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Life Processes Flashcards

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1
Q

Front

A

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2
Q

How do we tell the difference between what is alive and what is not alive?

A

We typically recognize living beings through observable actions such as movement breathing and growth. However visible movement alone is not a sufficient indicator of life.

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3
Q

What is the significance of molecular movement in living organisms?

A

Molecular movement is necessary for life as living organisms are organized structures that require constant repair and maintenance. If the organized nature of these structures breaks down the organism ceases to be alive.

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4
Q

What are life processes?

A

Life processes are the maintenance functions that living organisms perform to prevent damage and breakdown which must occur even when the organism is at rest.

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5
Q

What is the role of nutrition in living organisms?

A

Nutrition provides energy and materials required for growth development and maintenance of living organisms. It involves transferring energy sources from outside the organism to the inside.

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6
Q

What are the two types of organisms based on their nutritional processes?

A

Organisms can be classified as autotrophs which produce their own food using inorganic sources and heterotrophs which obtain food from other organisms.

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7
Q

What is autotrophic nutrition?

A

Autotrophic nutrition is the process by which autotrophs take in substances from the environment (like CO2 and water) and convert them into energy (carbohydrates) through photosynthesis.

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8
Q

What are the steps involved in photosynthesis?

A
  1. Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll. 2. Conversion of light energy into chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. 3. Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.
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9
Q

What is the function of stomata in plants?

A

Stomata are tiny pores on the surface of leaves that facilitate gas exchange (CO2 intake and O2 release) necessary for photosynthesis.

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10
Q

What is the role of guard cells in the functioning of stomata?

A

Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata. They swell to open the stomatal pore when water flows in and shrink to close it when water is scarce.

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11
Q

What is heterotrophic nutrition?

A

Heterotrophic nutrition involves organisms that cannot produce their own food and instead rely on consuming other organisms or organic material.

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12
Q

How do organisms adapt their digestive systems based on their nutrition?

A

As organisms become more complex their digestive systems become specialized; for instance single-celled organisms may absorb food across their entire surface while multicellular organisms have specialized digestive organs.

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13
Q

What is the alimentary canal in humans?

A

The alimentary canal is a long tube in humans that extends from the mouth to the anus with various regions specialized to perform different digestive functions.

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14
Q

What are the primary sources of energy for living organisms?

A

The primary source of energy for living organisms comes from food which is broken down and metabolized to maintain life processes.

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15
Q

What is the importance of oxygen in the process of respiration?

A

Oxygen is critical in respiration as it is used in chemical reactions to break down food molecules generating energy needed for cellular functions.

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16
Q

What happens to waste products generated from metabolic processes?

A

Waste products are by-products of metabolic processes that must be removed from the body to prevent toxicity; this is achieved through the process of excretion.

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17
Q

Why is diffusion insufficient for multi-cellular organisms?

A

Diffusion is insufficient for multi-cellular organisms because not all cells can directly contact the environment requiring a specialized transportation system for oxygen and nutrients.

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18
Q

What role do enzymes play in nutrition?

A

Enzymes act as bio-catalysts that help break down complex food substances into simpler absorbable forms necessary for maintaining and growing the body.

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19
Q

What is the significance of carbon-based molecules for life on Earth?

A

Carbon-based molecules are essential for life on Earth as they form the basis of biological structures and are critical for energy transfer in living organisms.

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20
Q

In which test tube do you observe a colour change?

A

The test tube containing starch.

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21
Q

What does the colour change in the test tube indicate?

A

It indicates the presence or absence of starch in the two test tubes.

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22
Q

What does the presence of starch tell us about the action of saliva on starch?

A

Saliva contains the enzyme salivary amylase which breaks down starch into simple sugars.

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23
Q

What is saliva?

A

Saliva is a fluid secreted by the salivary glands that helps in the digestion of food.

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24
Q

What is the role of enzymes in digestion?

A

Enzymes are biological catalysts that help break down complex food molecules into smaller molecules for absorption.

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25
Q

What enzyme does saliva contain and what is its function?

A

Salivary amylase; it breaks down starch into simple sugars.

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26
Q

What is the process that moves food along the digestive tract?

A

Peristaltic movements which are rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the lining of the canal.

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27
Q

What is the food-pipe also known as?

A

Oesophagus.

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28
Q

What occurs in the stomach during the digestion process?

A

The muscular walls of the stomach mix food with digestive juices and gastric glands release hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

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29
Q

What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

A

It creates an acidic medium that facilitates the action of the enzyme pepsin.

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30
Q

What protects the inner lining of the stomach?

A

Mucus protects the stomach lining from the action of acid.

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31
Q

What regulates the exit of food from the stomach?

A

A sphincter muscle.

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32
Q

What role does bile play in digestion?

A

Bile juice from the liver makes the food alkaline and acts on fats to emulsify them.

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33
Q

What is the function of pancreatic juice?

A

It contains enzymes like trypsin for digesting proteins and lipase for breaking down emulsified fats.

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34
Q

What are villi and what is their function?

A

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

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35
Q

What happens to unabsorbed food in the large intestine?

A

The wall of the large intestine absorbs more water from the material.

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36
Q

What are dental caries?

A

Tooth decay caused by bacteria acting on sugars to produce acids that soften or demineralize enamel.

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37
Q

How is dental plaque formed?

A

Bacterial cells together with food particles stick to the teeth to form dental plaque.

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38
Q

What is aerobic respiration?

A

The break-down of pyruvate into carbon dioxide and water in the presence of oxygen.

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39
Q

What is anaerobic respiration?

A

The conversion of pyruvate into ethanol and carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen.

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40
Q

What is ATP and what is its significance?

A

ATP is the energy currency for most cellular processes used to fuel activities in the cell.

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41
Q

What mechanism do plants use for gas exchange?

A

Plants exchange gases through stomata.

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42
Q

What role do gills play in fish respiration?

A

Gills allow fish to take in dissolved oxygen from water.

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43
Q

What is the function of alveoli in the lungs?

A

Alveoli provide a surface where the exchange of gases can take place.

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44
Q

What is the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport?

A

Hemoglobin in red blood cells has a high affinity for oxygen and carries it to tissues.

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45
Q

What happens to carbon dioxide in the blood?

A

Carbon dioxide is primarily transported in dissolved form in the blood.

46
Q

What are the effects of smoking on health?

A

Smoking is harmful and can lead to lung cancer heart disease and respiratory illnesses.

47
Q

How does the body protect the surface for gas exchange in respiratory organs?

A

The surface is usually placed within the body and protected by passages.

48
Q

What is the significance of the large surface area of the alveoli?

A

The large surface area of the alveoli enhances the efficiency of gas exchange.

49
Q

What are the links between respiration and nutrition?

A

Food material taken during nutrition is used in cells to provide energy for various life processes.

50
Q

What is the first step in the breakdown of glucose?

A

The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate.

51
Q

What is lactic acid and when is it produced?

A

Lactic acid is produced from pyruvate during anaerobic respiration in muscle cells.

52
Q

What happens during the breathing cycle?

A

Air is taken in and let out allowing time for oxygen to be absorbed and carbon dioxide to be released.

53
Q

What advantage over an aquatic organism does a terrestrial organism have with regard to obtaining oxygen for respiration?

A
54
Q

What are the different ways in which glucose is oxidised to provide energy in various organisms?

A
55
Q

How is oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in human beings?

A
56
Q

How are the lungs designed in human beings to maximise the area for exchange of gases?

A
57
Q

What is the normal range of haemoglobin content in human beings?

A
58
Q

Is the normal range of haemoglobin content the same for children and adults?

A
59
Q

Is there any difference in the haemoglobin levels for men and women?

A
60
Q

What is the normal range of haemoglobin content in an animal like the buffalo or cow?

A
61
Q

Is the haemoglobin content different in calves male and female animals?

A
62
Q

How would the differences in haemoglobin levels between male and female human beings and animals be explained?

A
63
Q

What is blood?

A

Blood is a fluid connective tissue that consists of a fluid medium called plasma in which the cells are suspended.

64
Q

What does plasma transport?

A

Plasma transports food carbon dioxide and nitrogenous wastes in dissolved form.

65
Q

How is oxygen carried in the blood?

A

Oxygen is carried by the red blood corpuscles.

66
Q

What role does the heart play in the circulatory system?

A

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood around the body through a network of tubes.

67
Q

What is the function of valves in the heart?

A

Valves ensure that blood does not flow backwards when the atria or ventricles contract.

68
Q

What are the two types of blood in terms of oxygen content?

A

Oxygenated blood (rich in oxygen) and deoxygenated blood (rich in carbon dioxide).

69
Q

How many chambers does the human heart have?

A

The human heart has four chambers.

70
Q

What are the two upper chambers of the heart called?

A

The two upper chambers are called atria (left atrium and right atrium).

71
Q

What are the two lower chambers of the heart called?

A

The two lower chambers are called ventricles (left ventricle and right ventricle).

72
Q

What is the difference in wall thickness between atria and ventricles?

A

Ventricles have thicker muscular walls than the atria.

73
Q

What is double circulation?

A

In double circulation blood goes through the heart twice during each cycle.

74
Q

What is blood pressure?

A

Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts against the wall of a vessel.

75
Q

What is systolic pressure?

A

Systolic pressure is the pressure of blood inside the artery during ventricular systole (contraction).

76
Q

What is diastolic pressure?

A

Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the artery during ventricular diastole (relaxation).

77
Q

What are arteries?

A

Arteries are vessels that carry blood away from the heart to various organs of the body.

78
Q

What are veins?

A

Veins collect blood from different organs and bring it back to the heart.

79
Q

What are capillaries?

A

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels with walls that are one-cell thick allowing exchange of materials between blood and surrounding cells.

80
Q

What is the role of platelets in the blood?

A

Platelets help to clot the blood at points of injury to minimize blood loss.

81
Q

What is lymph?

A

Lymph is tissue fluid that drains into lymphatic capillaries carrying digested fat and excess fluid back into the blood.

82
Q

What are the two main transport systems in plants?

A

The xylem moves water and minerals from the soil and phloem transports products of photosynthesis from the leaves.

83
Q

How do xylem and phloem contribute to plant transport?

A

Xylem conducts water and minerals upward while phloem transports photosynthesis products and nutrients throughout the plant.

84
Q

What is transpiration?

A

Transpiration is the loss of water in the form of vapor from the aerial parts of the plant which helps in the absorption and upward movement of water from roots to leaves.

85
Q

What is excretion?

A

Excretion is the biological process involved in the removal of harmful metabolic wastes from the body.

86
Q

What is the excretory system in human beings composed of?

A

The excretory system includes a pair of kidneys a pair of ureters a urinary bladder and a urethra.

87
Q

How is urine produced?

A

Urine is produced by filtering waste products from the blood in the kidneys.

88
Q

What is the basic filtration unit in the kidneys called?

A

The basic filtration unit in the kidneys is called a nephron.

89
Q

What substances are selectively reabsorbed during urine formation?

A

Substances such as glucose amino acids salts and a significant amount of water are selectively reabsorbed.

90
Q

What is the structure and function of the bladder?

A

The bladder is a muscular organ that is under nervous control allowing for the control of the urge to urinate.

91
Q

What is an artificial kidney?

A

An artificial kidney is a device used to remove nitrogenous waste products from the blood through dialysis.

92
Q

How does an artificial kidney work?

A

Artificial kidneys contain tubes with a semi-permeable lining suspended in a tank filled with dialysing fluid. The patients blood is passed through these tubes allowing waste products to pass into the dialysing fluid by diffusion and the purified blood is pumped back into the patient.

93
Q

What is the difference between the function of an artificial kidney and a natural kidney?

A

An artificial kidney performs the function of removing waste products from the blood but it does not involve re-absorption whereas natural kidneys filter and re-absorb substances.

94
Q

What is the daily volume of initial filtrate in healthy adult kidneys?

A

The initial filtrate in the kidneys of a healthy adult is about 180 liters daily.

95
Q

How much urine is actually excreted by the kidneys daily?

A

Only a liter or two of urine is excreted daily because the remaining filtrate is re-absorbed in the kidney tubules.

96
Q

What are the methods used by plants to excrete waste products?

A

Plants excrete waste products through various methods such as transpiration of excess water storage of waste in cellular vacuoles and shedding of leaves that contain waste.

97
Q

How do plants store waste products?

A

Many plant waste products are stored in cellular vacuoles or as resins and gums especially in old xylem.

98
Q

What is organ donation?

A

Organ donation is the act of donating an organ to a person suffering from non-function of organs done with the consent of the donor and their family.

99
Q

What organs are commonly transplanted?

A

Common organ transplants include corneas kidneys heart liver pancreas lungs intestines and bone marrow.

100
Q

When do most organ and tissue donations occur?

A

Most organ and tissue donations occur just after the donor has died or when the doctor declares a person brain dead.

101
Q

What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

A

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more energy while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and produces less energy.

102
Q

What is the role of the circulatory system in humans?

A

The circulatory system in humans is responsible for the transport of materials such as oxygen carbon dioxide food and excretory products.

103
Q

What is the function of xylem in plants?

A

The xylem in plants is responsible for the transport of water.

104
Q

What is the autotrophic mode of nutrition?

A

Autotrophic nutrition involves the intake of simple inorganic materials from the environment and using an external energy source like the Sun to synthesize complex organic material.

105
Q

What are the by-products of autotrophic nutrition?

A

By-products of autotrophic nutrition include oxygen and glucose.

106
Q

How are alveoli designed to maximize gas exchange?

A

Alveoli have a large surface area thin walls and are surrounded by capillaries to maximize the exchange of gases.

107
Q

What are the consequences of a deficiency of hemoglobin in our bodies?

A

A deficiency of hemoglobin can lead to reduced oxygen transport resulting in anemia and fatigue.

108
Q

What is double circulation in human beings?

A

Double circulation is the process where blood passes through the heart twice during one complete circuit of the body ensuring efficient oxygenation of blood.

109
Q

What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?

A

Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant while phloem transports food (sugars) from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

110
Q

Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys.

A

Both alveoli and nephrons are specialized structures that facilitate exchange processes; alveoli exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the lungs while nephrons filter blood to remove waste products.

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