Life Processes Class 10Â are the essential activities that help living organisms survive, grow, and maintain life. Every living organism performs four major life processes: Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation and Excretion.
What Makes an Organism Living?
Living organisms show the following characteristics:
- Growth
- Movement
- Nutrition
- Respiration
- Excretion
- Reproduction
- Response to stimuli
- Cellular organization
1. Nutrition
Definition
It is the process by which organisms obtain food and use it for energy, growth, and repair.
Types of Nutrition
Autotrophic Nutrition
- Organisms prepare their own food.
- Seen in green plants.
- Food is produced through photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis Equation
CO₂ + H₂O + Sunlight → Glucose + O₂
Heterotrophic Nutrition
- Organisms depend on others for food.
- Examples: Humans, animals, fungi.
Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition
- Holozoic – Humans
- Saprophytic – Mushrooms
- Parasitic – Cuscuta
Human Digestion
Digestive Pathway:
Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine → Rectum
Steps of Nutrition
- Ingestion
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Assimilation
- Egestion
2. Respiration
Definition
It is the process of releasing energy from food.
Types of Respiration
Aerobic Respiration
- Uses oxygen
- Releases more energy
- Complete breakdown of glucose
Equation
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
Anaerobic Respiration
- Occurs without oxygen
- Releases less energy
- Produces alcohol or lactic acid
Human Respiratory System
Main Organs
- Nose
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
- Alveoli
Function of Alveoli
- Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Provide a large surface area for gas exchange
Respiration in Plants
Plants exchange gases through:
- Stomata
- Lenticels
- Root hairs
3. Transportation
Definition
It is the movement of substances from one part of the body to another.
Transportation in Humans
Circulatory System Components
- Heart
- Blood
- Blood Vessels
Heart
Humans have a four-chambered heart:
- Right Atrium
- Right Ventricle
- Left Atrium
- Left Ventricle
Blood Components
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Plasma | Transports nutrients and hormones |
| RBCs | Carry oxygen |
| WBCs | Fight infection |
| Platelets | Help in clotting |
Blood Vessels
- Arteries – Carry blood away from the heart
- Veins – Carry blood toward the heart
- Capillaries – Exchange materials
Transportation in Plants
Xylem
- Transports water and minerals
- Movement is upward
Phloem
- Transports food
- Movement is bidirectional
Transpiration
Loss of water vapour through stomata.
Importance
- Cooling effect
- Water transport
- Mineral transport
4. Excretion
Definition
It is the removal of metabolic waste products from the body.
Human Excretory System
Main Organs
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Urinary Bladder
- Urethra
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney.
Functions of Nephron
- Ultrafiltration
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
- Urine Formation
Excretion in Plants
Plants remove waste through:
- Diffusion
- Transpiration
- Storage in leaves and bark
- Resin and gum formation
Important Differences
Photosynthesis vs Respiration
| Photosynthesis | Respiration |
|---|---|
| Produces food | Releases energy |
| Uses COâ‚‚ | Uses Oâ‚‚ |
| Releases Oâ‚‚ | Releases COâ‚‚ |
| Occurs in chloroplasts | Occurs in mitochondria |
Xylem vs Phloem
| Xylem | Phloem |
|---|---|
| Transports water | Transports food |
| Upward movement | Bidirectional movement |
| Consist of dead cells | Mostly living cells |
Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
| Aerobic | Anaerobic |
|---|---|
| Uses oxygen | No oxygen |
| More energy | Less energy |
| Complete breakdown | Incomplete breakdown |
Quick Revision Mind Map- Life Processes Class 10
Life Processes
- Nutrition → Food
- Respiration → Energy
- Transportation → Distribution
- Excretion → Waste Removal
Life Processes Class 10
Key Exam Points – Life Processes (Class 10)
- Photosynthesis is generally the process by which green plants prepare their own food using carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight in the presence of chlorophyll.
- Specifically, Alveoli are tiny air sacs present in the lungs where the exchange of gases takes place.
- The human heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
- Xylem tissue is responsible for transporting water and dissolved minerals from the roots to different parts of the plant.
- However, Phloem tissue majorly transports the food prepared in the leaves to all parts of the plant.
- The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney. Secondly, each kidney contains about one million nephrons.
- Transpiration is the loss of water in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of plants, mainly through the stomata.
- Life processes are mainly essential for the survival of living organisms.
- Additionally, plants remove waste through diffusion, storage and transpiration.
Download PDF Class10_Life_Processes_Notes
A Note from the Author: As an educator with a background in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, I aim to simplify complex topics for students and curious minds. However, science is a rapidly evolving field. While I strive for accuracy, please use these resources as a supplement to—not a replacement for—official curriculum textbooks or professional medical consultation.Â
