SARASWATI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Grade X
Science
Ch-5 Life Processes
CHAPTER END EXERCISE QUESTIONS
1. The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for (a) nutrition. (b) respiration. (c) excretion.
(d) transportation.
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.
3. The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires (a) carbon dioxide and water. (b) chlorophyll. (c)
sunlight. (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.
5. How are fats digested in our bodies? Where does this process take place?
Ans. Fats are digested in the small intestine with the help of bile and enzymes.
● In the small intestine, the liver releases a greenish liquid called bile (stored in the gallbladder). Bile breaks
down large fat globules into smaller ones in a process called emulsification. This increases the surface
area for enzymes to act on.
● The pancreas releases an enzyme called lipase into the small intestine. Lipase breaks down emulsified fats
into fatty acids and glycerol. These simpler substances are then absorbed by the intestinal walls into the
blood.
6. What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?
Ans. Saliva is a digestive juice secreted by salivary glands that contains mucus, water, lysozyme and salivary
amylase (also called ptyalin) Saliva plays a crucial role in the digestion of food in the following ways:
● Moistening food: Saliva moistens and softens the food, making it easier to chew and swallow.
● Enzyme action: It contains an enzyme called salivary amylase (also known as ptyalin) that starts
breaking down starch (a complex carbohydrate) into simpler sugars like maltose.
● Lubrication: Saliva lubricates the food, forming a slippery mass called bolus, which can be easily
pushed down the oesophagus.
● Protection: It also helps protect the mouth and teeth by neutralizing acids (maintains pH) and killing
some bacteria (lysozyme).
7. What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its by-products?
Ans. Autotrophic nutrition is a mode of nutrition in which organisms make their own food from simple inorganic
substances. Green plants carry out autotrophic nutrition through photosynthesis. Here are the necessary conditions
for autotrophic nutrition:
● Sunlight – provides energy for photosynthesis.
● Chlorophyll – the green pigment in leaves (chloroplasts) that captures solar energy.
● Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – taken in from the atmosphere through stomata.
● Water (H₂O) – absorbed from the soil by the roots.
These components enable the plant to perform photosynthesis, which can be summarised by the equation:
SUNLIGHT CHLOROPHYLL
6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O
By-products of autotrophic nutrition:
● Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) – the main product used for energy and growth.
● Oxygen (O₂) – released into the atmosphere as a by-product.
8. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name some organisms that
use the anaerobic mode of respiration.
Ans.
Feature Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration
Oxygen Requires oxygen Occurs without oxygen
requirement
End products Carbon dioxide and water Lactic acid (in animals) or
alcohol and CO₂ (in yeast)
Energy produced Large amount (around 38 ATP molecules Small amount (around 2 ATP molecules
per glucose) per glucose)
Occurs in Most plants, animals and humans Some microorganisms and temporarily in
muscle cells
Location in the Mitochondria Cytoplasm
cell
Organisms that use anaerobic respiration are Yeast (produces alcohol and CO₂) Some bacteria (like Clostridium);
Human muscle cells (during heavy exercise, temporarily switch to anaerobic respiration and produce lactic acid)
9. How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?
Ans. The alveoli are specially adapted for efficient gas exchange in the following ways. These features work
together to ensure rapid and efficient gas exchange, which is vital for respiration.
● Large Surface Area: There are millions of alveoli in the lungs, providing a very large surface area for
gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse across.
● Thin Walls: The walls of alveoli are extremely thin (only one cell thick), allowing gases to pass through
quickly by diffusion.
● Rich Blood Supply: Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of capillaries, ensuring that blood is
constantly flowing to carry away oxygen and bring in carbon dioxide for exchange.
● Moist Lining: The inner surface of alveoli is moist, which helps gases dissolve easily and speeds up the
diffusion process.
● Close Contact with Capillaries: The alveolar membrane and capillary wall are very close together,
minimizing the distance for gas diffusion.
10. What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies?
Ans. If there is a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies, it can lead to a condition called anaemia. In severe
cases, anaemia can lead to serious health issues like heart problems.
● Fatigue and Weakness: Haemoglobin helps in transporting oxygen to body tissues. Less haemoglobin
means less oxygen, making a person feel tired and weak.
● Shortness of Breath: Due to reduced oxygen supply, even small physical activities can cause difficulty
in breathing.
● Pale Skin: The skin may appear paler than normal because haemoglobin gives blood its red colour.
● Dizziness and Headaches: The brain receives less oxygen, leading to dizziness and frequent headaches.
● Rapid Heartbeat: To compensate for low oxygen levels, the heart beats faster.
11. Describe double circulation of blood in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Ans. In human beings, the blood passes through the heart twice during one complete circulation of the body. This
type of circulation is called double circulation and it consists of two parts:
1. Pulmonary Circulation: The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body and
pumps it to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and oxygen is absorbed.
Such circulation in between the lungs and heart and vice-versa is called the Pulmonary Circulation.
2. Systemic Circulation: The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it
to the rest of the body. The body cells use the oxygen for various activities and produce carbon dioxide
as [Link] circulation in between the heart and other body parts and vice-versa is called the Systemic
Circulation
Thus, the heart works as two separate pumps: one for deoxygenated blood and one for oxygen-rich blood.
Double Circulation is necessary because
It keeps the oxygen-rich blood separate from the deoxygenated blood.
It ensures a high supply of oxygen to body tissues which is very important for maintaining a high energy
level needed by warm-blooded animals like humans.
It helps maintain the proper pressure of blood flow in the body and in the lungs separately.
12. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
Ans.
Feature Xylem Phloem
1. Type of Transport Transports water and minerals Transports food (mainly sugars), amino acids
and other substances
2. Direction of Unidirectional (only upward, from Bidirectional (both upward and downward,
Transport roots to leaves) depending on where food is needed)
3. Mechanism Mainly by transpiration pull, root By active transport (requires energy, called
pressure, and capillary action translocation)
4. Nature of Water and inorganic minerals Organic nutrients (sucrose, amino acids)
Materials Carried
5. Tissue Structure Consists of dead cells like tracheids Consists of living cells like sieve tubes and
that helps in the and vessels companion cells
transportation
13. Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their
structure and functioning.
Ans.
Feature Alveoli (Lungs) Nephrons (Kidneys)
Structure Tiny, balloon-like air sacs; walls are Microscopic filtration units made up of Bowman's
one-cell thick and surrounded by capsule, glomerulus, tubules and capillaries.
capillaries.
Function Site of gas exchange – oxygen enters Site of blood filtration – removes nitrogenous
the blood, and carbon dioxide is waste like urea, uric acid; excess salts and water to
removed. form urine.
Process Diffusion: Gases move across the thin Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion: Blood
alveolar wall based on concentration plasma is filtered, useful substances are reabsorbed,
gradients. wastes are secreted into the urine.
Transport Works with pulmonary blood vessels Works with renal blood vessels (afferent and
System (capillaries) for gas transport. efferent arterioles, peritubular capillaries) for
filtration and absorption.
Main Goal To maintain respiratory function by To maintain excretory function by removing
ensuring a constant supply of oxygen metabolic waste and regulating water/salt balance.
and removal of CO₂.