Grade 10 BIOLOGY

Reference Questions Answers

Life processes
Nutrition

1. What processes would you consider essential for maintaining life?

Life processes such as nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion, etc. are essential
for maintaining life.
2. Define life processes.
The processes which together perform this maintenance job are life processes.

3. What criteria do we use to decide something is alive? Why?

Any visible movement such as walking, breathing, or growing is generally used to decide
whether something is alive or not. Some sort of movement or Movement in response to
external stimuli either growth-related or not, as common evidence for being alive
However, a living organism can also have movements, which are not visible to the naked
eye. Therefore, the presence of life processes is a fundamental criterion that can be used
to decide whether something is alive or not.
4. Define the terms:
Nutrition The process by which an organism takes food and utilizes it is called nutrition.
Respiration The process of acquiring oxygen from outside the body, and to use it in the process of
break-down of food sources for cellular needs, is what we call respiration.
Excretion When chemical reactions use the carbon source and the oxygen for energy
generation, they create by-products that are not only useless for the cells of the body, but could
even be harmful. These waste by-products are therefore needed to be removed from the body
and discarded outside by a process called excretion.
5. Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of multicellular
organisms like humans?
In the case of a single-celled organism, no specific organs for taking in food, exchange of
gases or removal of wastes may be needed because the entire surface of the organism is in
contact with the environment. But in multi-cellular organisms, such as humans possess
complex body designs (various necessary functions of the body such as intake of food and
oxygen.) all the cells may not be in direct contact with the surrounding environment. Thus,
simple diffusion will not meet the requirements of all the cells
6. What are stomata? Mention its importance.
Stomata which are tiny pores present on the surface of the leaves.
• Massive amounts of gaseous exchange take place in the leaves through these pores for the
purpose of photosynthesis. But the exchange of gases occurs across the surface of stems,
roots and leaves as well.
• Help in transpiration. Large amounts of water can also be lost through these stomata,
• The plant closes these pores when it does not need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The
opening and closing of the pore are a function of the guard cells. The guard cells swell when
water flows into them, causing the stomatal pore to open. Similarly, the pore closes if the
guard cells shrink.

7. Mention the major events that occur during photosynthesis.

The following events occur during this process -
i)Absorption of light Energy by chlorophyll.
ii) Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules
into hydrogen and oxygen.
iii) Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.
8. Where do plants get the raw materials required for photosynthesis?
The following raw materials are required for photosynthesis:
• The raw material CO2 enters from the atmosphere through stomata.
• Water is absorbed from the soil by the plant roots.
• Sunlight, an important component to manufacture food, is absorbed by the
chlorophyll and other green parts of the plants.

9. Write the functions of guard cell.

When the large amounts of water can also be lost through these stomata, the plant closes
these pores when it does not need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The opening and closing
of the pore is a function of the guard cells. The guard cells swell when water flows into them,
causing the stomatal pore to open. Similarly, the pore closes if the guard cells shrink.

10.Stomata of desert plants remain closed during the day. How do they take up
carbon dioxide and perform photosynthesis?
Desert plants take up carbon dioxide at night and prepare an intermediate which is acted upon
by the energy absorbed by the chlorophyll during the day.
11.What is the role of light in photosynthesis?
The process of photosynthesis occurs when green plants use the energy of light to convert carbon
dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbohydrates. Light energy from the sun is absorbed by
chlorophyll, (a photosynthetic pigment of the plant) while air containing carbon dioxide and oxygen
enters the plant through the leaf stomata.

12. What are nutrients?

Materials which provide nutrition to organisms are called nutrients.

Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the main nutrients and are called macronutrients.
Minerals and vitamins are required in small amounts and hence are called
micronutrients.

13. All the animals can be divided into three groups on the basis of their eating habits.
Name the three groups.
All the animals can be divided into three groups on the basis of their eating habits. Name the three
groups.
Three different types of animals exist: herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Herbivores are
animals that eat only plants. Carnivores are animals that eat only meat. Omnivores are animals
that eat both plants and meat.

14. Explain autotrophic nutrition and Heterotrophic nutrition.

Autotrophic nutrition
• Autotrophic nutrition involves the intake of simple inorganic materials from the environment and
using an external energy source like the Sun to synthesise complex high-energy organic material.
• Carbon and energy requirements of the autotrophic organism are fulfilled by photosynthesis.
It is the process by which autotrophs take in substances from the outside and convert them into
stored forms of energy. This material is taken in the form of carbon dioxide and water which is
converted into carbohydrates in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.
• Carbohydrates are utilised for providing energy to the plant.
Heterotrophic nutrition
• Heterotrophic nutrition involves the intake of complex material prepared by other organisms. Each
organism is adapted to its environment.
• The form of nutrition differs depending on the type and availability of food material as well as how
it is obtained by the organism. Some organisms break-down the food material outside the body
and then absorb it. Examples are fungi like bread moulds, yeast and mushrooms.
• Others take in whole material and break it down inside their bodies.
Some other organisms derive nutrition from plants or animals without killing them. This parasitic
nutritive strategy is used by a wide variety of organisms like cuscuta (amar-bel), orchids,

16. Explain parasitic mode of nutrition with an example.

Parasitic nutrition is a mode of heterotrophic nutrition where a parasitic organism lives on

the body surface or inside the body of another type of organism (a host) and gets nutrition
directly from the body of the host. Parasites depend on their host for survival, since the host
provides nutrition and protection.
Some other organisms derive nutrition from plants or animals without killing them. This
parasitic nutritive strategy is used by a wide variety of organisms like cuscuta (amar-bel),
orchids, ticks, lice, leeches and tape-worms.
17.Explain the process of nutrition in paramoecium.
In Paramoecium, which is also a unicellular organism, the cell has a definite shape and
food is taken in at a specific spot. Food is moved to this spot by the movement of
cilia which cover the entire surface of the cell.
18. Explain in detail about nutrition in Amoeba with the help of a labeled diagram.
Amoeba takes in food using temporary finger-like extensions of the cell surface which fuse
over the food particle forming a food-vacuole (Fig. 6.5). Inside the food-vacuole, complex
substances are broken down into simpler ones which then diffuse into the cytoplasm. The
remaining undigested material is moved to the surface of the cell and thrown out. Refer
Diagram in NCERT Text Book.
19.Write the function of mucous.
The mucus protects the inner lining of the stomach from the action of the acid under
normal conditions.

20.Is 'nutrition' a necessity for an organism? Give reasons.

Need of nutrition for an organism is for:

(a) To serve as energy source for metabolic processes in the body.
(b) To support growth of new cells and repair and maintenance of existing cells.
(c) To provide resistance against various diseases.

21. Define peristalsis.

The lining of canal has muscles that contract rhythmically in order to push the food forward. These
peristaltic movements occur all along the gut

22.What causes movement of food inside the alimentary canal?

Peristalsis is rhythmic contraction of muscular wall of alimentary canal which in turn pushes the
food along the alimentary canal. The lining of canal has muscles that contract rhythmically in order
to push the food forward. These peristaltic movements occur all along the gut

23. List the parts of human digestive system.

 The human digestive system comprises the alimentary canal and various digestive glands. The
alimentary canal is a muscular tube, which extends from the mouth to the anus. The human digestive
system comprises mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

24. Write about the major glands associated with the alimentary canal of man

Salivary glands, Gastric glands, Liver and pancreas

25. What is the significance of emulsification of fats?

Fats are present in food in the form of large globules which makes it difficult for enzymes to
act on them. Bile salts present in bile break them down mechanically into smaller globules
which increases the efficiency of fat digesting enzymes lipase.

26.Define emulsification.

It is the process of breaking down of large lipid globules into small globules. Fats are present in food
in the form of large globules which makes it difficult for enzymes to act on them. Bile salts present in
bile break them down mechanically into smaller globules which increases the efficiency of fat digesting
enzymes lipase.

27. Explain the role of mouth cavity in digestion of food.

• We eat various types of food which has to pass through the same digestive tract.
Naturally the food has to be processed to generate particles which are small and of the
same texture. This is achieved by crushing the food with our teeth.
• Since the lining of the canal is soft, the food is also wetted to make its passage smooth.
When we eat something we like, our mouth 'waters'. This is actually not only water, but a
fluid called saliva secreted by the salivary glands. Another aspect of the food we ingest is
its complex nature.
• If it is to be absorbed from the alimentary canal, it has to be broken into smaller
molecules. This is done with the help of biological catalysts called enzymes. The saliva
contains an enzyme called salivary amylase that breaks down starch which is a complex
molecule to give sugar. The food is mixed thoroughly with saliva and moved around the
mouth while chewing by the muscular tongue.
28.What are the end products of carbohydrate, protein and fat digestion?

The enzymes present in it finally convert the proteins to amino acids, complex
carbohydrates into glucose and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
29.Mention the functions of small intestine and large intestine in digestion.

OR How do carbohydrates, proteins and fats get digested in human beings?

• The small intestine is the site of the complete digestion of carbohydrates, proteins
and fats. It receives the secretions of the liver and pancreas for this purpose.
• The food coming from the stomach is acidic and has to be made alkaline for the
pancreatic enzymes to act. Bile juice from the liver accomplishes this in addition to
acting on 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
increasing the efficiency of enzyme action.
• The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice which contains enzymes like trypsin for
digesting proteins and lipase for breaking down emulsified fats.
 • The walls of the small intestine contain glands which secrete intestinal juice. The
enzymes present in it finally convert the proteins to amino acids, complex
carbohydrates into glucose and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
• The digested food is taken up by the walls of the intestine. The inner lining of the
small intestine has numerous finger-like projections called villi which increase the
surface area for absorption.
• The villi are richly supplied with blood vessels which take the absorbed food to each
and every cell of the body, where it is utilized for obtaining energy, building up new
tissues and the repair of old tissues.
• The unabsorbed food is sent into the large intestine where more villi absorb water from this
material. The rest of the material is removed from the body via the anus. The exit of this
waste material is regulated by the anal sphincter.

30.Why is small intestine in herbivores longer than in carnivores?

Herbivores derive their nutrition from plants and plants product which in turn make
cellulose main component of their diet. Since cellulose digestion is a long process and is
done by intestinal ruminant bacteria present in gut of herbivores, complete digestion of
cellulose needs the food to stay for longer time in gut. Presence of longer intestine
serves the purpose and allows the food to stay for longer duration to facilitate proper
digestion of cellulose.

Carnivores feed on herbivores and hence cellulose is not part of their diet which in turn
causes no need of longer intestine

31.What will happen if mucus is not secreted by the gastric glands?

The gastric glands of stomach produce gastric juice, which contains pepsinogen, HCl,
and mucus. HCl impart highly acidic pH to stomach which in turn supports conversion
of inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin.
Mucus plays an important role and protects the inner lining of stomach against erosion
from hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach. In absence of mucus, HCl will cause
erosion and ulcer in stomach lining.
32. Why does mouth water when we eat something?
When we eat something we like, our mouth 'waters'. This is actually not only water, but a
fluid called saliva secreted by the salivary glands. The saliva contains an enzyme called
salivary amylase that breaks down starch which is a complex molecule to give sugar. The
food is mixed thoroughly with saliva and moved around the mouth while chewing by the
muscular tongue.

33. When a piece of bread is chewed slowly, it tastes sweeter after some time.
Why?
As bread is full of starch, the saliva contains an enzyme called salivary amylase that breaks
down starch which is a complex molecule to give sugar. The food is mixed thoroughly with saliva
and moved around the mouth while chewing by the muscular tongue. Hence, it tastes sweeter
after sometime.
34.List two different functions performed by pancreas in our body.
• The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice which contains enzymes like trypsin for digesting
proteins and lipase for breaking down emulsified fats.

• Pancreas produce insulin which helps to control sugar.

 35. Why does absorption of digested food occur mainly in the small intestine?

Maximum absorption occurs in small intestine because:

• The digested food is taken up by the walls of the intestine. Digestion is completed in small
intestine.
• The inner lining of the small intestine has numerous finger-like projections called villi
which increase the surface area for absorption.
• The villi are richly supplied with blood vessels which take the absorbed food to each and
every cell of the body, where it is utilized for obtaining energy, building up new tissues
and the repair of old tissues.

36.What role does bile play in digestion?

Emulsification of fats.
Bile juice from the liver accomplishes this in addition to acting on 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 increasing the efficiency of enzyme action.

37. What are enzymes?

Enzymes are the biological catalysts which organisms used to break complex food
substances into simpler ones.

38. What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes such as amylase, pepsin, trypsin, etc. help in the breaking down 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.

39. What is the role of the acid in our stomach?

The food coming from the stomach is acidic and has to be made alkaline for the pancreatic
enzymes to act. Acidifies food for the action of Pepsin, which is a protein-digesting enzyme.
Kills microbes which are present in the food.

40. Give reasons of dental caries in people.

Dental caries or tooth decay causes gradual softening of enamel and dentine. It begins
when bacteria acting on sugars produce acids that softens or demineralizes the enamel.
Masses of bacterial cells together with food particles stick to the teeth to form dental
plaque. Saliva cannot reach the tooth surface to neutralize the acid as plaque covers the
teeth.
Brushing the teeth after eating removes the plaque before the bacteria produce acids. If
untreated, microorganisms may invade the pulp, causing inflammation and infection.

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