Important Questions for Class 9

Science
Chapter 13- Why Do We Fall Ill

Very Short Answer Questions 1 Mark

1. Which one of the following is not important for individual health?
a)Living in clean space
b) Good economic condition
c) Social equality and harmony
d) Living in a large and well-furnished house.
Ans: a) Living in clean space

2. ‘Penicillin’, a lifesaving antibiotic, was discovered by

a) Alexander Fleming
b) Edward Jenner
c) H.G. Khorana
d) William Harvey.
Ans: a) Alexander Fleming

3. Making anti-viral drugs is more difficult than making anti-bacterial

medicines because-
a) Viruses make use of host machinery.
b) Viruses are on the border line of living and non-living
c) Viruses have very few biochemical mechanisms of their own
d) Viruses have a protein coat.
Ans: c) Viruses have very few biochemical mechanisms of their own.

4. Which one of the following deficiency disease?

a) Diabetes
b) Malaria
c) Goitre
d) Tetanus
Ans: c) Goitre

5. The chemical that kill or stop the growing of certain kinds of microbes
are called-
a) Vaccines
b) Microbes
Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 1
c) Antibiotics
d) fungi
Ans: c) antibiotics

6. Choose the wrong statement –

a) High blood pressure is caused by excessive weight and lack of exercise.
b) Cancers can be caused by genetic abnormalities.
c) Peptic ulcers are caused by eating acidic food.
d) Acne is not caused by staphylococci.
Ans: d) Acne is not caused by staphylococci.

7. Rabies occurs through the bite of.

a) female Anopheles Mosquito
b) Female culex mosquito
c) Rabid dog
d) housefly.
Ans: c) Rabid dog

8. AIDS is caused by –
a) Bacteria
b) Virus
c) Protozoa
d) Fungi
Ans: b) Virus

9. Identify a protozoan disease –

a) Ringworm
b) Measles
c) Diphtheria
d) Amoebiasis
Ans: d) Amoebiasis

10. If you live in a overcrowded and poorly ventilated house, it is possible

that you may suffer from which of the following diseases.
a) Cancer
b) AIDS
c) Air borne diseases
d) Cholera.
Ans: c) Air borne diseases

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 2

11. The symptom of goitre is
a) Swelling of eye
b) Swelling of the thyroid gland
c) Swelling of the liver
d) Swelling of the limbs.
Ans: b) Swelling of the thyroid gland

12.Which one of the following does not help in the prevention of AIDS?
a) Use of disposable syringes.
b) Safe sex practiced between single partners.
c) Proper screening of blood before transfusion
d) Using same syringe again and again
Ans: d) Using same syringe again and again

13.You are aware of Polio Eradication Programme in your city. Children

are vaccinated because –
a) vaccination kills polio causing micro-organisms
b) Prevents the entry of polio causing micro-organisms
c) It creates immunity in the body.
d) all the above.
Ans: c) It creates immunity in the body.

14.‘BCG’ vaccine is given to infants for protection against –

a) Diarrhoea
b) Cholera
c) Pneumonia
d) Tuberculosis
Ans: c) Pneumonia

15.Which one is not sexually transmitted disease?

a) AIDS
b) Gonorrhoea
c) Syphilis
d) Diabetes.
Ans: d) Diabetes.

16.Which one of the following causes kala-azar?

a) Ascaris
b) Trypanosome
c) Leishmania

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 3

d) Bacteria
Ans: c) Leishmania

Short Answer Questions 2 Marks

1. State any two conditions essential for good health.
Ans: The two conditions essential for good health are:
i. Clean and Hygienic surroundings
ii. A sound physical, mental and social state

2. State any two conditions essential for being free of disease.

Ans: The two conditions essential for being free of disease are:
i. Personal as well as domestic hygiene
ii. Consuming a balanced diet

3. Are the answers to the above questions necessarily the same or different?
Why?
Ans: The answers to the above questions are different as a person may be disease
free but does not have a good physical, mental or social state which lead to a poor
health.

4. How many times did you fall ill in the last one year? What were the
illnesses?
a) Think of one change you could make in your habits in order to avoid any
of/most of the above illnesses.
Ans: I fell ill twice last year. I had suffered from viral fever and typhoid.
In order to prevent myself from getting infected again in future, I will avoid street
food especially those cooked at unhygienic places and are kept uncovered. Also,
I will drink filtered or boiled water.

b) Think of one change you would wish for in your surroundings in order to
avoid any of/most of the above illnesses.
Ans: In order to prevent myself from getting infected again in future, I shall keep
my surroundings cleaner than earlier and also maintain my personal hygiene.

5. A doctor/nurse/health-worker is exposed to more sick people than others

in the community. Find out how she/he avoids getting sick herself/himself.
Ans: A doctor/nurse/health-worker is exposed to more sick people than others in
the community, still they prevent themselves from getting sick as they take proper
care of their personal hygiene as well as domestic hygiene. Also, they maintain
clean and immune surroundings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 4

6. A baby is not able to tell her/his caretakers that she/he is sick. What would
help us to find out
a) that the baby is sick?
Ans: If the baby is crying continuously and remains restless for a long time
despite providing comfort then he/she might be sick.

b) What is the sickness?

Ans: We should observe the symptoms and its severity to diagnose the sickness.

7. Under which of the following conditions is a person most likely to fall

sick?
(a) when she is recovering from malaria.
(b) when she has recovered from malaria and is taking care of someone
suffering from chicken-pox.
(c) when she is on a four-day fast after recovering from malaria and is taking
care of someone suffering from chicken-pox. Why?
Ans: A person is most likely to fall sick when she is on a four-day fast after
recovering from malaria and is taking care of someone suffering from chicken-
pox because during her fast she must have consumed a limited diet and hence less
nutrition is given to her body. Also, she is at a high risk of getting infected from
chicken-pox while taking care of someone suffering from it. Therefore, we can
state that her health is poor and she is very likely to fall sick again.

8. Under which of the following conditions are you most likely to fall sick?
(a) when you are taking examinations.
(b) when you have travelled by bus and train for two days.
(c) when your friend is suffering from measles. Why?
Ans: We are most likely to fall sick when our friend is suffering from measles
since measles is an infectious/communicable disease which can be easily spread
from person to person.

9. How are acute diseases different from chronic diseases?

Ans: Acute disease are diseases which are sudden but severe and last for short
periods of time. For example: Malaria, Jaundice, etc.
Chronic disease are diseases which develop gradually over a period of time and
are long lasting causing damage to the organs of the body. For example: Cancer,
Diabetes, etc.

10. What is the full form of AIDS? Name the causal organism.
Ans: The full form of AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is
caused by HIV – Human Immunodeficiency virus.
Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 5
11. Define the following terms:
(a) health
Ans: Health is defined as a sound state of physical, mental and social well-being
and it does not relate to the absence of disease.

(b) disease.
Ans: Disease refers to the malfunctioning of the organs or parts of the body due
to internal dysfunctions or external factors.

12. What are non-communicable diseases? Give examples.

Ans: Non-communicable diseases are non-infectious diseases which cannot be
spread from one person to another and are long-lasting.
For example – Diabetes, cancer.

13. Define carriers. Give two examples.

Ans: Carriers are the organisms that carry disease causing agents and has the
ability to spread the disease amongst healthy individuals without showing any
sign of disease
For example – Housefly, female insect Anopheles.

14. Why do children need vaccination?

Ans: Vaccination is important for children because it protects them from getting
infected by deadly diseases like tetanus, polio and also prevents the spread of
these diseases from child to child.

15. How can we prevent influenza?

Ans: Influenza is an air-borne disease, therefore it can be prevented by
maintaining a distance from the others and washing your hands regularly.

16. State giving reasons whether the following statements are correct or not.
a) Health is only the absence of any physical disease.
Ans: This statement is incorrect because health is a state of sound physical,
mental and social well-being. Hence, being disease free does not ensure that the
person has a good health.

b) Children need not be immunized.

Ans: This statement is incorrect because there is a need to immunize children as
their immune system is not fully developed and so they are more susceptible to
diseases.

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 6

17. What is peptic ulcer?
Ans: Peptic ulcer is a disease in which ulcers or sores are formed on the lining of
your stomach or duodenum and the person suffers from pain due to acidity.

18. What are the different types of diseases? Explain them.

Ans: Diseases are broadly classified into two types –
a. Communicable or infectious disease – Those diseases which are spread from
one person to another in contact and it generally lasts for a short term. It can
be spread through air, water, food, physical contact and insects.
For example: Chicken pox, malaria, cholera, etc.
b. Non-communicable or non- infectious diseases – Those diseases which
cannot be spread from person to person and are long-lasting. For example -
arthritis, marasmus etc.

19. Which bacterium causes peptic ulcers? Who discovered the above
pathogen?
Ans: Helicobacter pylori bacterium causes peptic ulcers and it was discovered by
Robin Warren and Barry Marshall.

20. Name the target organs for the following disease-

a) Hepatitis targets ______________
Ans: liver

b) Fits or unconsciousness targets __________________

Ans: brain

c) Pneumonia targets _________________

Ans: lungs

d) Fungal disease targets ______________

Ans: skin

21. How are diseases diagnosed by physician?

Ans: When a person is infected from a disease, it may cause malfunctioning of
organs or body parts which produces external symptoms of diseases. On the basis
of the symptoms and physical examination of the person, the disease is diagnosed
by the physician.

22. Who discovered ‘vaccine’ for the first time? Name two diseases which
can be prevented by using vaccine.

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 7

Ans: Vaccine was discovered by a surgeon, Edward Jenner. Two diseases which
can prevented by using vaccine are polio and tetanus.

23. Name the approaches generally adopted to treat infectious diseases.

Ans: Infectious diseases can be treated by two ways:
1. By reducing its effect using medications that may reduce its symptoms.
2. By killing its cause using antibiotics.

Short Answer Questions 3 Marks

1. Why are we normally advised to take bland and nourishing food when we
are sick?
Ans: When we are sick, our body becomes fragile and our digestion process also
becomes poor. Hence, we are advised to take bland and nourishing food when we
are sick because we need complete nourishment for faster recovery.

2. What are the different means by which infectious diseases are spread?
Ans: Infectious diseases can spread by the following means:
a. Through contaminated food and water
b. Through atmosphere
c. Through vectors or carriers (housefly, mosquito etc)
d. Through direct skin contact or sexual contact
e. Through cuts or wounds

3. What precautions can you take in your school to reduce the incidence of
infectious diseases?
Ans: To reduce the incidence of infectious diseases, I would take the following
precautions in my school:
i. Maintain distance from an infected person
ii. Keep my surroundings clean
iii. Wash my hands regularly.
iv. I would not consume open/uncovered food materials

4. What is immunisation?
Ans: Immunisation is a method in which an immunized person develops
resistance towards a specific disease.
In this method weak or dead microbes of a specific disease are injected in the
body such that develop memory lymphocytes (WBCs) but do not cause disease.
For example: vaccination against polio, tetanus etc.

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 8

5. What are the immunisation programmes available at the nearest health
centre in your locality? Which of these diseases are the major health
problems in your area?
Ans: The immunisation programmes available at the nearest health centre in our
locality are as follows:
a. For infants: DPT, polio, measles
b. For children: TT, TAB, small pox
c. Hepatitis-B for pregnant women
The diseases like typhoid, measles, small pox, polio are the major health problems
in our area.

6. List any three reasons why you would think that you are sick and ought
to see a doctor. If only one of these symptoms were present, would you still
go to the doctor? Why or why not?
Ans: If we have continuous headache, stomach ache, loose motions, fever, cough
and cold, then we would consult a doctor. If only one of these symptoms were
present continuously for a period of time then also we will go to see the doctor as
it may be the initial signs of a severe disease.

7. In which of the following case do you think the long-term effects on your
health are likely to be most unpleasant?
a. if you get jaundice
b. if you get lice
c. if you get acne.
Why?
Ans: If I suffer from jaundice, I believe that its long-term effects on our health
are likely to be most unpleasant because the symptoms severely affect our body
parts and the internal organs and persist for a long time.

8. Conduct a survey in your neighbourhood to find out what the three most
common diseases are. Suggest three steps that could be taken by your local
authorities to bring down the incidence of these diseases.
Ans: Three most common diseases in my locality are diarrhoea, malaria and
tuberculosis.
To bring down the incidence of these diseases I would suggest the following
steps:
i. Supply of safe drinking water and closed drains.
ii. Hygienic and clean environment.
iii. Eradication of mosquitoes
iv. Immunisation or vaccination camps

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 9

9. Why are antibiotics not effective for viral disease.
Ans: Viruses are different from bacteria. They do not have cell wall which can
be attacked by antibodies. Thus, antibodies are ineffective against viral disease.
Antibiotics tend to break the bacterial cell wall and block the bacterial pathways.
Thus, they are effective on bacterial infections.

10.What is inflammation? What are the changes occur during

inflammation?
Ans: Inflammation is a process carried by the immune system in which it recruits
many cells to the affected tissue during an injury or burn to kill the disease-
causing germs and protect the tissue from external pathogens.
During this process, swelling, pain and redness may develop.

11.Why do some children fall ill more frequently than others living in the
same locality?
Ans: It is the immune system which protects our body from various diseases and
infections. Children tend to fall ill more frequently because they have a poor or
not a well-developed immune system.
A balanced diet, proper sleep and exercise would help children develop a strong
immune system.

12.How can the disease be prevented?

Ans: Diseases can be prevented by taking the following measures–
a. By avoiding crowded places
b. By maintaining public hygiene
c. By washing our hands regularly
d. By consuming a balanced diet and maintaining personal hygiene.
e. By immunization.

13.Give two examples for each of the following:

a) Chronic diseases
Ans: Chronic diseases – Diabetes, arthritis

b) Infectious diseases
Ans: Infectious diseases – Chicken pox, Influenza

c) Non-infectious diseases.
Ans: Non-infectious diseases – asthma, obesity

14.Give difference between vaccines and antibiotics.

Ans: Difference between vaccines and antibiotics is stated as follows:
Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 10
 Vaccines
1. Vaccines are the suspension of
weak or dead microbial agents of
the same disease in a person so
that he is immune against that
disease.
2. They are given before the person
gets infected in order to prevent
him.
3. They provide immunity or
protection for a longer period.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines made by
living microbes and it may be used for
one or more diseases.
They are given after the person gets
infected from a disease.
Antibiotics provide protection for a
short period of time.

15. The body of a patient has lost its power of fighting against infections.
Which disease may the patient be suffering from? Name the pathogen and
describe any two modes of its transmission from the patient to other person.
Ans: The patient is suffering from AIDS, i.e., Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome.
AIDS is caused by HIV – Human Immunodeficiency virus.
Two modes of transmission are
i. By sexual contact with infected person.
ii. By the use of an infected syringe or needle.

16.What are the conditions favouring for air-bone diseases?

Ans: Conditions favouring for air-borne infections -
a. Close contact with the infected person.
b. Over – crowding
c. Poor – Ventilation

17.What are the various dimensions of health?

Ans: Various dimensions of health are as follows–
a. Physical dimensions: It implies perfect functioning of all the organs and
parts of the body.
b. Mental dimensions – It implies a state of mental balance, harmony and
peace between the individual and his environment.
c. Social dimensions – A person is socially sound if he shares a good bond
with his surroundings and the people around him, i.e., if he has a good job,
a good house, a happy family, helpful friends.

18.What are the causes of diseases?

Ans: Causes of diseases are –

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 11

 a. Microorganisms – Bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa and worms cause most
of the communicable diseases.
b. Malfunctioning of parts of the body or body organs.
c. Nutritional deficiency.
d. Genetic factors.
e. Polluted environment.

19.Give the schedule of immunization for infants and children up to six

years.
Ans: The schedule of immunization for infants and children up to six years is
given below:

Age Vaccine No. of doses

Infant 3-9 months DPT 3 doses at intervals of 1-2 months
Polio 3 doses at intervals of 1-2 months
BCG 1
9-12 months Measles 1
18-24 months DPT 1 (booster)
Polio 1 (booster)
Children 5-6 years Typhoid 2

20.Explain giving reasons –

a) Balanced diet is necessary for maintaining health body.
Ans: Balanced diet contains all the nutrient required for maintaining proper
health as well as they are needed for growth and repair of the damaged cells.

b) Health of an organism depends upon the surrounding environmental

conditions.
Ans: Surrounding environmental conditions plays an important role in the
maintenance of health. For example we feel uneasy if –
i. Our surrounding is dirty and the garbage is not collected or disposed off.
ii. Drains are not cleaned and water gets collected in the streets or open
spaces.

21. What is immunization, immune system, immunity?

Ans: Immunisation is a method in which an immunized person develops
resistance towards a specific disease.
Immune system is a system which protects are body against pathogens which may
lead to infections.
Immunity refers to our body’s power to resist and overcome infection.
Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 12
22.Name the agents and the diseases caused by them?
Ans: A list of agents and the disease caused by them is given below:

Agents Disease Caused

1. Bacteria Tuberculosis, whooping cough
2. Viruses AIDS, chicken pox, Common cold
3. Fungi Skin infection, ringworm, athlete’s foot
4. Protozoa Sleeping-sickness, Malaria, amoebic dysentery
5. Worms Giardiasis, Amebiasis

23.What are the different aspects of maintaining good health?

Ans: Different aspects for maintaining good health-
a. Community health – Keeping our surrounding clean and hygienic
contributes to our personal health.
b. Maintaining personal hygiene by washing our hands continuously and
avoiding close contact and overcrowded places.
c. Regular exercise and a proper sleep are very necessary to keep the mind
and body fit. Also, relaxation is very essential for good health.
d. Optimum nutrition through a balanced diet is essential for maintenance of
good health. One should avoid the consumption of junk food to maintain a
good health.

Class IX Science www.vedantu.com 13