Ch-5 Life Processes: Nutrition

Class: 10 Subject: Biology

Key Concepts:

1. Autotrophic Nutrition:

1. Autotrophic Nutrition: It is the mode of nutrition in which organisms make their own food
using inorganic substances like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), through processes such
as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Types of Autotrophs:

i) Green Plants (photoautotrophs): Use photosynthesis to make food.

ii) Chemosynthetic Bacteria (chemoautotrophs): Use chemosynthesis to produce food from

chemicals (Sulphur or Methane).

Photosynthesis (in plants):

Photosynthesis is the process where plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) and
water (H₂O) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂).
This process primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where the pigment chlorophyll
absorbs sunlight.

Equation:

Chemosynthesis (in some bacteria):

Some bacteria (e.g., sulphur bacteria) produce food by oxidizing inorganic substances like
sulphur or methane, instead of using sunlight.
Example: Sulfur bacteria use hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) to produce glucose.

Importance of Autotrophic Nutrition:

i) Energy Source: Autotrophs are the primary producers in ecosystems, providing the foundation
for all food chains.

ii) Oxygen Production: Photosynthesis produces oxygen, which is vital for the respiration of
animals and other organisms.

ii) Carbon Fixation: Plants help in converting carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) into oxygen
and organic compounds, playing a key role in regulating the Earth's climate.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis:

i) Light: The intensity and quality of light affect the rate of photosynthesis.

ii) Carbon Dioxide: Higher levels of CO₂ can increase the rate of photosynthesis.
iii) Water: Adequate water is necessary for photosynthesis as it is one of the reactants.

iv) Temperature: Photosynthesis occurs optimally within a certain temperature range.

2. Heterotrophic Nutrition:

Key Concepts:

1. Heterotrophic Nutrition: It is the mode of nutrition in which organisms depend on other

organisms (plants or animals) for their food.

2. Types of Heterotrophs:

Herbivores: Animals that feed on plants (e.g., cows, goats).

Carnivores: Animals that feed on other animals (e.g., lions, tigers).

Omnivores: Organisms that eat both plants and animals (e.g., humans, bears).

Saprophytes: Organisms (like fungi and certain bacteria) that feed on dead and decaying
organic matter.

Parasites: Organisms that live on or inside another organism (host) and obtain food from it,
often harming the host in the process (e.g., tapeworms, lice).

3. Modes of Heterotrophic Nutrition:

Ingestion: Organisms take in food (e.g., herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).

Digestion: The food is broken down into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the organism.

i) Extracellular Digestion: Occurs outside the cells in a digestive system (e.g., in animals,
humans).

ii) Intracellular Digestion: Occurs within the cell (e.g., in some protists like amoeba).

Absorption: The nutrients from digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream or cells.

Assimilation: The absorbed nutrients are used by the organism for growth, energy, and repair.

Egestion: Removal of undigested food from the body (e.g., through the anus).

Example of Heterotrophic Nutrition in Humans:

Humans are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. The process of digestion
starts in the mouth, continues in the stomach, and ends in the small intestine, where nutrients
are absorbed into the blood. The remaining waste is excreted through the anus.

Saprophytic Nutrition (in fungi and bacteria):

Saprophytes feed on dead and decaying organic material. They secrete digestive enzymes
outside their body, break down the organic matter, and absorb the nutrients. For example, fungi
decompose dead plant matter and recycle nutrients into the environment.

Parasitic Nutrition:

Parasites obtain food from their host. They may live inside the host’s body or on its surface.
Parasites do not perform photosynthesis or digestion like other organisms, and often harm their
host (e.g., tapeworms, lice).

Question and Answer:

1. What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?

Autotrophic Nutrition: In autotrophic nutrition, organisms produce their own food from simple
substances. They use sunlight (in the case of plants) or inorganic substances (like hydrogen
sulfide in some bacteria) to make food through processes like photosynthesis or
chemosynthesis. Examples include plants and algae.

Heterotrophic Nutrition: In heterotrophic nutrition, organisms obtain their food from other
organisms. They cannot synthesize their own food and depend on plants or animals for
nutrition. Examples include animals, fungi, and most bacteria.

2. Where do plants get each of the raw materials required for photosynthesis?

Water (H₂O): Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through small openings in
their leaves called stomata.

Sunlight: Plants absorb sunlight through the chlorophyll in their leaves.

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

The acid in our stomach, mainly hydrochloric acid (HCl), serves several important functions:

i) It helps in digestion by creating an acidic environment, which activates digestive enzymes like
pepsin.

ii) It kills harmful microorganisms that may enter the stomach with food.

iii) It helps in the denaturation of proteins, making it easier for enzymes to break down proteins
into smaller molecules.

4. What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down complex food substances (like proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats) into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body.
For examples:
i) Amylase breaks down starches into sugars.
ii) Protease (like pepsin) breaks down proteins into amino acids.
iii) Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
5. How is the small intestine designed to absorb digested food?
The small intestine is designed for efficient absorption of digested food through several
adaptations:

i) Villi and Microvilli: The inner lining of the small intestine has tiny finger-like projections called
villi, and these are covered with even smaller projections called microvilli. These structures
greatly increase the surface area for absorption.

ii) Thin walls: The walls of the villi are very thin, allowing nutrients to easily pass into the blood
vessels.

iii) Rich blood supply: The villi have a rich network of blood vessels, which helps in the transport
of absorbed nutrients into the bloodstream for distribution to various parts of the body.

6. Draw the following diagrams.

a) Cross section of a leaf. c) Nutrition in amoeba.
b) Open and closed stomatal pore. d) Human alimentary canal.

a) b)

c) d)