CH-5 LIFE PROCESSES-TRANSPORTATION & EXCRETION
1. What are the components of the transport system in human beings? What are the functions of these
components?
The main components of the transport system in human beings are the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
The heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. It receives deoxygenated blood from the various
body parts and sends this impure blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
Being a fluid connective tissue, blood helps in the transport of oxygen, nutrients, CO2 and nitrogenous
wastes.
The blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) carry blood either away from the heart to various organs
or from various organs back to the heart.
2. Why is it necessary to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in mammals and birds?
The separation of the right side and the left side of the heart is useful to keep oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood from mixing. Such separation allows a highly efficient supply of oxygen to the body. This is useful in
animals that have high energy needs, such as birds and mammals, which constantly use energy to maintain
their body temperature.
3. What are the components of the transport system in highly organised plants?
Plant transport systems will move energy stores from leaves and raw materials from roots. These two
pathways are constructed as independently organised conducting tubes. One, the xylem moves water and
minerals obtained from the soil. The other, phloem transports products of photosynthesis from the leaves
where they are synthesised to other parts of the plant
4. How are water and minerals transported in plants?
Xylem structure- The main water conducting tissue in higher plants is xylem. Xylem consists of vessels
and tracheids. A xylem vessel is made of many hollow, dead cells (called vessel elements), joined end to
end. The end walls of the cells are dissolved so that a long, open tube is formed. These vessels run from the
roots of the plant right up through the stem and reach the leaves. These vessels do not contain cytoplasm or
nuclei. Their walls are made of cellulose and lignin (a very hard and strong substance), so they also provide
strength to the stems and help to keep the plant upright.
Root pressure-In xylem tissue, vessels and tracheids of the roots, stems and leaves are interconnected to
form a continuous system of water-conducting channels reaching all parts of the plant. At the roots, cells in
contact with the soil actively take up ions. This creates a difference in the concentration of these ions
between the root and the soil. Water, therefore moves into the root from the soil to eliminate this difference.
This means that there is steady movement of water into root xylem, creating a column of water that is
steadily pushed upwards.
Transpiration pull -The water which is lost through the stomata is replaced by water from the xylem
vessels in the leaf. In fact, evaporation of water molecules from the cells of a leaf creates a suction which
pulls water from the xylem cells of roots. The loss of water in the form of vapour from the aerial parts of the
plant is known as transpiration. Thus, transpiration helps in the absorption and upward movement of water
and minerals dissolved in it from roots to the leaves. It also helps in temperature regulation. The effect of
root pressure in transport of water is more important at night. During the day when the stomata are open, the
transpiration pull becomes the major driving force in the movement of water in the xylem
5. How is food transported in plants?
This transport of soluble products of photosynthesis(sugars) is called translocation and it occurs in the part
of the vascular tissue known as phloem.
Besides the products of photosynthesis, the phloem transports amino acids and other substances. These
substances are especially delivered to the storage organs of roots, fruits and seeds and to growing organs.
Pressure flow hypothesis
The translocation of food and other substances takes place in the sieve tubes with the help of adjacent
companion cells both in upward and downward directions.
Material like sucrose is transferred into phloem tissue using energy from ATP.
This increases the osmotic pressure of the tissue causing water from xylem to move into it.
This pressure moves the material in the phloem to tissues which have less pressure.
This allows the phloem to move material according to the plant’s needs. For example, in the spring, sugar
stored in root or stem tissue would be transported to the buds which need energy to grow
6. Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.
Structure
Each kidney is made up of a large number of excretory units called nephrons.
The nephron has a cup-shaped bag at its upper end which is called Bowman’s capsule.
The lower end of Bowman’s capsule is tube-shaped and it is called tubule.
The Bowman’s capsule and the tubule taken together make a nephron.
One end of the tubule is connected to the Bowman’s capsule and its other end is connected to a urine-
collecting duct of the kidney.
Each kidney receives blood via a renal artery, which branches into multiple arteries and arterioles. An
arteriole delivers blood to a glomerulus, a tuft of capillaries where blood is filtered into the nephron.
Bowman’s capsule receives fluid from the glomerulus. From there, the solution travels along the renal
tubule.
Function-
Filtration-The function of glomerulus is to filter the blood passing through it. Only the small molecules of
substances present in blood like glucose, amino acids, salts, urea and water, etc., pass through the
glomerulus and collect as filtrate in the Bowman’s capsule. The large molecules like proteins and blood cells
cannot pass out through the glomerulus capillaries and hence remain behind in the blood.
Selective Reabsorption- The function of tubule of nephron is to allow the selective reabsorption of the
useful substances like glucose, amino acids, salts and water into the blood capillaries. But the waste material
like urea remains behind in the tubule. It does not get reabsorbed into blood capillaries. The amount of water
re-absorbed depends on how much excess water there is in the body, and on how much of dissolved waste
there is to be excreted. A collecting duct receives the fluid from several nephrons. The urine forming in each
kidney eventually enters a long tube, the ureter, which connects the kidneys with the urinary bladder. Urine
is stored in the urinary bladder until the pressure of the expanded bladder leads to the urge to pass it out
through the urethra.
7. What are the methods used by plants to get rid of excretory products?
a) Oxygen and carbon dioxide are released out to the atmosphere through diffusion.
b) They get rid of excess water by transpiration.
c) Many plant waste products are stored in cellular vacuoles. Waste products may be stored in leaves
that fall off eventually.
d) Other waste products are stored as resins and gums, especially in old xylem which are dead tissues of
the plant.
e) Plants also excrete some waste substances into the soil around them.
8. How is the amount of urine produced regulated?
The amount of urine produced is regulated by the process of re-absorption. In the tubule of a nephron, all
useful substances (glucose, amino acids) get reabsorbed whereas harmful substances (urea, unwanted salts)
remain in the tubule. The amount of water re-absorbed depends on how much excess water there is in the
body, and on how much of dissolved waste there is to be excreted. Hence tubular reabsorption of water in
the tubule is used to regulate the amount of urine produced. Other factors such as habitat of an organism and
hormone such as Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) also regulate the amount of urine produced.
9. What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies?
Haemoglobin is a red pigment present in our blood which carries oxygen to all the parts of the body. If there
is deficiency of haemoglobin then amount of oxygen reaching our body cells will decrease. This may lead to
release of less energy in our body, leading to a disease called anaemia. Breathlessness, tiredness and
weakness are the symptoms of anaemia.
10. Describe double circulation of blood in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Double circulation means blood passes through the heart twice on one complete circuit of the body.
Double circulation has two components— Pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation.
Pulmonary circulation is movement of blood from heart to the lungs and back from the lungs to the heart.
Deoxygenated blood of the body enters the right auricle, passes into right ventricle which pumps it into
pulmonary artery and the blood passes into the lungs.
Now oxygenated blood from the lungs is carried back to the heart by Pulmonary veins and enters into the
left auricle of the heart.
Systemic Circulation is the circulation of blood between heart and different parts of the body except lungs.
Oxygenated blood received by left auricle passes into left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps it into aorta for
supply to different body parts including walls of the heart with the help of arteries
The separation of the right side and the left side of the heart is useful to keep oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood from mixing. Such separation allows a highly efficient supply of oxygen to the body. This is useful in
animals that have high energy needs, such as birds and mammals, which constantly use energy to maintain
their body temperature.
11. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
Xylem Phloem
Translocates sugars, amino
Transports water acids, and other organic
and minerals from compounds produced during
roots to the rest of photosynthesis from source
the plant (regions of production) to sink
(regions of utilisation).
Made up of dead
Made up of living cells
cells
Moves materials
upwards from Moves materials bidirectionally
roots to different throughout the plant
parts of the plant
Relies on
capillary action, Relies on active transport
root pressure and mechanisms
transpiration pull
Contains Contains sieve tube elements
primarily lignin for sugar transport and
and cellulose for companion cells for metabolic
structural support support
12. Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their
structure and functioning.
Alveoli (Lungs) Nephrons (Kidneys)
Small, air sacs located in the lungs Functional units of the kidneys responsible for filtering
where gas exchange occurs blood and producing urine
Found within the lungs Found in the kidney cortex and medulla
Alveoli (Lungs) Nephrons (Kidneys)
Facilitate the exchange of oxygen and
Filter blood to remove waste products and excess
carbon dioxide between the lungs and
substances.
blood
Consists of renal corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's
Thin-walled structures lined with a
capsule) and renal tubules (proximal tubule, loop of Henle,
single layer of epithelial cells
distal tubule)
Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into
Filtration of blood occurs to remove nitrogenous waste
the blood while carbon dioxide diffuses
products(urea) and excess substances
out
Carbon dioxide is released from the Waste products such as urea, excess salts, and water are
blood into the alveoli to be exhaled filtered from the blood and excreted as urine
Facilitate efficient gas exchange for Maintain the balance of electrolytes, regulate blood
oxygenation of the blood pressure, and remove waste from the body
13.Differentiate between artery, vein and capillary.
Arteries Veins Capillaries
Thick and strong walls, Single-cell thick walls,
Thinner walls with less muscle
containing muscle and elastic facilitating exchange of gases
and elastic tissue
tissue and nutrients
Carries oxygenated blood away Carries deoxygenated blood Facilitates exchange of
from the heart except pulmonary towards the heart expect nutrients and waste between
artery. pulmonary vein. blood and tissues
Valves present to prevent
No valves present No valves present
backflow of blood
High blood pressure due to Lower blood pressure compared Lower blood pressure due to
pumping action of the heart to arteries extensive branching network
Transport blood under high Transport blood back to the Facilitate gas exchange and
pressure, distributing nutrients heart, carrying waste products nutrient delivery between
and oxygen to tissues and carbon dioxide blood and tissues
Arteries Veins Capillaries
Smallest in diameter,
Larger in diameter compared to Smaller in diameter compared to
connecting arteries and veins
veins and capillaries arteries and capillaries
for exchange
14.What is lymph? what are its uses? Differentiate between blood and lymph.
Lymph or tissue fluid is a colorless/pale yellow fluid that forms in the tissues of the body and is collected
in lymphatic vessels that carry it back to the bloodstream. Through the pores present in the walls of
capillaries some amount of plasma, proteins and blood cells escape into intercellular spaces in the tissues to
form the tissue fluid or lymph. It is similar to the plasma of blood but colourless and contains less protein.
Uses of Lymph:
1. Immune System Support: Lymph contains white blood cells, such as lymphocytes, which are
essential for fighting infection and disease in the body. Lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic
system, act as filters for harmful substances and help to generate an immune response against
pathogens.
2. Fluid Balance: Lymph helps to maintain fluid balance in the body by collecting excess fluid and
proteins from tissues and returning them to the bloodstream. This prevents the buildup of excess
fluid in tissues, which could lead to swelling (edema).
3. Nutrient Transport: Lymphatic vessels also transport dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the
digestive system to the bloodstream, aiding in their absorption and distribution throughout the body.
Lymph Blood
Contains red blood cells, white
Primarily contains white blood cells, some proteins, plasma
blood cells, platelets, and plasma
Carries white blood cells and aids immune response.
Transports oxygen, nutrients,
Lymph carries digested and absorbed fat from intestine and
hormones, and waste products
drains excess fluid from extra cellular space back into the
blood.
Red due to hemoglobin in red blood
Colorless
cells
More watery texture compared to blood Thicker consistency than lymph
Circulates in closed system of
Carried through lymphatic vessels and returns to bloodstream
blood vessels
Circulates throughout the body via
Found in lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes
blood vessels
