LIFE PROCESSES

NCERT IN-TEXT QUESTION ANSWERS

Page no. 95

1. 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.
Diffusion cannot meet their oxygen requirements for the following reasons:
 The body is covered with dead cells.
 The living cells are not in direct contact with external environment.
 Air containing intercellular spaces is absent.
 Cell to cell diffusion is a very slow process.

2. What criteria do we use to decide whether something is alive?

Ans. Any visible movement such as walking, breathing, or growing is generally used to decide whether
something is alive or not. 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.

3: 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.

4. 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. 101

1. What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?
Ans
AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION
1. Food is self-manufactured. Food is obtained ready made from
outside.
2. An external source of energy is required An external source of energy is not
for synthesis of food. required.
 3. Chlorophyll is present for trapping light Chlorophyll is absent.
energy.
4. Organisms performing autotrophic Organisms performing heterotrophic
nutrition function as producers. nutrition function as consumers.
Examples- green plants, cyanobacteria, Examples- animals
some protists

2. Where does the plant get each of the raw materials for photosynthesis?
Ans
 Light – radiant energy absorbed by chlorophyll pigment.
 Carbon Dioxide- from air through stomata
 Water and minerals- from soil through root hairs.

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

Ans. Hydrochloric acid is component of gastric juice. It has following functions-
 Killing of germs present in food.
 Stops the action of salivary amylase.
 Converts inactive pepsinogen and prorennin into active pepsin and rennin.
 Provides acidic medium for the gastric enzymes to work.

4. What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Ans. Digestive enzymes are hydrolytic enzymes which bring about hydrolytic splitting of complex
organic substances into simple, soluble and absorbable substances.
Example- Starch digested by salivary amylase enzyme into maltose and maltose digested by maltase into
glucose.

5. How is small intestine designed to absorb digested food?

Ans. Small intestine is lined by epithelium which is specialized to absorb. It increases the absorbing
surface area several times.
VILLI- they are transverse folds of intestine wall that are richly supplied with blood capillaries and
lymphatic vessels for quick transport of absorbed food and also increases surface area for absorption.
MICROVILLI- The columnar cells of the intestinal epithelium have fine microscopic outgrowths called
microvilli. Microvilli increases surface area of epithelial cells.
Page no. 105

1. What advantage does a terrestrial organism possess over aquatic organism with regard to obtaining
oxygen for respiration?
Ans
i. Air contains about 21% of oxygen while water has less than 1% oxygen in dissolved state.
ii. Terrestrial organisms can take sufficient oxygen from the air to meet their high energy needs.
iii. The rate of diffusion of oxygen is also faster in air than in water.

2. What are the different ways in which glucose is oxidized to provide energy in various organisms?
Ans

3. How is oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in human beings?

Ans. OXYGEN-
i. 97% in combined state with haemoglobin called oxyhaemoglobin.
ii. 3% dissolved in blood plasma.
CARBON DIOXIDE-
i. 5-7% as dissolved in blood plasma.
ii. 70 % as sodium bicarbonate in blood plasma.
iii. 23% in combined state with haemoglobin called carbaminohaemoglobin.

4. How are lungs designed in human beings to maximize the area for exchange of gases?
Ans.
i. Each lung has a highly branched respiratory tract called respiratory tree.
ii. A primary bronchus divides and redivides to form a network called bronchial intercom that
terminates into alveolar sacs and alveoli.
iii. Alveoli are small, rounded pouches which are extremely thin walled and possess a network of blood
capillaries over their surface.
iv. They function as respiratory surfaces.
v. The total area of all the alveoli is more than 80 m2 which is several times more than the surface area
of the whole human body.

Page no. 110

1. What are the components of the transport system in human beings? What are the functions of these
components?
Ans: The transport/circulatory system in human beings consist of the following components:

Blood Vascular System

(i) Blood: The blood is the medium for transportation of all kinds of materials like oxygen, carbon dioxide,
digested food and waste material from one part of the body to the other. It consists of blood plasma and blood
cells (WBCs, RBCs and Platelets).
(ii) Blood Vessels: The intricate network of blood vessels consisting of arteries, veins and capillaries run through
the entire body and the transportation of materials like oxygen, carbon dioxide, digested food and waste material
from one part of the body to the other takes place through the blood vessels only.

(iii) Heart: The heart pumps the blood through the blood vessels. Deoxygenated blood containing Carbon
dioxide reaches the heart from different parts of the body and is pumped to the lungs through veins for releasing
carbon dioxide and for absorption of oxygen. Oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart from the lungs and is pumped
through arteries to the tissues and organs where oxygen is required.

Lymphatic System
(i) Lymph: It collects extra tissue fluid and passes it back to blood. It attracts and carries germs to lymph nodes.
It picks up tissue secretions and puts it into blood.

(ii) Lymph vessels: Collects lymph and drains into veins

(iii) Lymph nodes: Here lymph is filtered of germs. Lymphocytes mature in lymph nodes.

2. Why is it necessary to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in mammals and birds?
Ans: Mammals and birds are warm-blooded animals that keep their body temperature constant irrespective of
the environment they live in. This process requires a lot of oxygen for more cellular respiration so that warm
blooded animals produce more energy to balance their body temperature. Hence it is very important for warm
blooded animals to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to keep their circulatory system efficient.

3. What are the components of the transport system in highly organised plants?
Ans: In highly organised plants the transport system consists of the following two components.

(i) Xylem: The xylem consists of a network of vessels and elongated cells called tracheids. The xylem tissues
transport the water and other minerals absorbed from the soil by the roots to different parts of the plant.

(ii) Phloem: The Phloem tissue transports the soluble organic compounds (food) synthesized during
photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

4. How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Ans: Water and minerals are transported in plants by the following steps:
● Xylem transports water and minerals in the plant.
● Root hair is the hair found in the roots of plants. These root hairs absorb water and minerals from the soil
because they are in direct contact with the water film between the soil particles. Through the process of diffusion,
water enters the root hairs.
● The xylem is made up of small vessels that connect the roots and leaves. Xylem transports water, minerals
and nutrients from the soil to all the plant parts.
● The process by which water evaporates from the leaves and draws more water from the roots is called
‘transpiration’ which creates transpiration pull.
● Cohesive forces between water molecules and adhesive forces between water molecules and wall of xylem
vessels also help in the ‘Ascent of sap’.

5. How is food transported in plants?

Ans. The transport of food in plants is called translocation. It takes place with the help of a conducting tissue
called phloem. Phloem transports glucose, amino acids and other substances from leaves to root, shoot, fruits
and seeds. Sieve tubes and companion cells help in transporting the food in upward and downward directions.
Sucrose like material is transported using energy from ATP and osmotic pressure, which is caused due to water.
This pressure moves the material in the phloem to tissues which have less pressure (Mass flow). This pressure
helps in the movement of material in plants.
Page no. 112

1. Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.

Ans. The structure of nephron comprises two major portions:
(i) Renal Corpuscle

(ii)Renal Tubules

The mammalian nephron is a long tube-like structure, its length varying from 35–55 mm long. At one end, the
tube is closed, folded and expanded, into a double-walled, a cuplike structure called the Bowman’s
capsule which encloses a cluster of microscopic blood vessels called the glomerulus. This capsule and
glomerulus together constitute the renal corpuscle.

Renal Tubule
The renal tubule is a long and convoluted structure that emerges from the glomerulus and can be divided into
three parts based on function.

 The first part is called the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) due to its proximity to the glomerulus.
 The second part is called the loop of Henle.
 The third part of the renal tubule is called the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) which joins the Collecting
duct (CD).

Functioning Of Nephron

(i) Ultra filtration: The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery which branches into afferent
arterioles and then form capillaries called glomerulus inside the Bowman’s capsule. Water and solutes are
filtered under pressure, to the tubule (PCT) at the junction of Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus.
(ii) Reabsorption: The above filtrate passes through the renal tubules (PCT) where the major amount of
water, glucose, amino acids are selectively reabsorbed by the capillaries which are surrounding the tubule.
(iii) Secretion: Active secretion of substances like urea, uric acid, creatinine, excess salts by blood
capillaries into the regions of PCT and DCT.
(iv) Concentration of filtrate: Concentration of filtrate takes place in the DCT and collecting ducts under
the action of Anti Diuretic Hormone (ADH).

2. What are the methods used by plants to get rid of excretory products?
Ans. Wastes excreted from plants are:
(i) Gaseous wastes–through stomata pores CO2 is given out during respiration and O2 is given out
during photosynthesis.
(ii) Liquid wastes (water)–through stomata pores by transpiration.
(iii) Other wastes–are stored in leaves, barks and they are shed off.
Waste products like resins and gums are stored in old xylem of the plants and even some waste substances
are excreted by the roots in the soil.

3. How the amount of urine is produced regulated?

Ans. The amount of urine produced depends on how much excess water there is in the body and how much of
dissolved waste there is to be excreted. On a hot day, when we sweat and lose a lot of body water, most of the
water will be reabsorbed into the blood from the filtrate in the tubule under the action of Anti diuretic Hormone
in DCT and CD portions. Thus the volume of urine produced will be less.
In winters, when we do not sweat a lot, less water will be reabsorbed and the volume of urine produced
will be more.

NCERT CHAPTER END QUESTIONS ANSWERS

Page no. 113

1. The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for

(a) nutrition.
(b) respiration.
(c) excretion.
(d) transportation.
Answer
(c) In human beings, the kidneys are a part of the system for excretion.

2. The xylem in plants is responsible for

(a) transport of water.
(b) transport of food.
(c) transport of amino acids.
(d) transport of oxygen.
Answer
(a) In a plant, the xylem is responsible for transport of water.

3. The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires

(a) carbon dioxide and water.
(b) chlorophyll.
(c) sunlight.
(d) all of the above.
Answer
(d) The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight.

4. The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes place in
(a) cytoplasm.
(b) mitochondria.
(c) chloroplast.
(d) nucleus.
Answer
(b) The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes place in mitochondria.

5. How are fats digested in our body? Where does this process take place?
Ans. Stomach contains gastric lipase, but gastric lipase is a weak enzyme, hence fat digestion in stomach is
poor. In small intestine fat digestion occurs. Bile helps in the emulsification of fat. Emulsification helps in the
 conversion of fat into small droplets .Then it is acted over by pancreatic lipase and intestinal lipase. Lipase
breaks fat into fatty acid and glycerol.

6. What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?

Ans. Role of saliva-
i) Moistening and softening of food.
ii) Saliva contains enzyme salivary amylase or ptyalin which converts starch into maltose.
iii) Conversion of semisolid food into slippery bolus for easy swallowing.
iv) Saliva is antimicrobial in nature.

7. What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its by-products?
Ans Conditions-i) Carbon dioxide ii) Chlorophyll iii) Sunlight iv) Water v) Proper temperature.
Byproduct- Oxygen.

8. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name some organisms that use the
anaerobic mode of respiration.
Ans
Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration
Oxygen is present when this form of Oxygen is absent when this form of respiration
respiration takes place. takes place.
Respiratory substrate is completely Respiratory substrate is incompletely broken down
broken down.
It takes place in the cytoplasm and the mitochondria.
It can be found only in the cytoplasm.
Glucose breaks down into carbon dioxide and water.
Glucose breaks down into ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide
and energy.
All higher organisms such as mammals have this
Lower organisms such as bacteria and yeast use this type.
type of respiration. In other organisms, it occurs during heavy activities.

Anaerobic organisms -Lactobacillus, Taenia, Yeast.

9. How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?

Ans. The alveoli are the small balloon-like structures present in the lungs. The walls of the alveoli consist of
extensive network of blood vessels. Each lung contains 300−350 million alveoli, making
it a total of approximately 700 million in both the lungs. The alveolar surface when spread out covers about 80
m2 area. This large surface area makes the gaseous exchange more efficient.
10. What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies?
 Ans. Haemoglobin is the respiratory pigment that transports oxygen to the body cells for cellular respiration.
Therefore, deficiency of haemoglobin in blood can affect the oxygen supplying capacity of blood. This can
lead to deficiency of oxygen in the body cells. It can also lead to a disease called anaemia.

11. 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 de-oxygenated blood from the upper and lower
regions of the body respectively to the right atrium.
The right atrium then contracts and passes the de-oxygenated blood to the right ventricle through the atrio-
ventricular valve/ tricuspid valve.
Then the right ventricle contracts and passes the de-oxygenated blood into the two pulmonary arteries, which
pumps 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 atrio-ventricular valve/mitral valve, the oxygenated blood
enters the left ventricle.
The blood passes to aorta from the left ventricle. The aorta gives rise to many arteries that distribute the
oxygenated blood to all the regions of the body.
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 O2 for more respiration so that they can produce more energy to maintain their
body temperature. Thus, the circulatory system of humans is more efficient because of the double circulatory
heart.

12. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
Ans.

Transport of materials in xylem Transport of materials inphloem

Xylem tissue helps in the transport of water and

P Phloem tissue helps in the transport of food.
minerals.
W Water is transported upwards from roots to allF Food is transported in both upwardand downward
other plant parts. directions.

Transport in xylem occurs with the help ofTr Transport of food in phloem requires energy in the
simple physical forces such as transpiration. form of ATP.
13. Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure
and functioning.
Ans.
Alveoli Nephrons
Shape Rounded Elongated tubules
Components Alveoli are single entities Nephrons have two components- Bowman’s
capsule
Blood capillaries One type of blood capillaries found Three types of capillaries are associated
which lies all over alveoli with nephrons- glomerulus, peritubular
capillaries and vasa recta.
Function Alveoli are the site for exchange of Nephrons filter blood to form urine by
gases by diffusion. processes of ultrafiltration, reabsorption and
secretion.

________________________________________________________________________________________