Life Processes - NCERT Biology Class 10 Flashcards

A set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of Life Processes, including nutrition, photosynthesis, and the human digestive system.

Using visible __________ as the defining characteristic of life is not enough, as molecular movements remain invisible to the naked eye.

movement

The controversy regarding whether __________ are truly alive arises because they do not show molecular movement until they infect a cell.

viruses

The processes which together perform the maintenance job of keeping an organism alive are known as __________.

life processes

The process of transferring a source of energy from outside the body (food) to the inside is commonly called __________.

nutrition

Since life on earth depends on __________-based molecules, most food sources are also based on this element.

carbon

The process of acquiring oxygen from outside the body and using it to break down food for cellular needs is called __________.

respiration

In multi-cellular organisms, simple __________ will not meet the oxygen requirements of all cells because most cells are not in direct contact with the environment.

diffusion

Harmful waste by-products created during energy generation are removed from the body through a process called __________.

excretion

Organisms like green plants and some bacteria that use simple food material obtained from inorganic sources (carbon dioxide and water) are called __________.

autotrophs

To break down complex substances into simpler ones for growth, organisms use biological catalysts called __________.

enzymes

In plants, carbohydrates that are not used immediately are stored in the form of __________, which serves as an internal energy reserve.

starch

In humans, some of the energy derived from food is stored in the body in the form of __________.

glycogen

The chemical equation for photosynthesis is __________ + $12H_2O$ \u2192 $C_6H_{12}O_6$ + $6O_2$ + $6H_2O$.

$$6CO_2$$

The primary events of photosynthesis include the absorption of light energy by __________.

chlorophyll

During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into __________ energy.

chemical

Massive amounts of gaseous exchange take place in the leaves through tiny pores called __________.

stomata

The opening and closing of stomatal pores is a function of the __________, which swell when water flows into them.

guard cells

__________ is an essential element used in the synthesis of proteins and is taken up from the soil as inorganic nitrates or nitrites.

Nitrogen

Fungi like bread moulds, yeast, and mushrooms break down food material __________ the body before absorption.

outside

Amoeba takes in food using temporary finger-like extensions of the cell surface called __________.

pseudopodia

In the unicellular organism Paramoecium, food is moved to a specific spot by the movement of __________.

cilia

The saliva contains an enzyme called __________ that breaks down starch into simple sugar.

salivary amylase

Rhythmic contractions of muscles along the gut that push food forward are called __________ movements.

peristaltic

The stomach releases __________, a protein-digesting enzyme called pepsin, and mucus.

hydrochloric acid

The __________ protects the inner lining of the stomach from the action of hydrochloric acid under normal conditions.

mucus

Herbivores eating grass need a longer __________ to allow for the digestion of cellulose.

small intestine

__________ juice from the liver makes the acidic food coming from the stomach alkaline for pancreatic enzymes to act.

Bile

Bile salts break down large globules of fat into smaller globules in a process similar to the __________ action of soaps.

emulsifying

The pancreatic enzyme __________ is responsible for digesting proteins.

trypsin

The pancreatic enzyme __________ is responsible for breaking down emulsified fats.

lipase

The inner lining of the small intestine has finger-like projections called __________ that increase the surface area for absorption.

villi

Masses of bacterial cells and food particles that stick to teeth and prevent saliva from neutralizing acid are called dental __________.

plaque