Chapter Overview & Weightage
- Marks in Boards: 4–8 marks (usually 1–2 questions)
- Repeated Topics: Microbes in sewage treatment, biogas production, antibiotics, industrial products (enzymes, beverages), biofertilizers, biocontrol agents.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate • Mostly theory, processes & advantages, less numerical/diagram.
- Trend (2021–2025): 1 short answer (3 marks) on sewage treatment/biogas + 1 MCQ/assertion on antibiotics/SCP + case-based on microbes in environment.
Most Important & Repeated Questions (2021–2025)
- Repeated 4–5 times: Explain the role of microbes in sewage treatment (primary & secondary treatment). Draw labelled diagram of STP. (5 marks)
- Repeated 4 times: Describe biogas production using methanogens. Give advantages of biogas as fuel. (3–5 marks)
- Repeated 3–4 times: What are antibiotics? Explain their production using microbes (e.g., Penicillin). (3 marks)
- Repeated 3 times: Explain role of microbes as biofertilizers (Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Cyanobacteria). (3 marks)
- Repeated 3 times: What is single cell protein (SCP)? Name microbial sources & advantages. (3 marks)
- Repeated 2–3 times: Explain biocontrol agents using microbes (Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma). (3 marks)
- Repeated 2 times: Describe production of beverages (wine, beer) using microbes. (3 marks)
- Assertion-Reason (2023–2025): Assertion: Methanogens are used in biogas production. Reason: They convert organic waste to methane in anaerobic conditions. (Both true, reason explains – repeated 2x)
Important Keywords & Concepts to Memorize
- Microbes, sewage treatment (primary, secondary, BOD, activated sludge, trickling filter), biogas (methanogens, anaerobic digestion), antibiotics (Penicillium, tetracycline), single cell protein (SCP, Spirulina, yeast), biofertilizers (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, cyanobacteria, mycorrhiza), biocontrol agents (Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma, ladybird, dragonfly), industrial products (enzymes – amylase, lipase; beverages – wine, beer, whisky), fermentation, lactic acid bacteria, curd formation, cheese production, statins (cholesterol-lowering), cyclosporin A (immunosuppressant), monoclonal antibodies.
Exam Strategy for Chapter 10 (2026 Boards)
- Focus: Sewage treatment process (primary & secondary) + diagram – practice 3 daily
- High-scoring: Biogas production & advantages (3–5 marks) + antibiotics production
- Time: 5–7 minutes per 3-mark question
- Tip: Draw labelled diagram of STP (digester, sludge, gas holder) – neatness = full marks
- Repeated: Role of microbes in environment (biofertilizers, biocontrol) – 2–3 marks
This is Chapter 10 complete PYQ analysis.
If you want Chapter 11 or any other chapter, just say the chapter number or name.