Class 10 Chapter: Life Processes Topic: Transportation in Living Beings

1. Definition of Transportation
Transportation is the process by which essential substances such as nutrients, gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide),
hormones, and waste materials are moved from one part of the body to another in living organisms.

2. Significance and Need for Transportation in Living Beings

• To supply nutrients and oxygen to all cells for cellular respiration.
• To remove waste products like carbon dioxide and urea.
• To transport hormones and other regulatory substances.
• To maintain homeostasis and proper functioning of the organism.

3. Types of Transportation Systems

In Animals:
• Simple organisms (e.g., Amoeba, Hydra): Diffusion is sufficient due to small size and simple structure.
• Insects (e.g., Grasshopper): Open circulatory system – blood (hemolymph) flows freely within body cavities.
• Higher animals (e.g., Humans): Closed circulatory system – blood flows through a network of blood vessels.
In Plants:
• Transport of water, minerals, and food occurs through specialized tissues (xylem and phloem).

4. Transportation in Plants
4.1 Components of Plant Transport System
• Xylem: Transports water and minerals from roots to leaves.
• Phloem: Transports food (glucose) from leaves to other parts of the plant.

4.2 Transportation of Water and Minerals

• Occurs via xylem.
• Root hairs absorb water and minerals.
• Water moves through osmosis and is pulled upwards via transpiration pull, capillary action, and cohesion-tension
mechanism.

4.3 Transportation of Food

• Occurs via phloem.
• Translocation is the process of transporting food from leaves to storage organs and growing parts.
• Requires energy in the form of ATP and occurs through active transport.

5. Transportation in Human Beings

5.1 Components of Circulatory System
• Heart
• Blood
• Blood vessels (Arteries, Veins, Capillaries)
• Lymph

5.2 Detailed Explanation of Components

Heart
• Muscular organ located in the thoracic cavity.
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 • Pumps blood throughout the body.
• Divided into four chambers: Right atrium, Right ventricle, Left atrium, Left ventricle.
• Valves ensure unidirectional flow of blood.

Blood
• Red Blood Cells (RBCs):
Red Blood Cells, also known as erythrocytes, are the most abundant type of blood cells in the human body.
Their primary function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs and carry carbon dioxide back
to the lungs for exhalation.
RBCs contain haemoglobin, a protein that binds with oxygen and gives blood its red colour.
These cells are disc-shaped and lack nucleus, allowing for more space to carry oxygen.
They are produced in the bone marrow and typically live for about 120 days before being broken down and
recycled by the body.

• White Blood Cells (WBCs):

White Blood Cells, also known as leucocytes, are an essential part of the immune system.
They help protect the body against infections by attacking bacteria, viruses and other harmful invaders.
WBCs are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood and lymphatic system.
There are several types of WBCs, each with specific roles in defending the body, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes,
monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
A proper balance of WBCs is crucial for maintaining good health.

• Platelets:
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small, disc-shaped cell fragments in the blood that play a crucial role in
clotting.
When a blood vessel is injured, platelets quickly gather at the site, stick together, and form a plug to help stop
bleeding.
They also release chemicals that activate other clotting factors, aiding in wound healing.
Despite their small size, platelets are essential for maintaining hemostasis and preventing excessive blood loss.

• Plasma:
Plasma is the liquid component of blood that makes up about 55% of its total volume.

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 It is pale yellow fluid composed mainly of water, along with proteins, glucose, hormones, electrolytes and waste
products.
Plasma plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients, hormones and proteins to the parts of the body that need
them.
It also helps in maintaining blood pressure and volume and in regulating body temperature.
Additionally, plasma contains clotting factors and antibodies that are essential for immune response and wound
healing.

Blood Vessels
• Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
• Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart.
• Capillaries: Thin vessels for exchange of substances between blood and tissues.

Lymph:
• Lymph is a clear, colorless fluid that originates from interstitial fluid (fluid between cells).
• It contains water, white blood cells (especially lymphocytes), proteins, fats (absorbed from the digestive system),
waste products and cellular debris.
• Role of Lymph in the Circulatory System:
1. Fluid Balance: Lymph helps return excess tissue fluid that leaks out of blood capillaries back to the
bloodstream, preventing swelling (edema).
2. Immune Function: Lymph passes through lymph nodes where pathogens are filtered and destroyed by
immune cells.
3. Fat Absorption: Specialized lymphatic vessels in the intestines (lacteals) absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins
from digested food.
• Pathway:
Blood plasma → Leaks into tissues → Becomes interstitial fluid → Enters lymphatic capillaries → Becomes lymph
→ Travels through lymph vessels/nodes → Drains into subclavian veins → Returns to bloodstream.

6. Differences between Arteries and Veins

Feature Arteries Veins
1. Direction of Blood Flow Carry blood away from the heart Carry blood towards the heart
2. Oxygen Content Usually carry oxygenated blood Usually carry deoxygenated blood
3. Wall Thickness Have thick, muscular walls Have thin, less muscular walls
4. Lumen Size Narrow lumen Wide lumen
5. Blood Pressure Blood flows under high pressure Blood flows under low pressure
6. Valves Do not have valves (except in Have valves to prevent backflow
pulmonary artery)
7. Elasticity More elastic to withstand pressure Less elastic
8. Pulsation Blood flow is pulsatile Blood flow is non-pulsatile

7. Double Circulation
Definition:
• In humans, blood passes through the heart twice during one complete cycle of circulation – once for oxygenation
(pulmonary circulation) and once to supply the body (systemic circulation).
Types:
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 1. Pulmonary Circulation:
In the pulmonary circulation, deoxygenated blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs to receive oxygen and
release carbon dioxide.
2. Systemic Circulation:
In the systemic circulation, the oxygenated blood is the pumped from the heart to the rest of the body to supply
organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients. This system ensures efficient oxygen delivery and helps in
maintaining a higher blood pressure in the body.

8. Different Types of Hearts

• Hearts vary significantly across the animal kingdom based on the animal's complexity, metabolic rate, and
evolutionary lineage.
• The main types of hearts found in different groups of animals:
8.1 Two-Chambered Heart (Single Circulation)
Found in: Fish
Structure: 1 atrium + 1 ventricle
Circulation: Blood passes through the heart only once in each complete circuit of the body (single circulation).
Efficiency: Less efficient due to slower oxygenation.
8.2. Three-Chambered Heart (Double Circulation – Partial Separation)
Found in: Amphibians (e.g., frogs) and most reptiles (except crocodiles)
Structure: 2 atria + 1 ventricle
Circulation: Double circulation, but mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood occurs in the single ventricle.
Efficiency: Moderate – better than fish but not as efficient as birds/mammals.
8.3. Incompletely Four-Chambered Heart
Found in: Reptiles like lizards, snakes, turtles
Structure: Two atria, partially divided ventricle
Note: Blood separation is better than amphibians but not complete.
8.4. Four-Chambered Heart (Double Circulation – Complete Separation)
Found in: Birds, mammals, and crocodilians (e.g., alligators, crocodiles)
Structure: 2 atria + 2 ventricles
Circulation: Complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Efficiency: Highly efficient – supports high metabolism and endothermy (warm-bloodedness).
8.5. Open Circulatory System with Heart-like Structures
Found in: Insects, arthropods
Structure: Tubular "heart" that pumps hemolymph (not true blood)
Circulation: Open system – hemolymph flows freely in the body cavity.
Efficiency: Suitable for small-bodied animals with low oxygen demands.
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