Life Processes PDF

https://www.wondercraft.ai/e/i9JVVoAf Life Processes 1. Introduction to Life Processes All living organisms carry out basic functions to survive. These functions are called life processes. Life processes ensure growth, repair, and energy production in the body. Main Life Processes: 1. Nutrit...

https://www.wondercraft.ai/e/i9JVVoAf Life Processes 1. Introduction to Life Processes All living organisms carry out basic functions to survive. These functions are called life processes. Life processes ensure growth, repair, and energy production in the body. Main Life Processes: 1. Nutrition: Taking in food and converting it into energy. 2. Respiration: Breaking down food to release energy. 3. Transportation: Moving substances like nutrients, water, and oxygen. 4. Excretion: Removing harmful wastes produced in the body. 5. Reproduction: Producing offspring to continue the species. 6. Growth: Increasing in size and complexity. 2. Transportation and Absorption A. Transportation in Animals Transportation in animals is done by the circulatory system, which includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels. The circulatory system ensures that oxygen, food, and waste products are transported to and from different parts of the body. Key Components: 1. Heart: Pumps blood throughout the body. ○ The heart has 4 chambers (in humans): 2 atria (upper chambers) and 2 ventricles (lower chambers). 2. Blood: Carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. ○ Blood is made up of: Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Carry oxygen. White Blood Cells (WBCs): Fight infections. Platelets: Help in clotting.  3. Blood Vessels: ○ Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. ○ Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. ○ Capillaries: Connect arteries and veins for the exchange of substances. Absorption in Animals Digestion breaks down food into smaller molecules like glucose, amino acids, and fats. These molecules are absorbed in the small intestine through villi. Villi increase the surface area for efficient absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. Example: In humans, glucose absorbed from the intestine is transported to all body cells for energy production. B. Transportation in Plants Plants have specialized tissues to transport water, minerals, and food: 1. Xylem: ○ Carries water and minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant. ○ Water moves through root hairs into the xylem by osmosis. 2. Phloem: ○ Carries food (glucose) produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to the entire plant. ○ This process is called translocation. Absorption in Plants Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil. Root hairs increase the surface area for absorption. C. Transpiration in Plants Transpiration is the process of loss of water vapor from plants through stomata (tiny pores on leaves). It helps in: 1. Pulling water upward through the xylem (transpiration pull). 2. Cooling the plant. 3. Maintaining the water balance. 3. Excretion A. Excretion in Humans Excretion is the removal of metabolic wastes (like urea, carbon dioxide, and sweat) from the body. Human Excretory System: 1. Kidneys: Filter blood to remove urea and form urine. 2. Ureters: Carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. 3. Urinary Bladder: Stores urine temporarily. 4. Urethra: Removes urine from the body. Other Excretory Organs: Lungs: Remove carbon dioxide and water vapor during exhalation. Skin: Removes sweat containing water, salt, and small amounts of urea. B. Excretion in Animals In Fish: Ammonia is excreted directly into water through gills. In Insects: Excretion occurs through Malpighian tubules. In Earthworms: Wastes are excreted through nephridia. C. Excretion in Plants Plants excrete waste through: 1. Stomata: Release oxygen and water vapor. 2. Leaf Fall: Waste products get stored in old leaves, which fall off. 3. Resins and Gums: Solid wastes are excreted through stems or bark. 4. Respiration What is Respiration?  Respiration is the process of breaking down glucose to release energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Types of Respiration: 1. Aerobic Respiration (with oxygen): ○ Glucose + Oxygen → Energy + Carbon dioxide + Water. ○ Happens in humans, plants, and animals. 2. Anaerobic Respiration (without oxygen): ○ Glucose → Energy + Alcohol + Carbon dioxide (in yeast). ○ Glucose → Energy + Lactic acid (in muscles during heavy exercise). 5. Breathing A. Breathing in Humans Breathing involves: 1. Inhalation: Taking in oxygen. 2. Exhalation: Removing carbon dioxide. Steps of Breathing: 1. Air enters the nose, passes through the windpipe (trachea), and reaches the lungs. 2. Inside the lungs, oxygen enters the alveoli (tiny air sacs). 3. Oxygen is absorbed into the blood, and carbon dioxide is removed. B. Breathing in Animals 1. Fish: Use gills to absorb oxygen from water. 2. Insects: Breathe through spiracles and tracheal tubes. 3. Frogs: Breathe through lungs, skin, and mouth lining. 4. Earthworms: Breathe through moist skin. C. Breathing in Plants Plants breathe through: 1. Stomata: Small openings on leaves.  2. Lenticels: Pores on stems. 3. Roots: Absorb oxygen from the air in the soil. 6. Summary Table Process Humans/Animals Plants Transportatio Circulatory system (blood, heart). Xylem (water), Phloem (food). n Absorption Small intestine absorbs nutrients. Root hairs absorb water. Transpiration Not applicable. Loss of water vapor through stomata. Excretion Kidneys, lungs, skin remove Stomata, gums, leaf fall. wastes. Respiration Aerobic/anaerobic respiration. Oxygen taken through stomata. Breathing Lungs, gills, spiracles. Stomata, lenticels, and roots. Conclusion Life processes like transportation, respiration, excretion, and transpiration are essential for survival. Humans and animals have complex systems, while plants rely on simple mechanisms. This expanded version includes: 1. Detailed explanations. 2. Examples for each concept. 3. Structured headings and subheadings. 4. A neat summary table