Microorganisms are an essential part of our ecosystem, playing both beneficial and harmful roles. Lakhmir Singh Class 8 Science Chapter 2 microorganisms Solutions explains how these tiny organisms contribute to ecological balance, participating in cycles like the nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon cycles.
This chapter highlights how microbes can be helpful, such as in food production and medicine, while also discussing their harmful effects, including disease transmission. It provides a clear understanding of communicable diseases, their causes, and prevention.
Get expert-prepared solutions to all questions in Lakhmir Singh Class 8 Science Chapter 2 microorganisms and boost your learning with step-by-step explanations. Also, explore NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science to enhance your preparation.
Looking for Lakhmir Singh Science Class 8 Solutions for Chapter 2 – Microorganisms: Friends and Foe? Download the PDF to get step-by-step answers covering topics like agricultural practices, soil preparation, irrigation, and crop protection.
This PDF solution follows the NCERT syllabus and helps students understand the scientific methods of farming in a simple way. Get the Class 8 Science Chapter 2 PDF now for easy learning and exam preparation.
This chapter generally carries 6 to 8 marks in school-level Science exams under the CBSE curriculum. However, marks may vary slightly depending on the exam pattern of your school.
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Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark)
Short Answer Type Questions (2–3 marks)
Long Answer Type Questions (4–5 marks)
Also Check: Class 8 Science Microorganisms MCQs
Downloading the Lakhmir Singh Science Class 8 Solutions for Chapter 2 – Microorganisms: Friend and Foe PDF is simple and convenient. These PDF solutions provide well-explained answers following the NCERT syllabus, helping students grasp key concepts easily. Visit Infinity Learn educational platform, search for Class 8 Science Chapter 2 PDF, and download it for free access to expert solutions anytime.
This chapter explores the role of microorganisms in our daily lives. The key topics covered include:
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. What device is used to observe microorganisms?
Answer: Microorganisms are viewed using a microscope.
Q2. Which type of microorganisms are capable of reproducing only within the cells of living organisms?
Answer:
Viruses are unique microorganisms that can multiply only when they enter and hijack the living cells of a host. Outside a host body, they remain inactive and cannot carry out life processes on their own.
Q3. What are the primary categories of microorganisms?
Answer: The main types of microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, some fungi, and algae.
Q4. List two human diseases caused by bacteria.
Answer: Cholera and typhoid are illnesses triggered by bacteria.
Q5. Name two viral diseases affecting humans.
Answer: Influenza and the common cold are both caused by viruses.
Q6. Mention two diseases in humans caused by protozoa.
Answer: Malaria and amoebic dysentery are due to protozoan infections.
Q7. State two fungal infections in humans.
Answer: Ringworm and athlete’s foot are examples of fungal diseases.
Q8. Which microbe is involved in curd production from milk?
Answer: The bacterium Lactobacillus helps convert milk into curd.
Q9. Which microorganism aids in large-scale alcohol manufacture?
Answer: Yeast is utilized in the mass production of alcohol.
Q10. Give names of two commonly used antibiotics.
Answer: Erythromycin and streptomycin are well-known antibiotics.
Q11. Can you name an antibiotic that was originally discovered from a fungus? Also, mention the name of the fungus.
Answer: Yes, the antibiotic penicillin was the first to be discovered and it comes from a mold called Penicillium. This groundbreaking discovery was made by Alexander Fleming in 1928, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.
Q12. What are four diseases that can be prevented by timely vaccination?
Answer: Vaccines play a crucial role in building immunity and preventing several serious diseases. Four such diseases that can be controlled or prevented through vaccination are:
Regular immunization programs help protect individuals and communities from the spread of these infections.
Q13. Who developed the smallpox vaccine?
Answer: Edward Jenner introduced the smallpox vaccine in 1798.
Q14. Name the scientist who found penicillin.
Answer: Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in the year 1929.
Q15. What is one major role of blue-green algae?
Answer: Blue-green algae improve soil by fixing nitrogen from the air.
Q16. Name a biological nitrogen-fixing microorganism.
Answer: Blue-green algae serve as natural nitrogen fixers.
Q17. Name two insects that spread disease-causing microbes.
Answer: Mosquitoes and houseflies are common transmitters of disease.
Q18. List two diseases spread by houseflies.
Answer: Tuberculosis and cholera can be spread by houseflies.
Q19. Which insect transmits the malaria parasite?
Answer: The female Anopheles mosquito spreads malaria.
Q20. Which insect carries the virus responsible for dengue?
Answer: Dengue virus is transmitted by the female Aedes mosquito.
Q21. Who is responsible for spreading dengue: housefly or mosquito?
Answer: The female Aedes mosquito spreads dengue, not the housefly.
Q22. Name two diseases that are transmitted through mosquito bites.
Answer: Malaria and dengue are mosquito-borne diseases.
Q23. Which microorganism causes malaria?
Answer: Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium.
Q24. Name a disease transmitted through airborne microorganisms.
Answer: Airborne spread of tuberculosis occurs via infected droplets.
Q25. Give an example of a disease spread through insect bites.
Answer: Malaria spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes.
Q26. Mention a disease transmitted by contaminated food or water.
Answer: Cholera is caused by ingesting polluted food or water.
Q27. What microbes cause the following animal diseases?
(a) Foot and mouth disease
(b) Anthrax
Answer:
(a) Foot and mouth disease – Caused by a virus.
(b) Anthrax – Caused by a bacterium.
Q28. Name two food items preserved by sun-drying at home.
Answer: Spinach and fenugreek leaves are often sun-dried for preservation.
Q29. Which two foods are preserved using salt?
Answer: Salt is used to preserve fish and meat.
Q30. Which food products are preserved using sugar?
Answer: Jams and jellies are preserved by adding sugar.
Q31. Name two items usually preserved by freezing.
Answer: Freezing is commonly used to store meat and fish.
Q32. Which preservatives are added in jams and jellies?
Answer: Sodium benzoate and sodium metabisulphite are often used.
Q33. List preservatives used in making pickles from fruits and vegetables.
Answer: Oil, vinegar, and salt are used to preserve pickles.
Q34. Which foods can be preserved with oil or vinegar?
Answer: Meat and fish can be kept fresh using vinegar or oil.
Q35. Name two chemical food preservatives.
Answer: Sodium metabisulphite and sodium benzoate are commonly used.
Q36. Which microorganisms help in fixing nitrogen in the soil?
Answer: Nitrogen fixation is carried out by certain bacteria and blue-green algae.
Q37. Which plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable compounds?
Answer: Legume plants are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Q38. Which microorganisms reside in legume roots to fix nitrogen?
Answer: Rhizobium bacteria inhabit root nodules of legumes and fix nitrogen.
Q39. Name two leguminous plants that help in nitrogen fixation.
Answer: Pea and bean plants fix atmospheric nitrogen with bacterial help.
Their are many benefits of using Lakhmir singh solutions for class 8 science. Some are listed below:
These solutions are a valuable resource for Class 8 students aiming for better understanding and scoring high in exams!
This chapter introduces students to five major types of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and algae. It highlights their dual nature — helpful (used in curd-making, medicine, nitrogen fixation) and harmful (causing diseases, spoiling food). The chapter also covers topics like vaccination, antibiotics, and food preservation. If you're looking for a concise revision, the Class 8 Science Chapter 2 PDF Notes are extremely helpful for last-minute preparation.
You can download free PDF for Lakhmir Singh Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 2 (Microorganisms: Friend and Foe) from Infinity Learn. These PDFs offer NCERT-aligned solutions ideal for exam preparation, school assignments, and quick revisions.
Chapter 2 forms the foundation of microbiology and frequently appears in school exams and scholarship tests like NTSE and Olympiads. Questions on disease transmission, nitrogen cycle, and use of microbes in industry are common. Students are advised to study from Class 8 Science Chapter 2 Notes PDF and practice with Lakhmir Singh’s extra questions for in-depth understanding.
Key scoring topics include:
Role of microbes in food industry (yeast, lactobacillus)
Diseases caused by microorganisms (viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal)
Methods of food preservation (salting, deep freezing, pasteurization)
Biological nitrogen fixation
Use Class 8 Microorganisms NCERT solutions PDF to master these areas with well-structured answers and diagrams.
Yes, trusted educational platforms like Infinity Learn provide easy access to the latest Lakhmir Singh Science Class 8 Full Book PDF for free download, allowing students to study anytime, anywhere with high-quality, CBSE-aligned resources.