Life Processes: Nutrition

Life processes are the essential functions that living organisms perform to maintain their existence and ensure the continuation of their species.

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain energy and nutrients from their environment.
Modes of nutrition:
- Autotrophic nutrition: organisms produce their own food (e.g., plants, algae)
- Heterotrophic nutrition: organisms obtain food from other sources (e.g., animals, fungi)
Steps involved in nutrition:
1. Ingestion: taking in food
2. Digestion: breaking down food into smaller molecules
3. Absorption: absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream
4. Assimilation: using absorbed nutrients for energy and growth
5. Egestion: eliminating waste products

Respiration is the process by which living organisms obtain energy from the food they consume.
Types of respiration:
- Aerobic respiration: occurs in the presence of oxygen (e.g., cellular respiration)
- Anaerobic respiration: occurs in the absence of oxygen (e.g., fermentation)
Steps involved in respiration:
1. Breathing: taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide
2. Cellular respiration: converting glucose into energy (ATP)
3. Fermentation: converting glucose into energy (ATP) in the absence of oxygen

Transportation is the process by which living organisms move materials and substances within their bodies.
Types of transportation:
- Passive transport: movement of substances without energy input (e.g., diffusion, osmosis)
- Active transport: movement of substances with energy input (e.g., pumping ions)
Examples of transportation systems:
- Circulatory system: blood vessels, heart, and blood
- Lymphatic system: lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and lymph

Excretion is the process by which living organisms eliminate waste products from their bodies.
Types of excretion:
- Kidney function: filtering waste from the blood and excreting it in the urine
- Sweat excretion: eliminating excess heat and electrolytes through sweat
- Feces excretion: eliminating undigested food and waste products from the digestive system

Regulation and control are the processes by which living organisms maintain homeostasis and respond to changes in their environment.
Examples of regulatory systems:
- Nervous system: brain, spinal cord, and nerves
- Endocrine system: hormones and glands
- Immune system: white blood cells and lymphoid organs

Growth: an increase in size and mass
Development: a series of changes that occur from birth to maturity
Factors influencing growth and development:
- Hormones: regulate growth and development
- Nutrition: provides energy and nutrients for growth
- Environmental factors: influence growth and development (e.g., light, temperature)

Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce offspring.
Types of reproduction:
- Asexual reproduction: producing offspring without gametes (e.g., budding, fragmentation)
- Sexual reproduction: producing offspring using gametes (e.g., fertilization)
Stages of reproduction:
1. Gametogenesis: producing gametes (sperm or egg cells)
2. Fertilization: fusion of gametes to form a zygote
3. Embryogenesis: development of the zygote into an embryo
4. Organogenesis: development of organs and tissues

Obtains energy and nutrients from the environment.
Modes of Nutrition:
- Autotrophic: Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants, algae).
- Heterotrophic: Organisms that obtain food from other sources (e.g., animals, fungi).
Steps in Nutrition:
- Ingestion: Intake of food.
- Digestion: Breakdown of food into smaller molecules.
- Absorption: Nutrient uptake into the bloodstream.
- Assimilation: Utilization of nutrients for energy and growth.
- Egestion: Elimination of waste products.

Process of extracting energy from consumed food.
Types of Respiration:
- Aerobic: Requires oxygen (e.g., cellular respiration).
- Anaerobic: Occurs without oxygen (e.g., fermentation).
Steps in Respiration:
- Breathing: Oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release.
- Cellular Respiration: Converting glucose into energy in the form of ATP.
- Fermentation: Energy production from glucose in the absence of oxygen.

Movement of materials within organisms.
Types of Transportation:
- Passive Transport: No energy required (e.g., diffusion, osmosis).
- Active Transport: Requires energy for substance movement (e.g., ion pumping).
Transportation Systems:
- Circulatory System: Comprises blood vessels, heart, and blood.
- Lymphatic System: Involves lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and lymph.

Elimination of waste products from the body.
Types of Excretion:
- Kidney Function: Filters blood waste and excretes urine.
- Sweat Excretion: Removes excess heat and electrolytes through sweat.
- Feces Excretion: Eliminates undigested food and waste from digestion.

Processes for maintaining homeostasis and environmental response.
Regulatory Systems:
- Nervous System: Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Endocrine System: Comprises hormones and glands regulating bodily functions.
- Immune System: Utilizes white blood cells and lymphoid organs for defense.

Growth: Increase in size and mass.
Development: Series of changes from birth to maturity.
Influencing Factors:
- Hormones: Regulate changes in growth and development.
- Nutrition: Provides essential energy and nutrients.
- Environmental Factors: Conditions like light and temperature affect growth and development.

Producing offspring for species continuation.
Types of Reproduction:
- Asexual Reproduction: Offspring produced without gametes (e.g., budding, fragmentation).
- Sexual Reproduction: Offspring produced with gametes (e.g., fertilization).
Stages of Reproduction:
- Gametogenesis: Production of gametes (sperm or egg cells).
- Fertilization: Fusion of gametes to form a zygote.
- Embryogenesis: Development of the zygote into an embryo.
- Organogenesis: Formation of organs and tissues.