General Science Question Answers Chapter 2 Health and Diseases Class 8 Maharashtra Board

Question Answers For All Chapters – General Science Class 8

Solutions

Exercise

1. Distinguish between Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases.

2. Identify the odd term.

a) Malaria, Hepatitis, Elephantiasis, Dengue.

• Odd term: Hepatitis.
• Reason: Malaria, Elephantiasis, and Dengue are spread by mosquitoes, but Hepatitis is spread through contaminated water or blood.

b) Plague, AIDS, Cholera, T.B.

• Odd term: AIDS.
• Reason: Plague, Cholera, and T.B. are bacterial diseases, but AIDS is caused by a virus (HIV).

3. Answer in one to two sentences.

a) Which are the various media of spreading infectious diseases?

• Infectious diseases spread through air, water, food, insect bites, direct contact, and contaminated objects.

b) Give the names of five non-infectious diseases other than given in the lesson.

• Arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Hypertension, Obesity, Osteoporosis.

c) Which are the main reasons for diabetes and heart diseases?

• Diabetes: Poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, heredity, and stress.
• Heart Disease: Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and lack of exercise.

4. What can be achieved/prevented?

a) Drinking boiled and filtered water.

• Prevents waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.

b) Avoiding smoking and alcoholism.

• Reduces the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and liver damage.

c) Regular balanced diet and exercise.

• Helps maintain good health and prevents obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

d) Proper checking of blood before blood donation.

• Prevents the spread of diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis.

5. Read the passage and answer the questions.

(Based on the given case study of Master ‘X’)

a) Master ‘X’ can suffer from which different possible diseases in the above conditions?

• He may suffer from malnutrition, diarrhea, typhoid, tuberculosis, and skin infections due to unhygienic surroundings.

b) How will you help him and his family in this situation?

• Provide awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and importance of clean drinking water. Encourage them to use public health services.

c) Which disease can occur to the father of Master ‘X’?

• Due to alcoholism, his father may suffer from liver disease, heart disease, or mental health issues.

6. Give the preventive measures of the following diseases.

a) Dengue:

• Prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water.
• Use mosquito nets and repellents.
• Wear full-sleeved clothes.

b) Cancer:

• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and junk food.
• Eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
• Get regular health check-ups for early detection.

c) AIDS:

• Avoid unsafe sexual contact and sharing needles.
• Use sterilized medical equipment.
• Get HIV tests and counseling if needed.

7. Explain the importance.

a) Balanced diet:

• A balanced diet provides all essential nutrients needed for growth, energy, and disease prevention.

b) Physical exercise/Yogasanas:

• Regular exercise and yoga help maintain good health, reduce stress, and prevent lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes.

8. Make a list.

a) Viral diseases:

• Influenza, Polio, Hepatitis, Rabies, AIDS.

b) Bacterial diseases:

• Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Cholera, Plague, Pneumonia.

c) Diseases spread through insects:

• Malaria (by mosquitoes), Dengue (by mosquitoes), Plague (by fleas), Chikungunya (by mosquitoes).

d) Hereditary diseases:

• Down’s syndrome, Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle cell anemia, Color blindness.

9. Write information on modern diagnostics and treatments of cancer.

Diagnostics:

• CT Scan, MRI Scan, Biopsy, Mammography.

Treatments:

• Chemotherapy (medicines to kill cancer cells).
• Radiation Therapy (high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells).
• Surgery (removal of the tumor).
• Immunotherapy (boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer).

10. Enlist the names and composition of the medicines present at your home.