Give differences between the following: (a) Nephron and neuron (b) Sensory nerve and motor nerve (c) Consumers and decomposers

Q: Give differences between the following: (a) Nephron and neuron (b) Sensory nerve and motor nerve (c) Consumers and decomposers

**(a) Nephron vs Neuron** | Nephron | Neuron | |---|---| | Structural and functional unit of the kidney | Structural and functional unit of the nervous system | | Consists of a Bowman's capsule (a cup-shaped end of a coiled tube) associated with a cluster of thin-walled blood capillaries that filter blood | Consists of a cell body with dendrites and a long axon that conducts nerve impulses | | Function: filters nitrogenous waste (urea, uric acid) from blood and forms urine, reabsorbing useful substances like glucose, amino acids, salts and water | Function: receives and transmits electrical nerve impulses from one part of the body to another | | Involved in excretion | Involved in control and coordination | **(b) Sensory nerve vs Motor nerve** | Sensory nerve | Motor nerve | |---|---| | Carries impulses from receptors/sense organs to the central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) | Carries impulses from the central nervous system to effector organs such as muscles or glands | | Also called an afferent nerve | Also called an efferent nerve | | Function: informs the CNS about stimuli detected in the environment | Function: causes a response, such as muscle contraction, based on instructions from the CNS | **(c) Consumers vs Decomposers** | Consumers | Decomposers | |---|---| | Heterotrophic organisms that obtain food by directly or indirectly depending on autotrophs (producers), i.e., by eating plants or other animals | Organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) that break down complex organic material of dead plants and animals into simpler inorganic substances | | Include herbivores, carnivores and omnivores | Do not have specialised digestive systems; break down food material outside their body and then absorb it, as fungi like bread moulds do | | Depend on living organisms (plants/animals) for food | Depend on dead and decaying organic matter for food, thereby recycling nutrients back into the soil/environment |

Life Processes

Excretion and Related Structural/Functional Comparisons

Official Answer

(a) Nephron vs Neuron

Nephron	Neuron
Structural and functional unit of the kidney	Structural and functional unit of the nervous system
Consists of a Bowman's capsule (a cup-shaped end of a coiled tube) associated with a cluster of thin-walled blood capillaries that filter blood	Consists of a cell body with dendrites and a long axon that conducts nerve impulses
Function: filters nitrogenous waste (urea, uric acid) from blood and forms urine, reabsorbing useful substances like glucose, amino acids, salts and water	Function: receives and transmits electrical nerve impulses from one part of the body to another
Involved in excretion	Involved in control and coordination

(b) Sensory nerve vs Motor nerve

Sensory nerve	Motor nerve
Carries impulses from receptors/sense organs to the central nervous system (brain/spinal cord)	Carries impulses from the central nervous system to effector organs such as muscles or glands
Also called an afferent nerve	Also called an efferent nerve
Function: informs the CNS about stimuli detected in the environment	Function: causes a response, such as muscle contraction, based on instructions from the CNS

(c) Consumers vs Decomposers

Consumers	Decomposers
Heterotrophic organisms that obtain food by directly or indirectly depending on autotrophs (producers), i.e., by eating plants or other animals	Organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) that break down complex organic material of dead plants and animals into simpler inorganic substances
Include herbivores, carnivores and omnivores	Do not have specialised digestive systems; break down food material outside their body and then absorb it, as fungi like bread moulds do
Depend on living organisms (plants/animals) for food	Depend on dead and decaying organic matter for food, thereby recycling nutrients back into the soil/environment

Marking Scheme

11 mark for correct nephron vs neuron distinction
21 mark for correct sensory vs motor nerve distinction
31 mark for correct consumers vs decomposers distinction

Quick Oral Answer

Nephron filters blood to form urine (excretion); neuron conducts nerve impulses (coordination). Sensory nerves carry impulses to the CNS; motor nerves carry impulses away from the CNS to effectors. Consumers feed on other organisms; decomposers break down dead organic matter.

Analysis & Explanation

Each sub-part tests recall and comparison of paired concepts. Part (a) is directly grounded in this chapter's excretion section on nephron structure. Parts (b) and (c) are standard, accurate biology facts that extend beyond this specific chapter's text (sensory/motor nerves belong to control and coordination; consumers/decomposers belong to ecosystem topics), included here as a synoptic comparison exercise. Full marks require at least one correct, precise point of difference for each pair, ideally addressing structure and function.

Common Mistakes

1Confusing nephron (excretory unit) with neuron (nervous system unit) due to similar spelling
2Reversing sensory and motor nerve directions of impulse transmission
3Describing decomposers as simply 'small consumers' instead of recognising their role in breaking down dead organic matter

Interesting Facts

The word 'nephron' and 'neuron' differ by only one letter, but nephrons filter blood in kidneys while neurons transmit electrical impulses in the nervous system — a classic point of confusion in exams.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Life Processes" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Excretion and Related Structural/Functional Comparisons" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.