LIFE PROCESSES

Life Processes: The basic and essential functions/processes performed by living organisms to
maintain and sustain their life.

Nutrition: The process of obtaining and utilisation of food.

Respiration: The process of breaking down of food to obtain energy.
Transportation: The process of transfer of substances from one part of the body to other parts.
Excretion: The process of removal of waste materials produced in the cells of the body.

NUTRITION

Autotrophic Nutrition Heterotrophic Nutrition

The organism makes its own food from simple Organism cannot make (or synthesize) its
inorganic materials. own food from simple inorganic materials.
e.g. Green plants, autotrophic bacteria e.g. Human, cats, fungi, leech, etc.

HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION

Holozoic Saprophytic Parasitic

• Organism consumes • Organisms feed on • Organisms obtain

and internally digests dead and decaying nutrition by living on
organic food organic matter. (external parasite) or
substances. • e.g. Fungi (bread in (internal parasite)
• e.g. Human beings, moulds), yeast, the body of another
dog, cat, amoeba, mushroom living organism (host),
paramecium often causing harm to
the host.
• e.g. Lice, leech,
tapeworm, Cuscuta
(amar-bel)
• Cuscuta is a parasitic
plant — it does not
contain chlorophyll.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

The process by which green plants make their own food from carbon dioxide and water by using
sunlight energy in the presence of chlorophyll is called photosynthesis.
 Conditions Necessary for Photosynthesis

• Sunlight
• Chlorophyll
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Water (H₂O)

6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6H₂O + 6O₂

(Chlorophyll + Sunlight)

3 Steps of Photosynthesis

• Step 1: Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll.

• Step 2: Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into
hydrogen and oxygen.
• Step 3: Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

Key Facts
• Site of photosynthesis: Chloroplasts — green-coloured organelles called chloroplasts present in
the green plant cells.
• Chlorophyll is present in the organelle — chloroplast (organ — leaf).
• CO₂ enters through stomata.
• Stomata: Tiny pores present on the surface of the leaves.
• Water is taken up by the roots from soil.
• Nitrogen is taken in the form of nitrates and nitrites.
• Nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and iron are also taken.
• In plants, food (glucose) is stored in the form of starch.
• In animals, it is stored in the form of glycogen.

Photosynthesis in Desert Plants

Day Time: Stomata remains closed to conserve water.
Night Time: Stomata opens — absorbs CO₂.
CO₂ taken at night is used to prepare glucose in the daytime.

Activity 5.1 & 5.2 — Variegated Leaf Experiment

Step Purpose / Observation
1. Boiling water Kills the leaf / stops reactions
2. Boiling alcohol Removes colour of leaf (decolorises)
3. Iodine Solution Blue-black colour with starch — only on green sites

Conclusion: Starch is present at green sites only, proving chlorophyll is essential for
photosynthesis.
Activity — CO₂ Essential for Photosynthesis
• Glass jars sealed and kept in sun.
• KOH in jar to absorb any carbon dioxide present.
• Iodine test for starch.
• Observation: No blue-black colour seen.
Conclusion: Carbon Dioxide is essential for Photosynthesis.
Nutrition in Amoeba (Unicellular
Nutrition in Paramecium (Unicellular
Organisms)
Organism)
• Amoeba takes in food using temporary
• The cell has a definite shape (like a
finger-like projections of the cell
slipper).
surface called Pseudopodia, which
also help in movement. • Food is moved to a specific spot
(vacuoles) by the movement of cilia
• Food vacuoles are formed; enzymes
(hair-like structure), which also helps
are secreted which break down
in movement of the organism.
complex substances into simpler
soluble substances.
• Absorption of digested food in
cytoplasm by diffusion.
• Undigested food moves to cell surface
and is thrown out.

NUTRITION IN HUMAN BEINGS

Alimentary Canal → Long tube from Mouth to Anus

Part Function
Mouth (Buccal Cavity) Teeth crush/cut food into small pieces.
Salivary Glands Secrete saliva. Saliva contains Salivary Amylase enzyme which breaks
down starch (complex carbohydrates) to simple sugar. Tongue mixes food
with saliva and helps in swallowing.
Oesophagus (Food Pipe) Peristaltic movement — contraction & expansion of wall of food pipe,
pushes food into stomach. Regulates movement of food to stomach.
Stomach Gastric Juice: Hydrochloric acid creates acidic medium for pepsin, kills
bacteria & germs. Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme. Mucus protects
inner lining of stomach from acid.
Liver Secretes bile juice stored in gall bladder. Makes acidic food from stomach
alkaline. Emulsification of fats — breaks down fats into smaller globules
(increases surface area for enzymes to work).
Pancreas Secretes pancreatic juice. Trypsin digests proteins. Lipase breaks down
emulsified fats.
Small Intestine Coiled, longest part of alimentary canal. Site of complete digestion &
absorption of food. Receives secretion from liver & pancreas. Villi — lots of
finger-like projections present on inner lining; increases surface area for
absorption; supplied with blood vessels. Digested food is absorbed and
taken to all cells of the body.
Large Intestine (Colon) Unabsorbed food sent to large intestine. Absorbs more water from
material. Rest of materials removed via anus.
Anus Exit of waste material. Regulated by anus sphincter.

Digestion end products:

• Proteins → Amino acids
• Carbohydrates → Glucose
• Fats → Fatty acids + Glycerol
Herbivorous Animals Carnivorous Animals
Longer small intestine for digestion of Shorter small intestine since meat is easier to
cellulose which is hard to digest and requires digest.
more time to break down and get absorbed.
 RESPIRATION

The process of breaking down of food to release energy in the form of ATP is called Respiration.

Breathing Respiration
Physical process Chemical process
Process of inhaling and exhaling the air Process of breaking down of food to produce
energy
No energy released; instead energy is required Energy is released in the form of ATP
Happens in lungs Happens in cells

Types of Respiration

Feature Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

Oxygen Required Not required
Energy produced More energy produced Less energy produced
Oxidation Complete oxidation and breakdown Incomplete oxidation and
of glucose breakdown of glucose
Location Occurs in cytoplasm and Occurs only in cytoplasm
mitochondria
End products CO₂ + H₂O CO₂ + Ethanol / Lactic acid

Anaerobic Respiration Pathways

Glucose (6-carbon molecule) → Pyruvate (3-carbon molecule) + Energy [in cytoplasm]

Absence of Oxygen (in yeast):

• Ethanol + Carbon dioxide + Energy [Alcoholic Fermentation]

Lack of oxygen (in muscle cells, attached to bones):

• Lactic acid + Energy [Lactic acid respiration/Fermentation]

Presence of Oxygen (in mitochondria):

• Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy [Aerobic Respiration / Complete oxidation of
glucose]

During Intense Exercise

Muscles rapidly convert glucose to lactic acid for quick energy. This lactic acid buildup causes
fatigue and cramp in muscles.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM IN HUMAN

 Part Function
Nostrils Air enters the passage.
Nasal Passage Has hairs lining passage for filtration of air. Passage lined with mucus to
trap dirt, dust, and filter air.
Pharynx Common passage for food and air.
Larynx (Voice-box) Produces sound, contains vocal cords. Allows air to pass into the trachea.
Trachea Windpipe.
Rings of Cartilage Prevents air passage from collapsing. (CBSE 2023, 2021, 2019)
Bronchi Two bronchi connect trachea to each lung.
Bronchioles Each bronchus divides in lungs to form a large number of smaller tubes
called bronchioles. Small air passages that lead directly to the alveoli.
Alveoli Tiny, balloon-like air sacs at the end of bronchioles. Thin-walled and moist
for easy gas diffusion. Surrounded by a network of blood capillaries. Site of
gas exchange in the lungs. Each lung contains millions of alveoli, providing
a large surface area for efficient diffusion.
Alveolar Gas Exchange
• Alveoli are richly supplied with blood vessels for efficient exchange of gases (oxygen and
carbon dioxide).
• Oxygen from alveoli diffuses into the blood capillaries.
• Carbon dioxide from blood diffuses into the alveoli.

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.

Inhalation / Inspiration Exhalation / Expiration

Diaphragm contracts Diaphragm relaxes
Diaphragm moves downward and becomes flat Diaphragm moves upward and becomes dome-
shaped
Chest cavity becomes larger Chest cavity becomes smaller
Air is sucked into the lungs Air is pushed out from the lungs

Residual Volume: Amount of air always remaining in lungs to provide sufficient time to absorb
O₂ and release CO₂. (CBSE 2023, 2021, 2019)

Respiration in Plants
• Exchange of gases occurs through stomata.

Day Time Night Time

Photosynthesis: oxygen is produced No photosynthesis
Respiration: carbon dioxide is produced → used in Respiration: carbon dioxide is produced
photosynthesis
Net Result: O₂ is given out Net Result: CO₂ is given out

Breathing in Fish
Fish take in water through mouth → force it past the gills → dissolved O₂ is taken by blood.
Mouth open, gills closed → Vice-Versa.

Terrestrial Organisms Aquatic Organisms

• Breathe oxygen in atmosphere. • Use dissolved oxygen in water.
• Rate of breathing is less. • Rate of breathing is more as they have
to obtain oxygen dissolved in water.
 TRANSPORTATION

The process of transfer of substances like food, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and waste from one
part of the body to other parts.

Transportation in Humans
• Circulatory System (Heart, blood &
blood vessels)
• Lymphatic System

BLOOD
Blood is a red coloured body fluid (connective tissue) that circulates throughout the body carrying
essential substances to cells and removing waste products.

Blood Components

Component Description
Plasma Fluid medium; transports food, carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste. Pale
yellow in colour.
RBCs (Red Blood Contain haemoglobin and transport oxygen. Haemoglobin is a protein found in
Cells) red blood cells — binds with oxygen, transports oxygen and carbon dioxide,
and also gives red colour to blood.
WBCs (White Blood Fight infections. Produce antibodies to kill pathogens. Provide immunity.
Cells)
Platelets Stop bleeding by clotting blood.

Blood Vessels
Network of tubes through which blood is pumped around the body.

Feature Arteries Veins Capillaries

Direction of Blood Carries blood away from Returns blood to the Connects arteries &
Flow the heart heart veins
Oxygen Rich in oxygenated Contains deoxygenated Transports both
blood blood oxygenated &
deoxygenated blood
Pressure High pressure Low pressure Moderate pressure
Walls Thick and elastic walls Thin and less elastic Very thin (one cell thick)
walls
Valves Not present Present (to prevent Absent
backflow)

Exceptions
 • Pulmonary artery — carries deoxygenated blood.
• Pulmonary vein — carries oxygenated blood.

Valves in veins play a crucial role in ensuring blood flows in the correct direction, specifically towards
the heart, even against gravity. These one-way valves, found primarily in the veins of the legs, prevent
the backflow of blood.
 Lymph or Tissue Fluid
• Some components of blood leak through pores in walls of capillaries (plasma, proteins and
blood cells — not RBCs).
• Colourless fluid.
• Contains less protein than blood.
• Lymph flows into lymphatic capillaries, which join to form larger lymph vessels.
• These vessels finally merge into larger veins.

Functions of Lymph
• Carries digested and absorbed fat from intestine.
• Drains excess fluid back into the blood.
• Lymph contains lymphocytes that help defend the body against infections.

Transportation in Plants
Slow transportation system because: (1) plants do not move, (2) they have a large proportion of dead
cells in many tissues. Hence they have low energy needs and use slow transport systems. But
transportation distance can be very large.
Xylem and Phloem are independent conducting tubes.

Feature Xylem Transport Phloem Transport

Transports Water and minerals Food, amino acids and other
substances
Direction of Flow Unidirectional (upwards from roots to Bidirectional (both upward and
aerial parts) downward)
Process Involved Physical forces such as root pressure Active transport (requires energy in
and transpirational pull (Passive the form of ATP)
Transport)
Main Tissues Involved Xylem vessels, tracheids Sieve tubes, companion cells

Transport of Water → Xylem

Root Pressure
• Roots take up ions from soil which creates difference in the concentration of these ions.
• Water from soil moves into the roots.
• There is a constant movement of water into root xylem and water is steadily pushed upwards.
 Heart
A muscular organ, roughly the size of a fist, that acts as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.

Feature Atrium Ventricle

Position Upper chambers of the heart Lower chambers of the heart
Walls Walls are thin Walls are thick and muscular
Blood Receive blood from veins Pump blood into arteries
Pressure Low pressure High pressure

Largest artery: Aorta | Largest vein: Vena cava

Why 4 Chambers in the Heart?

• Warm-blooded creatures such as humans require a constant, high level of oxygen to
maintain body temperature and energy requirements. A four-chambered heart
enables that by preventing oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood from mixing.
• Since oxygenated blood doesn't mix with deoxygenated blood, every cell in the body
receives the richest possible supply of oxygen — helping us think, move, digest, and
function better.

Double Circulation Single Circulation

Blood flows twice through the heart before Blood passes only once through the heart in a
completing a full circuit. complete cycle.

Animal Group Heart Chambers Circulation Type Body Temperature

Regulation
Birds (Aves), Mammals 4 Complete double circulation Warm blooded
Amphibians, Reptiles 3 Partial double circulation Cold blooded
Fishes (Pisces) 2 Single circulation Cold blooded
 Transpiration
The loss of water in the form of vapour from the aerial parts of the plant is called Transpiration.

Role of Transpiration
• Absorption and upward movement of water and minerals from roots to leaves.
• Temperature regulation (cooling due to evaporation).

Day Time: Major force is transpirational pull + root pressure.

Night Time: Root pressure.

Transport of Food → Phloem (Translocation)

• The transfer of food from leaves to other parts of the plant is called translocation.
• Phloem translocates the food made in the leaves.
• These substances are especially delivered to the storage organs of roots, fruits and seeds and
to growing organs.

EXCRETION

Excretion in Human Beings

Removal of harmful metabolic wastes (mainly urea and uric acid) from the body is called excretion.

The Excretory System of Human Beings includes:

Part Function
Kidneys Nitrogenous waste such as urea and uric acid are filtered from blood
through kidneys.
A pair of Ureters Connects the kidney with the urinary bladder.
Urinary Bladder Urine is stored in urinary bladder until it is passed out (muscular, under
nervous control).
Urethra Transports urine out of the body.

NEPHRON: The structural and functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney has millions of nephrons.

• Glomerulus: Cluster of blood vessels.

• Bowman's Capsule: Cup-shaped structure in each nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and
collects the filtrate.
Nephron — How It Works

Process Description
Glomerular Filtration Nitrogenous wastes, glucose, water, amino acids, excessive salts from the
blood are filtered and initial filtrate enters the Bowman's Capsule of the
nephron.
Selective Reabsorption Useful substances like glucose, amino acids, salts and a major amount of
water from the filtrate are reabsorbed back by capillaries surrounding the
nephron.
Tubular Secretion Urea, extra water and salts are secreted into the tubule which opens up
into the collecting duct and then into the ureter.

Artificial Kidney (Haemodialysis)

• In case of kidney failure, an artificial kidney can be used.
• An artificial kidney removes nitrogenous waste products from the blood through dialysis.
• Artificial kidney → No reabsorption involved.

• Dialysing fluid: Same osmotic pressure as blood (without nitrogenous wastes).

• Used dialysing solution → rich in urea and excess salts.

Excretion in Plants
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide → by diffusion through stomata.
• Excess water → removed by transpiration.
• Shedding of old leaves.
• Plants also secrete some waste substances into the soil around them.