Page No.

81
Q1: Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen
requirements of multicellular organisms like humans?
Ans: Multicellular organisms such as humans possess complex
body designs. They have specialized cells and tissues for
performing various necessary functions of the body, such as
intake of food and oxygen. Unlike unicellular organisms,
multicellular cells are not in direct contact with the outside
environment. Therefore, diffusion cannot meet their oxygen
requirements.

Q2: What criteria do we use to decide whether something is

alive?
Ans:
If something shows the following characteristics then it is a
requirement a living being:
(i) It can move on its own.
(ii) It needs food to get energy and nutrients.
(iii) It respires.
(iv) It responds to changes that take place in its surroundings.
(v) It exhibits growth and development.
(vi) It removes its metabolic wastes.
Characteristics of lifeQ3: What are outside raw materials used
for by an organism?
Ans: An organism uses outside raw materials, mostly in the form
of food and oxygen. The raw materials required by an organism
can be quite varied depending on the complexity of the organism
and its environment.

Q4: What processes would you consider essential for

maintaining life?
Ans: Life processes such as nutrition, respiration, transportation,
excretion, etc. are essential for maintaining life.
Page No. 87
Q1: What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and
heterotrophic nutrition?
Ans:
Q2: Where do plants get each of the raw materials required for
photosynthesis?
Ans: The following raw materials are required for photosynthesis:

• Carbon Dioxide: Plants get CO from the atmosphere

2

through stomata.
• Water: Plants absorb water from the soil through roots
and transport it to leaves.
• Sunlight: Sunlight, which is absorbed by the chlorophyll
and other green parts of the plant.

Q3: What is the role of the acid in our stomach?

Ans: Following are the roles of acid in our stomach:
(i) It creates an acidic medium for the action of the proteolytic
enzyme pepsin.
(ii) Kills harmful bacteria present in the food.
(iii) Inactivates salivary amylase.
(iv) Prevents fermentation of food.
(v) HCl converts inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin.

Q4: What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Ans: Digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin,
etc. help in the breakdown 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.
Q5: 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.

Fig: Longitudinal section of villi

Page No. 91
Q1: 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 O as compared to water. Since the content of O in the air
2 2

is high, 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.

Q2: 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 breakdown of pyruvate takes place in different manners
in different organisms.

• Anaerobic Respiration: This process takes place in the

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 the 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 a lack of
oxygen, especially during vigorous activity, in our muscles,
pyruvate is converted into lactic acid (3-carbon molecule
compounds). The formation of lactic acid in muscles
causes cramps.

Q3: How is oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in human

beings?
Ans: Haemoglobin transports oxygen molecules to all the body
cells for cellular respiration. The hemoglobin pigment present in
the blood gets attached to four O molecules that are obtained
2

from breathing.
It thus forms oxyhemoglobin and the blood becomes oxygenated.
This oxygenated blood is then distributed to all the body cells by
the heart. After giving away O to the body cells, blood takes
2
away CO which is the end product of cellular respiration. Now,
2,

the blood becomes deoxygenated.

Since hemoglobin pigment has less affinity for CO , CO is mainly
2 2

transported in the dissolved form. This deoxygenated blood gives

CO to lung alveoli and takes O in return.
2 2

Q4: How are the lungs designed in human beings to maximize the
area for the exchange of gases?
Ans: The exchange of gases takes place between the blood of the
capillaries that surround the alveoli and the gases present in the
alveoli. Thus, alveoli are the site for exchange of gases. The lungs
get filled up with air during the process of inhalation as ribs are
lifted up and the diaphragm is flattened. The air that is rushed
inside the lungs fills the numerous alveoli present in the lungs.
Each lung contains 300-350 million alveoli. These numerous
alveoli increase the surface area for gaseous exchange, making
the process of respiration more efficient.
Page No. 96

Q1: 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: The 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: Blood helps in the transport of oxygen, nutrients, CO , and
2

nitrogenous wastes.
Blood Vessels: 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.

Q2: Why is it necessary to separate oxygenated and

deoxygenated blood in mammals and birds?
Ans: Warm-blooded animals such as birds and mammals maintain
constant body temperature by cooling themselves when they are
in a hotter environment and by warming their bodies when they
are in a cooler environment. Hence, these animals require more
oxygen (O ) for more cellular respiration so that they can produce
2

more energy to maintain their body temperature.

Thus, it is necessary for them to separate oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood so that their circulatory system is more
efficient and can maintain their constant body temperature.
Q3: What are the components of the transport system in highly
organized plants?
Ans: In highly organized 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. The phloem transports food materials from the leaves to
different parts of the plant body.

Q4: How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Ans: The components of xylem tissue (tracheids and vessels) of
roots, stems, and leaves are interconnected to form a continuous
system of water-conducting channels that reaches all parts of the
plant. Transpiration creates a suction pressure, as a result of
which water is forced into the xylem cells of the roots. Then,
there is a steady movement of water from the root xylem to all
the plant parts through the interconnected water-conducting
channels.

Fig: Xylem tissue

Q5: How is food transported in plants?
Ans: Phloem transports food materials from the leaves to
different parts of the plant body. The transportation of food in
phloem is achieved by utilizing energy from ATP. As a result of
this, the osmotic pressure in the tissue increases, causing water to
move into it. This pressure moves the material in the phloem to
the tissues which have less pressure. This is helpful in moving
materials according to the needs of the plant. For example, the
food material, such as sucrose, is transported into the phloem
tissue using ATP energy.

Fig: Phloem tissue

Page No. 98
Q1: Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.
Ans: Nephrons are the basic filtering units of the kidneys. Each
kidney possesses a large number of nephrons, approximately 1-
1.5 million. The main components of the nephron are the
glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and a long renal tubule.
 Fig: Structure of
Nephron
Functioning of a nephron:
The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which
branches into many capillaries associated with the 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 a
ureter. From the ureter, it gets transported to the urinary bladder
and then into the urethra.
Q2: What are the methods used by plants to get rid of excretory
products?
Ans: Plants 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.

Q3: 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
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also regulates the amount of urine
produced.
Page No. 99
Exercise
Q1: The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for
(a) nutrition
(b) respiration
(c) excretion
(d) transportation
Ans: (c) In human beings, the kidneys are a part of the system for
excretion.
Q2: The xylem in plants are responsible for
(a) transport of water
(b) transport of food
(c) transport of amino acids
(d) transport of oxygen
Ans: (a) In a plant, the xylem is responsible for transport of water.

Q3: The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires

(a) carbon dioxide and water
(b) chlorophyll
(c) sunlight
(d) all of the above
Ans: (d) The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires carbon
dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight.
Q4: The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water
and energy takes place in
(a) cytoplasm
(b) mitochondria
(c) chloroplast
(d) nucleus
Ans: (b) The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water
and energy takes place in mitochondria.
Q5: How are fats digested in our bodies? Where does this
process take place?
Ans: Fats 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.

Q6: What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?

Ans: Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands, located under the
tongue. It moistens the food for easy swallowing. It contains a
digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down
starch into sugar.
Q7: What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition
and what are its by-products?
Ans: Autotrophic 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 O are the by-products of
2

photosynthesis.

Q8: What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic

respiration? Name some organisms that use the anaerobic mode
of respiration.
Ans:
Q9: How are the alveoli designed to maximize the exchange of
gases?
Ans: The alveoli are the small balloon-like structures present in
the lungs. The walls of the alveoli consist of an extensive network
of blood vessels. Each lung contains 300−350 million alveoli,
making it a total of approximately 700 million in both lungs. The
alveolar surface, when spread out, covers about 80 m area. This
2

large surface area makes the gaseous exchange more efficient.

Fig: Alveoli and

capillaries
Q10: What would be the consequences of a deficiency of
hemoglobin in our bodies?
Ans: Haemoglobin is the respiratory pigment that transports
oxygen to the body cells for cellular respiration. Therefore, a
deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood can affect the oxygen-
supplying capacity of blood. This can lead to a deficiency of
oxygen in the body cells. It can also lead to a disease called
anemia.

Q11: Describe double circulation in human beings. Why is it

necessary?
Ans: The human heart is divided into four chambers − the right
atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.
Flow of blood in the heart:
The heart has superior and inferior vena cava, which carries
deoxygenated blood from the upper and lower regions of the
body respectively and supplies this deoxygenated blood to the
right atrium of the heart.
Fig: Structure of heart
The flow of blood in the human heart

• The right atrium then contracts and passes the

deoxygenated blood to the right ventricle, through an
auriculo-ventricular aperture.
• Then, the right ventricle contracts and passes the de-
oxygenated blood into the two pulmonary arteries, which
pump it to the lungs, where the blood becomes
oxygenated. From the lungs, the pulmonary veins transport
the oxygenated blood to the left atrium of the heart.
 • Then, the left atrium contracts and through the auriculo-
ventricular aperture, the oxygenated blood enters the left
ventricle.
• The blood passes to the aorta from the left ventricle. The
aorta gives rise to many arteries that distribute the
oxygenated blood to all the regions of the body.

Fig: Flow of blood

Schematic diagram of blood circulation in humans
Therefore, the blood goes twice through the heart. This is known
as double circulation.
Importance of double circulation:
The separation of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood allows a
more efficient supply of oxygen to the body cells. This efficient
system of oxygen supply is very useful in warm-blooded animals
such as human beings.
As we know, warm-blooded animals have to maintain a constant
body temperature by cooling themselves when they are in a
hotter environment and by warming their bodies when they are in
a cooler environment.
Hence, they require more O for more respiration so that they can
2

produce more energy to maintain their body temperature. Thus,

the circulatory system of humans is more efficient because of the
double circulatory heart.
Q12: What are the differences between the transport of
materials in xylem and phloem?
Ans:

Q13: Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and

nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and
functioning.
Ans:
Alveoli Nephrons

Structure Structure

Alveoli
are tiny
balloon-
Nephrons are tubular
like
structures present
structures
inside the kidneys.
present
inside the
lungs.

The walls Nephrons are made of

of the glomerulus, bowman's
alveoli are capsule, and a long
one cell renal tube.
thick and
it contains
an
extensive
network
of blood
capillaries.

Function Function

The
exchange
of 02 and
C02 takes
place
The blood enters the
between
kidneys through the
the blood
renal artery. The
of the
blood is entered here
capillaries
and the nitrogenous
that
waste in the form of
surround
urine is collected by
the alveoli
collecting duct.
and the
gases
present in
the
alveoli.

Alveoli
are the
Nephrons are the
site of
basic filtration unit.
gaseous
exchange.