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Worksheet (Life process)

Section A: Very Short Answer Question (1 mark each)
1.​ What is the basic unit of life? The basic unit of life is the cell.
2.​ Name the process by which green plants make their food. The process by which
green plants make their food is photosynthesis.
3.​ What is the role of saliva in digestion? Saliva moistens food, helps in chewing and
swallowing, and contains the enzyme amylase (ptyalin) which begins the digestion of
carbohydrates (starch).
4.​ Which organ in humans is responsible for filtering blood? The kidney is responsible
for filtering blood.
5.​ Name the pigment responsible for capturing sunlight during photosynthesis. The
pigment responsible for capturing sunlight during photosynthesis is chlorophyll.
Section B: Short Answer Questions. (2-3 marks each)
1.​ Differentiate between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition with examples.
○​ Autotrophic Nutrition: Organisms synthesize their own food from simple inorganic
substances (like CO2, water) using light or chemical energy. They are producers.
■​ Examples: Green plants, algae, cyanobacteria.
○​ Heterotrophic Nutrition: Organisms obtain their food by consuming other
organisms or organic matter. They are consumers.
■​ Examples: Animals, fungi, most bacteria.
2.​ What is the function of the epiglottis in the human body? The epiglottis is a flap of
cartilage located at the root of the tongue, guarding the entrance of the larynx (voice box)
and thus the trachea (windpipe). Its function is to prevent food and liquid from entering the
trachea and lungs during swallowing, ensuring they go down the esophagus instead.
3.​ Explain the importance of the villi in the small intestine. Villi are small, finger-like
projections that line the inner surface of the small intestine. Their importance lies in
significantly increasing the surface area for absorption of digested nutrients. Each villus
has a rich blood supply (capillaries) and lymphatic vessels (lacteal), allowing efficient
transfer of absorbed nutrients into the bloodstream and lymphatic system for distribution
throughout the body.
4.​ Write the balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration in humans. The
balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration is: C$6H{12}O_6$ (Glucose) +
6O$_2$ (Oxygen) \rightarrow 6CO$_2$ (Carbon Dioxide) + 6H$_2$O (Water) + Energy
(ATP)
5.​ What are the main components of blood and their functions? The main components
of blood are:
○​ Plasma: The liquid matrix of blood, primarily water, carrying dissolved proteins
(e.g., albumin, globulins, fibrinogen), hormones, nutrients, waste products, and
salts. Its function is to transport these substances throughout the body.
○​ Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes): Biconcave discs containing hemoglobin, which
binds to and transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and a small amount of
carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
○​ White Blood Cells (Leukocytes): Part of the immune system, responsible for
defending the body against infections and foreign substances. There are different
types (e.g., neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes) with specialized functions.
○​ Platelets (Thrombocytes): Small, irregular-shaped cell fragments involved in
blood clotting to stop bleeding.
 6.​ Why do herbivores have a longer small intestine compared to carnivores?
Herbivores primarily consume plant-based food, which is rich in cellulose. Cellulose is a
complex carbohydrate that is difficult to digest. A longer small intestine provides a larger
surface area and more time for the enzymes (often produced by symbiotic
microorganisms in their gut) to break down cellulose and absorb the maximum possible
nutrients from their fibrous diet. Carnivores, on the other hand, eat meat, which is easier
to digest, and thus they have a shorter small intestine.
7.​ A person breathes faster during exercise. Why? During exercise, muscles work harder
and require more energy. This increased energy demand leads to a higher rate of cellular
respiration, which consumes more oxygen and produces more carbon dioxide. To meet
the increased oxygen demand and remove the excess carbon dioxide, the body needs to
deliver oxygen to the muscles more quickly and efficiently, and expel carbon dioxide from
the body faster. Therefore, the respiratory rate (breathing faster) and heart rate increase
to facilitate greater gas exchange in the lungs and transport of gases to and from the
working muscles.
8.​ What will happen if the xylem in a plant is blocked? If the xylem in a plant is blocked,
the transport of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant
(stems, leaves, flowers) will be severely impeded or stopped. This will lead to:
○​ Wilting: The leaves will lose turgor pressure and droop due to lack of water.
○​ Reduced Photosynthesis: Water is a reactant in photosynthesis, so its scarcity
will reduce the plant's ability to produce food.
○​ Nutrient Deficiency: Essential minerals transported by xylem will not reach the
parts of the plant where they are needed for growth and metabolic processes.
○​ Eventually, death of the plant: Prolonged blockage will lead to dehydration and
nutrient starvation, ultimately causing the plant to die.
Section C: Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)
1.​ Explain the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the fundamental biochemical
process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into
chemical energy in the form of glucose (sugar). This process occurs primarily in the
chloroplasts of plant cells, specifically in the chlorophyll-containing thylakoids.The overall
balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO$_2$ (Carbon Dioxide) + 6H$_2O
(Water) + Light Energy $\rightarrow$ C6H{12}O_6$ (Glucose) + 6O$_2$ (Oxygen)The
process can be broadly divided into two main stages:1. Light-Dependent Reactions
(Light Reactions):
○​ Location: Occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts.
○​ Inputs: Light energy, water (H_2O), NADP$^+$, ADP + Pi.
○​ Process:
■​ Chlorophyll and other pigments absorb light energy.
■​ This energy is used to split water molecules (H_2O), a process called
photolysis, releasing oxygen (O_2) as a byproduct, protons (H^+), and
electrons.
■​ The excited electrons move through an electron transport chain, releasing
energy.
■​ This energy is used to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an
energy-carrying molecule, from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi).
■​ The electrons and protons are used to reduce NADP$^+$ to NADPH
(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), another energy-carrying
molecule.
 ○​ Outputs: ATP, NADPH, and O_2.
2. Light-Independent Reactions (Dark Reactions or Calvin Cycle):
○​ Location: Occur in the stroma (the fluid-filled space) of the chloroplasts.
○​ Inputs: Carbon dioxide (CO_2), ATP, NADPH.
○​ Process:
■​ Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is "fixed" (incorporated) into an existing
organic molecule (RuBP - ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) by the enzyme
RuBisCO. This is the carbon fixation phase.
■​ The resulting unstable 6-carbon compound quickly splits into two 3-carbon
molecules (3-PGA - 3-phosphoglycerate).
■​ ATP and NADPH (produced during the light reactions) are used to convert
3-PGA into G3P (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate). This is the reduction phase.
■​ Some G3P molecules are used to synthesize glucose and other organic
compounds (like starch, cellulose, proteins, fats) that serve as food for the
plant.
■​ The remaining G3P molecules are used to regenerate RuBP, consuming
more ATP, so the cycle can continue. This is the regeneration phase.
○​ Outputs: Glucose (C_6H_{12}O_6), NADP$^+$, ADP + Pi.
In summary, photosynthesis is a vital process that converts light energy into chemical energy,
providing the primary source of food for nearly all life on Earth and releasing oxygen into the
atmosphere, which is essential for aerobic respiration.