POST GRADUATE DIPLON,IAIN ET{I/IROI\MENT AND SUSTATNABLE DEVELOPMENT (PGDESD) Term-End Examination December, 2OO8 MED-001: UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENT Time : 2 hours Note :

Maximum.Marks:50

All questionsare compulsory.

1. Answer any fioe of the following (a) Distinguish

between

Archaebacteria

5x2=70 and

Eubacteria. (b) Mention two major factors that determined the distribution of plants and animals over the geological history of the Earth. (c) Distinguish

between

Photoautotrophs and

Chemotrophs.

MED-OO1

P.T.O.

(d) Name the types of water hardnessand give one causeof each. (e) Differentiate between two major types of food chains in an ecosystem. (0

2.

What is the basic difference competition and predation ?

between

Answer any two of the following :

2x5=70

(a) Distinguish between people-overpopulationand giving consumption-overpopulation by appropriate examples. (b) What is acid rain ? What are its effects on living and non-livingthings ? (c) Discussthe forces that destroy coral reefs.

3.

(a) Enumerate the ten biogeographicalzones of India.

5

(b) 'Diagrammatically show a typical soil profile .

5

OR Explainthe conditionsthat determinegood.and 5 bad soil aeration.

MED-OO1

4. (d

What is an intertidal zone ? Describe the environmentalconditionsprevailingin this area. 2+3=5

(b) Depict the hydrological. cycle and explain the human impact on this cycle.

zL+2!:5 2

2

OR Mate a well labelleddiagram of the sulphur 5 cycie. 5. Discuss five major degradation.

causes of

environmental

10 OR

Write an account of the sources, ill-effects and management of biomedicalwastes and pesticides.

MED.OOl