Written as per the latest syllabus prescribed by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook

Production and Curriculum Research, Pune.

STD. VII

T
General Science

N
TE
N
O
C
E
PL
M
SA

Printed at: Quarterfold Printabilities, Navi Mumbai

© Target Publications Pvt. Ltd.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, C.D. ROM/Audio Video Cassettes or electronic, mechanical
including photocopying; recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher.

Balbharati Registration No.: 2018MH0022 P.O. No. 201720

TEID: 13796
 PREFACE
General Science: Std. VII has been prepared as per the new ‘Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation’ (CCE)
evaluation system which is more child-centric and focuses on active learning and making the process of education
more enjoyable and interesting.
We have infused the book with a liberal sprinkling of real life examples, pictorial explanations and additional
questions. Questions titled under 'Use your brain power', 'Can you tell' and a series of 'In-text Questions', pave
the way for a robust concept building.

T
Every chapter begins with Point wise Theory and Pictorial Illustrations. It follows through by covering all the
textual content in the format of Summative and Formative assessment. Summative assessment includes
Question-Answers, Give Reasons and other type of Questions. Formative assessment is divided into Apply your

N
knowledge, Oral work, Activities and Project which helps students to understand concepts quickly. The chapter
also includes Activity Based Questions that explain certain concepts to students in a point wise manner through
the medium of an activity. The chapter eventually ends with a Chapter wise Assessment that stands a testimony

TE
to the fact that the child has understood the chapter thoroughly. To provide general and understandable
explanations of the difficult terms, ‘Glossary’ is included at the end of the book. Additional information and Fun
Facts are added to trigger the students’ thought process.
With absolute trust in our work, we hope, our holistic efforts towards making this book an ideal knowledge hub
for students pays off.
The journey to create a complete book is strewn with triumphs, failures and near misses. If you think we’ve

N
nearly missed something or want to applaud us for our triumphs, we’d love to hear from you.
Please write to us at: [email protected]
A book affects eternity; one can never tell where its influence stops.
O
Best of luck to all the aspirants!
From,
Publisher
C
Edition: Second
Disclaimer
This reference book is transformative work based on ‘General Science; First Edition: 2017’ published by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and
E

Curriculum Research, Pune. We the publishers are making this reference book which constitutes as fair use of textual contents which are transformed by adding and
elaborating, with a view to simplify the same to enable the students to understand, memorize and reproduce the same in examinations.
This work is purely inspired upon the course work as prescribed by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, Pune. Every care has been
taken in the publication of this reference book by the Authors while creating the contents. The Authors and the Publishers shall not be responsible for any loss or damages caused
to any person on account of errors or omissions which might have crept in or disagreement of any third party on the point of view expressed in the reference book.
PL

© reserved with the Publisher for all the contents created by our Authors.
No copyright is claimed in the textual contents which are presented as part of fair dealing with a view to provide best supplementary study material for the benefit of
students.

Contents
Page Page
No. Topic Name
M

No. Topic Name No.

No.
11. Cell Structure and Micro-organisms 134
The Living World : Adaptations
1. 1 The Muscular System and Digestive
and Classification 12. 149
SA

System in Human Beings

2. Plants : Structure and Function 17
13. Changes - Physical and Chemical 162
3. Properties of Natural Resources 33
14. Elements, Compounds and Mixtures 173
4. Nutrition in Living Organisms 46 15. Materials we Use 190
5. Food Safety 63 16. Natural Resources 200
6. Measurement of Physical Quantities 76 17. Effects of Light 218
7. Motion, Force and Work 86 18. Sound : Production of Sound 228
8. Static Electricity 99 19. Properties of a Magnetic Field 239
20. In the World of Stars 250
9. Heat 111
10. Disaster Management 122 Glossary 260

Note: Textual Questions are respresented by * mark.

 PREFACE
General Science: Std. VII has been prepared as per the new ‘Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation’ (CCE)
evaluation system which is more child-centric and focuses on active learning and making the process of education
more enjoyable and interesting.
We have infused the book with a liberal sprinkling of real life examples, pictorial explanations and additional
questions. Questions titled under 'Use your brain power', 'Can you tell' and a series of 'In-text Questions', pave
the way for a robust concept building.

T
Every chapter begins with Point wise Theory and Pictorial Illustrations. It follows through by covering all the
textual content in the format of Summative and Formative assessment. Summative assessment includes
Question-Answers, Give Reasons and other type of Questions. Formative assessment is divided into Apply your

N
knowledge, Oral work, Activities and Project which helps students to understand concepts quickly. The chapter
also includes Activity Based Questions that explain certain concepts to students in a point wise manner through
the medium of an activity. The chapter eventually ends with a Chapter wise Assessment that stands a testimony

TE
to the fact that the child has understood the chapter thoroughly. To provide general and understandable
explanations of the difficult terms, ‘Glossary’ is included at the end of the book. Additional information and Fun
Facts are added to trigger the students’ thought process.
With absolute trust in our work, we hope, our holistic efforts towards making this book an ideal knowledge hub
for students pays off.
The journey to create a complete book is strewn with triumphs, failures and near misses. If you think we’ve

N
nearly missed something or want to applaud us for our triumphs, we’d love to hear from you.
Please write to us at: [email protected]
A book affects eternity; one can never tell where its influence stops.
O
Best of luck to all the aspirants!
From,
Publisher
C
Edition: Second
Disclaimer
This reference book is transformative work based on ‘General Science; First Edition: 2017’ published by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and
E

Curriculum Research, Pune. We the publishers are making this reference book which constitutes as fair use of textual contents which are transformed by adding and
elaborating, with a view to simplify the same to enable the students to understand, memorize and reproduce the same in examinations.
This work is purely inspired upon the course work as prescribed by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, Pune. Every care has been
taken in the publication of this reference book by the Authors while creating the contents. The Authors and the Publishers shall not be responsible for any loss or damages caused
to any person on account of errors or omissions which might have crept in or disagreement of any third party on the point of view expressed in the reference book.
PL

© reserved with the Publisher for all the contents created by our Authors.
No copyright is claimed in the textual contents which are presented as part of fair dealing with a view to provide best supplementary study material for the benefit of
students.

Contents
Page Page
No. Topic Name
M

No. Topic Name No.

No.
11. Cell Structure and Micro-organisms 134
The Living World : Adaptations
1. 1 The Muscular System and Digestive
and Classification 12. 149
SA

System in Human Beings

2. Plants : Structure and Function 17
13. Changes - Physical and Chemical 162
3. Properties of Natural Resources 33
14. Elements, Compounds and Mixtures 173
4. Nutrition in Living Organisms 46 15. Materials we Use 190
5. Food Safety 63 16. Natural Resources 200
6. Measurement of Physical Quantities 76 17. Effects of Light 218
7. Motion, Force and Work 86 18. Sound : Production of Sound 228
8. Static Electricity 99 19. Properties of a Magnetic Field 239
20. In the World of Stars 250
9. Heat 111
10. Disaster Management 122 Glossary 260

Note: Textual Questions are respresented by * mark.

 

Std. VII: General Science

Stem Growing end

Bud
1. The plumule of the sprouting seed develops into the
stem, which grows above the soil.
Bud
2. As the sprout grows, the length of stem increases
gradually. Nodes
3. A stem shows nodes and internodes.
4. Node is a region from which leaves come out, whereas

T
Internode Leaf
internode is a region between two nodes.
5. The tip or the apical end of the stem is called a bud.
Parts of a stem

N
Leaf

TE
Leaves are generally thin, flat and green in colour.
Leaf apex
Leaf margin
Vein
Mid vein

N
Leaf blade

Petiole
O Stipule
Leaf base
Parts of a leaf
C
Leaf blade or lamina A broad, spread out part of the leaf
Leaf margin Edge of a leaf blade or lamina. They may be entire, dentate or lobed.
E
PL

Entire Dentate Lobed

Leaf apex The tip of the leaf which may be tapering pointed or rounded.
Petiole Stalk of a leaf. It may be present or absent in leaves of different plants.
Leaf base The portion of the leaf attached to the stem.
M

Stipules The small leaf like structures present near the leaf base of some leaves.
Simple leaves A single undivided leaf blade and a single mid rib.
Compound leaves The leaf-blade is divided into many small parts called leaflets.
SA

Arrangement of Different plants show different arrangement of leaves on a stem. It may be

leaves alternate, opposite, whorled, decussate, etc.

Alternate Decussate Opposite Whorled

18
 

Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

The shape of the Rounded (obovate), palmate, lanceolate, linear, etc.
leaves
Venation Leaves of some plants such as peepal, show reticulate venation, whereas leaf
blade of some plant such as maize show parallel venation.

T
N
Reticulate venation Parallel venation
• The leaf-blade with reticulate venation shows a single mid-rib which lies along
the mid line of the leaf blade. Secondary veins arising from the mid-vein are

TE
branched and form a network or reticulum.
• In leaf blade with parallel venation, all the veins are parallel, running from leaf
base to leaf apex.

Flower

N
Stigma
Anther O Stigma Style
Anther
Corolla Filament
C
Petal
Calyx
Pedicel Ovary
E

Pedicel
PL

Vertical section of a Hibiscus flower

Pedicel • A stalk of flower which may be long or short.
• One end of pedicel is attached to the stem while the other expanded and swollen
end is called receptacle.
• Petals and other parts of the flower are supported on the receptacle.
M

Calyx • It is made up of sepals.

• In bud condition petals are covered by leaf like, green coloured sepals.
Corolla • It is made up of colourful petals.
•
SA

The colour and shape of corolla differs from flower to flower.

Androecium • It is the male reproductive part of the flower.
• It consists of stamens. Each stamen consists of anther and filament.
Gynoecium • It is the female reproductive part of the flower.
• It is made up of carpels.
• Each carpel consists of stigma, style and ovary.
Pollination • At maturity, anthers burst and release pollen grains, which fall on the stigma. This
process is called as pollination.
• As a result of pollination, ovules (egg cells) in the ovary get fertilized and develop
into seeds, whereas ovary develops into fruit.

19
 

Std. VII: General Science

Fruit
1. Different fruits have different shape, colour, taste, etc.
2. Mango contains only single seed, whereas jackfruit consists of many small fruitlets, each with its own
seed. In cashew fruit, seed is outside the fruit.
3. Each fruit has a different skin or shell, fleshy part and seed.
4. The seeds which get divided into two equal parts are called as dicotyledonous seeds, whereas seeds
which do not divide into two equal parts are called monocotyledonous seeds.

T
Summative Assessment

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Fill in the blanks

TE
1. Thread-like or fibre-like roots arising from the stem are called ....................
2. The stem grows above the soil from the ................... of the sprouting seed.
3. The part of the stem between two nodes is called ....................
4. In some plants, the small leaf like structure present near the leaf base are called ....................
5. ................... is the female reproductive part of the flower.

N
6. After fertilization ................... develops into a fruit.
Answers:
1. fibrous roots 2. plumule 3. internode
4. stipules 5.
OGynoecium 6. ovary
C
Choose the correct alternative
1. Root tip is protected from injuries by....................
(A) radicle (B) root hairs (C) petiole (D) root cap
E

2. Dicotyledonous plants have ....................roots.

(A) fibrous (B) prop (C) tap (D) adventitious
PL

3. Roots emerging from the trunk and branches of a tree growing towards the soil are called
as....................
(A) adventitious roots (B) prop roots (C) fibrous roots (D) tap roots
4. In buds, petals are covered by leaf-like, green coloured....................
(A) corolla (B) sepals (C) androecium (D) pedicel
M

Answers:
1. (D) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (B)
SA

Right or Wrong? If Wrong, write the correct sentence.

1. The part that grows from inside the seed towards the soil is called plumule.
2. Leaves of some plants do not have petiole.
3. The peepal leaf blade has parallel venation.
4. The expanded and swollen end of the pedicel is called as receptacle.
5. A carpel consists of anther and filament.
6. In cashew, seed is outside the fruit.

20
 

Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

Answers:
1. Wrong.
The part that grows from inside the seed towards the soil is called the radicle.
2. Right.
3. Wrong.
The peepal leaf blade has reticulate venation.

T
4. Right.
5. Wrong.

N
A stamen consists of anther and filament whereas a carpel consists of stigma, style and ovary.
6. Right.

TE
Odd One out
1. Alternate, opposite, whorled, palmate, decussate
2. Calyx, corolla, petiole, androecium, gynoecium
3. Pea, moong, rice, groundnut, gram seeds
Answers:

N
1. Palmate.
Reason: Palmate is shape of a leaf, rest are types of arrangement of leaves on stem.

2. Petiole.
O
Reason: Petiole is a stalk of a leaf, rest are parts of a flower.
C
3. Rice.
Reason: Rice is monocotyledonous seed, rest are dicotyledonous seeds.

Match the Following

E

1. Match the description mentioned in Group ‘A’ with the appropriate words in Group ‘B’.
Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’
PL

i. Stalk of leaf a. Leaf base

ii. The portion of the leaf attached to the stem b. Leaf margin
iii. The edge of leaf-blade c. Petiole
iv. The tip of the leaf d. Lamina
M

e. Leaf apex

2. Match the description mentioned in Group ‘A’ with the appropriate words in Group ‘B’.
SA

Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’

i. Female reproductive part of flower a. Androecium
ii. The part of a flower which is made up of sepals b. Corolla
iii. Male reproductive part of flower c. Stipule
iv. The part of a flower which is made up of petals d. Calyx
e. Gynoecium
Answers:
1. (i – c), (ii – a), (iii – b), (iv – e)
2. (i – e), (ii – d), (iii – a), (iv – b)
21
 

Std. VII: General Science

Compare between the two

*1. What are the similarities and differences between?
i. Jowar and Moong ii. Onion and Coriander
iii. Leave of banana and Mango iv. Coconut tree and Jowar stalk plant
Ans: i. Jowar and Moong:
Similarities:

T
a. In both jowar and moong, seeds are edible.
b. Both jowar and moong are flowering plants.

N
Differences:
a. Seeds of Jowar are monocotyledonous, whereas seeds of moong are dicotyledonous.
b. Jowar has underground fibrous roots and adventitious roots above the soil. Moong has tap

TE
root.
c. Stem of Jowar is unbranched whereas stem of moong plant shows branches.
d. Leaf of Jowar shows parallel venation, whereas leaf of moong shows reticulate venation.
ii. Onion and Coriander:
Similarities:

N
Both onion and coriander are flowering plants.
Differences:
a.
b.
O
Seeds of onion are monocotyledonous, whereas seeds of coriander are dicotyledonous.
Onion plant has fibrous roots, whereas coriander has tap root.
c. Stem of onion is unbranched, whereas stem of coriander plant shows branches.
C
d. Leaf of onion shows parallel venation whereas leaf of coriander shows reticulate venation.
iii. Leave of banana and mango:
Similarities:
Leaves of both banana and mango possess petiole and midrib.
E

Differences:
Banana leaf shows parallel venation, whereas mango leaf shows reticulate venation.
PL

iv. Coconut tree and Jowar stalk plant:

Similarities:
a. Seeds of both coconut and Jowar are monocotyledonous.
b. Both coconut and Jowar show fibrous root.
Differences:
M

a. Coconut is a tree, whereas Jowar is a shrub.

b. Stem of coconut tree is woody, whereas stalk of jowar is soft.
SA

Answer in your own words

*1. Observe any one flower and its various parts and describe it in your own words.
Ans: The various parts observed in a rose flower are as follows:
i. The pedicel of rose flower i.e. stalk is green in colour.
ii. The leaf like green coloured sepals in rose are calyx.
iii. The red coloured petals in rose flower are corolla.
iv. The androecium in rose flower is made up of stamens which consist of anther and filament.
v. On observing the vertical section of a rose flower it is possible to see the gynoecium which is the
female reproductive part of flower. It is made up of carpels consisting of stigma, style and ovary.
22
 

Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

*2. Explain the following images in your own words.

A. B.
Ans: i. Image ‘A’ indicates maize grain. It is a monocotyledonous seed, thus it cannot be divided into two

T
equal parts.
ii. Image ‘B’ indicates Bean seed. It is a dicotyledonous seed, thus it can be divided into two equal

N
parts.

Answer the following

TE
1. What is tap root? Give any three examples of plants which possess tap root.
Ans: i. The primary root of some plants produce secondary roots.
ii. These secondary roots grow obliquely and spread far and wide in the soil. They provide support
to the plant and are called as tap roots.
iii. Tap roots are found in plants like Mustard, Tulsi, Periwinkle, etc.

N
2. Which are the two types of roots found in maize plant?
Ans: i. The two types of roots found in maize plant are fibrous roots and adventitious roots.
ii.
O
Fibrous roots of maize grow underground, whereas adventitious roots grow from stem just above
the soil and provide extra support to the maize plant.
3. Do you know? (Textbook page no. 11)
C
i. What is the use of prop roots in banyan tree?
Ans: Prop roots in banyan tree are the modified aerial roots. These roots provide extra support to the
growing branches of banyan tree.
E

ii. Is there any banyan tree with thousands of prop roots in your neighbourhood?
Ans: No, I have not seen any banyan tree with thousands of prop roots in our neighbourhood, but
there is a huge banyan tree near the playground of my school having many prop roots touching
PL

the ground.
4. Find out. (Textbook page no. 11)
Why are the underground parts of plants like radish, carrot, beet and sweet potato thick, fleshy and
swollen? Which part of the plant are they?
M

Ans: i. The underground parts of plants like radish, carrot, beet and sweet potato are thick, fleshy and
swollen due to storage of food.
ii. Radish, carrot and beet are the roots modified for storage of food.
SA

5. Complete the following table by giving an example for each type of modified root:

Modified root Examples

i. Aerial root
ii. Stilt root
iii. Runners
iv. Breathing roots (Pneumatophores)
v. Root, modified for storage of food

Ans: i − Prop roots of banyan tree, ii − Sugarcane, iii − Grass, iv − Mangrove, v − Carrot
23
 

Std. VII: General Science

6. Complete the given table. (One has been done for you)
Answers
i. Types of leaf margin Entire, dentate, lobed
ii. Types of leaf apex
iii. Different shapes of leaf
iv. Arrangement of leaves on stem
Ans: ii − Tapering, pointed, rounded;

T
iii − Rounded, palmate, lanceolate, linear
iv − Alternate, opposite, whorled, spiral.

N
7. Intext Question. (Textbook page no. 12)
Do you see stipules in all plants?
Ans: No. Stipules are not present in all plants. For e.g. Leaves of rose, Hibiscus possesses stipules. However,
leaves of peepal, banyan do not possess stipules.

TE
8. What are simple and compound leaves. Give two examples of each.
Ans: i. When leaf has a single undivided leaf-blade and a single mid rib, it is called as simple leaf.
For example: Mango leaf, Hibiscus leaf.
ii. When leaf blade is divided into many small leaflets, it is called as compound leaf.
For example: Gulmohar leaf, Neem leaf.

N
*9. Certain properties are mentioned below. Find a leaf corresponding to each property and describe
those plants.
Leaves with smooth surface, leaves with rough surface, fleshy leaf, spines on leaf
Ans:
O
Properties Leaves Description
When we touch the lamina of mango leaf,
C
i. Leaves with smooth surface Mango Leaf
it appears smooth.
When we touch the lamina of fig leaf, it
ii. Leaves with rough surface Fig Leaf appears rough due to presence of some
stiff hair like outgrowths.
E

Aloe vera leaf is modified for storage of

iii. Fleshy leaf Aloe vera Leaf water. This helps them to survive in place
where very little water is available.
PL

Pandanus (Kewda) The long leaves of Pandanus possess

iv. Spines on leaf
Leaf prickly spines along the edges and mid rib.
*10. Give examples of 3 plants that have
i. Spiny fruits
Ans: Jackfruit, Spine gourd (Kartoli), Castor fruit
M

ii. Spiny stem

Ans: Rose, Lemon, Cactus
Fun Facts
iii. Red flowers
SA

Ans: Rose, Hibiscus, Gulmohar ● Pomology is the study of fruits.

● Square Watermelons are grown by
iv. Yellow flowers
Japanese farmers for easier stack and
Ans: Sunflower, Marigold, Chrysanthemum
store.
v. Leaves which close at night
Ans: Rain tree, Tamarind, Gulmohar
vi. Single-seeded fruits
Ans: Mango, Litchi, Cashew
vii. Many seeded fruits
Ans: Watermelon, Jackfruit, Orange
24
 

Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

*11. Describe the functions of various parts of a plant.
Ans: The various parts of a plant are root, stem, leaves, flower and fruit.
Functions:
i. Root:
The main function of root is absorption of water and minerals, anchoring and supporting the plant.
In some plants, roots are modified and perform the function such as breathing
(example: pneumatophores in mangroves), storage (example: radish), etc.
Adventitious roots grow on the stem above the soil and provide extra support to the plant.

T
(Example: Maize)
ii. Stem: Stem carries water and minerals from roots to other parts of a plant. It also carries food
prepared by leaves to other parts of a plant.

N
iii. Leaves: Leaves contain green coloured pigments called chlorophyll which helps in preparation of
food by the process of photosynthesis.
iv. Flower:

TE
Flower is the reproductive part of a plant. It produces fruits and seeds as a result of fertilization.
v. Fruit: It contains seeds. On maturation, seeds are released from the fruit and germinate to give
rise to a new plant.
12. What is pollination? What will happen if pollination does not occur in flower?
Ans: i. The matured anther bursts and the pollen grains which are released fall on the stigma. This

N
process is called pollination.
ii. If pollination does not occur in the flower, then fertilization of ovules will not take place. As a
result, fruit and seeds will not be formed.
*13. Find the plant parts.
O
r b u d x s r f
C
o w p y e t a l
o l l d n e d o
t a o i l m i w
E

c n e t a l c e
PL

a v o v u m l r
p e t a l s e o
r o o t h a i r
Ans:
M

r b u d x s r f

o w p y e t a l
SA

o l l d n e d o

t a o i l m i w

c n e t a l c e

a v o v u m l r

p e t a l s e o

r o o t h a i r

25
 

Std. VII: General Science

Questions based on diagram

1. Draw a neat and labelled diagram of the following:
i. Parts of a tap root ii. Parts of a stem
iii. Vertical section of a Hibiscus flower
Ans: i. Parts of a tap root ii. Parts of a stem

T
Growing end
Bud
Secondary

N
root

Primary root Bud

Nodes

TE
Root hair
Root tip
Internode Leaf
Root cap

N
iii. Vertical section of a Hibiscus flower
Stigma Style
Corolla
O Anther
Filament
C
Calyx
Ovary
E

Pedicel

2. Observe the given figures and label the missing parts by selecting the correct words from the
PL

bracket.

i. v.
Anther
Leaf margin
M

Vein
ii.
Leaf blade
SA

vii.

iii.
iv. vi.
Leaf base

(Petal, Stipule, Mid vein, Pedicel, Leaf apex, Petiole, Stigma)

Ans: i. Leaf apex ii. Mid vein iii. Petiole iv. Stipule
v. Stigma vi. Pedicel vii. Petal

26
 

Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

Formative Assessment

Apply Your Knowledge

1. Let’s recall. (Textbook page no. 10)

i. What helps us to easily identify the plants around us?

T
Ans: Different characteristics of plants such as their height, shape of leaves, colour of flowers, fruits,
etc. help us to identify the plants around us.

N
ii. Which are the various parts of plants?
Ans: The root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. are the different parts of plants.
2. Try this. (Textbook page no. 10-11)

TE
i. Keep a moistened ball of crumpled paper in a conical flask. Place some soaked moth
beans/gram seeds in the flask between the paper and the glass wall. Observe and note the
changes in the seeds in two or three days.
Ans: Observation:

N
In two to three days, the soaked moth beans/gram seeds start germinating.
A white coloured radicle comes out from the small opening of the seed and holds the moistened
surface of the paper.
ii.
O
Take a glass jar and fill three-quarters of it with water. Place an
onion on the mouth of the jar in such a way that its roots are
towards the water. Observe the growth of the roots for eight days.
C
Ans: Observation: Thread like or fibre like roots can be seen arising from the
base of the onion. These roots grow towards the water.
iii. Sow the seeds of plants like mustard, sorghum (jowar), maize (corn), pea, coriander, etc. in an
earthern pot. Cultivate the plant for eight days. Once the plants grow 15 to 20 cm high,
E

uproot them carefully while the soil is moist and put them gently in a large conical flask
containing water. The soil will get washed off without any harm to the roots. Observe the
roots carefully to see which plants have tap roots and which ones have fibrous roots.
PL

Ans: Observation:
a. Plants having tap roots: Mustard, pea, coriander
b. Plants having fibrous roots: Sorghum (Jowar), maize (corn)
iv. Take some water in a small glass jar. Put a plantlet in it in such a way that its roots are dipped
in the water. Mark the water-level on the jar and add 5 ml of the oil to the water. Record the
M

water-level on the next day.

Discuss your observations in the class.
Ans: Observation:
Decrease in water level can be seen in jar containing rooted plantlet. It is because roots absorb water
SA

and carry it to the stem and leaves.

3. Use your brain power! (Textbook page no. 11)
i. What would have happened if plants like tamarind, banyan and mango had fibrous roots?
Ans: a. If plants like tamarind, banyan and mango had fibrous roots, they would have fallen down easily.
b. It is because these tree grow to a huge size thus only tap root can go deep inside the soil,
spread its secondary roots and fix the tree firmly in the soil.
ii. What will happen if the root-tip is injured?
Ans: If the root tip is injured, the root will not grow further. It is because, root tip is the region of the
growth of the root.
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Std. VII: General Science

iii. Which types of roots do the fenugreek, spinach and onion plants have?
Ans: Fenugreek and spinach plants have tap roots, whereas onion plants have fibrous roots.
4. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.12)
Observe a branch of any plant and identify its different parts as per the diagram given on
page no. 12 of your textbook.
(Students may attempt this activity on their own with the help of given diagram showing parts of a stem.)
5. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.12)

T
Complete the Chart (Collect information about other local plants, too).
Name of plant Thickness (circumference) of node (mm) Length of internode (mm)

N
1. Sugarcane 25 mm to 50 mm Approximatery 3000 mm
2. Fenugreek 1 mm to 2 mm 20 mm to 50 mm
Lemon, Tulsi, Periwinkle, Hibiscus, Rose, etc.

TE
(Students may attempt this activity on their own by studying the given examples of plants.)
6. Observe and Discuss. (Textbook page no. 13)
Observe a branch of plants like rose, neem, coriander, Hibiscus, etc.
Ans: i. When we observe a branch of plants like rose, neem, coriander and Hibiscus, we could see
alternate arrangement of leaves on stem.

N
ii. However, shape of leaves is different in these plants. It is as follows:
Rose: Rounded (obovate)
Neem: Linear
O
Coriander: Deeply lobed, fan-shaped
Hibiscus: Lanceolate
iii. Also, simple type of leaves are found in Hibiscus, whereas compound leaves are found in rose,
C
neem and coriander.
7. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.13)
Observe the different types of leaves given below. In the box, draw a special leaf you may have
found.
E
PL

Alternate Decussate Opposite Whorled

M

Ans:
SA

Coconut Leaf
The given diagram represents compound leaf of a coconut tree. Here, leaves are arranged spirally at
the top of the stem making a crown like appearance.
Each leaf consists of linear shaped leaflets showing parallel venation.
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Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

8. Try this. (Textbook page no. 13)

Take a peepal leaf and a maize leaf and observe them carefully.
Observe the leaves of some other plants in your surroundings and identify the type of venation.
Ans: Peepal leaf shows reticulate venation, whereas maize leaf shows parallel venation.
(Students can observe leaf-blade of tulsi, banyan, wheat, mint, spinach, grass, onion, etc. and study the

T
type of venation in them.)

9. A little fun! (Textbook page no.13)

N
Take a fallen peepal leaf and soak it in water for 15-20 days. Dry it and make a greeting card of the
lace-like leaf you get.

TE
(Students are expected to perform the above activity on their own.)

10. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.13)

Complete the chart given on page no. 13 of your textbook by observing the plants around you.

N
Ans:

Name Shape of
Sr. Type of Shape of leaf Shape of Petiole Stipule Arrangement
No.
of
plant
leaf blade
O Venation leaf
margin
leaf apex Yes/No Yes/No on stem

i. Maize Simple Linear Parallel Entire Tapering No No Alternate

C
ii. Canna Simple Ovate Parallel Entire Pointed No No Alternate
Cordate
iii. Peepal Simple Reticulate Entire Pointed Yes No Alternate
(heart shape)
iv. Rose Compound Rounded Reticulate Dentate Pointed Yes Yes Alternate
E

11. Try this. (Textbook page no. 14)

PL

i. Carefully observe a fully opened Hibiscus flower.

ii. Take a vertical section of a Hibiscus flower with the help of a sharp blade, by cutting the
flower vertically from stigma to pedicel. Both sections of the flower will be seen to have the
same structure.
M

[Students are expected to perform the above activity in class on their own.
Students should observe following parts in the dissected flower:
Calyx (sepals), Corolla (petals), Androecium (filament, anthers), Gynoecium (style, stigma and ovary)
SA

Students can also observe tiny ovules inside the ovary.]

12. Use your brain power! (Textbook page no. 14)

Of what use to a plant are the insects flitting about around its flowers?
Ans: i. Insects are the pollinating agents. They bring about the process of pollination in flowers.
ii. When insects like honeybees visit a flower for collecting nectar, the pollen grains stick to their legs.
iii. When such insects visit another flower of the same species, these pollen grains fall on the stigma
and bring about pollination.
iv. Pollination further results in fertilization by which flowers produce fruit and seeds.
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Std. VII: General Science

13. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.14)
Observe the various flowers and complete the chart given on page no.14 of your textbook.
Ans:
Name of Number Sepals Number Petals Form of androecium and gynoecium
flower of Sepals free/united of petals free/united
Androecium is made up of many
Hibiscus 5 United 5 Free stamens.
Gynoecium is made up of 5 carpels.

T
Androecium is made up of 10 stamens.
Gulmohar 5 Free 5 Free
Gynoecium is made up of single carpel.

N
Androecium is made up of 5 stamens.
Chilly 5 United 5 United
Gynoecium is made up of 2 carpels.
14. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.15)

TE
Observe the fruits of ber (Ziziphus), mango, chikoo, apple, etc. What do you observe?
Ans: Different fruits like ber (Ziziphus), mango, chikoo, apple, etc. have different skin or shell, fleshy part and
seed.
15. Intext Question. (Textbook page no.15)
Soak the seeds of pea, wheat, rice, jowar, groundnut in water for 3-4 hrs. Press the seeds with your

N
fingers and observe them. Which seeds get divided into two equal parts?
Ans: Seeds of pea and groundnut get divided into two equal parts, whereas seeds of wheat, rice and jowar
do not divide into two equal parts.
O Oral work
1. Name the hair-like processes near the root tip.
C
Ans: Root hairs
2. Mention the part of a root which protects root tip from injuries.
Ans: Root cap
E

3. Which type of root grows from the stem just above the soil?
Ans: Adventitious root type of root grows from the stem just above the soil.
PL

4. Name the broad spread out part of the leaf.

Ans: Leaf-blade or Lamina
5. In which type of leaf, leaf-blade is divided into many leaflets?
Ans: Compound leaves
M

6. Name the process due to which fertilization of ovules in the ovary takes place.
Ans: Pollination
SA

Activities
*1. Sketch various types of leaves in Paintbrush on the computer and save the sketches in a folder of
your own name.
(Students are expected to perform the above activity on their own.)
2. Techno-support. (Textbook page no.11)
Collect images of different types of roots and send them to your friends via e-mail.
(Students are expected to perform the above activity on their own.)
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Chapter 2: Plants : Structure and Function

Memory Maps

Parts of a Plant

Root Stem Leaves Flower Fruits

T
Root hair

N
Root tip
Parts
Root
Root cap
Types

TE
Tap root Fibrous roots Adventitious roots Modified roots Prop roots

Stem

N
Parts

Nodes Internodes Buds

O Tapering
Pointed
Leaf apex
C
Rounded
Leaf margin Entire
Dentate
Simple leaf Veins Lobed
E

Types Parts
Leaf Mid vein
Reticulate venation
Compound leaf Parallel venation
PL

Leaf blade/ Rounded (obovate)

lamina Palmate
Types (based on leaf arrangement)
Petiole Lanceolate
Alternate Opposite Whorled Spiral Linear
M

Stipule

Leaf base
SA

Flower
Parts

Pedicel Calyx Corolla Androecium Gynoecium

Seeds
Types

Dicotyledonous Monocotyledonous
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Std. VII: General Science

Chapter Assessment

1. Choose the correct alternative.

i. ………………… is found in mango plant.
(A) Breathing root (B) Stilt root
(C) Tap root (D) Fibrous root
ii. Nodes and internodes are the parts of ………………….

T
(A) Root (B) Stem (C) Leaf (D) Fruit
2. Right or wrong? If wrong, write the correct sentence.

N
i. Dicotyledonous plants have tap roots.
ii. The seeds which can be divided into two equal parts are called as monocotyledonous seeds.
3. Answer the following in one sentence.

TE
i. Which are the two main types of leaves?
ii. What is the function of root cap?
4. Draw a well labelled diagram of vertical section of a Hibiscus flower.
Answers:
1. i. (C) ii. (B)

N
2. i. Right.
ii. Wrong.
O
The seeds which can be divided into two equal parts are called as dicotyledonous seeds.
3. i. Simple leaf and compound leaf are the two main types of leaves.
ii. Root cap protects the root-tip from injuries.
C
4. Refer Question based on diagram Q.1(iii).
E
PL
M
SA

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