Life Processes: Nutrition and Photosynthesis

Life Processes

Nutrition

• Involves the acquisition, processing, and utilization of nutrients for energy and growth
• Types:
  • Autotrophic nutrition (self-feeding): plants, algae, and some bacteria
  • Heterotrophic nutrition (other-feeding): animals, fungi, and some bacteria

Photosynthesis

• Process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy
• Occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells
• Equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2

Respiration

• Process by which cells generate energy from glucose
• Occurs in mitochondria of cells
• Equation: C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP (energy)

Transportation

• Movement of substances within organisms
• Types:
  • Passive transport: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion
  • Active transport: requires energy, pumping molecules against concentration gradient

Excretion

• Removal of waste products from the body
• Types:
  • Kidneys (urine): filter waste and excess substances from blood
  • Lungs (exhaled air): remove CO2 and H2O
  • Skin (sweat): remove excess salt and water
  • Liver (bile): break down fats, remove waste products

Coordination and Control

• Regulation of body functions through nervous and hormonal systems
• Nervous system: nerve cells (neurons) transmit signals
• Hormonal system: chemical messengers (hormones) regulate processes

Growth and Development

• Increase in size and complexity of organisms
• Involves cell division, differentiation, and growth
• Regulated by hormones and genetic factors

Reproduction

• Production of offspring to ensure species survival
• Types:
  • Asexual reproduction: single parent, identical offspring (e.g., bacteria, plants)
  • Sexual reproduction: two parents, genetically diverse offspring (e.g., animals, humans)

Life Processes

Nutrition

• Involves the acquisition, processing, and utilization of nutrients for energy and growth
• Autotrophic nutrition: plants, algae, and some bacteria make their own food using sunlight
• Heterotrophic nutrition: animals, fungi, and some bacteria obtain energy by consuming other organisms

Photosynthesis

• Light energy is converted into chemical energy, stored in glucose
• Occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells, using chlorophyll
• Produces glucose and oxygen as byproducts

Respiration

• Cells generate energy from glucose, releasing ATP
• Occurs in mitochondria of cells, using oxygen
• Produces carbon dioxide and water as byproducts

Transportation

• Movement of substances within organisms, maintaining homeostasis
• Passive transport: diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion, no energy required
• Active transport: energy-driven, pumping molecules against concentration gradient

Excretion

• Removal of waste products from the body, maintaining homeostasis
• Kidneys filter waste and excess substances from blood, producing urine
• Lungs remove CO2 and H2O through exhaled air
• Skin removes excess salt and water through sweat
• Liver breaks down fats, removing waste products through bile

Coordination and Control

• Regulation of body functions through nervous and hormonal systems
• Nervous system: nerve cells (neurons) transmit signals, allowing for rapid responses
• Hormonal system: chemical messengers (hormones) regulate processes, often slowly

Growth and Development

• Increase in size and complexity of organisms, involving cell division, differentiation, and growth
• Regulated by hormones and genetic factors, ensuring proper development

Reproduction

• Production of offspring to ensure species survival
• Asexual reproduction: single parent, producing genetically identical offspring (e.g., bacteria, plants)
• Sexual reproduction: two parents, producing genetically diverse offspring (e.g., animals, humans)