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CHAPTER 5
LIFE PROCESSES
QUESTION BANK

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. Haemoglobin and chlorophyll have similar structures.
- A molecule of haemoglobin is composed of atoms of 4 elements (carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, all four organised around iron.
- A chlorophyll is composed the same elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
and nitrogen, all four organised around magnesium)
Considering the above information, which element of haemoglobin is most likely
to be responsible for red colour of our blood?
(a) Hydrogen (b) Nitrogen (c) Carbon (d) Iron
Q2. The image shows the process of making food by a plant.

Which statement can be concluded from the image?

(a) plants absorb CO2 from air and H2O from the soil as raw materials and convert
them into glucose.
(b) plants absorb CO2 from the soil and H2O from air as raw materials and convert
them into glucose.
(c) plants absorb O2 from air and glucose from the soil as raw materials and convert
them into light energy.
(d) plants absorb O2 from air and minerals from the soil as raw materials and convert
them into heat energy.

Q3. A student sets up an experiment to study the importance of nutrition in plants.

The student takes 2 pots, pot 1 and pot 2 each with the same healthy plant. Both the
pots were placed in the garden and watered properly. Pot 1 was kept as such, while
pot 2 was kept in an air tight glass box with caustic soda. Caustic soda absorbs
carbon dioxide present in the surrounding. After 2 days, the student observes that
the plant kept in the garden is healthy while the plant placed in container shed leaves
and droops. What is the likely reason for this observation?
(a) lack of nutrients in the soil
(b) absence of oxygen for survival
(c) inability to perform photosynthesis
(d) absorption of light by caustic soda restricting growth
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Q4. Which of the equation show correct conversion of CO2 and H2O into
carbohydrates in
plants?
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Q5. A student sets up an experiment to study the photosynthesis in plants. The

student destarched a potted plant by keeping it in a dark room for 3 days. Half of the
portion of destarched leaf was placed in a bottle containing caustic potash (absorbs
CO2) as shown.

The student then places the plant in light and tests the leaf after 5 hours for the
presence of starch. The portions inside the bottle shows negative starch test by
reflecting no change in colour when react with iodine, however, other upper portions
of the leaf gave positive starch test showing blue-black colour with iodine. What can
be evaluated from this experiment?
(a) carbon dioxide is directly linked with the colour of leaf
(b) carbon dioxide is necessary for preparing carbohydrate
(c) lack of carbon dioxide increases amount of starch in plant
(d) lack of carbon dioxide slows the process of photosynthesis
Q6. What will be the likely happen if the number of villi increases in the intestine?
(a) increase in the absorption of food
(b) fast elimination of waste from the body
(c) increase in flow of blood in the small intestine
(d) fast breakdown of larger food particles into smaller ones

Q7. Which option correctly shows the transport of oxygen to the cell?
(a) Lungs→pulmonary vein→left atrium→left ventricle→aorta→body cells
(b) Lungs→pulmonary vein→right atrium→right ventricle→aorta→body cells
(c) Lungs→pulmonary artery→left atrium→left ventricle→venacava→body cells
(d) Lungs→pulmonary artery→right atrium→right ventricle→venacava→body cells
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Q8. Nephron is a unit of filtration in kidneys that filters waste material. It selectively
reabsorbs or excretes water with the help of capillaries that surround it. What is the
likely benefit of this?
(a) It makes the process of filtration at Bowman’s capsule easier.
(b) It helps keep the output of urine constant throughout the day.
(c) It helps to uptake and store excess amount of water in the body for later use.
(d) It maintains the concentration of urine based on the amount of water present in
the body.
Q9. Choose the incorrect pair
(a) Ultrafiltration - glomerulus
(b) Storage of urine – urinary Bladder
(c) Reabsorption – tubule
(d) Concentration of Urine – urethra
Q10. We often hear a complaint of overproduction of acid in the stomach. The acid
referred here is:
(a) HNO3 (b) H2SO4 (c) HCl (d) H3PO4

ASSERTION & REASON TYPE

Following questions consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Q1. Assertion (A): Desert plants take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis during the
night.
Reason (R): In desert plants, the stomata are closed during the day to conserve
water by reducing transpiration.
Q2. Assertion (A): Warm- blooded animals have their left and right side of the heart
separated for more efficient supply of oxygen to the body.
Reason (R): Energy needs of warm- blooded animals are very low for
maintaining their body temperature.

Q3. Assertion (A): Depending on the complexity of the carbon sources, different
organism uses different kinds of nutritional processes
Reason (R) : Life on earth depend on carbon based molecules, most of these
food sources are also carbon based.
Q4. Assertion (A): In the absence of oxygen the muscle cells undergo aerobic
respiration.
Reason (R): In anaerobic respiration, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid
which is also three carbon molecules.
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Q5. Assertion (A): All the arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to various
organs.

Reason (R): Pulmonary vein carries deoxygenated blood to the Heart.

Q6. Assertion (A): Artificial kidney is a device used to remove nitrogenous waste
products from the blood through dialysis.
Reason (R): Reabsorption occur in artificial kidney.

Q7. Assertion (A): Rings of cartilage are present in the throat.

Reason (R): These ensure that the air-passage does not collapse.

VERY SHORT ANSWER

Q1.In respiration, glucose is broken down into a 3-C molecule called
pyruvate, in the cytoplasm of the cell. Is this particular process aerobic or
anaerobic in nature? Justify your answer.
Q2. In most adults, the left atrium is separated from the right atrium by a
septum (wall) to prevent the oxygen-rich blood in the left atrium from
mixing with the blood containing a higher amount of carbon dioxide in the
right atrium. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the septum
separating the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. This hole
exists in everyone before birth, but most often closes shortly after a baby
is born. Explain why the hole in the septum separating the atria does not
cause problems in a baby before it is born.
Q3.In diabetic patients, with high blood glucose levels, the urine sample
also consists of high levels of glucose. This is mainly because, in the
nephron, glucose is not reabsorbed back into the blood.Explain why does
reabsorption not take place in two points.

Q4. Which respiratory pigment is present in the blood aiding in exchange

of gases in man?

Q5. What will happen to a plant if its xylem is removed?

Q6. A student observed green dot like structures in some cells when a leaf peel
was viewed under a microscope. Identify these dots and mention what is the green
colour due to?

Q7. Lungs always contain residual volume. Why?

Q8. Name the material transported by the following in plants? (i) Xylem (ii) Phloem

Q9. Name any two major substances which are selectively reabsorbed from the
tubules of a nephron.

Q10. In each of the following situations the rate of the photosynthesis will decrease?
(a) Cloudy days (b) Good manuring in the area (c) Stomata get blocked due to dust
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SHORT ANSWER TYPE

Q1 Given below is an image of an experiment conducted by a student to understand
the process of respiration. He blows into a clear solution present in the test tube and
sees that it turns cloudy.

(a) What is the most likely substance present in the test tube?
(b) What could be the aim of his experiment?
(c) What kind of respiration is shown in the experiment? Justify your answer.
Q2. There are different nutrients required by the human body. These are in 3 major
categories of carbohydrates, fats and proteins (apart from vitamins, minerals and
roughage).
(a) Digestion of nutrient R happens in the stomach. Identify R.
(b) Consider fats and oils from your diet as large globules in your digestive tract.
Name the reaction that can help in making these easier to absorb.
(c)what is the difference in the kind of medium required for digestive enzymes in the
stomach and the small intestine to work?
Q3.In the digestive tract, food is moved forward by the rhythmic
contraction of muscles lining the tract. This process is called peristalsis.
list all the parts of the digestive tract in which peristalsis occurs.
Q4.Human systems work in coordination with each other. Pratik spent an
hour in the swimming pool and found himself breathing heavily.
(a) Name the:

(i) system/s that help his body regain normalcy

(ii) system/s that help the systems mentioned in (a-i) to function

(b) What can happen to the composition of Pratik's blood if the
system/s mentioned in (a-i) does/do not respond properly?

Q5. Illustrate with diagram the mechanism taking place when

(a) The guard cells swell when water flows in them
(b) The guard cells shrink when water leaves the cells.
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Q6. Human beings exhibit ‘double circulation’.

(a) state the route of the first and the second circulation through the chambers of the
heart .
(b) Name the (i) blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the
heart.
(ii) blood vessels that carry de oxygenated blood from the heat to the
lungs.
Q7. There are various muscles present in the human digestive system known as
sphincters. Two such examples are:
1. Pyloric sphincter – at the junction of stomach and small intestine.
2. Anal sphincter- at the anus. Write their functions.
LONG ANSWER TYPE
Q1 Aerobic respiration requires intake of oxygen to breakdown food to release
energy.
(a) Name the structures through which gaseous exchange takes place in plants and
human beings.
(b) Name the structures that controls the size of the chest cavity in humans to
facilitate exchange of gases.
(c) What is the process by which gas exchange occurs in plants?
(d) Why is the process named in (c) not sufficient to carry oxygen throughout human
body? How is this complemented in humans to ensure that oxygen is carried to all
parts of the body?
(e) Reactions in living systems can absorb heat or release heat. State whether the
heat energy is absorbed/ released during digestion. Also write the scientific term to
denote the same.
Q2. (a) Draw a diagram depicting human alimentary canal and label the
components- gall bladder, liver, and pancreas in it.
(b) State the role of pancreas in digestion of food.

Q3. (a) Draw a flow chart to show the breakdown of glucose by various pathways.
(b) Where does glycolysis and Krebs cycle occur in aerobic respiration?

CASE BASED / SOURCE BASED TYPE

Q1) Answer the questions based on the following information.
William Harvey (1578–1657) was one of the early biologists who studied the bodies
of humans and animals. He even dissected the bodies and did experiments with the
heart and blood vessels. He concluded from his experiments that the blood leaves
the heart through the arteries and returns via the veins. However, he could not
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explain how blood left the arteries to enter the veins. He said there must be some
structure between arteries and veins but he could not find them. Marcello Malpighi
(1628–1694) later discovered these structures while studying a dead frog's lungs
under a microscope.
Q.1.1 Which vessels connecting arteries and vein did Malpighi might have
discovered later while studying frogs under microscope?
Q.1.2 What is the most likely reason why Harvey could NOT find these structures?
Q1.3 Arteries have thicker walls than veins, but no valves. Why?
Q1.4 Which two chambers of the human heart have arteries connected to them?
Q2. Read the given passage and related study concepts answer the following
questions.
Lung cancer is the most widely known and most harmful effect of smoking :98% of
cases are associated with cigarette smoking. The damaging components of cigarette
smoke include tar, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide. Many of
these harmful chemicals occur in greater concentrations in side-stream smoke
(passive smoking) than in mainstream smoke (inhaled) due to the presence of a filter
in the cigarette.
2.1 Why is passive smoking more dangerous than active smoking?
2.2 (i) What are the consequences if the membranes of alveoli tear off due to chain
smoking?

(ii) lungs become weak making the person more susceptible to infections like
pneumonia.

Q3. Read the given passage and related study concepts answer the following
questions

This transport of soluble products of photosynthesis is called translocation and it

occurs in the part of the vascular tissue known as phloem. Besides the products of
photo-synthesis, the phloem transports amino acids and other substances. These
substances are especially delivered to the storage organs of roots, fruits and seeds
and to growing organs. The translocation of food and other substances takes place
in the sieve tubes with the help of adjacent companion cells both in upward and
downward directions. Unlike transport in xylem which can be largely explained by
simple physical forces, the translocation in phloem is achieved by utilising energy,
Material like sucrose is transferred into phloem tissue using energy from ATP. This
increases the osmotic pressure of the tissue causing water to move into it. This
pressure moves the material in the phloem to tissues which have less pressure. This
allows the phloem to move material according to the plant’s needs. For example, in
the spring, sugar stored in root or stem tissue would be transported to the buds
which need energy to grow.
3.1. The translocation of food in plants takes place in which direction?
3.2. What is the term given for the transportation of food in plants by phloem
elements?
3.3. Which main components of phloem help in the translocation process in plants?