Life Processes

By, Kumar Sitanshu Vardhan

Source : NCERT

All the processes such as respiration, nutrition, circulation, excretion etc. that are necessary for the survival of
the living organisms are known as life processes.

 All living things perform certain life processes like growth, excretion, respiration, circulation etc.
→ All the processes like respiration, digestion, which together keep the living organisms live and
perform the job of body maintenance are called life processes.

 Modes of Nutrition
The two most common types of nutrition are autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition.

 Autotrophic Nutrition
It is a type of nutrition in which inorganic materials such as carbon dioxide, is used up to synthesise organic food
by a process known as photosynthesis. For example, green plants use an autotrophic mode of nutrition.
Organisms that use the autotrophic mode of nutrition are known as autotrophs.

 Now the question arises how does autotrophic nutrition occur in plants using
photosynthesis?
 → It is a kind of nutrition in which inorganic materials like CO2, water etc. are utilized to
prepare organic food by the process of photosynthesis.
E.g: Green plants.

→ The organisms which carry out autotrophic nutrition are called autotrophs (green plants).

→ Autotrophs use simple inorganic material and convert it into complex high energy molecules
(Carbohydrates)

→ Autotrophic nutrition is fulfilled by the process by which autotrophs take in CO 2 and H2O and
convert these into carbohydrates in the presence of chlorophyll, sunlight is called Photosynthesis.

• Raw materials for photosynthesis

→ Sunlight: It is inorganic material.

→ Chlorophyll: Sunlight absorbed by chlorophyll.
→ CO2: Enters through stomata and oxygen (O2) is released as by-product through stomata on
leaf.
→ Water: Water + dissolved minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus etc. are taken up by the roots of
the soil..
The site where photosynthesis occurs is known as chloroplast. They contain a green colour pigment known as
chlorophyll that traps sunlight for photosynthesis.
The steps of photosynthesis are as follows-
 Absorption of light by chlorophyll.
  Conversion of light energy into chemical energy.
 Splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen.
 Finally, reduction of carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.
Leaves contain small openings known as stomata which helps in the exchange of gases. The stomata/stoma is
surrounded by a guard cell which guards the opening and closing of stomata. Guard cells also contain
chloroplast.
Functions of stomata

→ Exchange of gases O2/CO2.

→ Loses large amount of water (water vapour) during transpiration.

Fig.1. Structure of Stomata

The overall equation of photosynthesis is:

Fig.2. Overall Equation of Photosynthesis

Heterotrophic Nutrition
In this mode of nutrition, an organism is unable to synthesise its food. It is of the following types -
1. Holozoic nutrition is a type of nutrition where an organism takes in whole food and breaks it inside the body. For
example, Amoeba.
2. Saprophytic nutrition is nutrition in which organisms feed on dead and decaying matter. For example, fungi.
3. Parasitic nutrition is nutrition in which an organism feeds on a living host. For example, Cuscuta.
How organisms obtain their food

→ Unicellular/Single celled organisms: Food is taken up through entire surface.

Example: Amoeba, Paramaecium

Process of intake of food by Amoeba

Nutrition in Human Beings

Humans consist of the alimentary canal which starts from the mouth and ends at the anus. The
parts of the alimentary canal are as follows-

Mouth: Intake of whole food.

(ii) Teeth: Chewing/grinding of food.

(iii) Tongue: Rolling of food + Tasting of food + Swallowing/Pushing down of the food.

(iv) Salivary Glands: Secrete saliva + Mucus (It is a sticky, gelatinous material that lines your lungs,
throat, mouth, nose, and sinuses.) + Starch is converted into glucose by saliva (Salivary amylase)

(v) Oesophagus: Taking food from mouth to stomach by Peristaltic movements (Contraction and
expansion of muscles of the oesophagus).
(vi) Stomach: Gastric glands present in stomach secrete gastric juice.
mall Intestine: The small intestine is the site of the complete digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and
fats.

(a) Walls of small intestine secrete intestinal enzyme which convert Carbohydrates into glucose, fats in
fatty acid + glycerol and Proteins into amino acids.

(b) It has Villi (finger like projection) which help in the absorption of food into blood.

(c) It receives the secretions of the liver and pancreas.

→ The food is acidic which is made alkaline for the pancreatic enzymes to act. The pancreas secretes
pancreatic juice which contains enzymes like trypsin for digesting proteins and lipase for breaking down
emulsified fats.
→ Fats are present in the intestine in the form of large globules which makes it difficult for enzymes to
act on them. Bile salts break them down into smaller globules which increases the efficiency of enzyme
action.

(viii) Large Intestine:

(a) Absorb excess of water.
(b) The rest of the material is removed from the body via the anus.

Fig.3. Human Digestive System

Mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal. The mouth consists of a muscular tongue and
teeth. The cavity inside the mouth is known as the oral cavity.
 Fig.4. Human Mouth Parts

Mechanism of Digestion of Food

 Food digestion process begins in the mouth. Food is complex in nature.
 To break down food and absorb it, we need biological catalysts known as enzymes.
 The mouth contains salivary glands that secrete saliva. Saliva contains an important enzyme
known as the salivary enzyme that breaks down starch into simple sugars.
 The food then passes via the oesophagus into the stomach. The movement of the food inside t he
oesophagus occurs via rhythmic contraction of muscles, this is known as peristalsis.
 The stomach contains gastric glands that secrete mucus, hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Pepsin
is a protein-digesting enzyme.
 After the stomach, food then enters the small intestine. The small intestine is larger in herbivores
due to cellulose digestion compared to carnivores.
 Complete digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats occurs in the small intestine.
 The small intestine receives secretions from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Bile helps in
the emulsification of fats whereas the pancreas secretes enzymes such as trypsin for protein
digestion. The intestinal wall also contains glands that secrete intestinal juice.
 The small intestine has villi that increase the surface area for the absorption of food.
 The unabsorbed food is then transferred to the large intestine where water is absorbed.
 Undigested food is then expelled out from the anus.

Respiration:
It is a metabolic process that involves the breakdown of food to release energy is known as
respiration

(i) Gaseous exchange (Breathing) : Intake of oxygen from the atmosphere and release of CO2.

(ii) Cellular respiration: Breakdown of simple food in order to release energy inside the cell.

• Breakdown of Glucose by Various Pathways

→ The first step is the break-down of glucose (a six-carbon molecule) into a three-carbon molecule
called pyruvate which takes place in the cytoplasm.

→ The pyruvate may be converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide which takes place in yeast during
fermentation. Since this process takes place in the absence of air (oxygen), it is called anaerobic
respiration.
→ The pyruvate is broken down into three-carbon pyruvate molecule in the presence of oxygen to give
three molecules of carbon dioxide and water. This process takes place in mitochondria. Since this process
takes place in the presence of air (oxygen), it is called aerobic respiration.

→ The pyruvate is converted into lactic acid when there is a lack of oxygen in our muscle cells, which is
also a three-carbon molecule. This build-up of lactic acid in our muscles during sudden activity causes
cramps.

The whole process of break down of glucose is shown below:

Fig.5. Breakdown of glucose by different pathways

The energy released during cellular respiration is immediately used to synthesise a molecule called ATP
which is used to fuel all other activities in the cell. In these processes, ATP is broken down giving rise to
a fixed amount of energy which can drive the endothermic reactions taking place in the cell.

→ The rate of breathing in aquatic organisms is much faster than that seen in terrestrial
organisms because the amount of dissolved oxygen is fairly low compared to the amount of oxygen in
the air.

Types of Respiration

Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

Takes place in the presence of oxygen. Takes place in the absence of oxygen.

Occurs in mitochondria. Occurs in cytoplasm.

End products are CO2 and H2O. End products are alcohol or lactic acid.

More amount of energy is released. Less amount of energy is released.

Respiration in Human Beings

Nostril: Air is taken into the body.

→ Nasal Passage: It is a channel for airflow through the nose.

→ Nasal Cavity: It is lined with hairs and mucus membrane. It warms, moisturize, and filter air before it
reaches the lungs.

→ Pharynx: It contains rings of cartilage which ensure that the air-passage does not collapse.

→ Larynx: It houses the vocal cords and manipulates pitch and volume, which is essential for phonation.
It is also known as voice box.

→ Trachea: Pharynx splits into trachea and esophagus. It connects the larynx (or voice box) to the
bronchi of the lungs. It provides air flow to and from the lungs for respiration.

→ Bronchi: They are the main passageway into the lungs. They are the extensions of the windpipe that
shuttle air to and from the lungs. The oxygen goes to the lungs and carbon dioxide leave the lungs
through them.

→ Bronchioles: Bronchi get smaller when they reaches closer to lungs tissues and are called Bronchioles.
They are the passageways by which air passes through the nose or mouth to the alveoli of the lungs

→ Alveoli: They are smaller tubes which finally terminate in balloon-like structures which are called
alveoli. They allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and bloodstream.

→ Blood capillaries: They are the sites of the transfer of oxygen and other nutrients from the
bloodstream to other tissues in the body. They also collect carbon dioxide and waste materials and return
it to the veins.
Human respiratory system starts with the nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles and then lungs. In the lungs, alveoli are present, where an exchange between oxygen
and carbon dioxide takes place.

Fig.6. Passage of air in Humans

Humans have a respiratory pigment known as haemoglobin to carry the oxygen to different parts of
the body and to remove carbon dioxide from the body. Compared to oxygen, carbon dioxide is more
soluble in water, so it is usually transported in dissolved form.

Mechanism of Breathing

Inhalation Exhalation

During inhalation the thoracic cavity (chest

cavity) expands. Thoracic cavity contracts.

Ribs lift up. Ribs move downwards.

Diaphragm become flat in shape. Diaphragm becomes dome shaped.

Volume of lungs increases and air enters the Volume of lungs decreases and air exits from
lungs. the lungs.
Exchange of gases between alveoli, blood and tissues

(i) Air (rich in O2) reaches blood which combines with haemoglobin in RBC and O2 is released in
alveoli tissues (through blood vessels).

(ii) CO2 is released in blood and dissolved into it and carried by blood vessels. The carbon dioxide is
released in alveolar sac which is sent out through nostrils.

→ Terrestial organisms: Use atmospheric oxygen for respiration.

→ Aquatic organisms: Use dissolved oxygen for respiration.

Transportation in Human Beings

Human beings like other multicellular organism need regular supply of food, oxygen etc. This function is
performed by circulatory system.

→ The circulatory system in human beings consists of:

(i) Heart (pumping organ)
(ii) Arteries and Veins (Blood vessels)
(iii) Blood and lymph (Circulatory medium)

Blood is a fluid connective tissue that transports food, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogenous waste
etc. Blood contains plasma and blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. The
heart is the pumping organ in the body.
→ The lungs supply oxygen-rich blood to the the left atrium of the heart.

→ The left atrium relaxes when it is collecting the blood and contracts when blood is transferred to the
left ventricle. The left ventricle expands when it receives blood.
→ The blood is pumped out of the body when the muscles of left ventricle contracts.
→ De-oxygenated blood comes from the body to the upper chamber on the right i.e. the right atrium
when it expands.
 → The corresponding lower chamber i.e. the right ventricle expands when right atrium contracts. It
transfers the blood to the right ventricle which in turn pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation.
→ Right ventricles have thicker muscular walls so that they pump blood into various organs.
→ Valves ensure that blood does not flow backwards when the atria or ventricles contract..

Fig.7. Structure of Human Heart

Note: Fishes have a two-chambered heart, amphibians and reptiles have a three-chambered heart
except crocodiles which possess a 4 chambered heart. Birds and mammals also have 4 chambered
hearts.

Double Circulation
The right side and left side of the heart are separated to prevent the mixing of oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood. In vertebrates, blood goes through the heart twice during each cycle. This is
defined as double circulation. (NTSE)
 Fig.8. Double Circulation
Note: The force that the blood exerts against the wall of the vessel is known as blood pressure. The
pressure of blood inside the artery during ventricular contraction is known as systolic pressure
whereas the pressure in the artery during ventricular relaxation is known as diastolic pressure. The
normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm of Hg.

Direction of blood flow through human heart

→ Pulmonary Circulation: Blood moves from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

→ Systemic Circulation: Blood moves from the heart to rest of the body and back to the heart.

• Blood
Blood is connective tissue which is fluid in nature.

→ Solid components of blood (Blood corpuscles):

(i) RBC (Red blood cells): It carries O2 and CO2 and also contain Haemoglobin which impart red colour
to the blood.

(ii) WBC (White blood cells): It provides body defence by engulfing the germs and produces antibodies.

(iii) Blood Platelets: It helps in blood clotting during injury.

→ Liquid components (Plasma): It is a yellow colour fluid which contain 90% water & 10% organic
substances.

• Lymph
→ It is a yellowish fluid which escapes from the blood capillaries into the intercellular spaces.

→ It contains less proteins than blood.

→ It flows from the tissues to the heart which helps in transportation and destroying germs.

→ It carries digested and absorbed fat from intestine and drains excess fluid from extra cellular space
back into the blood.

• Types of Blood Vessels

There are two types of blood vessels
(i) Arteries
(ii) Veins
Artery Capillary Vein
They carry blood away from the One cell thick smallest vessels They carry blood towards the
heart heart
They carry oxygenated blood Help in the exchange of the material They carry deoxygenated blood
except for the pulmonary artery. between the blood and surrounding except for the pulmonary vein.
cells.
They have thick walls and do They do not have valves They have thin walls and also
not have valves. possess valves.

 Platelets are blood cells that help in blood clotting.

 Lymph is also known as interstitial fluid is a fluid that leaks out from the pores of the capillaries.

Transport in Plants
 Plants have the xylem tissue for the transportation of water. Xylem transports water from the
roots to different parts of the plants. Xylem tissue consists of vessels and tracheids.
 Loss of water in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of the pla nts is known as
transpiration. The transpiration creates a suction that pulls the water up to the higher plants.
 Similarly, the transport of food in plants occurs via the phloem. It transports food from the leaves
to different parts of the plants.

Fig.9. Transport in Plants

Xylem Phloem

Carries water & minerals from the roots to Carries product of photosynthesis from leaves to the
other parts of the plant. other parts of the plant.

No energy is used. Energy is used from ATP.

Excretion
 The process involved in the removal of nitrogenous waste from the body is known as excretion.
 The excretory system of humans consists of a pair of kidneys, a pair of ureters, urinary bladder
and urethra.
 The basic filtration unit of the kidneys is known as nephrons.
 The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidneys.
 They consist of a bowman's capsule and a renal tubule.
 For the formation of urine, some substances such as glucose and amino acids are selectively
reabsorbed.
 The amount of water reabsorbed depends on how much water is there in the body.
 The urinary bladder is a muscular structure and it is under nervous control

Excretory/urinary system consists of :

(1) The kidneys : The excretory organ
(2) The ureters : The ducts which drain out urine from the kidneys
(3) The urinary bladder : The urinary reservoir
(4) The urethra : The channel to the exterior
Fig.10. Human Excretory System
Note: Plants excrete their waste through transpiration. Plants also produce other excretory waste in
the form of gums, resins etc.

Functions of Organs involved in Excretory System

Each kidney contains many filtration units called as nephrons.

→ Nephrons are made up of a cluster of thin walled capillaries called glomerulus which is associated
with a cup like structure called as Bowman’s capsule and the long tube which terminates through this
capsule.
→ The renal artery brings oxygenated blood to the kidneys along with the nitrogenous wastes like urea
and uric acid and many other substances.
→ The blood gets filtered through the glomerulus and this filtrate enters the tubular part of nephron.
→ As this filtrate moves down the tubular part, glucose, amino acids, salts and excess of water gets
selectively reabsorbed by the blood vessels surrounding these tubules.

→ The amount of water reabsorbed depends upon :

(i) How much excess of water is there in the body and,
(ii) How much nitrogenous wastes need to be excreted out.

→ So the fluid now flowing in the tubular part is urine which gets collected in collecting ducts of
nephrons.
→ These collecting ducts together leave the kidney at a common point by forming the ureter.
→ Each ureter drains the urine in the urinary bladder where it is stored until the pressure of expanded
bladder leads to an urge to pass it out through urethra.
→ This bladder is a muscular structure which is under nervous control.
→ 180 litres of filtrate is formed daily but only 2 litres is excreted out as urine so the rest is reabsorbed in
the body.

Structure of Nephron
Functions of Nephron

→ Excretion of nitrogenous wastes.

→ To maintain the water and ionic balance (osmic regulation).

Artificial Kidney

Haemodialysis: The process of purifying blood by an artificial kidney. It is meant for kidney failure
patients.

Excretion in Plants

Plants use different strategies for excretion of different products :

→ Oxygen and carbon dioxide is diffused through stomata.
→ Excess water is removed by transpiration.
→ Plants can even loose some of their old parts like old leaves and bark of tree.
→ Other waste products like raisins and gums especially in old xylem cells which can also be lost by
plants.
→ Plants also secrete some waste substances into the soil around them.

Formation of urine in Humans

The urine formation involves three steps :

(i) Glomerular filtration: Nitrogenous wastes, glucose water, amino acid filter from the blood into
Bowman Capsule of the nephron.
(ii) Tubular reabsorption: Now, useful substances from the filtrate are reabsorbed back by capillaries
surrounding the nephron.
(iii) Secretion: Urea, extra water and salts are secreted into the tubule which open up into the collecting
duct & then into the ureter.

THE END