CLASS X

CHAPTER= LIFE PROCESSES

Q. In single celled organisms diffusion is sufficient to meet all their requirements of
food, exchange of gases or removal of wastes but it is not in case of multicellular
organisms. Explain the reason for this difference.

Ans. Unicellular organisms can absorb sufficient oxygen because of its complete contact with
the atmosphere, but in multicellular organisms the rate of absorption and diffusion becomes
very less because all cells are not in direct contact with the atmosphere. Multicellular organisms
require greater amount of oxygen to sustain life processes which cannot be fulfilled by the
process of diffusion.

Q. What are bio-catalysts? Give examples.

Ans. Bio-catalysts are the enzymes which are used to break down complex substances into
simpler ones. For E.g., amylase, pepsin, trypsin etc.

Q. Name the internal energy reserve in plants and animals.

Ans. Starch is the internal energy reserve in plants and glycogen is the internal energy
reserve in animals.

❖ Autotrophic Nutrition

Q. State the events that occur during photosynthesis.

Ans. The events that occur during photosynthesis are:
- Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll.
- Conversion of light energy to chemical energy & splitting of water molecules into
hydrogen & oxygen.
- Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

Q. Stomata of desert plants remain closed during day time. How do they take up CO2 and
perform photosynthesis?
Ans. Desert plants take up carbon dioxide at night and prepare an intermediate which is acted
upon by the energy absorbed by the chlorophyll during the day for photosynthesis.

Q. Given below is a diagram showing the cross section of a leaf.

i) Label the parts A, B and C.
ii) What are the cells that surround B known as?
Ans.
i) A = Upper Epidermis,
B = Stomatal pore and
C= Chloroplast

ii) Guard Cells

Q. A variegated leaf with green and yellow patches is used for an experiment to prove that
chlorophyll is required for photosynthesis. Before the experiment the green portions (A),
and the pale-yellow portions (B), are observed. What will be the colour of ‘A’ just before
and after the starch test? Also write the equation of photosynthesis and mark as well as
validate from which molecule the by-product is obtained.
Ans. The colour of the green portion (A) before the starch test will be pale yellow because
chlorophyll needs to be removed before the starch test. The colour of the green portion (A) after the
starch test will be blue-black because of the reaction of iodine with the starch present in A. The
equation for photosynthesis is:

Oxygen is obtained
from the water.
(H2O -------> 2H+ + ½ O2)

Q. (i) Identify and label the parts in the given diagram.

(ii) Explain the role of stomata in photosynthesis.
Ans.
(i) I- Guard Cells
II- Stomatal Pore
III- Chlorophyll
IV- Nucleus
(ii) Massive amounts of gaseous
exchange take place in the leaves
through stomata for the purpose of
photosynthesis.

Q. What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?
Ans:
Autotrophic nutrition Heterotrophic nutrition

(i) In this mode of nutrition an organism (i) In this mode of nutrition an organism
makes or synthesizes its own food. cannot make or synthesize its own food.

(ii) Organisms use simple inorganic

(ii) Organisms cannot make their own food
materials like carbon dioxide and water and
from simple inorganic matter and depend on
synthesise their food in presence of
other organisms for their food.
sunlight.

(iii) All green plants and some algae (iii) All the animals, most bacteria and fungi
undergo this mode of nutrition. undergo this mode of nutrition.
Q. How do the guard cells regulate opening and closing of stomatal pores?
Ans. The opening and closing of the pore is a function of the guard cells. The guard cells swell
when water flows into them causing the stomatal pore to open. When water exits from the
guard cells, they shrink or become flaccid. This results in closing of stomata. As large amount
of water is lost through these stomata, the plant closes these pores when it does not require
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Q. Observe the following experimental set up, A & B and answer the following questions:

(i) Identify the substance ‘X’ kept in

set-up A.
(ii) Do leaves of both plants show the
presence of same amount of starch?
Give one reason in support of your
answer.
(iii) What can you conclude from this
activity?

Ans.
(i) X is KOH (Potassium hydroxide),
(ii) No. Leaves of plant in set up A did not show starch as Carbon di-oxide is absorbed
by Potassium hydroxide thus photosynthesis did not occur.
(iii) CO2 is essential for photosynthesis.
Q. Name the materials taken up from the soil by the roots of terrestrial plants.
Ans. Water, nitrogen, phosphorous, iron and magnesium.

Q. In which form nitrogen is taken up from the soil?

Ans. Nitrogen is an essential element used in the synthesis of proteins and other compounds.
This is taken up in the form of inorganic nitrates or nitrites. Or it is taken up as organic
compounds which have been prepared by bacteria from atmospheric nitrogen.

❖ Heterotrophic Nutrition

Q. What is common for cuscuta , ticks and leeches?

Ans. All are parasites. They live on or inside the body of another organism to get food. They
always harm their hosts
Q. How does Amoeba obtain its food?
Ans. Amoeba takes in food using temporary finger-like extensions of the cell surface which
fuse over the food particle forming a food-vacuole. Inside the food vacuole, complex
substances are broken down into simpler ones which then diffuse into the cytoplasm. The
remaining undigested material is moved to the surface of the cell and thrown out.
Q. How does Paramoecium obtain its food?
Ans. In Paramoecium, which is also a unicellular organism, the cell has a definite shape and
food is taken in at a specific spot. Food is moved to this spot by the movement of cilia which
cover the entire surface of the cell.
Q. Explain the role of mouth in digestion of food.
Ans. Mouth or buccal cavity is the opening through which food is ingested. It has teeth to chew
and grind the food, tongue to move the food and salivary glands which secrete saliva; a fluid
which contains digestive enzyme called salivary amylase.

Q. What is the role of the hydrochloric acid in our stomach?

Ans.
(a) Makes the medium acidic for the enzyme pepsin to break down proteins.
(b) It kills the bacteria (microorganisms) which may enter the stomach along with food.

Q. What are the functions of gastric glands present in the wall of the stomach?
Ans.
The digestion in stomach is taken care of by the gastric glands present in the wall of the
stomach. These release hydrochloric acid, a protein digesting enzyme called pepsin, and
mucus.
The hydrochloric acid creates an acidic medium which facilitates the action of the enzyme
pepsin (to break down proteins).
The mucus protects the inner lining of the stomach from the action of the acid under normal
conditions.
Q. List the role of each of the following in our digestive system:
(a) Salivary amylase (b) Muscular wall of a stomach (c) Trypsin (d) Lipase.
Ans. (a) Salivary amylase helps in the breakdown of a starch into sugar.
(b) Muscular wall of a stomach helps in the mixing of food thoroughly with more digestive
juices.
(c) Trypsin helps in the digestion of proteins.
(d) Lipase helps in the breakdown of emulsified fats.
Q. What causes movement of food inside the alimentary canal?
Ans. The lining of the alimentary canal has muscles that can contract rhythmically in order to
push the food forward. These movement are called peristaltic movement.

Q. Why is small intestine in herbivores longer than in carnivores?

Ans. Herbivores eat grass, they need a longer small intestine to allow the cellulose to be
digested. Meat is easy to digest, hence carnivores have a much smaller intestine.

Q. State the role of bile salts.

Ans. i)The food coming from the stomach is acidic and has to be made alkaline for the
pancreatic enzymes to act. Bile juice from the liver accomplishes this by making the medium
alkaline.
ii)Fats are present in the intestine in the form of large globules which makes it difficult for
enzymes to act on them. Bile salts break them down into smaller globules thus increasing the
surface area exposed for enzyme action. This process is known as emulsification of fats.

Q. How is the small intestine designed to absorb digested food?

Ans. The inner lining of the small intestine has numerous finger-like projections called villi
which increase the surface area for absorption. The villi are richly supplied with blood
vessels which take the absorbed food to each and every cell of the body.

Q. Name the correct substrates for the following enzymes;

Trypsin, Amylase, Pepsin, Lipase

Ans. Trypsin-Proteins /Amylase-Carbohydrates/Pepsin-Proteins/Lipase-Fats

Q. Name the digestive enzymes present in pancreatic juice and specify their role.
Ans. The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice which contains enzymes like trypsin for digesting
proteins and lipase for breaking down emulsified fats.

Q. State the role of enzymes present in intestinal juice secreted by glands present in the
wall of small intestine.
Ans. The walls of the small intestine contain glands which secrete intestinal juice. The
enzymes present in it finally convert the proteins to amino acids, complex carbohydrates into
glucose and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

❖ Respiration

Q. Give reasons
a) Our lungs always have a residual volume of air even when we exhale.
b) Rate of breathing in aquatic animals is much faster than in terrestrial animals.
c) Rings of cartilage are present in the throat.
d) We get muscle cramp after vigorous exercise
e) Haemoglobin molecule act as efficient carrier of oxygen than diffusion process.

Ans.
a) So that there is sufficient time for oxygen to be absorbed and for carbon dioxide to be
released.
b) Because they take dissolved oxygen whose percentage in water is lower than atmospheric
percentage.
c) To ensure that the air-passage does not collapse.
d) Because of the accumulation of lactic acid which is formed due to anaerobic break down
of glucose.
e) Haemoglobin has high affinity for oxygen, so it carries the gas faster in blood whereas
diffusion is a slow process.

Q. What are the different ways in which glucose is oxidised to provide energy in various
organisms?
Ans. Breakdown of glucose by various pathways for different organisms are:

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

Ans. Oxygen is carried by haemoglobin present in the RBC of the blood, carbon dioxide is
soluble in water and hence is transported by the blood in dissolved form.

Q. How are lungs designed in human beings to maximise the area for exchange of
gases?
Ans. In human beings lungs have the tubes called bronchioles which divide into smaller tubes
and terminate into balloon like structures called alveoli. The alveoli provide large surface
area where the exchange of gases can take place.

Q. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name some
organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration.
Ans.
Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration
1. Takes place in presence of oxygen. 1. Takes place in absence of oxygen.
2. Its end products are carbon dioxide and 2. Its end products are ethanol and carbon
water. dioxide.
 3. More energy is released.
4. It takes place in cytoplasm and
mitochondria.
5. Complete oxidation of glucose takes
place.
3. Less energy is released.
4. It takes place only in the cytoplasm.
5. Incomplete oxidation of glucose takes
place.

❖ Some organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration are—yeast and bacteria.

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

Ans. The alveoli are present at the terminal of bronchioles. They are balloon shaped structures
which increase the surface area for the exchange of gases and are richly supplied with blood
vessels to take the oxygen to different cells.

❖ Transportation In Human Beings

Q. What is blood? Describe its composition and function.

Ans. Blood is a fluid connective tissue. It is pumped throughout the body by the heart.
It is made up of Plasma- the fluid part of the blood, Blood cells-Red blood cells, white
blood cells and Platelets. The blood cells are present in the plasma.

Function-
It transports oxygen, digested food, hormones, waste materials and salts in our bodies.

Q. What is the significance of platelets in our body?

Ans. They help in clotting of blood so prevent loss of blood from the body in case of an
injury. Loss of blood would lead to loss of pressure which would reduce efficiency of the
pumping system.
Q. Name the three different types of blood vessels. Give one important feature of each.
Ans.
Arteries – Thick elastic walls, deep seated, carry blood away from the heart
Veins -Thin walled, superficial, carry blood towards the heart, have valves that ensure
that blood flows only in one direction.
Capillaries- One cell thick wall through which exchange of oxygen, carbon-di-oxide,
dissolved nutrients and excretory products with the tissues.

Q. Differentiate between arteries, veins and capillaries on the basis of the given aspects
–
Q. Write the function of valves present in between atria and ventricles.

Ans. Valves ensure that blood does not flow backwards when the atria or ventricles contract.

Q. Give reasons for the following

a. Lymph is called extracellular fluid
b. Valves are present only in veins
c. Ventricles have thicker muscular walls than atria.
d. Veins have thin walls as compared to arteries

Ans.
a. Lymph comes out of tiny pores present in the walls of the capillaries into intercellular
spaces in the tissues. It is also called extracellular fluid because it is present outside the cells.
b. Blood flows with low pressure in veins. To prevent the black flow of blood or for the
blood to flow only in one direction (towards the heart) valves are present.
c. Since ventricles have to pump blood to various organs, they have thicker muscular
walls than atria do.
d. Arteries carry blood from the heart to various organs of the body under high pressure
so they have thick and elastic walls. Veins on the other hand collect blood from different
organs and bring them back to the heart. The blood is no longer under pressure, so the walls
are thin.
Q. In the given diagram of Human Heart, identify and label the following:
a) chamber which receives de-oxygenated blood or carbon dioxide rich blood from body
tissues.
b) chamber which receives oxygen rich blood from lungs.
c) chamber which supplies de-oxygenated blood or carbon dioxide rich blood to lungs.
d) chamber which supplies oxygen rich blood to body tissues.

Ans.
1= Right atrium
2=Left atrium
3= Right ventricle
4= Left ventricle

Q. Why is the separation of the right side and the left side of the heart useful? How does
it help birds and mammals?
Ans.
To prevent oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing / for efficient supply of oxygen
to the body.
It helps birds and mammals (who have high energy needs and constantly use energy) to
maintain their body temperature.

Q. Define double circulation.

Ans. Blood goes through the heart twice during each cycle in some vertebrates like humans.
This is known as double circulation.

Q. How many chambers are present in the heart of fish, frog , lizard, crocodile, birds
and humans?
Ans. fish -2/ frog - 3 / lizard -3 / crocodile, birds and humans - 4

Q. How is circulation of blood in fish and humans different from each other?
Ans.
Q.
a) Define blood pressure.
b) What is systolic and diastolic pressure? What are the normal values of systolic and
diastolic pressure?
c) Name the instrument which is used to measure blood pressure.
d) What causes hypertension or high blood pressure. Mention the consequence of this
problem.

Ans.
a) The force that blood exerts against the wall of a vessel is called blood pressure.
b) The pressure of blood inside the artery during ventricular systole (contraction) is called
systolic pressure and pressure in artery during ventricular diastole (relaxation) is called
diastolic pressure. The normal systolic pressure is about 120 mm of Hg and diastolic
pressure is 80 mm of Hg.
c) Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygmomanometer.
d) High blood pressure is also called hypertension and is caused by the constriction of
arterioles, which results in increased resistance to blood flow. It can lead to the rupture
of an artery and internal bleeding.
 Q. What is the other name of ‘tissue fluid’? Write any one function of this fluid.

Ans. Lymph is the other name of ‘tissue fluid’.

Lymph carries digested and absorbed fat from the intestine / drains excess fluid from
extracellular space back into the blood. (Any one)
Q. Differentiate between blood and lymph.
Ans.

Blood
Blood is a red-coloured fluid due to the
presence of haemoglobin in RBCs.
It contains plasma, RBCs, WBCs, platelets
and proteins.
It transports nutrients and oxygen from one
organ to another.
Lymph
Lymph is a colourless fluid due to the absence
of haemoglobin as it lacks RBCs.
It contains plasma, WBCs, platelets and less
proteins.
It transports digested and absorbed fat from
intestines and drains excess fluid from
extracellular space back into the blood. It is
also an important part of the immune system.

❖ Transportation in Plants

Q. Why do plants need less energy than animals?

Ans. Plants are non-motile; most of the cells are dead. Thus plants need less energy than
animals.

Q. Which process acts as suction to pull water from xylem cells of roots?
Ans. Transpiration.

Q. What are the two substances transported through phloem tissue?

Ans. Sucrose, amino acid.
Q. Define the term ‘translocation’.
Ans. Transport of food from leaves to other parts of the plant is called translocation.
Q. Write three significances of transpiration in plants?
Ans.
1) It helps in the absorption of water and minerals from roots to the leaves, i.e. it supports the
upward movement of water & minerals.
2) It helps to remove excess water from the plant body
3) It regulates the temperature of the plant as evaporation causes cooling effect.
Q. In the given figure, arrows depict the movement of water in a tree.

a) What do the arrows A and B represent?

b) What kind of movement is A and B (push or pull) ?
c) Explain these forces responsible for uptake of water.
d) Name the type of force responsible for driving up water during day time and at night
respectively.
Ans.
a) A= Root Pressure , B= Transpiration pull
b) A is ‘push’ whereas B is ‘pull’.
c) Root Pressure: It is the osmotic pressure which gets developed in the root cells due to the
movement of water from soil solution to root cells. It pushes water and minerals upwards
through the xylem.
Transpiration pull: It is the pressure which gets developed at the top of the plant in leaves due
to the loss of water from leaf cells.
d) During day- Transpiration pull / At night - Root Pressure
Q. What are the components of the transport system in highly organised plants?
Ans. The components of the transport system are xylem and phloem in highly organized
plants.

Q. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
Ans.
Transport in Xylem
1. Water and mineral salts are
transported.
2. The transport is generally passive.
3. Vessels and tracheids (dead cells) are
involved in transportation.
4. Transportation is unidirectional.
Transport in Phloem
Food in aqueous form is translocated.
The transport is active.
Sieve tubes and companion cells
(living cells) are involved.
Transportation is bidirectional.
❖ Excretion

Q. Define excretion.

Ans. The biological process involved in the removal of harmful metabolic wastes from the
body is called excretion.

Q. Name any two substances that are selectively reabsorbed in the kidney tubules.

Ans. Glucose, amino acids, salts etc.

Q. Which is the functional unit of kidney called?

Ans. Nephron

Q. What is the cup shaped structure of nephrons called?

Ans Bowman’s capsule

Q.What are the important functions of the kidney?

Ans 1. involved in the removal of nitrogenous waste from the body

2. Kidneys maintain ionic concentration & water balance in the body (osmoregulation) they
filter the blood making it free of nitrogenous waste & excess water.

Q. What is the other name of artificial kidney?

Ans Hemodialysis.

Q. On what factors does the amount of water reabsorbed depend?

Ans The amount of water re-absorbed depends on

I. how much excess water there is in the body, and
II. how much of dissolved waste there is to be excreted.
Q. Name and write functions of the different organs of the excretory system in human
beings.
Ans : A pair of kidneys / A pair of ureters/ Urinary bladder / Urethra
Kidneys are located in the abdomen, one on either side of the backbone. Urine produced in
the kidneys passes through the ureters into the urinary bladder where it is stored until it is
released through the urethra.

Q. The figure shown below represents a common type of dialysis called Hemodialysis.
It removes waste products from the blood. Such as excess salts, and urea which are
insufficiently removed by the kidney in patients with kidney failure. During the
procedure, the patient’s blood is cleaned by filtration through a series of semi-
permeable membranes before being returned to the blood of the patient.
(a) Identify the lines A and B.
(b) Specify the difference between C and D.
(c) Mention the specific feature of dialysing fluid added in tank E.
OR
(c) Normally, in a healthy adult, the initial filtrate in the kidneys is about 180 L daily.
However, the volume actually excreted is only a litre or two a day. Why?
Ans.
(a) A is the line from artificial kidney to vein. B is the line from artery to the pump.
(b) C is the fresh dialysing solution without nitrogenous waste whereas D is the used dialysing
solution containing urea and excess salts.
(c) This fluid has the same osmotic pressure as blood, except that it is devoid of nitrogenous wastes.
OR
(c)Because the remaining filtrate is re absorbed in the kidney tubules.

Q. Draw excretory system in human beings. Identify & label the following organs
of excretory system which help/s in:
(i) urine formation
(ii) storage of urine until it is passed out

Ans.

Q. What are the methods used by plants to get rid of excretory products?

Ans. Plants excrete oxygen, a product of photosynthesis. Plants get rid of water by
transpiration. Waste products may be stored in vacuoles or may be stored in leaves which fall
off. Resins and gums are stored in old xylem which are harmless to trees. Plants also excrete
some waste substances into the soil around them.

SV