Chapter-1

Life processes
1. Why is diffusion insufficient to
meet the oxygen requirements of
multi-cellular organisms like
humans?
Ans.Unlike the unicellular
organisms, the multi-cellular
organisms have complex body
structures with specialized cells
and tissues to perform various
necessary functions of the body.
Since these cells are not in direct
contact with surrounding
environment so, simple diffusion
cannot meet the oxygen
requirement of all these cells.
2. What criteria do we use to
decide whether something is
alive?
Ans.Any visible movement such
as walking, breathing, or growing
is generally used to decide
whether something is alive or not.
However, a living organism can
also have movements, which are
not visible to the naked eye.
Therefore, the presence of life
processes is a fundamental
criterion that can
be used to decide whether
something is alive or not.
3. What are outside raw materials
used for by an organism?
Ans.Various outside raw materials
used by an organism are as
follows:
→ Food as source of supplying
energy and materials.
→ Oxygen for breakdown of food
to obtain energy.
→ Water for proper digestion of
food and other functions inside the
body.
The raw materials required by an
organism will vary depending on
the complexity of the organism
and its environment.
4. What processes would you
consider essential for maintaining
life?
Ans.Life processes such as
nutrition, respiration,
transportation, excretion, etc. are
essential for maintaining life.
1. What are the differences
between autotrophic nutrition and
heterotrophic
nutrition?

Autotrophic Nutrition
Heterotrophic NutritionFood is
synthesised from simple inorganic
raw materials such as CO2 and
water.
Food is obtained directly or
indirectly from autotrophs. This
food is broken down with the help
of enzymes.
Chlorophyll is required.
Chlorophyll is not required.
Food is generally prepared during
day time.
Food can be obtained at all time.
All green plants and some
bacteria have this type of nutrition.
All animals and fungi have this
type of nutrition.
2. Where do plants get each of the
raw materials required for
photosynthesis?
The following raw materials are
required for photosynthesis:
→ Carbon Dioxide: Plants get
CO2 from
atmosphere through stomata.
→ Water: Plants absorb water
from soil through roots and
transport to leaves.
→ Sunlight: Sunlight, which is
absorbed by the chlorophyll and
other green parts of the plant.
3. What is the role of the acid in
our stomach?
Ans.Following are the roles of acid
in our stomach:
→ The hydrochloric acid present
in our stomach dissolves bits of
food and creates an acidic
medium. In this acidic medium,
enzyme pepsinogen is converted
to pepsin, which is a protein-
digesting enzyme.
→ It also kills many bacteria and
other microorganisms that enter
alongwith the food.
4. What is the function of digestive
enzymes?
Ans.Digestive enzymes such as
amylase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin,
etc. help in the breaking down of
complex food particles into simple
ones. These simple particles can
be
easily absorbed by the blood and
thus transported to all the cells of
the body.
5. How is the small intestine
designed to absorb digested
food?
Ans.The small intestine has
millions of tiny finger-like
projections called villi. These villi
increase the surface area for more
efficient food absorption. Within
these villi, many blood vessels are
present that absorb the digested
food and carry it to the
bloodstream. From the
bloodstream, the absorbed food is
delivered to each and every cell of
the body.
Page No: 105
1. What advantage over an
aquatic organism does a
terrestrial organism have with
regard to obtaining oxygen for
respiration?
Ans.Terrestrial organisms take up
oxygen from the atmosphere
whereas aquatic animals obtain
oxygen from water. Air contains
more O2 as compared to water.
Since the content of O2 in air is
high, the terrestrial animals do not
have to breathe faster to get more
oxygen. Therefore, unlike aquatic
animals, terrestrial animals do not
need adaptations for gaseous
exchange.
2. What are the different ways in
which glucose is oxidized to
provide energy in various
organisms?
Ans.At first glucose (6 carbon
molecules) is broken in the
cytoplasm of cells of all
organisms. This process yields a
3 carbon molecule compound
called pyruvate.
 Further break down of pyruvate
takes place in different manners in
different organisms.

→ Anaerobic Respiration: This

process takes place in absence of
oxygen, e.g. in yeast during
fermentation. In this case,
pyruvate is converted into ethanol
and carbon dioxide.
→ Aerobic Respiration: In aerobic
respiration, the breakdown of
pyruvate takes place in presence
of oxygen to give rise to 3
molecules of carbon dioxide and
water. The release of energy in
aerobic respiration is much more
than anaerobic respiration.
→ Lack of Oxygen: Sometimes,
when there is lack of oxygen,
especially during vigorous activity,
in our muscles, pyruvate is
converted into lactic acid (3
carbon molecule
compounds). Formation of lactic
acid in muscles causes cramp.
3. How is oxygen and carbon
dioxide transported in human
beings?
Ans→ Transport of Oxygen: The
respiratory pigments
(haemoglobin) present in red
blood cells takes up the oxygen
from the air to the lungs. They
carry the oxygen to tissues which
are deficient in oxygen.
→ Transport of carbon
dioxide: Carbon Dioxide is more
soluble in water. Hence, it is
mostly transported from body
tissues in the dissolved form in
our blood plasma to lungs where it
diffuses from blood to air in the
lungs and then expelled out
through nostrils.
4. How are the lungs designed in
human beings to maximize the
area for exchange of gases?
Ans.Lungs contain millions of
alveoli which provide a surface for
the exchange of gases. An
extensive network of blood
vessels is present in the wall of
the alveoli. By lifting our
ribs and flatten the diaphragm, the
chest cavity becomes spacious.
Air is sucked into the lungs and
alveoli. The oxygen from the
breath, diffuses into the blood and
CO2 from the blood brought from
the body, diffuses out into the air.
Page No: 110
1. What are the components of
the transport system in human
beings? What are the functions of
these components?
Ans.The main components of the
transport system in human beings
are the heart, blood, and blood
vessels.
→ Heart pumps oxygenated blood
throughout the body. It receives
deoxygenated blood from the
various body parts and sends this
impure blood to the lungs for
oxygenation.
→ Blood helps in the transport of
oxygen, nutrients, CO2, and
nitrogenous wastes.
→ The blood vessels (arteries,
veins, and capillaries) carry blood
either away from the
heart to various organs or from
various organs back to the heart.
2. Why is it necessary to separate
oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood in mammals and birds?
Ans.It is necessary to separate
oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood to maintain efficient supply
of oxygen into the body. This
system is essential in animals that
have high energy need. For
example, animals like mammals
and birds which constantly use
this energy to maintain their body
temperature.
3. What are the components of
the transport system in highly
organised plants?
Ans.In highly organised plants,
there are two different types of
conducting tissues - xylem and
phloem. Xylem conducts water
and minerals obtained from the
soil (via roots) to the rest of the
plant. Phloem transports food
materials from the leaves to
different parts of the plant body.
4. How are water and minerals
transported in plants?
Ans.Water and minerals are
transported through xylem cells
from soil to the leaves. The xylem
cells of roots stem and leaves are
interconnected to form a
conducting channel that reaches
all parts of the plant. The root cells
take ions from the soil. This
creates a difference between the
concentration of ions of roots and
soil. Therefore, there is a steady
movement of water into xylem. An
osmotic pressure is formed and
water and minerals are
transported from one cell to the
other cell due to osmosis. The
continuous loss of water takes
place due to transpiration.
Because of transpiration, a
suction pressure is created as a
result of which water is forced into
the xylem cells of roots. The effect
of root pressure for transportation
in plants is more important in night
while during day time
transpiration pull becomes the
major driving force.
5. How is food transported in
plants?
Ans.Phloem transports food
materials from the leaves to
different parts of the plant. The
transportation of food in phloem is
achieved by utilizing energy from
ATP which helps in creating
osmotic pressure that transport
food from the area of high
concentration to low
concentration.
1. Describe the structure and
functioning of nephrons.
P.No:112.
Ans.Nephrons are the basic
filtering units of kidneys. Each
kidney possesses large number of
nephrons, approximately 1-1.5
million. The main components of
the nephron are glomerulus,
Bowman's capsule, and a long
renal tubule.
Functioning of a nephron:
→ The blood enters the kidney
through the renal artery, which
branches into many capillaries
associated with glomerulus.
→ The water and solute are
transferred to the nephron at
Bowman's capsule.
→ In the proximal tubule, some
substances such as amino acids,
glucose, and salts are selectively
reabsorbed and unwanted
molecules are added in the urine.
→ The filtrate then moves down
into the loop
of Henle, where more water is
absorbed.
→ From here, the filtrate moves
upwards into the distal tubule and
finally to the collecting duct.
Collecting duct collects urine from
many nephrons.
→ The urine formed in each
kidney enters a long tube called
ureter. From ureter, it gets
transported to the urinary bladder
and then into the urethra.
2. What are the methods used by
plants to get rid of excretory
products?
AnsPlants can get rid of excess of
water by transpiration. Waste
materials may be stored in the cell
vacuoles or as gum and resin,
especially in old xylem. It is also
stored in the leaves that later fall
off.
3. How is the amount of urine
produced regulated?
Ans.The amount of urine
produced depends on the amount
of excess water and dissolved
wastes present in the body. Some
other factors such as habitat of an
organism and
hormone such as Anti-diuretic
hormone (ADH) also regulates the
amount of urine produced.
Page No: 113
Exercise
1. The kidneys in human beings
are a part of the system for
(a) nutrition. (b) respiration.
(c) excretion. (d)
transportation.
► (c) excretion.
2. The xylem in plants are
responsible for
(a) transport of water.(b) transport
of food.
(c) transport of amino acids. (d)
transport of oxygen.
► (a) transport of water.
3. The autotrophic mode of
nutrition requires
(a) carbon dioxide and water.
(b) chlorophyll.
(c) sunlight.
(d) all of the above.
► (d) all of the above.
4. The breakdown of pyruvate to
give carbon dioxide, water and
energy takes place in
(a) cytoplasm.
(b) mitochondria.
(c) chloroplast.
(d) nucleus.
► (b) mitochondria.
5. How are fats digested in our
bodies? Where does this process
take place?
AnsFats are present in the form of
large globules in the small
intestine. The small intestine
receives the secretions from the
liver and the pancreas. The bile
salts (from the liver) break down
the large fat globules into smaller
globules so that the pancreatic
enzyme lipase can easily act on
them. This is referred to as
emulsification of fats. This process
takes place in the small intestine.
6. What is the role of saliva in the
digestion of food?
Ans.The role of saliva in the
digestion of food:
→ It moistens the food for easy
swallowing.
→ It contains a digestive enzyme
called salivary amylase, which
breaks down starch into sugar.

7. What are the necessary

conditions for autotrophic nutrition
and what are its by-products?
AnsAutotrophic nutrition takes
place through the process of
photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide,
water, chlorophyll pigment, and
sunlight are the necessary
conditions required for autotrophic
nutrition. Carbohydrates (food)
and O2 are the by-products of
photosynthesis.
8. What are the differences
between aerobic and anaerobic
respiration? Name some
organisms that use the anaerobic
mode of respiration.
Ans.Aerobic
respirationAnaerobic
respirationIt occurs in the
presence of O2.It occurs in the
absence of O2.It involves the
exchange of gases between the
organism
and the outside
environment.Exchange of gases is
absent.It occurs in cytoplasm and
mitochondria.It occurs only in
cytoplasm.It always releases
CO2 and H2O.End products vary.
The organisms that use anaerobic
mode of respiration include some
bacteria and microorganisms such
as yeast.
9. How are the alveoli designed to
maximise the exchange of gases?
AnsAlveoli provide a surface for
the exchange of gases. An
extensive network of blood
vessels is present in the wall of
the alveoli. By lifting our ribs and
flatten the diaphragm, the chest
cavity becomes spacious. Air is
sucked into the lungs and alveoli.
The oxygen from the breath,
diffuses into the blood and
CO2 from the blood brought from
the body, diffuses out into the air.
10. What would be the
consequences of a deficiency of
haemoglobin in our bodies?
AnsHaemoglobin is the
respiratory pigment that transports
oxygen to the body cells for
cellular respiration. Therefore,
deficiency of haemoglobin in
blood can affect the oxygen
supplying capacity of blood. This
can lead to deficiency of oxygen in
the body cells. It can also lead to
a disease called anaemia.
11. Describe double circulation in
human beings. Why is it
necessary?
AnsDuring a single cycle blood
goes twice in the heart which is
known as double circulation. It is
necessary in human being to
separate oxygenated and de-
oxygenated blood because this
makes their circulatory system is
more efficient and helps in
maintaining constant body
temperature.
12. What are the differences
between the transport of materials
in xylem and phloem?

AnsXylem and Phloem

Xylem tissue helps in the transport
of water and minerals.Phloem
tissue helps in the transport of
food.Water is transported upwards
from roots to all other plant
parts.Food is transported in both
upward and downward
directions.Transport in xylem
occurs with the help of simple
physical forces such as
transpiration pull.Transport of food
in phloem requires energy in the
form of ATP.
13. Compare the functioning of
alveoli in the lungs and nephrons
in the kidneys with respect to their
structure and functioning.
Alveoli and Nephrons
Structure:
Structure: Alveoli are tiny
balloon-like structures present
inside the lungs.Nephrons are
tubular structures present inside
the kidneys.The walls of the
alveoli are one cell
thick and it contains an extensive
network of blood
capillaries.Nephrons are made of
glomerulus, bowman’s capsule,
and a long renal tube.
Functions.The exchange of O2
and CO2 takes place between the
blood of the capillaries that
surround the alveoli and the gases
present in the alveoli.The blood
enters the kidneys through the
renal artery. The blood is entered
here and the nitrogenous waste in
the form of urine is collected by
collecting duct.Alveoli are the site
of gaseous exchange.Nephrons
are the basic filtration unit
Multiple Choice questions
1. The process by which blood is
cleared of metabolic wastes in
case of kidney failure is called
a) artificial kidney b) dialysis
c) transplantation d) filtration
► b) dialysis
2. The mode of nutrition found in
fungi is:
(a) Parasitic nutrition (b) Holozoic
nutrition
(c) Autotrophic nutrition (d)
Saprotrophic nutrition
► (d) Saprotrophic nutrition
3. Trachea do not collapse when
there is not much air because they
are:
a) thick and muscular b) having
cartilaginous rings
c) have valves d) supported by
larynx.
► b) having cartilaginous rings
4. The site of photosynthesis in
the cells of a leaf is
(a) chloroplast (b) mitochondria
(c) cytoplasm (d) protoplasm
► (a) chloroplast
5. Which of the following events in
the mouth cavity will be affected if
salivary amylase is lacking in the
saliva?
(a) Starch breaking down into
sugars.
(b) Proteins breaking down into
amino acids.
(c) Absorption of vitamins.
(d) Fats breaking down into fatty
acids and glycerol.
► (a) Starch breaking down into
sugars.
6. During contraction of heart,
what prevents backflow of blood?
a) Thin walls of atria
b) Thick muscular walls of
ventricles
c) Valves in heart
d) All of the above
► c) Valves in heart
7. Which region of the alimentary
canal absorbs the digested food?
(a) Stomach (b) Small intestine
(c) Large intestine (d) Liver
► (b) Small intestine
8. Woody plants carry gaseous
exchange through
a) root hair b) stem hair
c) Lenticels d) epidermal cells.
► (c) Lenticels
9. Amoeba shows following kind of
nutrition –
(a) autotrophic (b) holozoic(c)
saprotrophic
(d) parasitic
► (b) holozoic
10. The contraction and
expansion movement of the walls
of the food pipe is called:
(a) translocation (b) transpiration
(c) peristaltic movement(d)
digestion
► (c) peristaltic movement
11. The exit of unabsorbed food
material is regulated by
(a) liver (b) anus (c) small
intestine
(d) anal sphincter
► (d) anal sphincter
12. When a few drops of iodine
solution are added to rice water,
the solution turns blue- black in
colour. This indicates that rice
water contains:
(a) fats (b) complex proteins
(c) starch (d) simple proteins
► (c) starch
13. Name the substances whose
build up in the muscles during
vigorous physical exercise may
cause cramps?
(a) Ethanol + Carbon dioxide +
Energy
(b) Lactic acid + Energy
(c) Carbon dioxide + Water +
Energy
(d) Pyruvate
► (b) Lactic acid + Energy.
 Some Additional questions
Q1. What are different types of
tooth?
AnsDifferent types of teeth in
human are
incisors, canines, premolars, and
molars.
Q2. Name the enzyme produced
by the cells of our stomach in
small amount in order to
digest butter fat in our food.
AnsThe enzymes called lipase is
responsible for digesting butter
fat.
Q3. Where does aerobic
respiration occur in a cell?
AnsAerobic respiration occur in
mitochondria of the cell.
Q4. Where is hemoglobin
present?
AnsIt is present in Red Blood
cells.
Q5. What is principle of Exchange
of Gas?
AnsDiffusion is principle of the
exchange of Gases.
Q1. Why is it necessary to
separate oxygenated and
deoxygentated blood by mammals
and birds?
AnsMammals and birds are
warm-blooded animals. They
constantly use energy to maintain
their body temperature. They have
higher energy needs and so they
require more oxygen to produce
energy. Thus, it is important that
their oxygenated blood does not
get mixed up with deoxygenated
blood.
Q2. Leaves of a healthy potted
plant were coated with vaseline.
Will this plant remain healthy for
long ? Give reasons for your
answer?
AnsThis plant will not remain
healthy for a long lime because
(a) It will not get oxygen for
respiration.
(b) It will not get carbon dioxide
for photosynthesis.
Q3. The body temperature of
some organisms depends on the
temperature in the environment.
Comment.
AnsThe body temperature of cold-
blooded animals depends on the
temperature of the environment.
Such animals have three
chambered heart and can tolerate
some mixing of oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood e.g.,
amphibians or many reptiles.
Q4. During one cycle how many
times does blood goes to heart of
fish and Why?
AnsBlood goes to heart of fish
only one time during one cycle.
This happens becaue fish ha sa
two chambered heart, the blood is
pumped to the gills for
oxygenation from where it is
passed directly to the rest of the
body.