Life Processes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from lecture notes on Life Processes, including nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion in plants, animals, and humans.

Life Processes

Activities like nutrition, transportation, excretion, and maintenance of structures at the molecular level that are essential for sustaining life.

Autotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from simple sources like carbon dioxide and water.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from complex substances that need to be broken down with enzymes.

Stomata

Pores on leaves facilitating gaseous exchange for photosynthesis.

Guard cells

Cells that control the opening and closing of stomata based on water flow.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs, like plants, convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates using sunlight and chlorophyll.

Peristaltic movement

The rhythmic muscular contractions that propel food forward through the oesophagus.

Salivary amylase

Enzyme present in saliva that breaks down starch into maltose.

Stomach

Sac-like structure with muscular walls in the digestive system where food is stored and further broken down.

Sphincter muscles

Muscles that control the passage of food into and out of the stomach.

Hydrochloric acid

Acid secreted in the stomach, creating an acidic environment crucial for enzymatic activity.

Mucus

Layer that safeguards the stomach lining from the effects of hydrochloric acid.

Gastric glands

Glands in the stomach responsible for releasing pepsin.

Pepsin

Enzyme released by gastric glands that aids in the breakdown of proteins into peptides.

Small Intestine

The lengthiest section of the alimentary canal where comprehensive digestion processes occur and nutrients are absorbed.

Bile

Secretion from the liver that alkalizes acidic food and emulsifies fats.

Villi

Small, finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb digested food.

Large Intestine

Organ where excess water is absorbed from unabsorbed food.

Aerobic respiration

The process by which organisms break down glucose for energy production, using oxygen.

Anaerobic respiration

The process by which organisms break down glucose for energy production, without using oxygen.

Nostrils

Small openings that functions as a passage to inhale air, with hair and mucus in the airway acting as filters before air reaches the throat.

Pharynx

A tube-like structure and is the connection point for the nostrils.

Trachea

It is supported by rings of cartilage to prevent collapse when there is no air.

Bronchi

It connects the trachea to the lungs and has smaller divisions called bronchioles

Alveoli

It creates a surface for gaseous exchange, with walls containing a network of blood vessels.

Cellular respiration

Releases energy to produce ATP (energy currency), which fuels cell activities by breaking down to release a fixed amount of energy for endothermic reactions.

Inhalation

The thoracic cavity (chest cavity) expands. Ribs lift up. Diaphragm become flat in shape. Volume of lungs increases and air enters the lungs.

Exhalation

Thoracic cavity contracts. Ribs move downwards. Diaphragm becomes dome shaped. Volume of lungs decreases and air exits from the lungs.

RBC (Red blood cells)

It carries O₂ and CO₂ and also contain Haemoglobin which impart red colour to the blood.

WBC (White blood cells)

It provides body defence by engulfing the germs and produces antibodies.

Blood Platelets

It helps in blood clotting during injury.

Liquid components (Plasma)

It is a yellow colour fluid which contain 90% water & 10% organic substances

Arteries

Carry oxygenated blood from heart to body parts except pulmonary artery Also called distributing vessel. Thick and elastic. Deep seated. (far from the skin)

Veins

Carry deoxygenated blood from body parts to heart except pulmonary vein Also called collecting vessel. Thin and less elastic. Superficial (near to skin) as compared to arteries.

Xylem

It is composed of trachids, xylem vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibre. Tracheids and xylem vessels are the conducting elements. No use of ATP.

Phloem

It is composed of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma and bast fibers. Sieve tubes are the conducting elements in phloem. ATP’s are used.

Ascent of Sap

The upward movement of water and minerals from roots to different plant parts is called ascent of sap.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapour through stomata and lenticels, in plants, is called transpiration.

Excretion

Removal of harmful waste from the body is called excretion.

Kidney

Is a bean-shaped organ which lies near the vertebral column in the abdominal cavity.

Nephron

It is composed of a tangled mess of tubes and a filtering part, called glomerulus.Nephron is called the functional unit of kidney.

Secretion

Extra water, salts are secreted into the tubule which opens up into the collecting duct and then into the ureter.

Hemodialysis

Kidneys are crucial organs for survival, but factors like infections or injury can reduce their function, leading to toxic waste buildup in the body.