CBSE Class 10 Biology — Life Processes (FULL
Detailed Notes)
Life Processes are the essential activities that maintain life. For survival, every organism must: Obtain
food (Nutrition) Release energy from food (Respiration) Transport materials (Transportation) Remove
wastes (Excretion)
1. Nutrition — Detailed Explanation
Nutrition is the process of taking in food and utilizing it for energy, growth and repair. Modes of
Nutrition:
• Autotrophic — organisms make their own food using photosynthesis.
• Heterotrophic — organisms depend on others for food. Photosynthesis:
Occurs in chloroplasts of green leaves. Steps:
1. Absorption of light by chlorophyll.
2. Conversion of light energy into chemical energy (ATP, NADPH).
3. Splitting of water (photolysis) into hydrogen and oxygen.
4. Reduction of carbon dioxide to glucose. Factors affecting photosynthesis:
• Light intensity
• Carbon dioxide concentration
• Temperature
• Water availability
Human Digestive System — Detailed Flow
Alimentary Canal:
Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Small intestine → Large intestine → Anus Mouth: Mechanical
digestion by teeth and chemical digestion by salivary amylase.
Oesophagus: Food pushed by peristalsis.
Stomach: HCl provides acidic medium; pepsin digests proteins.
Liver: Produces bile which emulsifies fats.
Pancreas: Releases digestive enzymes for all food types.
Small intestine: Site of complete digestion and absorption through villi.
Large intestine: Absorbs water and forms faeces. Villi features:
• Finger-like projections
• Rich blood supply
• Increase surface area for absorption
2. Respiration — Detailed Explanation
Respiration is the biochemical process by which food (glucose) is oxidized to release energy in the
form of ATP. Aerobic respiration:
• Requires oxygen
• Occurs in mitochondria
• Produces maximum energy Anaerobic respiration:
• Occurs without oxygen
• Produces less energy
• Yeast: ethanol + CO■
• Muscles: lactic acid Human Respiratory Path:
Nostrils → Nasal cavity → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli Alveoli adaptations:
• Thin walls
• Moist surface
• Large surface area
• Rich blood supply
3. Transportation — Detailed Explanation
Human circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones and wastes. Heart:
• Four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
• Double circulation ensures oxygenated and deoxygenated blood remain separate. Blood vessels:
• Arteries — carry blood away from heart.
• Veins — carry blood toward heart.
• Capillaries — exchange materials. Transport in plants:
• Xylem transports water and minerals upward.
• Phloem transports food in both directions. Transpiration: Loss of water vapour through stomata
creates suction pull.
4. Excretion — Detailed Explanation
Excretion removes nitrogenous wastes like urea. Human excretory system organs:
• Kidneys — filter blood
• Ureters — carry urine
• Urinary bladder — stores urine
• Urethra — releases urine Urine formation:
1. Filtration in glomerulus
2. Selective reabsorption in tubule
3. Tubular secretion Nephron is the functional unit of kidney.
Ultra-Important One-Liners for Boards
• ATP is the energy currency of the cell.
• Bile contains no digestive enzymes.
• Double circulation occurs in humans.
• Xylem is dead tissue; phloem is living.
• Nephron is the structural and functional unit of kidney.
• Alveoli increase surface area for gas exchange.