menopause-related issues.
  • Propolis, a resin-like substance made by honey bees, has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
  • Bee venom has been shown in several trials to be effective in combating the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
  • Beekeeping also has environmental benefits as bees are great pollinators and help in fruit formation.

Summary

Apiculture is the scientific process of rearing honey bees in artificial hives to produce bee products such as honey, wax, royal jelly, and propolis for the market. An apiculturist is a person who does apiculture. In addition to providing advantages to business and industry, apiculture supports numerous plant species through pollination.

  • The species of bee most frequently raised for the production of honey is Apis mellifera.
  • Apiculturists take care of wooden-framed hives where honey bees can breed and grow.

Most apiaries are designed around bee pastures because they make excellent locations for bee foraging. Queen bee, worker bees, and drones are present in every bee colony. Within their colony, they are assigned specific duties. The life cycle of honey bees has four stages. Queen bee lays eggs that completely metamorphose into adult bees. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do bees act as pollinators?
The pollen grains from stamens land on the hairy region of the hind legs of the bees while they are collecting nectar. When the honey bees visit another flower they deposit pollen grains there and hence aid in cross-pollination. Honey bees are therefore referred to be pollinators because of this.

2. What are the various types of bees found in a bee hive?
Ans: There are a lot of bees within the bee hive. They can be divided into three primary groups.

  • Queen Bee- The only female in the bee hive with the ability to lay eggs is the queen bee. The queen uses pheromone emissions to regulate the entire hive population.
  • Drones or male bees- They are the male population of the hive that fights it to mate with the queen bee. After mating, the drone bee dies.
  • Worker bees- These bees are female and unable to lay eggs. They are the bee hive’s active population. Worker bees perform a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and cleaning the hive, and feeding larvae and queen bees. They produce honey and gather the nutrients required for the hive population.

3. Who is known as the father of apiculture?
Ans: The father of modern apiology and apiculture is Johann Dzierzon. Most modern beehives derive from his design.

Solutions, Colloids and Suspensions

Introduction

The colloidal solution is one of the significant components of a mixture, along with the two adjacent combinations: true solutions and suspension solutions. In different physical and chemical procedures, all three solutions have variable characteristics and properties, and the significant difference lies in the particle size, appearance, and separation procedure. The three solutions have distinct reactions to the various chemical processes. The dissolving properties of the mixtures differ between the three mixtures due to the variable nature of the solute and solvents involved.

What is a True Solution?

A true solution is a homogeneous combination of two or more substances. In this case, the particle size of the dissolved material in the solvent is less than 10-9 m or 1 nm. Homogeneous means that the mixture’s components form a single phase. The filtration process will not be able to separate the solute from the solution in the solution.

The solute particles do not settle out. The light will never scatter in a true solution. Another distinguishing feature of a genuine solution is its clarity and transparency. A sugar solution in water is an example of a true solution.

What is a Suspension solution?

A suspension solution is a mixture of two or more substances in which the solute particles do not dissolve and remain suspended throughout the solution. Solids are dispersed in liquids in suspension solutions. The particles of the solute are easily visible to the naked eye.

Because the particles are large, they scatter light rays. The path of the ray through the solution is easily visible. Using the filtration method, the particles in the suspension solution can be easily separated. A mixture of chalk and water is a common example of a suspension solution.

An aerosol is a liquid droplet suspension in a gas. Suspensions are further classified based on two factors: a dispersed phase and the dispersion medium.

Want to get an “A” on your Science exams? Let our expert teachers be your guide toward improving your grades and reaching your highest potential. Study Science Subject for classes 6th, 7th, and 8th.

What is a Colloidal Solution?

A colloidal solution is a fluid-suspended mixture of particles of various substances. The particles are microscopically dispersed and soluble/insoluble in this case. Suspension and colloidal solutions are tiny materials that are uniformly distributed. Some of the colloids are translucent due to the Tyndall effect. Some colloids, on the other hand, can be opaque.

You may have heard the term ‘Hydrocolloids’ in the colloids section. This term refers to chemicals that are colloidally dispersed in water. As a result, the solution becomes soluble, altering the rheology of water. 

Colloidal systems can exist in three different states: gas, liquid, and solid. Whipped cream and perfume are two examples of colloidal solutions.

Differences between True Solutions, Colloids, and Suspensions

AttributesTrue SolutionsColloids Suspensions
MeaningA true solution is a mixture of two or more substances that is homogeneous.A colloidal solution is a heterogeneous mixture of particles of different substances suspended in fluid that are microscopically dispersed and soluble/insoluble.A suspension solution is a mixture of two or more substances in which the solute particles do not dissolve and remain suspended throughout the solution.
SizeThe particles in the true solution are tiny (less than 1 nm)The particles in the colloidal solution are neither small nor large (1-100 nm).The particles in the suspension solution are large (more than 100 nm)
Visibility to the Naked EyeThe particles are invisible to the naked eye.The particles are visible to the naked eye.The particles are visible to the naked eye.
Scattering of LightTrue solution particles do not scatter light.The colloidal solution’s particles are large enough to scatter a light beam.The suspension solution’s particles are large enough to scatter a light beam.
ExampleSugar SolutionBloodSand in Water
Tyndall effect

Summary

So, as you can see, even though these three solutions appear to be the same, they are not. Each of the three solutions has its own set of characteristics. We hope this article answered all of your questions and helped you understand the differences between true solution, colloidal solution, and suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Ultracentrifugation?

Ans. It is the process of using centrifugal force to separate colloidal particles from contaminants. The impure sol is collected in a tube, which is then placed in an ultracentrifuge.

2. Why are the colligative properties of colloids of low order?

Ans. Because colloidal particles are larger aggregates, the particles in colloids are smaller than in a true solution. As a result, when compared to true solution values at similar proportions, measurements of colligative qualities are of low order.

3. Which effect confirms the heterogeneous nature of the colloidal solution?

Ans. The Tyndall effect confirms the colloidal solution’s heterogeneous character. As light travels through a sol, it is scattered by particles, revealing its route and called as Tyndall effect.

Official of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq

Introduction

The Tughlaq dynasty, governed the Delhi sultanate in medieval India. It is a Muslim dynasty of Indo-Turkic descent. Its rule began in Delhi in 1320 when Ghazi Malik ascended to the throne as Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. The Tughluq dynasty pursued an aggressive program of kingdom expansion. Ghiyassudin’s reign did not last long and in 1324, Mohammad Tughluq succeeded him as ruler. Between 1330 to 1335, the dynasty was at its height as a result of a military campaign directed by Muhammad ibn Tughluq. Most of the Indian subcontinent was under its authority. 1413 marked the end of the dynasty.

Sultan Muhammad bin Tuglaq 

Muhammad was well-educated as a child in the Quran, philosophy, Muslim law, medicine, astronomy, and logic. After the passing of his father Ghiyassudin tughluq in 1324, he was appointed the sultan of Delhi. His rule and personality were discussed by Ziauddin Barni and Ibn-Battuta in their separate writings called Tarikh-i-Firozshahi and Kitab-i-Rehlan. The sultan was described as loving and constantly ready for helping others. When he assumed power, the Muslim divines, known as Ulamas, did not support him. He was unable to get Sufis and Ulamas to join his cause. As a result, to reduce the Ulmas’ authority he replaced them with regular citizens. He proclaimed himself the Califa in order to establish his dominion and empire and called himself the Shadow of God. Tughluq waged numerous battles and pillaged numerous kingdoms before ascending to the position of the sultan of Delhi. He conquered, Warangal, and Mabar, and before returning to Delhi he even looted Odissa. During his reign, the Delhi sultanate began to grow.

This image is of Sultan Muhammad bin Tuglaq

Officials of Sultan Muhammad bin Tuglaq 

  • Muhammad Tughluq was a rationalist and did not support orthodox behavior and neither followed religion blindly. As a reslut of this, the Ulamas did not support him in his cause and his campaign.
  • Also, he felt that people should be appointed to posts in his administration based on their qualifications rather than their status in society.
  • Hence, he appointed common, regular citizens to the administrative posts of the Ulmas.
  • Some of the officials during his reign were Aziz Khummar, Firuz Hajjam, Manka Tabbakh, Ladha, and Pira and military commanders.
  • Aziz Khummar was a wine distiller.
  • Firuz Hajjam was a Barber
  • Manka Tabbakh was a cook.
  • Ladha and Pira were two gardeners
  • Like various other Kings, Sultan Tughluq appointed various military commanders. These commanders were governors of specific places.

Administration

Due to the long-standing practice of making special slaves or bandagan the governor or administrator, the Tughluq Dynasty is frequently referred to as the Slave Dynasty. Aristocrats, wealthy landowners, or members of the Nobility were not chosen by Tughluq as administrators. He adhered to the long-standing custom of choosing slaves as administrators. These slaves received specialized training so they could only work for their masters. In contrast to their heirs, slaves were devoted to their masters and hence performed the tasks that their masters asked them to perform. This made them only name-sake administrators as all the orders were given by their masters themselves.

The decline of the Tuglaq dynasty

There were numerous reasons for the decline of the Tuglaq dynasty some of them are-

  • Muhammad Tughluq lacked both patience and wisdom.
  • Although he had a clear vision, he didn’t plan properly, which is why many of Muhammad Tughluq’s experiments were unsuccessful.
  • These experiments included the transfer of capital, the use of token money, and a few agricultural changes.
  • To feed his soldiers, he levied an additional tax on the Doab region.
  • He attempted to conquer a large area, depleting his national resource.
  • Due to his autocracy’s sluggishness and the opposition of his nobles, many of his experiments failed.

There was growing unrest against him in the mass as a result of these constant ongoing changes in rule and administration and his successors were unable to repair the harm he had caused, hence after his death in 1351, the Tughluq dynasty came to an end.

Summary 

Muhammad Tughluq ruled from 1324 to 1353. He was a capable leader who had an understanding of astronomy, philosophy, and religion. He was a capable combatant and a visionary leader. He appointed various people in his administration based on qualifications and not social status. Hence his officials included common people such as Aziz Khummar, Firuz Hajjam, etc. These people supported the king and help him rule the kingdom. He was known for his religious tolerance and is credited with elevating Hindus inside his government and also including them in his administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Give some good qualities of Muhammad Tughluq.
Ans: Some of the good qualities of Muhammad Tughluq are-

  • He thought that people should be appointed to posts in his administration based on their qualifications rather than their standing in the social order.
  • Being a logical thinker, Mohammad bin Tughluq had a liberal approach to religion.
  • He opposed orthodoxy, and he interacted with both Muslim mystics and Hindu mystics.
  • He ended the Ulamas’ stranglehold on the judiciary and appointed judges on the basis of their qualifications rather than their background
  • He was the first sultan to grant Hindus important positions in his government.

2. Describe bandagans.
Ans: Bandagans were specifically trained slaves who were appointed as governors or administrators and trained for challenging political tasks. Slaves only remained faithful to their masters.

3.Why did the sultan decide to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
Ans: In order to have stronger control over southern India, the sultan moved the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. He reasoned that having a second capital at Daulatabad would make it simpler to govern the south, but he eventually realized he had no influence over the region and decided to return to Delhi. But this change of capital became the main reason for his decline.

What Is Amniocentesis? – Definition, Procedure

Introduction

The word ‘amnio’ (Greek in origin) means inner membrane around the foetus and ‘centesis’ means to prick i.e. amniocentesis refers to the procedure of obtaining amniotic fluid by making a tiny puncture in the inner membrane surrounding the foetus. It is a prenatal test which is carried out before or during pregnancy. Amniocentesis is a procedure used to detect particular genetic disorders which may be due to some chromosomal abnormalities or aberrations. Genetic disorders such as colour blindness, haemophilia, Turner’s syndrome, Down syndrome, etc can be detected through this process. It is often carried out after 15 weeks of pregnancy, or after the first trimester (3 months). If an abnormality is found during this process, then depending upon the health of the baby the decision will be taken whether to continue the pregnancy or not.

Procedure of Amniocentesis 

Amniocentesis is performed by a team of professionals. A small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the abdomen using a needle and is submitted to a lab for analysis. Amniocentesis is an intrusive process that involves inserting a needle into the uterus.

The procedure of amniocentesis is as follows-

  • Ultrasound-To determines the position of the placenta, the foetus’ movements, and the features of the amniotic fluid an Ultrasound is conducted. An ultrasound helps to decide which needle to use, the area where the needle will be inserted and the angle at which the needle can be administered.
  • Sterilisation-To reduce the danger of infection, the abdomen is first sterilised with an antiseptic, and tools with heparin coatings are used to prevent blood clotting.
  • Needle insertion-Depending on the doctor’s preference, either a single-needle or two-needle approach is employed for the needle insertion. To ensure that a good quality sample is extracted the needle is injected in a specific location, and 20 ml of amniotic fluid is extracted.
  • This fluid collected is sent to the laboratory for analysis of any genetic disorders.

amniocentesis diagram

Reasons  for performing  Amniocentesis 

Some of the common reasons to perform amniocentesis are as follows-

  • The main purpose of amniocentesis is to find genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, Turner’s syndrome etc.
  • Additionally, neural tube abnormalities, in which the brain and spinal cord are still immature, can also be found through this process.
  • It is used to determine whether the lungs of the developing foetus are mature enough for the foetus to take birth.
  • When a mother’s blood has an Rh infection i.e. the mother’s blood produces antibodies against foetal blood the baby may develop anaemia. This can be detected by amniocentesis and can be cured.
  • Sometimes excessive amniotic fluid gets accumulated in the body, then this process can detect it and excessive amniotic fluid can be removed.
  • DNA from the collected amniotic fluid is used in paternity tests to determine blood relations.

Summary

Genetic disorders in the growing foetus are identified using a procedure called amniocentesis. The defects in chromosomes created during cell division are the root cause of genetic diseases. Amniotic fluid, which contains foetal cells, surrounds the foetus. This fluid is sampled in small amounts to perform the examination and look for any abnormalities in the foetus. If there are any abnormalities then depending on the condition of the baby and its health the decision of aborting the child or keeping the child is taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the various risks involved in the process of amniocentesis
Ans: There are various risks associated with the process of amniocentesis such as-

  • Amniocentesis can cause miscarriages as a small cut is made to extract the amniotic fluid.
  • This procedure can cause cramping in the mother as she has to stay still during the entire process.
  • There is a high chance that this process can cause injuries to the foetus.
  • If the process is not done correctly then it might cause leaking of the amniotic fluid through the point of puncture.
  • If by chance this process is done in the second trimester of the pregnancy then there are chances of preterm labour.

2. What precautions should be taken post performing amniocentesis
Ans: Following precautions should be taken post-amniocentesis-

  • Normal activities can be resumed after the amniocentesis operation, however rigorous activities should be avoided for up to 24 hours.
  • If post operation she suffers vaginal bleeding or a significant loss of amniotic fluid, she must immediately see a doctor.
  • If the mother has a fever, severe uterine cramps for more than a few hours, and no abnormal foetal activity and redness or inflammation where the injection was made, then she should immediately see the doctor.

3. What happens if a test for Down syndrome is positive?
Ans:  If the test results are positive you will be offered a diagnostic test, typically a chorionic villus sample (CVS) or maybe an amniocentesis, Whether or not the pregnancy is truly impacted will be depended on the test that is performed. CVS is usually done between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Acids Bases Ionization

Introduction

Acids and bases have been defined many times and in many ways. Numerous scientists have suggested various definitions for acids and bases, some of which are highly specific and others of which are quite broad. We come into contact with acids and bases on a daily basis. Except for water, every liquid we used had acidic or basic properties, such as vinegar (acetic acid), soft drinks (carbonic acid), buttermilk (lactic acid), and soap (contains base). The initial definitions were based on the flavour of the substance and how it interacted with other substances.

Ionization of Acids

The degree of ionization is a measure of the acidity or baseness of an acid or base. A strong acid completely ionizes in water, whereas a weak acid only partially ionizes. Because acids have varying degrees of ionization, they also have varying degrees of weakness that can be quantified. The ionization of a weak acid is an equilibrium process.

\[HA{\rm{ }}\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O{\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}{H_3}{O^ + }\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{A^–}\]

\[{K_a} = \frac{{[{H_3}{O^ + }][{A^ – }]}}{{\left[ {HA} \right]}}\]

The Acid Ionization Constant is defined by the Equilibrium Constant for the Ionization of an Acid \({K_a}\). The higher the acid ionization constant, the stronger the acid. As a result, a strong acid donates more protons than a weak acid. Because the concentration of the product is in the numerator of the Ka constant, the larger the acid ionization constant, the stronger the acid \({K_a}\).

Ionization of Bases

Strong bases are bases that completely dissociate into their ions in an aqueous solution, such as lithium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. As a result, the ionization of these bases produces hydroxyl ions, which are represented by the symbol \(O{H^ – }\)

\[B{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O{\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}O{H^–} + {\rm{ }}B{H^ + }\]

\[{K_b} = \frac{{[O{H^ – }] + [B{H^ + }]}}{{\left[ B \right]}}\]

\({K_b}\) is the abbreviation for the equilibrium constant for base ionization. As a result, a strong base indicates that it is a good proton acceptor, whereas a strong acid indicates that it is a good proton donor. Weak acids and weak bases dissociate in water as follows:

\[C{H_3}COOH{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O{\rm{ }} \mathbin{\lower.3ex\hbox{$\buildrel\textstyle\leftharpoonup\over{\smash{\rightharpoondown}}$}} {\rm{ }}C{H_3}CO{O^ – } + {\rm{ }}{H_3}{O^ + }\]

\[N{H_3} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O{\rm{ }} \mathbin{\lower.3ex\hbox{$\buildrel\textstyle\leftharpoonup\over{\smash{\rightharpoondown}}$}} {\rm{ }}N{H_4}^ + \left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}O{H^ – }\left( {aq} \right)\]

Neutralization Reaction

When an acidic solution is treated with an alkaline solution or aqueous solution of a metal oxide, a salt is formed, and the solution becomes neutral. A neutralization reaction occurs when \({H^ + }\)ions from an acid combine with \(O{H^ – }\)ions from the base of a metal oxide.

The chemical reactions shown below demonstrate the formation of salt.

\[HCl{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}NaOH{\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}NaCl{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O\]

Daily life substances are arranged according to their pH values.

\[{H_2}S{O_4} + {\rm{ }}Ca{\left( {OH} \right)_2} \to {\rm{ }}CaS{O_4} + {\rm{ }}2{H_2}O\]

Summary

The term “ionisation degree” also refers to the proportion of neutral particles in aqueous or gaseous solutions that are ionised to form charged particles. It could be defined as an acid’s or a base’s ability to ionise itself in electrolytes. A low degree of ionisation is sometimes called partially or weakly ionised, while a high degree of ionisation is called fully ionised. However, a fully ionised state can also indicate that an ion has used up all of its electrons.

Arrhenius’ theory states that an acid is a substance that dissociates in an aqueous medium to produce hydrogen ions. A base, on the other hand, is a chemical that produces hydroxyl ions in an aqueous medium. Arrhenius’ hypothesis is especially important in understanding acid and base ionisation. This is because ionisation occurs frequently in watery media. The degree of ionisation of an acid and a base can be used to determine their strength.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What do you mean by the Ionisation of acids and bases?

Ans. The degree of ionisation is proportional to the acid or base strength. A strong acid or base is said to completely ionise in water, whereas a weak acid or base is said to partially ionise.

2. Why acids are considered the opposite of bases?

Ans. As acids increase the concentration of hydronium \({H_3}{O^ + }\) in the water while bases decrease it, acids and bases are considered opposed. The reaction between an acid and a base is referred to as “neutralisation.”

3. What effect does ionisation have on pH?

Ans. The concentration of \({H^ + }\)ions and thus the acid’s strength are determined by the extent of dissociation (or ionisation). As a result, the degree to which an acid dissociates or ionises is proportional to its acidic strength (stronger acids have lower pH values).

Air Pollution Control

Introduction

The thin layer of air or gases that surrounds the earth is known as the atmosphere. The earth’s life depends on air, which is a fundamental component of nature. One of the most important worldwide issues is the contamination of the air. The air we breathe is contaminated with dangerous chemicals, biological agents, or physical things which not only harm the environment and materials but also endanger the health of people and other living things. Both natural and artificial causes are contributors to air pollution, but human activity is the main contributor.

Types of Pollutants

There are basically two types of pollutants- 

  • Primary pollutants– These pollutants are directly emitted from various resources and lead to air pollution. Some of the primary pollutants are- Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Suspended particles, Volatile organic compounds, Chlorofluorocarbons, etc.
  • Secondary pollutant-When there is a chemical or physical interaction between primary pollutants and an atmospheric component, secondary pollutants are formed. These secondary pollutants are not any specific chemicals or particles. Some secondary pollutants are- Smog, Ground level ozone, sulfuric acid, nitric acid with water vapour, etc.

Let our expert teachers be your guide toward improving your grades and reaching your highest potential. Study online science tuition for classes 6th, 7th, and 8th.

Causes of Air Pollution

Causes of air pollution are as follows-

  • Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline results in the majority of air pollution since they are used to provide energy for transportation or electricity.
  • Several particulate matter emissions, including, CO2, SO2, and CO, can result in pollution from industrial activity.
  • Smoking tobacco, cooking smoke, hazardous chemicals from home painting supplies, etc. all contribute to air pollution.
  • Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases in the environment and is produced as a byproduct of numerous agricultural usage.

This image shows the various reasons for air pollution.

Harmful Effects

Air pollution has adverse effects on humans as well as the environment. Following are the ill effects of air pollution-

Air pollution effect on humans-

  • Aerosol sprays and paint removers include methylene chloride, which can be carcinogenic.
  • Gasoline and benzene can lead to leukemia.
  • Lung cancer is brought on by gases generated when fossil fuels are burned.
  • Asthma and other respiratory illnesses like COPD are caused by suspended particles such as dust, pollen, ashes, etc.
  • The likelihood of pneumonia, lung inflammation, chest pain, cough, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and fever is increased by nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide exposure.

Air pollution effect on the environment-

  • Acid Rain is the term for the precipitation of dangerous nitric and sulfuric acids along with rainwater. These gases are generated by the burning of fossil fuels and combine with rainwater to produce various acids, such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
  • Aquatic life and various tree species are negatively impacted by acidic buildup in the water body by a major decline in biodiversity.
  • Buildings, monuments, and sculptures built of sandstone, limestone, marble, and granite are damaged and discoloured by acid rain.
  • Ozone depletion occurs due to air pollutant such as CFCs. Due to this depletion UV light then penetrates the earth’s surface and has serious consequences like DNA mutation, skin cancers etc.
  • Also, air pollution causes other harmful effects such as Global warming, and climate change which affect the biodiversity of the Earth adversely.

Prevention

To prevent air pollution following should be done-

  • Reduction of forest fires.
  • Stop burning crackers.
  • All chimneys should contain filters.
  • Use green energy 
  • Using carpooling and public transportation.
  • The Air Act of 1981, which forbids burning fuel that contributes to air pollution, must be followed.
  • Implement planting trees.
  • Paper, plastic, metals, and organic materials should all be recycled and used.

Control

Following ways are there to control air pollution-

  • Reduce vehicular pollution. Numerous vehicles on the road each day produce dangerous air pollution. Use fewer cars and more environmentally friendly forms of transportation.
  • Using alternative and eco-friendly forms of  fuels.
  • Utilizing unleaded gasoline
  • Plant more trees. 

Summary 

When dangerous chemicals like chemical, biological, and physical pollutants from both man-made and natural sources contaminate the atmosphere, it causes air pollution, which is an unwelcome change. Rising morbidity and mortality, has an impact on not just the climate but also on public and individual health. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground ozone, particulate matter, sulphur oxides, CFC’s, Hydrocarbons etc. are examples of common air pollutants which cause air pollution. Plants are referred to as the “lungs” of an ecosystem as they take in carbon dioxide and give fresh oxygen to the environment. Hence, they should be planted more to prevent air pollution.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Describe a Scrubber.
Ans: A scrubber is a device that traps any particle matter or other similar contaminants in the air and cleans the air to prevent pollution. It contains an ionized liquid that traps the small particles of a contaminant.

2. Explain Alternative Fuels.
Ans: There are several compounds known as alternative fuels that can be used in place of traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel, etc. CNG, hydrogen, and other such fuels are examples of alternative fuels. These are unconventional and don’t pollute the air.

3. What is Smog?
Ans: Smog is an air contaminant and is made when fog, smoke, and sunlight are combined. Sulphurous smog and photochemical smog are the two types of smog. When sulphur oxides are present in significant concentrations in the air, sulphurous smog, also known as London smog, forms. When sunlight and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) react in the sky, photochemical smog, often known as Los Angeles smog, is created.

An Overview of Amphibolic Pathway

Introduction

A metabolic pathway consists of a series of chemical reactions in which a certain molecule is transformed from one product to another. Enzymes catalyze each step in a metabolic pathway. The anabolic pathway involves biosynthesis, or the creation of new molecules, and is a constructive mechanism. On the other hand, the catabolic pathway is a degradative process that causes compounds to break down. An energy input would be necessary for both of these kinds of pathways. An amphibolic pathway is a type of biological process that involves both anabolism and catabolism. In these pathways, the catabolic end products or intermediates are utilized in anabolic pathways as precursors and provide free energy for the production of further molecules.

Glycolysis -an amphibolic pathway

In the metabolism of plants, animals, and numerous microbes, glucose plays a crucial role. It is employed to carry out aerobic or anaerobic respiration, which produces energy in the form of ATP. Through a sequence of processes, glucose is converted to two molecules of pyruvate during glycolysis. Although it is primarily understood as a catabolic process, some of the pathway’s intermediates are also used in the production of a few different biomolecules. Hence glycolysis is an amphibolic pathway. 

The following shows how glycolysis is an amphibolic pathway-

  • The pentose phosphate pathway uses glucose 6-phosphate, to produce ribose 5-phosphate, which is then employed in the synthesis of nucleic acids.
  • The process that produces glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate also produces glycerol, which is necessary for the synthesis of phospholipids.
  • Pyruvate, the final byproduct of the glycolytic process, is further converted to Acetyl-CoA, which is utilized in the production of fatty acids.
  • The NADPH generated in the pentose phosphate pathway, which utilizes glycolysis intermediates, is employed as a reducing agent to enable a number of anabolic processes, such as the production of fatty acids, nucleic acids, carotenoids, etc.
    Glycolysis and Gluconeogensis Pathway diagram

Krebs cycle -an amphibolic pathway

In aerobic organisms, the Krebs Cycle (also known as the TCA cycle) is amphibolic because it participates in both catabolic and anabolic processes. The Krebs Cycle, which takes place in the mitochondria, results in the production of ATP, NADPH, and FADH2.

The Krebs Cycle’s key component, acetyl-CoA, is produced from-Pyruvate oxidation (from glycolysis), Fatty Acids (Beta-oxidation), and Amino acid degradation.

  • Krebs Cycle is catabolic because it completely oxidized acetyl-CoA into carbon dioxide (CO2).
  • The Krebs cycle is also referred to as being anabolic since various biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, and porphyrins, are synthesized from its intermediates.
  • At each cycle turn, the Krebs cycle intermediate oxaloacetate is created again in order to condense with a new molecule of acetyl-CoA which continues the cycle.

Other intermediates of the Krebs Cycle serve the following anabolic functions-

  • Porphyrins, which are necessary for the synthesis of myoglobin and hemoglobin, are created using succinyl-CoA.
  • Oxaloacetate is the starting material for synthesizing amino acids such as proline, alanine, glutamate, and aspartate. Purines are created by using glutamate and aspartate amino acids.
  • In the mitochondria, oxaloacetate is also transformed into phosphoenolpyruvate, which is then transformed into glucose via the gluconeogenesis pathway. Malate is also employed for gluconeogenesis.
  • ɑ-Ketoglutarate is a component in succinate synthesis.
  • By way of transamination processes,ɑ- ketoglutarate is also utilized in the synthesis of glutamate and pyruvate.
  • Acetyl-CoA, the precursor for the production of fatty acids and cholesterol, is formed when citrate and CO2 interact.
  • The fatty acids are further metabolized into triacylglycerols and diacylglycerols and ultimately form the phospholipids.
  • The cholesterol formed is then used to synthesize steroids and bile acids.
Tricarboxylic acid cycle(TCA) pathway.

How is the Respiratory Pathway an Amphibolic Pathway?

  • Complex molecules are converted into simpler ones during respiration, which gives organisms energy in the form of ATP.
  • The four steps of respiration are glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
  • These include the tricarboxylic acid cycle(TCA) and glycolysis, which both generate intermediates used in the creation of numerous other biomolecules.
  • The pentose phosphate pathway uses glucose 6-phosphate, the first glycolysis intermediate, to branch off from glycolysis.
  • The formation of ribose 5-phosphate, which is produced through the pentose phosphate pathway, is crucial for the biosynthesis of nucleotides.
  • Erythrose 4-phosphate, which is necessary for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids like tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine, is also produced by the pentose phosphate pathway.
  • As a result, it may be said that the respiratory system is an amphibolic pathway since it produces a number of precursor metabolites that are used in the biosynthesis of several cellular components. It also involves the oxidation of organic carbon into carbon dioxide and water, which releases energy.

Summary 

  • Amphibolic pathways are both catabolic and anabolic.
  • Glycolysis intermediates, glucose 6-phosphate, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate are used to produce purines and phospholipids, respectively.
  • Krebs Cycle is a well-known amphibolic process, and its intermediates are employed in the synthesis of different amino acids, fatty acids, sterols, nucleic acids, etc.
  • The respiratory pathway is referred to as amphibolic since it contains a variety of catabolic intermediates that act as anabolic precursors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Difference between Krebs cycle and Glycolysis
Ans:

Glycolysis Krebs Cycle 
Occurs in the cytoplasmOccurs in the mitochondrial matrix
It marks beginning of respirationIt is the 3rd step in respiration.
It is a linear pathwayIt is a cyclic pathway
Glucose converted to 2 molecules of pyruvate.Acetyl-CoA is converted into carbon dioxide.
No release of CO2 CO2 released 
Net ATP generated = 8 ATPNet ATP generated = 24

2. What are two forms of glycolysis?
Ans: The two forms of glycolysis are Aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis-

  • Pyruvate enters the citric acid cycle under aerobic conditions and proceeds through oxidative phosphorylation, which results in the net synthesis of 32 ATP molecules.
  • Pyruvate is converted to lactate under anaerobic conditions by the process of anaerobic glycolysis.

3. Who gave the term Amphibolic Pathway?
Ans: In 1961, B. Davis gave the term amphibolic Pathway. It is a pathway that involves both anabolism and catabolism.

Like and Unlike Terms

Introduction

An expression made up of variables, constants, coefficients, and mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, etc. is known as an algebraic expression. Algebraic expressions have several uses, including describing real-world issues and solving various and difficult mathematical equations, calculating income, cost, etc. There are two categories of words in algebra: like terms and unlike terms. Unlike terms are merely the opposite of like terms in that they do not share the same variables and powers. Like terms are those that have the same variables and powers.

lead magnet

Algebraic Expressions

An expression made up of variables, constants, coefficients, and mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, etc. is known as an algebraic expression. A variable is a symbol without a predetermined value. A term is either a variable, a constant, or both joined by mathematical operations. A coefficient is a quantity that has been multiplied by a variable and is constant throughout the whole problem. Based on a variety of terminology, there are three primary categories of algebraic expressions: monomial, binomial, and polynomial. Terms can also be divided into similar and dissimilar terms.

Also see: Online Tuition for Class 6 Maths

Terms in algebra

A term can be a number, a variable, the sum of two or more variables, a number and a variable, or a product of both. A single term or a collection of terms can be used to create an algebraic expression. For instance, \({\bf{2x}}\) and \({\bf{5y}}\) are the two terms in the expression \({\bf{2x + 5y}}\) .

A mathematical expression has one or more terms. A term in an expression can be a constant, a variable, the product of two variables \({\bf{\left( {xy} \right)}}\) or more \({\bf{\left( {xyz} \right)}}\) , or the product of a variable and a constant \({\bf{\left( {2x} \right)}}\) , among other things.

Also Read: Terms of an Expression

Terms in an algebraic expression

A term is a group of numbers or variables that have been added, subtracted, divided, or multiplied together; a factor is a group of numbers or variables that have been multiplied; and a coefficient is a number that has been multiplied by a variable. Three terms, \({\bf{9}}{{\bf{x}}^2}\) ,\({\bf{x}}\)  , and \({\bf{12}}\), make up the expression \({\bf{9}}{{\bf{x}}^2}\)+\({\bf{x}}\) + \({\bf{12}}\)

By drawing this conclusion, it is clear that an expression is made up of a number of terms, variables, factors, coefficients, and constants.

Types of Terms 

There are different types of terms in algebraic expressions,

This picture illustrates an algebraic statement and defines its many terms.

Variables

These types of terms are usually represented by an symbol (most commonly its english alphabets), like \({\bf{x}}\), \({\bf{y}}\), \({\bf{z}}\), \({\bf{a}}\), \({\bf{b}}\), etc. these symbols are there to represent unknown arbitrary values, hence the name ‘variables’ (since their values can vary).

lead magnet

Coefficient

These are not a type of a term but rather a part of a term that contains variables, coefficients are the numbers that are in multiplication with variables.

Constants

These terms are the numbers separate from the variables, and as the name suggest, they are a constant number, i.e., they are fix and never change unless they are under an operation with another constant term.

Like and Unlike Terms

Like terms in algebra are the kinds of terms that share the same kinds of variables and powers. There is no requirement that the coefficients match. When a term has two or more terms that are unlike terms, it means that those terms do not share the same variables or powers. Before there is power, the order of the variables doesn’t matter. Consider the example of similar and dissimilar terms.

Like Terms: \({\bf{3x}}\), \({\bf{-5x}}\) are like terms

Unlike Terms:\(\;{\bf{2}}{{\bf{x}}^3},{\bf{7}}{{\bf{x}}^2}\)  and \({\bf{5y}}\)  are all unlike terms.

Like Terms

Terms with the same kinds of variables and powers are referred to as like terms. It is not necessary to match the coefficients. The coefficient could differ. To obtain the answer, we can simply combine like terms, or we can simplify the algebraic expressions. In terms of the same types of variables and powers, the results are very easily obtained in this way.

The evaluation of straightforward algebraic puzzles is an example of similar terms.

Unlike Terms

In algebra, unlike terms are those terms that do not share the same variables and cannot be raised to the same power.

For instance, in algebraic expressions, \({\bf{4x}} – {\bf{3y}}\) are unlike terms. because \({\bf{x}}\) and \({\bf{y}}\) are two different variables. Due to the lack of \({\bf{x}}\) and \({\bf{y}}\) values, it cannot be simplified.

lead magnet

Summary

An expression made up of variables, constants, coefficients, and mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, etc. is known as an algebraic expression. Coefficients, constants, and variables are a few of the key words in the context of algebraic expressions. Similar terms are those in algebraic expressions that are constants or involve similar variables raised to similar exponents. In algebraic expressions, unlike terms are those terms that do not share the same variables or that share the same variables but have different exponents. Algebraic expressions are all polynomials, but not all algebraic expressions are polynomials. Polynomials are algebraic expressions without fractional or non-negative exponents. Algebraic expressions include fundamental identities that are used in the subject.

Tips to Prepare for Class 6 Maths

FAQs

What are polynomials?

Polynomials are algebraic expressions with more than \({\bf{2}}\) terms and the variables have non-negative integer exponents.

What is a quadratic equation?

A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation, with maximum exponent on a variable being \({\bf{2}}\).

What is a term in an algebraic expression?

A term can be a number, a variable, the sum of two or more variables, a number and a variable, or a product of both. A single term or a collection of terms can be used to create an algebraic expression.

Anatomy and Physiology of Human Body

Introduction 

Human Anatomy is the discipline of science that focuses on the structural composition of humans. It is a Greek word wherein “ana” is (up) and “tome” is (cutting). Anatomy is the study of how the human body is arranged and made up of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Human physiology is a branch of science that deals with the activities and functions of the vital life processes within the human body. There are various types of physiology such as Cell physiology, Special physiology, Systemic physiology, and Pathophysiology. The human body is comprised of multiple organ systems such as the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

Learn More about Anatomy and Physiology of Human Body. Check out more videos in Science Class 6 Lesson no 08.

Circulatory system

The human circulatory system is made up of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. This system is used to transport blood and lymph throughout the body. It also provides nutrition and removes nitrogenous waste from the body. It is also called the cardiovascular system. Humans have a closed circulatory system, where blood flows in specific blood vessels. Below given are the components of the circulatory system and their function.

OrganStructure and ComponentsFunctions
HeartThe human heart contains four chambers: the right and left atrium, and the right and left ventricle. It has specialized cardiac muscle with many valves. It pumps blood throughout the body.
Arteries(blood vessels)Thick-walled, valveless.Transport blood from the heart to other parts of the body (exception- the pulmonary artery).
Veins   (blood vessels)Thin-walled and have valves.Transport blood from the other parts of the body to the heart (Exception- for the pulmonary vein).
CapillariesThinnest blood vessels.Connects arteries and veins.
Blood50–55 % of blood is made up of plasma and 45-50% is made of blood cells like RBC, WBC, and platelets.Act as the medium of transport of nutrients, gases, and nitrogenous wastes.

Respiratory System

  • Respiration is the process of oxidation of food materials to liberate energy. 
  • There are two types of respiration internal and external respiration. The inhalation and exhalation of air with the help of the lungs are known as external respiration. Here carbon dioxide is exhaled and oxygen is inhaled.
  • Internal respiration is also known as cellular respiration which occurs in the mitochondria and produces energy in the form of ATP. 
  • The human respiratory system is made up of the Nostrils, pharynx, Larynx, a pair of lungs, and Diaphragm. 
  • The lungs are made up of Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles, and Alveoli.

Digestive system

  • Digestion is the breakdown of complex food substances into simpler nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, etc. which are easily absorbed by the body. 
  • The digestive system secretes various enzymes which assist in the digestion of food material. Digestion occurs in 5 steps given as follows-
StepsInvolved organsFunction
Ingestionteeth, tongue, and palate.Intake of food materials such asrice, fruits, vegetables, etc.
DigestionMouth, salivary glands, liver, stomach, pancreas, small intestine.Food is digested and broken down into simpler soluble and absorbable forms such as sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.
AbsorptionVilli of the small intestine.The food thus broken into simpler substances is absorbed in the blood and transported to various organs of the body.
AssimilationCells, tissuesAbsorbed food is utilized by cells and tissues for their cellular activities.
EgestionLarge intestine and anus.Excretion of unusable or undigested material from a cell.

Reproductive System

  • Humans are sexually dimorphic. They perform sexual reproduction and give rise to the next generation. 
  • The human reproductive system is different for males and females. 

Female reproductive system

  • The female reproductive system is situated in the pelvic girdle.
  • It produces eggs that are haploid and fuse with the sperm to form the zygote and then the fetus.

The female reproductive system is made up of the following-

Sex organsFunctions
Pair of Ovaries That Contain eggs and perform Oogenesis and ovulation.
Genital Tract (Fallopian Tubes, Uterus, Vagina)Fertilisation, ovulation, carrying a baby, and giving birth.
External GenitaliaRespond to sexual stimulation.
Mammary GlandProduces milk for the newborn child.

Male reproductive system

  • The male reproductive system is situated in the pelvic girdle and produces sperm.
  • They contain the penis which is an ejaculatory organ that transfers sperm in the female body.

The male reproductive system is made up of the following organs

Sex organsFunctions
Pair of TestisSecreting testosterone and producing sperm.
EpididymisDevelop the sperm.
Ejaculatory ductsTransport mature sperm to the urethra.
UrethraEjaculating semen.

Nervous system

  • The body’s primary controlling, regulating, and communication system is the nervous system.
  • The ability to move, breathe, see, think, learn, remember, and more is controlled by this system,
  • The nervous system is made up of neurons, nerves, and ganglia which carry messages to the brain and the entire body.
  • Neurons are made up of axons, dendrons, and a  cell body.
  • The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system.
  • The Somatic Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System make up the Peripheral Nervous System.

Urinary system

  • The urinary system of the body is used for expelling waste products from the body. The waste products are in the form of urine. 
  • A pair of kidneys perform the function of excretion. Its structural and functional unit is a nephron. 

Following are the parts of the urinary system.

OrganFunction
A pair of KidneyPerforms ultrafiltration of the blood and removes waste products from the body in the form of urine. It also performs the function of osmoregulation.
A pair of Ureter Carries the urine downward.
Urinary Bladder Storage organ which stores urine temporarily.
The urethra Passes the urine outside the body.

Immune system

  • The immune system of an organism protects the body from infection.
  • The immune system fights the antigen (pathogen) by forming antibodies. These antibodies kill the pathogen and thus the steady state of the body is maintained.
  • The organs of the immune system are-spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, blood, etc.
  • The cells of the immune system include-Stem cells, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, Monocytes, Cytotoxic and Helper cells, Neutrophils, etc.
Diagrams of different systems in Human body

Summary

Anatomy of the human body is the study of the structure and relationship between all organs of the body. However, the physiology of the human body explains how each organ performs. The body’s organ systems collaborate to carry out a certain activity or set of duties. The respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, and reproductive system are various organ systems in the body that operate together and support healthy body development, growth and reproduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.State the types of anatomy.
Ans: The different types of anatomy are-

  • Gross anatomy- Gross anatomy entails the dissection of organs on a larger scale for examination.
  • Cellular anatomy- Investigating cells and cellular components under a microscope are called “cellular anatomy.”
  • Molecular anatomy- DNA, RNA, proteins, and other biochemical components are studied in molecular anatomy.

2. How is the human body organized?
Ans: Cells are the structural and functional unit of life. The human body is made of cells. These cells combine and form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ system and all these systems together build the human body.

3. What are primary and secondary sex organs in humans?
Ans. The primary sex organs are those organs that produce gametes. In females, the primary sex organ is the ovaries which produce egg cells. In males, the primary sex organ is the testes which produce sperm.

Secondary sex organs are those that transport and store the gametes and nourish the growing baby. Male secondary sex organs are Epididymis, vasa deferentia, penis, etc. Female secondary sex organs are- the fallopian tube, vagina, uterus, etc.