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Artifically Generated formula sheets and e-notes for CBSE.

Chapter: Life Processes | Type: E-Notes

Subject: Biology | Grade: 10

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Life Processes - E-Notes (Class 10 Biology, NCERT)

Introduction

Living organisms perform several basic functions to maintain their life. These

functions are essential for survival and are collectively known as life

processes. These include nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion, and

others. In this chapter, we will study these fundamental life processes in

detail.

1. What are Life Processes?

Life processes are the basic processes which are necessary for an organism to

stay alive. They are the set of functions that living organisms perform to

survive and maintain themselves. Even when we are seemingly doing

nothing, these processes are continuously happening within our bodies.

Key Life Processes:

 Nutrition: The process of taking in nutrients and utilizing them for energy

and growth.

Respiration: The process of releasing energy from food molecules by

breaking them down.

Transportation: The process of carrying substances like nutrients, oxygen,

carbon dioxide, and waste products throughout the body.

Excretion: The process of removing metabolic waste products from the

body.

Why are these processes essential? Because living organisms are complex

and organized structures that constantly face environmental changes and

need energy to maintain their organization and function. These processes

work together to keep the organism alive and functioning.

2. Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of obtaining and utilizing nutrients. Nutrients are

substances that an organism needs for energy, growth, and repair of tissues.

Need for Nutrition:

Energy: To perform various life activities.

Building Materials: For growth, development, and repair of tissues.

Regulation of Body Functions: Nutrients help in regulating various metabolic

activities.

Modes of Nutrition: There are mainly two modes of nutrition:

2.1 Autotrophic Nutrition

Definition: In autotrophic nutrition, organisms make their own food from

simple inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water.

Organisms: Green plants and some bacteria (cyanobacteria) are autotrophs.

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants prepare their own food

using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

Photosynthesis Equation:

6CO_2 + 6H_2O --(Sunlight, Chlorophyll)--> C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2

CO_2: Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

H_2O: Water absorbed from the soil.

Sunlight: Energy source.

Chlorophyll: Green pigment in leaves that absorbs sunlight.

C_6H_12O_6: Glucose (carbohydrate), food for the plant.

O_2: Oxygen released into the atmosphere.

Events of Photosynthesis:
 1. Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll.

2. Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water

molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

3. Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates (like glucose).

Significance of Photosynthesis:

Primary source of food for all living organisms (directly or indirectly).

Releases oxygen, which is essential for respiration of most organisms.

Maintains the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere.

2.2 Heterotrophic Nutrition

Definition: In heterotrophic nutrition, organisms cannot make their own food

and depend on other organisms (plants or animals) for food.

Organisms: Animals, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs.

Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition:

Holozoic Nutrition: Organisms ingest solid food and then digest and

absorb it. This involves steps like ingestion, digestion, absorption,

assimilation, and egestion.

Examples: Amoeba, humans, animals.

Saprophytic Nutrition: Organisms obtain nutrients from dead and

decaying organic matter. They secrete digestive enzymes onto the food and

then absorb the digested nutrients.

Examples: Fungi (like mushrooms, bread mold), many bacteria.

Parasitic Nutrition: Organisms derive nutrition from the body of another

living organism (host) without killing it. The parasite benefits, while the host is

harmed.

Examples: Cuscuta (plant parasite), tapeworm, leeches, lice.

Nutrition in Amoeba (Holozoic):

Amoeba is a unicellular organism that obtains food through phagocytosis.

1. Ingestion: Amoeba extends pseudopodia (false feet) to engulf the food

particle.

2. Digestion: The food is enclosed in a food vacuole. Digestive enzymes from

lysosomes break down the food into simpler substances within the food

vacuole.

3. Absorption: Digested food is absorbed into the cytoplasm.

4. Assimilation: Absorbed food is used for energy, growth, and maintenance.

5. Egestion: Undigested food is expelled out from the body surface.

Nutrition in Human Beings (Holozoic):

Human beings have a complex digestive system called the alimentary canal.
1. Ingestion: Food is taken in through the mouth.

2. Digestion: Breakdown of complex food molecules into simpler, absorbable

forms. This occurs in different parts of the alimentary canal with the help of

digestive enzymes.

Mouth:

Mechanical Digestion: Teeth break down food into smaller pieces

(chewing).

Chemical Digestion: Saliva from salivary glands contains salivary

amylase, which starts the digestion of carbohydrates (starch) into sugars.

Oesophagus (Food Pipe): Food moves down through peristaltic

movements (wave-like contractions) to the stomach.

Stomach:

Gastric glands secrete gastric juice containing:

Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Kills bacteria and creates an acidic medium

for pepsin.

Pepsin: Enzyme that digests proteins into smaller peptides.

Mucus: Protects the stomach lining from the action of acid and

pepsin.

Churning of food mixes it with gastric juice.

Small Intestine: Longest part of the alimentary canal, site of complete

digestion and absorption.

Receives secretions from:

Liver: Secretes bile juice (stored in gallbladder), which emulsifies fats

(breaks down large fat globules into smaller ones).

Pancreas: Secretes pancreatic juice containing enzymes:

Pancreatic amylase: Digests remaining carbohydrates.

Trypsin: Digests proteins.

Lipase: Digests fats.

Intestinal glands in the intestinal wall also secrete intestinal juice

containing enzymes that complete the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins,

and fats into glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids and glycerol, respectively.

Large Intestine: Absorbs water from undigested food. The remaining

waste material is temporarily stored in the rectum.

3. Absorption: Digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream mainly in

the small intestine.

Villi and Microvilli: The inner lining of the small intestine has finger-like

projections called villi, which further have microscopic projections called

microvilli. These increase the surface area for efficient absorption.

4. Assimilation: Absorbed nutrients are transported to body cells and utilized

for energy, growth, and repair.

5. Egestion: Undigested and unabsorbed food material is removed from the

body through the anus as faeces.

3. Respiration

Respiration is the process of breaking down food molecules (like glucose) to

release energy that cells can use to perform various activities. This energy is
stored in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), the energy currency of

the cell.

Types of Respiration:

3.1 Aerobic Respiration

Definition: Respiration that takes place in the presence of oxygen.

Organisms: Most organisms, including humans, animals, and plants, use

aerobic respiration.

Process: Glucose is completely broken down into carbon dioxide and water,

releasing a significant amount of energy.

Aerobic Respiration Equation:

C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 --> 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + Energy (ATP)

Stages of Aerobic Respiration (simplified):

1. Glycolysis: Breakdown of glucose into pyruvate in the cytoplasm.

2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): Pyruvate is converted into carbon dioxide

and other products inside the mitochondria.

3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC): Electrons are passed along a series of

carriers, and the energy released is used to generate ATP in the mitochondria.

Location: Cytoplasm (Glycolysis) and Mitochondria (Krebs cycle ETC).

 End Products: Carbon dioxide (CO_2), water (H_2O), and a large amount of

energy (ATP).

3.2 Anaerobic Respiration

Definition: Respiration that takes place in the absence of oxygen.

Organisms: Some microorganisms like yeast and some bacteria, and also

muscle cells during strenuous exercise, use anaerobic respiration.

Process: Glucose is incompletely broken down, releasing less energy than

aerobic respiration. The end products vary depending on the organism.

Types of Anaerobic Respiration:

Lactic Acid Fermentation: In some bacteria and muscle cells (during

strenuous exercise), pyruvate is converted into lactic acid.

Equation (Lactic Acid Fermentation):

C_6H_12O_6 --> 2 Lactic acid + Energy (ATP)

Accumulation of lactic acid in muscles causes cramps.

Alcoholic Fermentation: In yeast, pyruvate is converted into ethanol

(alcohol) and carbon dioxide.

 Equation (Alcoholic Fermentation):

C_6H_12O_6 --> 2 Ethanol + 2CO_2 + Energy (ATP)

Location: Cytoplasm.

End Products: Lactic acid (in lactic acid fermentation) or Ethanol and carbon

dioxide (in alcoholic fermentation), and a small amount of energy (ATP).

Respiration in Human Beings:

Humans have a well-developed respiratory system.

1. Breathing (Ventilation): Movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Inhalation: Taking in air.

Diaphragm contracts and moves down.

Rib cage moves outwards and upwards.

Volume of chest cavity increases, pressure decreases, air rushes into

lungs.

Exhalation: Giving out air.

Diaphragm relaxes and moves up to its dome shape.

Rib cage moves inwards and downwards.

Volume of chest cavity decreases, pressure increases, air moves out of

lungs.

2. Respiratory System:
 Nasal Passage: Air enters through nostrils, is filtered by hair and mucus,

and warmed and moistened.

Pharynx and Larynx (Voice Box): Air passes through these regions.

Trachea (Windpipe): Cartilaginous rings prevent it from collapsing.

Bronchi: Trachea divides into two bronchi, each entering a lung.

Bronchioles: Bronchi further divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles.

Alveoli: Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. They are

surrounded by blood capillaries. This is the site of gas exchange.

Lungs: Pair of organs in the chest cavity.

Diaphragm: Muscular sheet below the lungs, helps in breathing.

3. Exchange of Gases:

Oxygen from alveolar air diffuses into blood capillaries and binds with

haemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs) to form oxyhaemoglobin.

Carbon dioxide from blood diffuses into alveoli to be exhaled out.

4. Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide:

Oxygen is carried by haemoglobin in RBCs as oxyhaemoglobin to all body

cells.

Carbon dioxide is transported in dissolved form in plasma and as

bicarbonate ions, and also bound to haemoglobin (carbaminohaemoglobin)

from body cells back to the lungs.

Respiration in Plants:

Plants also respire to obtain energy.

 Plants obtain oxygen through stomata in leaves, lenticels in stems, and root

surfaces.

Gas exchange occurs through diffusion.

Respiration occurs in all parts of the plant.

Oxygen is used to break down glucose, and carbon dioxide and water are

released as byproducts.

The rate of respiration in plants is generally slower than in animals.

4. Transportation

Transportation is the process of moving substances like nutrients, water,

oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and waste products from one part of the

body to another.

Transportation in Human Beings (Circulatory System):

Humans have a complex circulatory system, which is responsible for

transportation.

1. Heart: Muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Structure: Four chambers - two atria (receiving chambers) and two

ventricles (pumping chambers).

Right Atrium Right Ventricle: Deal with deoxygenated blood.

 Left Atrium Left Ventricle: Deal with oxygenated blood.

Valves: Prevent backflow of blood (e.g., valves between atria and

ventricles, and in major arteries).

Function: Pumps blood through two main circuits:

Pulmonary Circulation: Heart to lungs and back to heart (for

oxygenation).

Systemic Circulation: Heart to all body parts (except lungs) and back to

heart (to deliver oxygen and collect carbon dioxide).

Double Circulation: Blood passes through the heart twice in one

complete cycle, ensuring efficient oxygen supply.

2. Blood Vessels: Network of tubes through which blood flows.

Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to different organs.

They have thick, elastic walls.

Aorta: Main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle.

Pulmonary artery: Exception - carries deoxygenated blood from the

right ventricle to the lungs.

Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood from organs back to the heart. They

have thin walls and valves to prevent backflow of blood.

Vena cava: Main vein bringing deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Pulmonary vein: Exception - carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to

the left atrium.

Capillaries: Extremely thin-walled vessels connecting arteries and veins.

They are the site of exchange of substances between blood and tissues.

3. Blood: Fluid connective tissue.

 Components:

Plasma: Fluid matrix, contains water, proteins, salts, nutrients, waste

products, hormones.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or Erythrocytes: Contain haemoglobin, carry

oxygen.

White Blood Cells (WBCs) or Leucocytes: Fight infection and diseases

(part of immune system).

Platelets or Thrombocytes: Help in blood clotting.

Functions:

Transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, waste products,

hormones.

Regulation of body temperature.

Protection against diseases (WBCs and antibodies).

Blood clotting (platelets).

4. Lymphatic System (Briefly):

Lymph: Fluid similar to blood plasma but without RBCs, contains WBCs.

Lymph Vessels and Lymph Nodes: Network of vessels and nodes.

Functions: Drain excess tissue fluid back into the blood, transport fats

from intestine, part of the immune system (lymph nodes filter lymph and

contain lymphocytes).

Transportation in Plants:

Plants have a vascular system for transportation.

1. Xylem: Tissue for the transport of water and minerals from roots to other

parts of the plant (mainly upwards).

Consists of tracheids and vessels (dead cells with thick walls).

Water and mineral movement is unidirectional (upwards).

Transpiration Pull: Evaporation of water from leaves creates a suction

force (transpiration pull) that draws water upwards through the xylem.

2. Phloem: Tissue for the transport of food (sugars) produced in leaves to

other parts of the plant (bidirectional movement).

Consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and

phloem fibres.

Food transport is bidirectional (upwards and downwards).

Translocation: Movement of food from leaves to other parts of the plant

using energy (ATP).

Transpiration:

Definition: Loss of water in the form of vapour from the aerial parts of the

plant (mainly leaves).

Importance:

Helps in absorption and upward movement of water and minerals

(transpiration pull).

Cools the plant surface (evaporative cooling).

Maintains cell turgidity.

 Factors Affecting Transpiration: Temperature, humidity, wind speed, light

intensity.

5. Excretion

Excretion is the process of removing metabolic waste products from the body.

These waste products are produced as a result of various metabolic activities

in the body and are toxic if accumulated.

Excretion in Human Beings (Excretory System):

Humans have a well-developed excretory system to remove nitrogenous

wastes (like urea and uric acid).

1. Excretory System:

Kidneys (pair): Main excretory organs. Filter blood to remove nitrogenous

wastes and form urine.

Ureters (pair): Tubes that carry urine from kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder: Stores urine temporarily.

Urethra: Tube through which urine is expelled out of the body.

2. Nephron (Functional Unit of Kidney): Each kidney contains millions of

nephrons.

Structure:

Bowman's capsule: Cup-shaped upper end of nephron, encloses

glomerulus.

Glomerulus: Network of blood capillaries inside Bowman's capsule, site

of filtration.

Renal tubule: Long coiled tube with different parts (proximal

convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct).

Function (Urine Formation):

1. Glomerular Filtration: Blood is filtered in the glomerulus under

pressure. Small molecules like water, glucose, salts, urea pass into Bowman's

capsule (glomerular filtrate). Large molecules like proteins remain in blood.

2. Tubular Reabsorption: Useful substances like glucose, amino acids,

water, and salts are selectively reabsorbed from the filtrate back into the

blood capillaries surrounding the renal tubule.

3. Tubular Secretion: Waste products like excess salts, urea, and other

substances are secreted from blood capillaries into the renal tubule to be

removed in urine.

3. Urine Composition: Water, urea, salts, uric acid, creatinine, etc.

4. Artificial Kidney (Dialysis): Procedure used to filter blood artificially when

kidneys fail. Blood from the patient is passed through a dialysis machine,

which filters out waste products, and the cleaned blood is returned to the

patient's body.

Excretion in Plants:

Plants have simpler mechanisms for excretion as compared to animals.

 Waste Products in Plants:

Gaseous wastes: Carbon dioxide (during respiration) and oxygen (during

photosynthesis) are removed through stomata and lenticels.

Water: Excess water is removed by transpiration.

Other metabolic wastes: Resins, gums, latex, tannins, alkaloids, etc., are

stored in different parts like bark, leaves, fruits, seeds, vacuoles.

Methods of Excretion:

Stomata and Lenticels: For gaseous waste removal.

Transpiration: For water removal.

Shedding of Leaves: Some waste products are stored in leaves and are

removed when leaves fall off.

Bark: Waste products can be deposited in bark, which is shed

periodically.

Secretion: Plants secrete some waste products in the form of gums,

resins, latex.

Excretion into Soil: Some waste products may be excreted into the soil

around the roots.

This concludes the E-Notes on the chapter "Life Processes". Review these

notes carefully to understand the key concepts and processes essential for

life.