Life Processes

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Life Processes

The processes which together perform the maintenance job of living organisms.

Nutrition

The process to transfer a source of energy (food) from outside the body of the organism to the inside.

Autotrophs

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

Heterotrophs

Organisms that utilize complex substances which have to be broken down into simpler ones before they can be used (e.g., animals and fungi).

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs take in substances from the outside and convert them into stored forms of energy using carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and chlorophyll.

Stomata

Tiny pores present on the surface of leaves that allow for massive amounts of gaseous exchange.

Guard Cells

Cells that regulate the opening and closing of stomatal pores.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts used by organisms to break down complex substances into simpler ones.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch into simple sugar.

Peristaltic Movements

Rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the digestive tube that push food forward.

Gastric Glands

Glands in the wall of the stomach that release hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and mucus for digestion.

Pepsin

A protein-digesting enzyme released in the stomach.

Bile Juice

A secretion from the liver that makes food alkaline and acts on fats, breaking them into smaller globules.

Trypsin

An enzyme secreted by the pancreas for digesting proteins.

Lipase

An enzyme secreted by the pancreas for breaking down emulsified fats.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the inner lining of the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption.

Aerobic Respiration

The break-down of pyruvate using oxygen in the mitochondria, producing carbon dioxide and water.

Anaerobic Respiration

The break-down of pyruvate in the absence of oxygen, such as fermentation in yeast, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

ATP

The energy currency for most cellular processes, synthesized during cellular respiration.

Alveoli

Balloon-like structures in the lungs where the exchange of gases takes place.