Q19
3 marksShort AnswerSection A

What does HIV stand for ? Is AIDS an infectious disease ? List any four modes of spreading AIDS.

How do Organisms Reproduce?
Reproductive Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Official Answer
  1. HIV stands for: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
  2. Is AIDS an infectious disease? Yes, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is an infectious disease. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the viral pathogen HIV.

  1. Four modes of spreading AIDS:
  • Unprotected sexual contact: Having sexual intercourse with an infected person without using barrier methods like condoms.
  • Transfusion of contaminated blood: Receiving blood or blood products that are infected with HIV.
  • Sharing infected needles: Using syringes or needles previously used by an HIV-positive individual (common among intravenous drug users).
  • Mother-to-child transmission: An infected mother can transmit the virus to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
Human Immunodeficiency VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndromeinfectioussexual contactblood transfusionsharing needlesmother to child

Marking Scheme

  • 10.5 marks
  • 20.5 marks
  • 32 marks

Hint

Recall the full forms associated with the virus causing immunodeficiency. Think about how body fluids are exchanged between individuals.

Quick Oral Answer

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Yes, AIDS is an infectious disease. It spreads through unprotected sexual contact, transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing infected needles, and from an infected mother to her baby.

Analysis & Explanation

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the human immune system, specifically helper T-cells, leading to a severely compromised immune state known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Because it is caused by a pathogen (a virus) and can be transmitted from an infected individual to a healthy individual, it is classified as an infectious, communicable disease. The primary routes of transmission involve the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, blood, and breast milk.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Writing 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus' instead of 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus' for HIV.
  2. 2Thinking AIDS can spread through casual physical contact like shaking hands, hugging, or sharing food, which is incorrect.

Interesting Facts

HIV cannot survive long outside the human body, which is why it cannot be transmitted through air, water, or casual insect bites like mosquitoes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2011?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "How do Organisms Reproduce?" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Reproductive Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 paper.