NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology, Chapter 10 - Microbes in Human Welfare

This chapter will teach our students about the microbes that exist in our household, industry, sewage, biogas and also learn about the uses of microbes as bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents. Microbes are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microscopic animals, plant viruses, viroids, and prions which are proteinaceous infectious agents. To help students such as you understand this chapter and score well in exams, we at UrbanPro have come up Class 12 Biology Microbes in Human Welfare NCERT Solutions. 

Let us take a look at the topics that you will study in Class 12 Biology Chapter 10- Microbes in Human Welfare:

10.1 Microbes in Household Products

10.2 Microbes in Industrial Products

10.3 Microbes in Sewage Treatment

10.4 Microbes in Production of Biogas

10.5 Microbes as Bio-control Agents

10.6 Microbes as Bio-fertilizers

In this chapter, you will study:

Section 10.1: In this section, you will learn that human beings use microbes and products derived from them every day. A common example of a microbe bi-product is curd which is obtained by adding microbes to milk. The dough which is used to prepare idli and dosa is also fermented with the help of bacteria, and the dough which is used for baking bread is prepared with the help of baker’s yeast.

Section 10.2: In industry, microbes are also used to manufacture several products which are used by human beings. Production of antibiotics and some beverages require microbes. For producing products on an industrial scale, they require microbes in large vessels which are called fermentors. In this section, you will learn how it is used in Fermented Beverages, Antibiotics, and in Chemicals, enzymes, and other molecules.

Section 10.3: In this section, you will learn that microbes are also found in sewage systems. Wastewater is generated every day in cities, and the major component of wastewater is human excreta. This contains a massive amount of microbes and organic matter. This water cannot be discharged, but it can be treated with the help of microbes. This water is treated with the help of sewage treatment plants. There are two stages for this treatment, they are, Primary Treatment and Secondary or Biological Treatment.

Section 10.4: In this section, you will learn that microbes can produce different gaseous end-products during the period of growth and metabolism. Biogas is a mixture of various gases which are produced by microbial activity.

Section 10.5: In this section of Microbes in Human Welfare, you will learn that microbes can be used as bio-control agents. The term bio-control refers to the use of biological methods used for controlling plant diseases and pests. These problems can be tackled with the help of insecticides and pesticides, which are harmful and toxic for animals and human beings.

Section 10.6: The use of chemical fertilisers leads to an increase in pollution in several areas to meet the demands of the people. However, human beings have found an alternative to this problem and understand the consequences which could transpire due to the overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The alternative is bio-fertilisers; they are the organisms which can enrich the nutrient quality of the soil. The primary sources of bio fertilisers are bacteria, fungi, and cyanobacteria.

This solutions book will help you with concept-clarity and will prepare you for your upcoming board examination. For further reference, you can download Microbes in Human Welfare Class 12 NCERT Solutions which is available at UrbanPro.