DAV Class 3 Science Chapter 3 Question Answer Leaf

DAV Class 3 Science Chapter 3 Leaf solutions from DAV textbook My Living World. Find complete question answers, leaf functions, uses of leaves in daily life, shedding of leaves, and compost making with real diagrams snipped from the DAV textbook.

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Chapter Overview: Leaf (Class 3 Science)

Leaves are the green, flat parts attached to the branches of a plant. They differ in size, shape, colour, and texture. A leaf is called the kitchen of the plant because it makes food for the plant using carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll, and sunlight.

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. Leaf is the common, green part of the plant.
Explanation: Leaves are found on almost all plants and contain green chlorophyll pigment.

2. Leaves of different plants differ in their shape, size and texture / colour.
Explanation: Some leaves are smooth (banana), some rough (hibiscus), some round (lotus), and some pointed (peepal).

3. Neem and tulsi / basil leaves are often used for medicinal purposes.
Explanation: Neem cures skin infections and tulsi cures cold and cough.

4. The leaves of spinach and methi are used as vegetables (food).
Explanation: Leafy greens are rich in iron, minerals, and vitamins.

B. Write True or False for the following statements.

1. Neem leaf is often used to protect clothes from insects. — True
Reason: Dried neem leaves keep silverfish, moths, and insects away from woolen and cotton clothes.

2. Leaves of plant help them to make their own food. — True
Reason: Photosynthesis occurs inside the green leaves.

3. Curry leaves are used to garnish food. — True
Reason: Curry leaves add unique flavour, aroma, and essential nutrients to dals and curries.

4. New leaves take place of old leaves. — True
Reason: Plants shed old, dry leaves and grow fresh young green leaves in spring.

C. Tick the correct option.

1. The leaf of this plant is used as a plate.
(a) banana
(b) mango
(c) basil
(d) spinach
Answer: (a) banana
Explanation: In southern India, broad banana leaves are traditionally used as dining plates (pattal).

2. These should be used to make compost.
(a) fallen leaves
(b) burnt leaves
(c) flowers
(d) roots
Answer: (a) fallen leaves
Explanation: Fallen dry leaves rot in compost pits to make nutrient-rich manure for plants.

3. This leaf is often used to add aroma to the food—
(a) peepal
(b) coriander
(c) mango
(d) neem
Answer: (b) coriander
Explanation: Coriander (dhania) and mint (pudina) leaves give pleasant aroma and fresh taste to cooked food.

D. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1: What does a leaf do for the plant?
Answer: A leaf prepares food for the whole plant through photosynthesis using sunlight, air (carbon dioxide), water, and chlorophyll. It also helps the plant breathe through tiny pores called stomata.

Question 2: To what use were some leaves put by saints in olden days?
Answer: In olden times, before paper was invented, saints and sages used dried palm and birch leaves (Bhojpatra) as writing sheets to write religious scriptures and manuscripts.

Question 3: State two uses of leaves in our food.
Answer:

As leafy vegetables: Spinach (palak), fenugreek (methi), mustard (sarson), and cabbage are cooked as healthy vegetables.
For flavouring and garnishing: Coriander (dhania), mint (pudina), and curry leaves are added to curries and chutneys for aroma and taste.

Question 4: Name any two articles where one can find leaf designs.
Answer: Leaf patterns and designs are commonly seen on:

Saree borders and dress fabrics
Curtains, bedsheets, and tablecloths
Rangoli designs and temple wall carvings

Question 5: How is compost useful for plants and crops?
Answer: Compost provides natural organic nutrients and minerals to the soil. It improves the water-holding capacity of the soil, promotes healthy plant growth, and helps farmers produce higher crop yields without chemical fertilizers.

E. Answer the following questions.

Question 1: State any three uses of leaves.
Answer: Leaves have many wonderful uses in our daily life:

1. Medicinal Use: Tulsi leaves cure cough and cold; neem leaves cure skin infections and protect woolen clothes from insects.
2. Food & Cooking: Leafy greens like spinach and cabbage are eaten as food, while banana leaves serve as traditional eating plates.
3. Making Natural Compost: Fallen leaves collected in compost pits decompose into dark, rich manure for garden plants.

Question 2: Why do plants shed their leaves?
Answer: Plants shed their old leaves for two main scientific reasons:

Old, worn-out leaves cannot prepare food efficiently anymore. Shedding them helps the plant save energy and water.
Shedding helps the plant throw out harmful waste substances that accumulate inside old leaves over time. Fresh new leaves then grow in their place.

Question 3: How can compost be made?
Answer: Compost can be easily prepared in gardens following these simple steps:

Step 1: Dig a deep pit in an open corner of the garden or playground.
Step 2: Collect fallen dry leaves, leftover vegetable peels, and fruit skins and dump them into the pit.
Step 3: Cover the pit with a moist layer of soil and sprinkle water occasionally to keep it damp.
Step 4: Leave it for 2 to 3 months. Microorganisms break down the organic material into rich, black, crumbly compost (manure).

Value Based Question

Rahul saw the park gardener collecting fallen dry leaves and putting them into a bonfire to burn them. Rahul immediately called his friends, asked the gardener to extinguish the fire because burning causes heavy air pollution, and explained how leaves can be put into a pit to make compost.

1. State the values or qualities displayed by Rahul.
Answer: Rahul showed environmental awareness, leadership, teamwork, caring for clean air, and practical scientific knowledge.

2. Why should leaves not be burnt?
Answer: Burning dry leaves releases thick toxic smoke, ash, and greenhouse gases (carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) that cause breathing troubles, asthma, eye irritation, and air pollution. Moreover, burning destroys valuable organic manure.

3. Have you ever helped any of “our helpers”? How?
Answer: Yes, by offering clean drinking water to our school gardener and sweeping dry leaves into the compost pit together.