Life Processes: Nutrition and Autotrophs

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the fundamental life processes of nutrition, specifically focusing on autotrophic and heterotrophic systems as described in the lecture notes.

Excretion

The process involving a specialised tissue in multi-cellular organisms designed to transport and remove waste away from cells.

Energy and Materials

Sources required by the body to maintain a state of order, grow, develop, and synthesise protein and other substances.

Autotrophs

Organisms, including green plants and some bacteria, that use simple food material obtained from inorganic sources in the form of carbon dioxide and water.

Enzymes

Bio-catalysts used by organisms to break down complex substances into simpler ones before they can be used for the upkeep and growth of the body.

Heterotrophs

Organisms, such as animals and fungi, whose survival depends directly or indirectly on autotrophs and who utilise complex substances.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs take in carbon dioxide and water and convert them into stored forms of energy (carbohydrates) in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

Starch

The internal energy reserve in plants, formed by carbohydrates that are not used immediately.

Glycogen

The form in which energy derived from the food we eat is stored in the human body.