Chapter: 15.

Life Processes in Living Organisms

[Link] the pairs and explain.
Answer:
‘A’ ‘B’
1. Growth of pollen tube towards ovule b. Chemotropic movement
2. Growth of shoot system c. Phototropic movement
3. Growth of root system a. Gravitropic movement
4. Growth towards water e. Hydrotropic movement
2. Complete the paragraph. (Nerve, muscle cell, impulse, dendrite, synapse, axon, reflex action, cell
body)
The milk was on the stove. Rasika was engrossed watching television. She smelled something burning.
She ran towards the kitchen. The milk was boiling over. She held the vessel with her bare hands but,
screaming, she let it go at once. This activity was controlled by nerve cells. Special ends of dendrite in
these cells collected the information, from where it was transferred to the cell body and then towards
the terminal end of the axon. The chemicals produced at the terminal end passed through the minute
space i.e. synapse In this way, impulses were conducted in the body and the process of reflex action was
completed by conducting the impulses from nerve to muscle cell.
3. Write notes on Root pressure
Answer: Root cells are in contact with water and minerals in the soil. Water and minerals enter the cells on
the root surface due to differences in concentration. As a result, these cells become turgid. These turgid
cells exert pressure on the adjacent cells. This is called ‘root pressure’. Under the effect of this pressure,
water and minerals reach the xylem of the roots and to reduce this difference in concentration they are
continuously pushed forward. As a result of this continuousmovement, a water column is formed, which is
continuously pushed ahead. This pressure is sufficient to lift the water up in shrubs, small plants and small
trees.
Transpiration
Answer: Plants give out water in the form of vapour through the stomata on their leaves. Two cells called
guard cells are present around the stomata. These cells control the opening and closing of the stomata.
Transpiration occurs through these stomata. Water is released into the atmosphere by leaves through the
process of evaporation. As a result, the water level in the epidermal layer of the leaf decreases. Water is
brought up to the leaves through the xylem so as to compensate for the lost water. Transpiration helps in
the absorption of water and minerals and distribution to all parts of the plant whereas root pressure
performs the important role of pushing the water up during the night time.
Nerve cell
Answer: Special types of cells which conduct impulses from one place to another in the body are called
neurons. Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system. Nerve cells, the largest
cells in the human body, may measure up to a few metres in length. Nerve cells have the ability to
generate and conduct electrochemical impulses. All the information about our surroundings is collected by
the ends or dendrites of the neuron. The chemical process begins at those ends and electric impulses are
generated which are conducted from the dendrites to the cell body, from the cell body to the axon and
from the axon to its terminal. These impulses are then to be transferred from this nerve cell to the next.
The cells that support the nerve cells and help in their functioning are called neuroglia. Nerve cells and
neuroglial cells together form the nerves.
Human brain
Answer: (I) The organization of the brain is extremely delicate and highly evolved. The brain is the main
controlling part of the nervous system and it is safely located in the cranial cavity. The spinal cord is
protected by the vertebral column. In the space between the delicate central nervous system and its bony
covering are the protective layers called the meninges. Cavities present in various parts of the brain are
called ‘ventricles’ whereas the long tubular cavity of the spinal cord is called the ‘central canal’. The
ventricles, central canal and spaces between the meninges are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid
supplies nutrients to the central nervous system and protects it from shock. (II) The brain of an adult
human weighs about 1300 - 1400 grams and consists of approximately 100 billion neurons. The left side of
our brain controls the right side of our body and the right side of our brain controls the left side of the
body. In addition, the left side of the brain controls our speech and conversation, writing, logical thinking,
etc. whereas the right side controls artistic abilities.
1. Cerebrum: This is the largest part of our brain and consists of two cerebral hemispheres. These
hemispheres are joined with each other with the help of tough fibres and nerve tracts. The cerebrum
occupies two-thirds of the brain. Hence, it is also called the large brain. Its surface has deep, irregular
ridges and grooves which are called convolutions. Convolution increases the surface area of the cerebrum
and therefore a large number of nerve cells can be accommodated.
Functions of Cerebrum: Control of voluntary movements, concentration, planning, decision-making,
memory, intelligence, and intellectual activities.
2. Cerebellum: This is the smaller part of the brain situated below the cerebrum at the back of the cranial
cavity. Its surface shows shallow grooves instead of deep convolutions. Functions of Cerebellum:
Coordination of voluntary movements, Maintaining the body’s balance.
3. Medulla oblongata: This is the hindmost part of the brain. There are two triangular swollen structures
called pyramids on the upper side of the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata continues downwards
as the spinal cord.
Functions of Medulla oblongata: Control of involuntary activities like the beating of the heart, blood
circulation, breathing, sneezing, coughing, salivation, etc.
Reflex action
Answer: An immediate and involuntary response given to a stimulus from the environment is called a
reflex action.
• Sometimes we react to an incident without any thinking on our part or control over the reaction. This is a
response given to a certain stimulus from the surroundings.
• In such situations, proper control and coordination are achieved even without the intervention of the
brain.
• The path of reflex action is as follows: This is also known as reflex arc. Sense organs Sensory neurons →
Towards the spinal cord → Coordination neuron → Motor neuron Muscle or gland.
4. Name the hormones of the following endocrine glands and the function of each
Pituitary
Answer:
Hormone Function
(i) Growth hormone Stimulates growth of bones.
(ii) Adrenocorticotropic hormone Stimulates adrenal gland.
(iii) Thyroid-stimulating hormone Stimulates thyroid gland.
(iv) Prolactin Stimulates milk production.
(v) Follicle-stimulating hormone Controls growth of gonads
(vi) Luteinizing hormone Controls menstrual cycle and ovulation
(vii) Oxytocin Contracts uterus during parturition
(viii) Antidiuretic hormone Regulates water-level in the body
Thyroid
Answer:
Hormone Function
(i) Thyroxine Controls growth of body and metabolic activities
(ii) Calcitonin Controls calcium metabolism and calcium level in blood
Adrenal
Answer:
Hormone Function
(i) Adrenalin and nor-adrenalin Controls behaviour during crisis and emotional situations
(ii) Corticosteroid Maintains balance of Na+ and K+ and stimulates metabolism
Thymus
Answer:
Hormone Function
Thymosin Control the cells which give rise to immunity
Testis
Answer:
Hormone Function
Testosterone Stimulates growth of secondary sexual characteristics like beard,
moustache, hoarse voice etc. in men
Ovary
Answer:
Hormone Function
(i) Estrogen Stimulates growth of the endometrium. Stimulates growth of
secondary sexual characteristics in women.
(ii) Progesterone Prepares the endometrium for conception and maintains pregnancy.
5. Draw and label the diagrams. Human endocrine glands
6. Answer the following.
a. Explain chemical co-ordination in humans and give the names and functions of some hormones.
Answer: Chemical co-ordination in humans :
• In humans chemical co-ordination is brought about with the help of certain chemical substances called
hormones.
• Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands. These glands are also called ductless glands.
• These glands do not have any arrangement of their own to either store or carry their secretions. So, the
hormones are directly released into the blood circulation.
• Though the endocrine glands are present at specific locations in our body, their secretions reach all parts
of the body via the blood.
• Endocrine glands along with the nervous systems are responsible for control and co-ordination in our
body. These two systems help each other to control and integrate the various activities of the body.
• A marked difference between these two systems is that nerve impulses are fast but short-lived whereas
the actions of hormones are very slow but long- lasting.
• It is very important that hormones are secreted only in the required quantity and there is a special
mechanism which controls the quantity and timing of hormone secretion.
• For example, whenever there is an increase in blood glucose level, certain cells in the pancreas get
stimulated and as a response, they release a greater quantity of insulin, thus bringing down the sugar level
to normal.
Hormone Function
(1) Growth hormone Stimulates growth of bones.
(2) Luteinizing hormone Controls menstrual cycle and ovulation
(3) Thyroxine Controls growth of body and metabolic activities
(4) Insulin Stimulates the liver to convert excess blood glucose to glycogen
(5) Testosterone Stimulates growth of secondary sexual characteristics like beard,
moustache, hoarse voice, etc. in men
b. Explain the difference between the excretory system of humans and plants.
Answer: Excretory system of humans Excretory system of plants
(i) In humans, the excretory system carries out the function of the removal of waste from the body.
(i) In plants, there is no special system or organ for excretion
(ii) Waste substances are generally eliminated from the body
(ii) Most of the waste substances are stored in the leaves, flowers, fruits and bark of the stem.
(iii) The excretory products are urea, uric acid, ammonia, etc.
(iii) The excretory products are gum, resin, latex of rubber, etc.
c. Explain co-ordination in plants with the help of suitable examples.
Answer: Plants do not have systems like the nervous system or muscular system.
• In plants, movements are mainly in the form of responses given to the stimuli.
• Plants show two types of movements – growth-relevant movements and growth-irrelevant movements.
• Movement or growth of any part of the plant in response to an external stimulus is called tropism or
tropic movement. Examples of growth-relevant movements are :
• The shoot system of any plant responds to the light stimulus i.e., it grows towards the source of light.
This is called phototropic movement.
• The root system of plants responds to stimuli like gravitation and water. These responses are called
gravitropic movement and hydrotropic movement respectively.
• Movement shown by plants in response to specific chemicals is called chemotropic movement.
• For example, the growth of the pollen tube towards the ovule.
• Some specific movements of the plants do not lead to plant growth.
• Such movements are called growth-irrelevant movements.
• As a response to changes in the surroundings, plant hormones bring about various movements in plants.
• Examples of growth irrelevant movements are the closing of leaflets of the Touch-me-not (Mimosa) plant
on touch.
• In the plant called Venus fly trap, when an insect visits the flower-like trap, the trap closes up and the
trapped insect is digested by the plant.
• The lotus flower opens during the daytime while that of the tuberose opens at night.
• In plants like Touch-me-not (Mimosa), movement also occurs at places other than where it has been
touched.
• Hence, we can infer that the information about the touch must have been released within the plant from
one place to another.
• Plants use electrochemical impulses for the transfer of information from one place to another.
• Plant cells change their shape by increasing or decreasing the water content and thereby, bring about the
movements of plants.
7. Explain in your own words with suitable examples.
a. What is meant by co-ordination?
Answer: Several different organ systems function in multicellular organisms.
• Their life goes on smoothly if there is coordination between different organ systems or organs and the
stimuli in the surroundings.
• Depending upon this, we can say that systematic regulation of different processes can be called control
and bringing about the different processes in the proper sequence is called coordination.
• If any activity in the body is to be completed successfully, proper co-ordination between different
systems, and organs participating at different steps of that activity is necessary.
• If due to lack of co-ordination, there is confusion at any step, the activity may not get completed. There
should be no randomness at any step.
• There should be proper coordination between internal activities of the body resulting from various
factors like body temperature, water- level, enzyme level, etc. or stimuli arising in the surrounding
environment.
• Proper coordination between various systems of an organism helps to maintain a state of equilibrium
called homeostasis which is necessary for the optimal efficiency of the body.
b. How does excretion occur in human beings?
Answer: Removal of wastes from the body is very important and it is the excretory system that carries out
this function.
• The human excretory system consists of a pair of kidneys, a pair of ureters, the urinary bladder and the
urethra. Urine is formed by the kidneys by separating the waste and unwanted excess substances from the
blood.
• The functional unit of the kidney that performs the basic function of filtration is called a nephron. The
urea produced in the liver comes into the blood.
• When the urea-containing blood comes into the glomerulus, it is filtered through capillaries and urea and
other similar substances are separated from it.
• Water molecules and small molecules of some other substances can cross the semipermeable membrane
of Bowman’s capsule.
• The solution accumulated in the cavity of Bowman’s capsule passes into the tubular part of the nephron.
Here, molecules of water and some other useful substances are reabsorbed into the blood.
• Urine is formed from the remaining solution which is full of waste materials. The urine is carried by the
ureters and stored in the urinary bladder. Afterwards, urine is given out through the urethra.
c. How is excretion in plants useful to human beings?
Answer: Plants give out oxygen during photosynthesis by diffusion which is useful to human beings for
respiration.
• Some waste materials of plants, for example, gum, resin, the latex of rubber, etc. are useful to humans.
d. Describe the transportation system in plants.
Answer: Plants have two types of conducting tissues i.e., the xylem which conducts water and the phloem
which conducts food.
• During transpiration, water is released into the atmosphere.
• As a result, the water level in the epidermal layer of the leaf decreases.
• Water is brought up to the leaves through the xylem so as to compensate for the lost water.
• Transpiration helps in the absorption of water and minerals and distribution to all parts of the plant
whereas root pressure performs the important role of pushing the water up at night time.
• The food produced by leaves is transported to each cell of the plant through phloem.
• When food material like sucrose is transported towards a part of the plant through phloem, using ATP,
the water concentration in that part decreases.
• As a result, water enters the cell by diffusion. The pressure on the cell wall increases due to an increase in
the cellular contents.
• Due to the increased pressure, food is pushed into the neighbouring cells where the pressure is low.
• This process helps the phloem to transport the materials as per the need of the plant.