Biology Chapter: Living vs Non-living Things

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Questions and Answers

What is one reason why visible movement alone cannot define whether something is alive?

Plants only grow during the daytime.

All living things are green.

Only animals show visible movement.

Invisible molecular movement is necessary for life. (correct)

What maintenance functions do living organisms need to perform?

Repair and maintain their structures. (correct)

Obtain energy exclusively from sunlight.

Remain in constant motion.

Grow continuously without rest.

What is a common misconception about plants regarding their indication of life?

Plants must grow continuously to be considered alive.

Plants can show signs of life through colors other than green.

Plants only indicate life when they are green. (correct)

All plants need sunlight to live.

Why is molecular movement essential for living organisms?

It helps maintain organized structures and repair damage. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the organized structures of living organisms over time without maintenance?

They break down and disorganize. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could indicate that a virus is not considered a living organism?

Viruses do not exhibit molecular movement until they infect a cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Bowman’s capsule in the kidney?

It collects the filtrate from blood. Signup and view all the answers

Which substances are primarily reabsorbed in the kidney tubules?

Glucose, amino acids, and salts. Signup and view all the answers

How do living organisms acquire the energy needed for maintenance processes?

From their environment and metabolic processes. Signup and view all the answers

How much initial filtrate do healthy adult kidneys process in a day?

180 L Signup and view all the answers

What do life processes require in order to prevent damage and breakdown in living organisms?

Ongoing maintenance and energy. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the urine after it is formed in the kidneys?

It enters the ureters and then the bladder. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of an artificial kidney in patients with kidney failure?

To remove nitrogenous waste through dialysis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way through which plants excrete waste?

Using artificial means such as dialysis. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the urge to urinate in humans?

Expansion of the urinary bladder. Signup and view all the answers

In which form do plants primarily store their waste products?

In cellular vacuoles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the structure of nephrons in kidneys?

Packed close together with capillary clusters. Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys?

The level of excess water in the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which tissue in plants is primarily responsible for transporting water and minerals?

Xylem Signup and view all the answers

What process in plants helps in the absorption of water from the soil?

Evaporation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the role of phloem in plants?

Transports food from leaves Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driving force for water transport in the xylem during the day?

Transpiration pull Signup and view all the answers

How do plants primarily move products of photosynthesis to other parts of the plant?

Translocation Signup and view all the answers

What role do companion cells play in the phloem?

Facilitating food transport Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of transpiration in plants?

Increasing root pressure Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the plant is the osmotic pressure increased to facilitate phloem transport?

Leaves Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the separation between the right and left sides of the heart?

To provide a highly efficient oxygen supply to the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of water vapor loss from plant surfaces called?

Transpiration Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the transport system in human beings is primarily responsible for urine storage?

Urinary bladder Signup and view all the answers

Which chambers of the heart are responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body?

Left atrium and left ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of kidneys in human beings?

Filtering waste from blood Signup and view all the answers

What type of circulation occurs when blood passes through the heart twice during each cycle?

Double circulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ATP in the transport of substances in phloem?

To create osmotic pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a sphygmomanometer?

To assess blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'systolic pressure' refer to?

Pressure during heart contraction Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in plants is responsible for the movement of water during transpiration?

Stomata Signup and view all the answers

What is created in the roots of a plant to facilitate the movement of water into the root xylem?

Root pressure Signup and view all the answers

Why do arteries have thicker walls compared to veins?

They transport blood under high pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vessels is responsible for transporting blood back to the heart?

Veins Signup and view all the answers

What role do platelets play in the circulatory system?

Clotting blood to prevent leaks Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the fluid known as lymph?

It is similar to blood plasma but colorless Signup and view all the answers

In which animal group is a three-chambered heart commonly found?

Amphibians Signup and view all the answers

How do nutrients reach all parts of a plant when diffusion is insufficient?

Via the vascular system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of salivary amylase in the digestive process?

To convert starch into simple sugars Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process by which blood is oxygenated in fish?

In the gills Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the mucus produced in the stomach?

To protect the stomach lining from hydrochloric acid Signup and view all the answers

What can high blood pressure lead to if left untreated?

Rupture of arteries and internal bleeding Signup and view all the answers

How does bile aid in the digestion of fats?

It emulsifies fats into smaller globules Signup and view all the answers

What forms tissue fluid or lymph in plants?

Plasma escaping through capillary walls Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of villi in the small intestine?

To increase the surface area for absorption Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the alimentary canal regulates the exit of food from the stomach?

Sphincter muscle Signup and view all the answers

Why do herbivores generally have a longer small intestine than carnivores?

Their food is harder to digest Signup and view all the answers

What role do enzymes play in the digestive process?

They act as biological catalysts to break down food Signup and view all the answers

What happens to food in the stomach after it is mixed with digestive juices?

It is mixed into a semi-liquid form called chyme Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the large intestine in the digestive system?

To absorb water from the remaining food material Signup and view all the answers

What causes dental caries to form on teeth?

Bacteria producing acids from sugars Signup and view all the answers

How do peristaltic movements assist in digestion?

By pushing food along the digestive tract Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

To create an acidic environment for enzyme action Signup and view all the answers

What is the key digestive function of pancreatin?

To secrete enzymes for breaking down proteins and fats Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the alimentary canal is primarily responsible for nutrient absorption?

Small intestine Signup and view all the answers

What role do the fine hairs in the nostrils play in the respiratory system?

Filter dust and harmful particles from the air Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of alveoli in the lungs?

Facilitate gas exchange between air and blood Signup and view all the answers

What component of blood primarily carries oxygen in human beings?

Red blood corpuscles Signup and view all the answers

How do the rings of cartilage in the throat aid in respiration?

They provide structural support to keep air passages open Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of immersing the leaf in boiling water during the experiment?

To prepare it for testing starch Signup and view all the answers

What color indicates the presence of starch on the leaf after iodine treatment?

Blue-black Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of smoking on the tiny hair-like structures called cilia in the respiratory tract?

They are destroyed, leading to increased infections Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are responsible for the opening and closing of stomatal pores?

Guard cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of haemoglobin in humans?

To transport oxygen in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What process do desert plants use to manage carbon dioxide intake?

Absorbing carbon dioxide at night Signup and view all the answers

Why is the internal surface area of the alveoli important?

It enhances the gas exchange efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What happens to oxygen during the breathing process in humans?

It is absorbed by the blood from the alveoli Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for photosynthesis to occur in plants?

Water and sunlight Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that sunlight is essential for photosynthesis based on the conducted experiments?

Only one plant produced starch Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily transported in dissolved form in human blood?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

How does the structural design of the lungs facilitate respiration?

They have multiple branching tubes to increase surface area Signup and view all the answers

What role do chloroplasts play in a plant cell?

Conduct photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of large body size in animals regarding oxygen delivery?

Diffusion pressure alone is insufficient for oxygen delivery Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does not directly affect photosynthesis?

Oxygen concentration Signup and view all the answers

What promotes the mixing of oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-rich blood in the heart?

The structure of the heart's chambers Signup and view all the answers

In multicellular organisms, how is food typically taken in?

Through specialized digestive systems Signup and view all the answers

How does the diaphragm contribute to the breathing process?

It facilitates the expansion of the chest cavity Signup and view all the answers

What happens to guard cells when water flows into them?

They swell Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of heterotrophic nutrition?

Absorption of nutrients from surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What is the main risk factor associated with smokeless tobacco?

Increased risk of heart attacks and cancers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of potassium hydroxide in the experiment?

To absorb carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons plants close their stomata?

To reduce water loss Signup and view all the answers

How do fungi such as bread moulds obtain nutrition?

Absorbing food externally after breakdown Signup and view all the answers

What does the change observed in lime water indicate when air is passed through it?

The presence of carbon dioxide in the air Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria, while anaerobic occurs in the cytoplasm. Signup and view all the answers

Which molecule is referred to as the energy currency of the cell?

ATP Signup and view all the answers

What is produced when pyruvate is broken down in the absence of oxygen?

Ethanol and carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

How do plants primarily obtain carbon dioxide for photosynthesis?

Through stomata in leaves Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the role of stomach acid?

It helps break down proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What major change occurs in fishes to extract oxygen from water?

They take in water through mouths and pass it over gills. Signup and view all the answers

How does the small intestine's structure facilitate nutrient absorption?

It contains numerous villi to increase surface area. Signup and view all the answers

What is a by-product of lactic acid fermentation in muscles during strenuous activity?

Lactic acid and energy Signup and view all the answers

Why is the rate of breathing higher in aquatic organisms compared to terrestrial organisms?

Water contains a lower concentration of dissolved oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What results from the breakdown of ATP in cellular processes?

Release of energy for cellular activities Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbon dioxide during the day in plants?

It is used in photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of digestive enzymes?

To catalyze the breakdown of complex molecules Signup and view all the answers

Why is simple diffusion inadequate for meeting the oxygen needs of multicellular organisms?

Not all cells can directly access the environment due to size. Signup and view all the answers

What role do enzymes play in the nutrition of heterotrophic organisms?

They break down complex substances into simpler forms. Signup and view all the answers

What process do autotrophs primarily use to fulfill their carbon and energy requirements?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the main by-product of respiration that must be eliminated from multicellular organisms?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

How do multicellular organisms transport food and oxygen to different body parts?

Through a specialized transportation system Signup and view all the answers

What is excretion in the context of multicellular life processes?

The removal of waste by-products Signup and view all the answers

What materials do autotrophs use in photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide and sunlight Signup and view all the answers

Why do multicellular organisms need specialized tissues for transport?

Their size prevents all cells from direct contact with the environment Signup and view all the answers

What do autotrophs store excess energy as?

Starch Signup and view all the answers

What must be broken down for heterotrophic organisms to use food effectively?

Complex substances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an essential process for maintaining life?

Respiration Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the respiration process in regards to food and oxygen?

Energy is released by breaking down food using oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

Which category of organisms acquire their energy directly from inorganic sources?

Autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

What must happen to the carbon and oxygen used in cellular processes?

They are transformed into energy and waste products. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Distinguishing Living from Non-living Things

Visible movement, such as growth or other actions, is often associated with life
Molecular movement is essential to life, critical for maintaining ordered structures in living beings
Viruses exhibit no molecular movement until infecting a cell, leading to debate about their status as living things

Life Processes: Maintenance Functions

Living organisms constantly perform maintenance processes even when inactive, requiring external energy
These processes are termed 'life processes' and involve obtaining, transforming, and using energy from external food sources
Energy transfer from food to the body's internal environment is crucial
Growth necessitates additional raw materials
Most foods on Earth are carbon-based

Nutrition: Acquiring Energy

Organisms obtain energy and building materials from external sources (food)
Autotrophs (plants) use inorganic sources (CO₂ and water) and sunlight for photosynthesis
Heterotrophs (animals) rely on complex substances from other organisms, needing to be broken down to simpler molecules using enzymes
Different organisms have diverse nutritional strategies depending on food complexity and availability

Autotrophic Nutrition (Photosynthesis)

Plants utilize photosynthesis to convert inorganic materials into usable energy
Photosynthesis converts CO₂ and water into carbohydrates with sunlight and chlorophyll
Excess carbohydrates are stored as starch, an energy reserve
Photosynthesis occurs via light energy absorption, conversion to chemical energy, and water splitting
Chlorophyll, found in chloroplasts, is crucial for photosynthesis
Stomata allow gas exchange, with guard cells regulating opening and closure to balance water loss and CO₂ uptake

Heterotrophic Nutrition

Heterotrophs obtain nutrition from complex substances
Some break down food materials outside the body then absorb it (e.g., fungi)
Others internalize and break down the food inside their bodies
Parasites obtain nourishment from other organisms without directly harming them (e.g., some plants, insects)
Different organisms have specialized digestive systems based on their food sources

Human Nutrition

Food travels through a long tube called the alimentary canal with specialized sections for digestion
Teeth grind food, and saliva moistens it and contains enzymes (amylase) to break down starch
Peristalsis moves food through the digestive system by muscular contractions
Stomach mixes food with digestive juices including acid, pepsin, and mucus
Small intestine digests carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and absorbs nutrients through its villi
Large intestine absorbs water and excretes undigested waste
Dental caries is a bacterial infection caused by acids produced from sugar on teeth

Respiration: Energy Production

Organisms use various methods to break down food for the energy needed to carry out life processes
Glucose breakdown is the initial stage in respiration
Aerobic respiration (uses oxygen) breaks down glucose fully to CO₂ and water
Anaerobic respiration (no oxygen) creates different products (e.g., ethanol and CO₂ in yeast, lactic acid in muscles)
ATP is the 'energy currency' generated during respiration and fuels bodily processes

Gas Exchange (Respiration)

Plants exchange gases for photosynthesis and respiration through stomata (external surfaces are also involved)
Plants regulate stomata opening to balance gas exchange and water loss
Different organisms have specialized respiration organs (e.g., gills in fish, lungs in humans)
- Lungs in humans include alveoli for maximal gas exchange and a complex system to bring oxygen into the body and remove CO₂

Transport in Humans

Blood transports food, oxygen, and wastes in plasma, with red blood cells carrying oxygen
The heart pumps blood through a network of vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries)
The heart's structure, with separate chambers for oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, is efficient for high-energy needs of animals like mammals
Platelets clot blood to minimize loss from injuries
Lymph fluid facilitates draining waste, fluids, and fats

Transport in Plants

Plants utilize xylem for transporting water and minerals from roots to leaves
Evaporation (transpiration) creates a suction force to pull water upwards
Phloem transports sugars and other nutrients from leaves to other storage organs, based on the plant's needs

Excretion

Organisms eliminate metabolic wastes (e.g., nitrogenous compounds, CO2)
Single-celled organisms excrete waste via diffusion
Multicellular organisms have specialized organs such as kidneys responsible for filtering blood and creating urine, which is later excreted

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Description

Explore the fundamental distinctions between living and non-living things, focusing on key concepts such as visible movement, molecular activity, and the characteristics that define life. Understand the essential life processes and how organisms acquire energy through nutrition. Dive into the debate regarding the status of viruses as living entities.