Thakur Educational Trust’s (Regd)

THAKUR VIDYA MANDIR HIGH SCHOOL & JR. COLLEGE

Classwork notes 2020-2021
Subject: Science.
Chapter 2. Life processes in living organisms (Part -I)
Std 10 (Part 2 textbook)
Name: _____________________ STD: IX Div.: _____ Roll No: _____

Question 1:

Fill in the blanks and explain the statements.

a. After complete oxidation of a glucose molecules, 38 number of ATP molecules are formed.
b. At the end of glycolysis pyruvic acid, ATP, NADH2 and water molecules are obtained.
c. Genetic recombination occurs in pachytene phase of prophase of meiosis-I.
d. All chromosomes are arranged parallel to equatorial plane of cell in metaphase phase of
mitosis.
e. For formation of plasma membrane, phospholipid molecules are necessary.
f. Our muscle cells perform anaerobic type of respiration during exercise.

Question 2:

Write definitions.
a. Nutrition
b. Nutrients
c. Proteins
d. Cellular respiration
e. Aerobic respiration
f. Glycolysis
ANSWER:

a. Nutrition: The process by which organisms take up nutrients and utilise these nutrients for
various biological activities is called nutrition. Nutrition can be categorised as autotrophic or
heterotrophic. Autotrophic nutrition refers to the process by which organisms synthesise their
own food from inorganic raw materials, for example, green plants and some bacteria.
In heterotrophic nutrition, the organisms are unable to use light energy for the synthesis of
food and are dependent on other organisms to fulfil their energy requirements.

b. Nutrients: Nutrient is a substance available in food that helps us to stay healthy. The main
nutrients available in food are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and roughage.

c. Proteins: Proteins are a type of biomolecules which are made up of amino acids. A protein
is made up of several amino acids which are linked together by peptide bonds. They play
various roles like help in body building, repairing worn out cells and keeping us healthy.

d. Cellular respiration: Cellular respiration is a process in which respiratory substrates such as

starch, glucose, fats and proteins are broken down to release energy. This energy is then
trapped for the synthesis of ATP to release CO2.

e. Aerobic respiration: Cellular respiration occurs by two processes i.e. aerobic and anaerobic
respiration. The process by which the breakdown of carbohydrates occurs in the presence of
oxygen resulting in the release of energy in the form of ATP is called aerobic respiration.

f. Glycolysis is the first step in respiration. In this step, six-carbon glucose is broken down
into a three-carbon molecule called pyruvate. This does not require oxygen. One glucose
molecule produces 2 pyruvate molecules.
Question 3:

Distinguish between
a. Glycolysis and TCA cycle.
b. Mitosis and meiosis.
c. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
ANSWER:

a.

Krebs Cycle/TCA cycle Glycolysis

It is a cyclic pathway. It is a linear pathway.

Substrate is acetyl-CoA. Substrate is glucose.

Occurs in mitochondria Occurs in the cytoplasm

It produces NADH2, FADH2, CO2 and water. It produces pyruvic acid,

NADH2, ATP and water.

Occurs only in eukaryotes Occurs in eukaryotes as well as

in prokaryotes
b.
Anaerobic respiration
It takes place in absence
(i) oxygen and produces less
energy.
It involves the partial
(ii)
breakdown of glucose.
(iii) Alcohol is the end product.
c.
Mitosis
(i) It involves single division,
resulting in the formation
of two daughter cells.
(ii) It is also known as
equational division as the
daughter cell has the same
number of chromosomes as
the parent cell.
(iii) The prophase stage is short
and does not comprise of
synapsis, crossing over,
and the formation of
chiasmata.
(iv) It plays a significant role in
cell growth, repair, and
healing of wounds.
(v) It mainly takes place in the
somatic cells.
Aerobic Respiration
It takes place in presence
(i) of oxygen and produces
more energy.
It involves the complete
(ii) breakdown of glucose into
CO2 and H2O.
Carbon dioxide and water
(iii)
are the end products.
Meiosis
(i) It involves two successive
divisions, namely meiosis I and
II, resulting in the formation of four
daughter cells.
(ii) Meiosis I is known as reductional
division where the chromosome
number is reduced to half. Meiosis
II is known as equational division
where the sister chromatids
separate while the chromosome
number remains the same.
(iii) Prophase I stage is very long. It
comprises of five stages. In the
zygotene stage of meiosis I, the
pairing of homologous
chromosomes takes place. During
the pachytene stage, crossing over
occurs while in the diplotene stage,
chiasmata formation occurs.
(iv) It brings about variation and
maintains constant chromosome
number from one generation to
another.
(v) It mainly takes place in the
reproductive cells.
Question 4:

Give scientific reasons.

a. Oxygen is necessary for complete oxidation of glucose.
b. Fibers are one of the important nutrients.
c. Cell division is one of the important properties of cells and organisms.
d. Sometimes, higher plants and animals too perform anaerobic respiration.
e. Kreb's cycle is also known as citric acid cycle.
ANSWER:

a. Glucose can be used by two pathways i.e. aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Glucose is
completely oxidised only in the presence of oxygen and results in the release of energy. It
undergoes three steps to finally reach its fate - glycolysis, Kreb's cycle and electron transport
chain reaction. In anaerobic respiration, glucose undergoes partial oxidation and results in the
release of energy which is comparitvely less to the energy released during aerobic respiration.

b. Fibers are one of the imporatant nutrients beacuse they help in the digestion of foods
although they themselves are not digestable. They help in the egestion of undigested
substannces which is also a reason why we are advised to have fiber rich food in case of
constipation. Fibers are naturally present in leafy vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc.

c. Cell division is is one of the important properties of cells and organisms because:

• it is the means of asexual reproduction in unicellular organisms

• the zygote which is formed of single cell, transforms into an adult composed of
millions of cells formed by successive divisions
• it is the basis of repair for old and worn out tissues
• it also results regeneration of organisms
• it forms the basis of evolution to various life forms

d. When availability of oxygen is limited, higher animals and plants can also show anaerobic
respiration. For example, during exercise the availability of oxygen to the muscles is limited,
as a result of which they undergo anaerobic respiration and results in the production of lactic
acid. Similarly, plants may also show anaerobic respiration in case of water-logged roots and
result in the production of ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide and energy. Although the energy
obtained through anaerobic respiration is less as compared to the energy released during
aerobic respiration.

e. Krebs cycle is also known as citric acid cycle because the first product formed during the
cycle is citric acid. Citric acid is formed by the condensation of an acetyl group with
oxaloacetic acid and water.
Question 5:

Answer in detail.
a. Explain the glycolysis in detail.
b. With the help of suitable diagrams, explain the mitosis in detail.
c. With the help of suitable diagrams, explain the five stages of prophase-I of meiosis.
d. How all the life processes contribute to the growth and development of the body?

ANSWER:

a. Glycolysis was first given by Embden, Meyerhof and Parnas, and is referred to as EMP
pathway. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and is present in all living
organisms.

In this pathway, glucose undergoes partial oxidation to form two molecules of pyruvic acid,
which can enter either Krebs cycle (in the case of aerobic respiration) or fermentation
pathway (in the case of anaerobic respiration). In the course of conversion of glucose into
pyruvic acid, energy is produced in the form of two molecules of ATP, NADH2 and water is
formed.

b.

Mitosis is the process of equational cell division where daughter cells, so produced, contain
an equal number of chromosomes as that in the parent cell. The various stages of mitosis in
an animal cell are as follows:

(i) Prophase: It is the first stage of mitosis that is marked by the initiation of the
condensation of chromosomal material. Each chromosome is composed of two chromatids,
which are attached by the centromere. Centrioles duplicate and each centriole moves to
opposite poles of the cells. The nuclear membrane and the nucleolus start to disappear.
(ii) Metaphase: It is the second stage of mitosis in which the condensation of the
chromosomal material gets complete. Nuclear membrane completely disappears. All
chromosomes are arranged parallel to equatorial plane of the cell. Spindle fibers are formed
between centromere of each chromosome and both centrioles.

(iii) Anaphase: It is the stage of mitosis where the centromere of the chromosomes split and
the sister chromatids of each chromosome get separated. The contraction of the spindle fibres
moves the sister chromatid apart, towards the two opposite poles. Separated sister chromatids
are called as daughter chromosomes.

(iv) Telophase: It is the last stage of mitosis. In this stage, chromosomes finally reach their
respective poles and start to decondense due to which they again become thread-like thin and
invisible. Nuclear membrane is formed around each set of chromosomes reached at poles.
Thus, two daughter nuclei are formed in a cell. Nucleolus also appear in each daughter
nucleus. Spindle fibers completely disappear.
c. Prophase I is the longest phase of meiosis and is further sub divided into 5 phases:

Leptotene − Condensation makes chromosomes become distinct and compact.

Zygotene − Homologous chromosomes start pairing together by a process called synapsis to

form a complex structure called synaptonemal complex. Two synapsed homologous
chromosomes form a complex called bivalent or tetrad.

Pachytene − Longest phase of prophase I

Recombination nodules appear in this stage at the sites where crossing over has to take place
between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.

Diplotene − Synaptonemal complex dissolves and recombinants separate from each other
except at crossover sites to form X-shaped structure called chiasmata.

Diakinesis − Chiasmata terminalizes and chromosomes condense. Meiotic spindle assembles

and nucleolus and nuclear envelope disappear.

d. Life processes are processes which are required to maintain body functions and are
necessary for survival. The important life processes are nutrition, transportation, metabolism,
reproduction, respiration, and excretion. All these processes work together and result in the
growth and development of the body. For example, nutrition is the process by which we take
up nutrients which are used by the cells to meet their respective needs. This is a vital process
which helps living beings to obtain their energy from various sources. Respiration is
associated with the exchange of gases as well as burning of food. It results in the breakdown
of glucose and release of oxygen. Similarly, cell cycle and cell division play an important
role in the growth and development of the organisms. They help in the formation of new
organisms as well as repair of dead and damaged cells and tissues.

Question 6:

How energy is formed from oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins? Correct the
diagram given below.
ANSWER:

Carbohydrates are the major sources of energy and this energy is produced in the form of
ATP. Glucose which is a type of carbohydrate undergoes oxidation in the presence of oxygen
to produce ATP. It undergoes three steps to get completely oxidised and the end products
which are obtained are CO2, energy and water. Glucose may also undergo anaerobic
respiration under certain circumstances.
Proteins are biomolecules which are made up of several amino acids that are joined together
by peptide bonds. For every 1 gram of protein which is digested 4 Kcal energy is released.
Proteins are digested and broken down into amino acids which are then absorbed by the
various cells of the body. These amino acids are then used for the synthesis of proteins
required by cells and the body.
Fats are molecules which are made up of fatty acids and alcohol. Digestion of fats yield fatty
acids and alcohol which are absorbed by the cells and used as per their requirement.