UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  Science & Technology CSE  >  NCERT Textbook: Life Processes

NCERT Textbook: Life Processes

Download, print and study this document offline

FAQs on NCERT Textbook: Life Processes

1. What are the main life processes that all living organisms need to survive?
Ans. Life processes are essential functions that keep organisms alive, including nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion, growth, and reproduction. Nutrition involves obtaining food and energy; respiration releases energy from food; transportation moves nutrients and gases throughout the body; excretion removes metabolic wastes; growth increases size and complexity; reproduction creates new organisms. These interconnected processes sustain life in all living things.
2. How does photosynthesis work and why is it important for life on Earth?
Ans. Photosynthesis is the process where green plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen using chlorophyll in leaves. This process occurs in two stages: the light-dependent reactions in thylakoids produce energy carriers, while light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) synthesize glucose. Photosynthesis is vital because it produces oxygen for respiration and creates food that sustains nearly all life forms on the planet.
3. What's the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in living cells?
Ans. Aerobic respiration requires oxygen to break down glucose and produce approximately 38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, occurring in mitochondria. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, producing only 2 ATP molecules through fermentation or glycolysis, generating lactate or ethanol as byproducts. Aerobic respiration is far more efficient energetically, which is why most organisms preferentially use this pathway when oxygen is available.
4. How do nutrients and gases get transported through the body in plants and animals?
Ans. In animals, the circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen, and hormones via blood through vessels, while the lymphatic system handles fluid balance. In plants, xylem vessels transport water and minerals from roots upward through capillary action, while phloem tubes distribute sugars produced during photosynthesis. Both systems use pressure gradients and active transport mechanisms to ensure efficient distribution of vital substances throughout living organisms.
5. Why do organisms need to excrete waste products and how does this process work?
Ans. Excretion removes toxic metabolic wastes like urea, carbon dioxide, and excess salts that accumulate during respiration and digestion, preventing harmful buildup. In animals, kidneys filter blood to produce urine, lungs expel carbon dioxide, and skin removes some salts through sweat. In plants, waste gases diffuse through stomata and leaves, while some compounds are stored harmlessly in vacuoles. This process maintains internal balance and health.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam
Related Searches
NCERT Textbook: Life Processes, Important questions, mock tests for examination, study material, shortcuts and tricks, Semester Notes, ppt, MCQs, Sample Paper, Previous Year Questions with Solutions, Extra Questions, Viva Questions, practice quizzes, pdf , NCERT Textbook: Life Processes, past year papers, Free, NCERT Textbook: Life Processes, Exam, Objective type Questions, video lectures, Summary;