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life processes Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the defining characteristic of life that is often considered insufficient?

A

Visible movement

Movements over very small scales, such as molecular movement, are necessary for life.

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2
Q

What are the maintenance processes in living organisms called?

A

Life processes

These processes must continue even when the organism is inactive.

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3
Q

What is the source of energy needed for maintenance processes in living organisms?

A

Food

Energy is required to prevent damage and breakdown of living structures.

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4
Q

What is the process of acquiring oxygen from outside the body called?

A

Respiration

This process is essential for breaking down food sources for cellular needs.

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5
Q

In multi-cellular organisms, why is diffusion insufficient for meeting oxygen requirements?

A

Increased body size and complexity

Simple diffusion cannot meet the needs of all cells in larger organisms.

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6
Q

What is the process called that removes waste by-products from the body?

A

Excretion

Waste products must be transported away from cells to excretory tissues.

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7
Q

What type of organisms are known as autotrophs?

A

Organisms that produce their own food

Examples include green plants and some bacteria.

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8
Q

What is the process by which autotrophs convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates?

A

Photosynthesis

This process occurs in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

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9
Q

What are the three main steps of photosynthesis?

A
  • Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll
  • Conversion of light energy to chemical energy
  • Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates

These steps may not occur in a strict sequence.

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10
Q

What are stomata?

A

Tiny pores on the surface of leaves

They facilitate gas exchange during photosynthesis.

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11
Q

What role do guard cells play in the functioning of stomata?

A

They control the opening and closing of stomatal pores

Guard cells swell to open and shrink to close the stomata.

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12
Q

What is the main function of enzymes in the digestive process?

A

To break down complex substances into simpler ones

Enzymes act as biological catalysts in digestion.

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13
Q

What is the alimentary canal?

A

A long tube extending from the mouth to the anus

It has different regions specialized for various functions.

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14
Q

What happens to food in the alimentary canal?

A

It is processed to generate small particles for absorption

This involves crushing food and mixing it with saliva.

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15
Q

What is the significance of saliva in digestion?

A

It moistens food and contains enzymes for breaking down starch

Saliva is secreted by salivary glands.

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16
Q

What is the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis?

A

They contain chlorophyll, which is essential for absorbing light energy

Chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis in plant cells.

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17
Q

What do heterotrophs depend on for survival?

A

Autotrophs

Heterotrophs include animals and fungi that rely on complex substances for nutrition.

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18
Q

What is the role of saliva in the digestive process?

A
  • Moistens food
  • Contains salivary amylase to break down starch

Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands and helps in the initial digestion of food.

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19
Q

What are the muscular movements that help push food through the digestive canal called?

A

Peristaltic movements

These rhythmic contractions occur along the gut to move food forward.

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20
Q

What does the gastric juice in the stomach contain?

A
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Pepsin
  • Mucus

Hydrochloric acid creates an acidic medium for pepsin to digest proteins and mucus protects the stomach lining.

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21
Q

The small intestine is the site of complete digestion of which macromolecules?

A
  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats

The small intestine receives secretions from the liver and pancreas for digestion.

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22
Q

What is the function of bile salts in the small intestine?

A

Emulsifies fats

Bile salts break down large fat globules into smaller ones, increasing enzyme efficiency.

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23
Q

What are the finger-like projections in the small intestine that aid in absorption called?

A

Villi

Villi increase the surface area for absorption and are rich in blood vessels.

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24
Q

What happens to unabsorbed food in the digestive system?

A

Sent to the large intestine

The large intestine absorbs more water from the material before it is excreted.

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25
What is **dental caries**?
Tooth decay caused by bacteria ## Footnote Bacteria produce acids that soften enamel and form dental plaque.
26
Fill in the blank: The process of breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen is called **________** respiration.
aerobic ## Footnote This process occurs in the mitochondria and releases a significant amount of energy.
27
What is the energy currency of the cell known as?
ATP ## Footnote ATP is synthesized during cellular respiration and is used for various cellular activities.
28
What are the two types of respiration based on oxygen availability?
* Aerobic respiration * Anaerobic respiration ## Footnote Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration occurs without it.
29
What is the role of **haemoglobin** in respiration?
Carries oxygen in the blood ## Footnote Haemoglobin has a high affinity for oxygen and is present in red blood cells.
30
How do **terrestrial animals** obtain oxygen for respiration?
Through lungs or other specialized organs ## Footnote Terrestrial animals breathe in atmospheric oxygen, while aquatic animals use dissolved oxygen in water.
31
What is the **function of alveoli** in the lungs?
Gas exchange ## Footnote Alveoli provide a large surface area for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
32
True or false: Smoking is harmful to health.
TRUE ## Footnote Smoking can lead to various health issues, including lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
33
What is the **function of cilia** in the respiratory tract?
Remove germs and dust from inhaled air ## Footnote Cilia help protect the lungs from harmful particles.
34
What happens to the **residual volume** of air in the lungs?
Remains in the lungs during breathing cycles ## Footnote This allows sufficient time for gas exchange to occur.
35
What is the **normal range of haemoglobin** content in human beings?
Varies by age and gender ## Footnote Typically, adult males have higher levels than females.
36
What is the **function of plasma** in the blood?
* Transports food * Transports carbon dioxide * Transports nitrogenous wastes * Carries oxygen ## Footnote Plasma transports various substances in dissolved form.
37
What is the **size** of the heart compared to?
As big as a fist ## Footnote The heart is a muscular organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
38
What are the **different chambers** of the heart responsible for?
* Preventing mixing of oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-rich blood * Pumping blood to the lungs and the rest of the body ## Footnote The heart has a structure that allows efficient separation of blood types.
39
What is the **pathway of oxygen-rich blood** from the lungs to the body?
* Left atrium * Left ventricle * Body ## Footnote Oxygen-rich blood is pumped from the lungs to the body through these chambers.
40
What is the **pathway of de-oxygenated blood** from the body to the lungs?
* Right atrium * Right ventricle * Lungs ## Footnote De-oxygenated blood is pumped from the body to the lungs for oxygenation.
41
What is **blood pressure**?
The force that blood exerts against the wall of a vessel ## Footnote Blood pressure is greater in arteries than in veins.
42
What is **systolic pressure**?
Pressure in the artery during ventricular systole (contraction) ## Footnote Normal systolic pressure is about 120 mm of Hg.
43
What is **diastolic pressure**?
Pressure in the artery during ventricular diastole (relaxation) ## Footnote Normal diastolic pressure is about 80 mm of Hg.
44
What are the **types of blood vessels**?
* Arteries * Veins * Capillaries ## Footnote Each type of blood vessel has a specific function in the circulatory system.
45
What do **arteries** do?
Carry blood away from the heart ## Footnote Arteries have thick, elastic walls due to high pressure.
46
What do **veins** do?
Collect blood from organs and bring it back to the heart ## Footnote Veins have valves to ensure one-way blood flow.
47
What are **capillaries**?
Smallest blood vessels with walls one-cell thick ## Footnote Capillaries facilitate the exchange of materials between blood and surrounding cells.
48
What is the role of **platelets** in the blood?
Help to clot the blood at injury points ## Footnote Platelets minimize blood loss and maintain pressure in the circulatory system.
49
What is **lymph**?
Tissue fluid similar to plasma but colorless and with less protein ## Footnote Lymph drains into lymphatic capillaries and carries digested fat and excess fluid.
50
What are the two main **transport systems** in plants?
* Xylem * Phloem ## Footnote These systems transport water, minerals, and products of photosynthesis.
51
What does the **xylem** transport?
Water and minerals from the soil ## Footnote Xylem vessels form a continuous system of water-conducting channels.
52
What does the **phloem** transport?
Products of photosynthesis and amino acids ## Footnote Phloem transports materials according to the plant's needs.
53
What is **transpiration**?
Loss of water vapor from the aerial parts of the plant ## Footnote Transpiration helps in the absorption and upward movement of water.
54
What is the **excretory system** in human beings composed of?
* Kidneys * Ureters * Urinary bladder * Urethra ## Footnote This system filters waste products from the blood.
55
How is **urine produced**?
By filtering out waste products from the blood in the kidneys ## Footnote The kidneys use nephrons as the basic filtration units.
56
What is an **artificial kidney**?
A device to remove nitrogenous waste products from the blood through dialysis ## Footnote It mimics the function of kidneys but does not involve re-absorption.
57
How do **plants excrete** waste?
Through processes like diffusion and by managing oxygen produced during photosynthesis ## Footnote Plants have different strategies for excretion compared to animals.
58
What is **organ donation**?
The act of donating an organ to a person suffering from organ failure ## Footnote Organ transplants can save or transform lives.
59
What is the process of **organ transplantation**?
Surgically removing an organ from one person (donor) and transplanting it to another (recipient) ## Footnote Common transplantations include corneas, kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, lungs, intestines, and bone marrow.
60
Most organ and tissue donations occur just after the donor has died or when the doctor declares a person **brain dead**. True or False?
TRUE ## Footnote Some organs can also be donated while the donor is alive, such as a kidney or part of a liver.
61
List the **methods used by plants** to get rid of excretory products.
* Storing waste in cellular vacuoles * Losing parts like leaves * Storing waste as resins and gums * Excreting substances into the soil ## Footnote Plants can manage waste through various techniques, including the storage of waste products.
62
What are the **two types of respiration**?
* Aerobic respiration * Anaerobic respiration ## Footnote Aerobic respiration produces more energy compared to anaerobic respiration.
63
In human beings, the **transport of materials** such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, food, and excretory products is a function of the __________ system.
circulatory ## Footnote The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
64
The **xylem** in plants is responsible for the transport of __________.
water ## Footnote Xylem is part of the vascular tissue in plants.
65
The **autotrophic mode of nutrition** requires which of the following? 1. Carbon dioxide and water 2. Chlorophyll 3. Sunlight 4. All of the above
4. All of the above ## Footnote Autotrophic nutrition involves synthesizing complex organic materials from simple inorganic substances.
66
The breakdown of **pyruvate** to give carbon dioxide, water, and energy takes place in __________.
mitochondria ## Footnote This process is part of aerobic respiration.
67
What is the role of **saliva** in the digestion of food?
Begins the breakdown of food through enzymes ## Footnote Saliva contains enzymes that help in the digestion process.
68
Describe the **double circulation** of blood in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Blood passes through the heart twice during one complete circuit ## Footnote This system ensures efficient oxygenation of blood and separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
69
How are the **alveoli** designed to maximize the exchange of gases?
Thin walls, large surface area, and rich blood supply ## Footnote These features facilitate efficient gas exchange in the lungs.
70
What are the differences between the transport of materials in **xylem** and **phloem**?
* Xylem: Transports water and minerals * Phloem: Transports food (sugars) ## Footnote Xylem and phloem are both part of the vascular system in plants but serve different functions.
71
What are the necessary conditions for **autotrophic nutrition** and what are its by-products?
* Conditions: Sunlight, carbon dioxide, water * By-products: Oxygen ## Footnote Autotrophic nutrition is the process by which organisms produce their own food.
72
How is the amount of **urine produced** regulated in human beings?
Through the function of nephrons in the kidneys ## Footnote Nephrons filter blood and regulate water and electrolyte balance.
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