Chapter 9 Life Processes in

Animals Class 7 Science

Life processes like nutrition, respiration, excretion, and
reproduction are essential for the survival of all living
beings.
 Animals obtain energy from food to carry out life processes.
 Food contains complex components like carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats, which must be broken down into simpler
forms to be used by the body.

Human Digestive System

Nutrition in Animals

When we eat, our bodies break down complex foods like

carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into simple forms.
 This happens through digestion, starting in the mouth and
finishing in the stomach and intestines with the help of
enzymes. Although all animals digest food to get nutrients,
the organs and steps involved can differ from species to
species.

Digestion in Human Beings

Digestion is the process of breaking down complex food into

simpler substances. It occurs in the alimentary canal, a long
tube from the mouth to the anus.
 The following steps show exactly how this happens from
start to finish in human beings:
1. Beginning with the Mouth Cavity

 Digestion begins in the mouth, where food enters and is

broken down into smaller pieces by teeth through crushing
and chewing. This is called mechanical digestion.
 When you think of your favourite food, your mouth produces
more saliva, which moistens the food.
 Saliva contains digestive juices that start breaking down
starch (a carbohydrate) into sugar, which is why starchy
foods like chapati or rice taste sweet when chewed for some
time.
A healthy mouth requires good oral hygiene. We should
brush our teeth and clean our tongue twice a day, and rinse
our mouth with water after each meal to prevent tooth
decay and bad smell in the mouth. Find out the ways our
elders were maintaining oral hygiene.
Activity to Investigate Saliva's Role

Aim: To observe the effect of saliva on the breakdown of

starch in boiled rice.
Materials Needed: Two test tubes, Teaspoon, Boiled rice,
Water and Iodine solution
Procedure:
 Label the test tubes as ‘A’ and ‘B’.
 Place one teaspoonful of boiled rice in test tube A and a
teaspoonful of chewed boiled rice in test tube B.
 Add 3–4 mL of water to both test tubes.
 Note the initial colour of the rice-water mixture.
 Add 3–4 drops of iodine solution to each test tube and mix
the contents.
 Observe the colour changes in both test tubes.
Observations:
 In test tube A, the boiled rice may turn blue-black,
indicating the presence of starch.
 In test tube B, the chewed rice may not change colour or
show a very light blue-black colour, indicating the
breakdown of starch into simpler sugars.
2. Food pipe (Oesophagus)

Food pipe is a passage from the Mouth to the Stomach.

 After chewing, saliva moistens the food, making it soft and
easy to swallow.
 The tongue mixes the chewed food with saliva and pushes it
into the food pipe or oesophagus.
 The oesophagus is a long, flexible tube connecting the
mouth to the stomach.
 Food moves down the oesophagus by a wave-like motion
called peristalsis, where the walls of the food pipe contract
and relax gently.

Movement of food in the food pipe


 This movement continues throughout the alimentary canal,
pushing food forward for digestion.
3. Stomach

The walls of the food pipe gently contract and relax in a

wave-like motion to push the food down into the stomach.

 The walls of the stomach contract and relax to churn the

food, mixing it thoroughly.
 The stomach lining secretes digestive juice, acid, and
mucus.
 Digestive juice breaks down proteins into simpler
components.
 The acid helps in protein digestion and kills harmful bacteria.
 Mucus protects the stomach lining from being damaged by
the acid.
 Food is partially digested in the stomach and turned into a
semi-liquid mass, ready for the next stage of digestion.
Facts
In 1822, Alexis St. Martin was accidentally shot in the
stomach, leaving a small permanent hole after treatment.

 Dr. William Beaumont, his doctor, used this opening to

directly observe digestion in the stomach.
 Beaumont conducted experiments to study how different
foods are broken down.
 He also explored how emotions can affect the process of
digestion.
 This accidental discovery significantly advanced our
understanding of stomach function.
4. Small Intestine

After leaving the stomach, partially digested food enters the

small intestine, which is about 6 meters long, making it the
longest part of the alimentary canal.

 The small intestine receives digestive secretions from:

1. Its own inner lining.
2. The liver, which produces bile.
3. The pancreas, which produces pancreatic juice.
 Bile is mildly basic; it neutralizes stomach acid and breaks
fats into tiny droplets, aiding digestion.
 Pancreatic juice is also basic and helps neutralize acid, while
breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
 Digestive juices from the small intestine further break down
fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into simpler forms.
 Nutrients are absorbed into the blood through the inner
lining of the small intestine.
 The lining has thousands of finger-like projections called villi,
which increase the surface area for efficient absorption.

 Absorbed nutrients provide energy, help growth and repair,
and support body functions.
Celiac disease is a condition where the body reacts to
gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This
reaction damages the inner lining of the small intestine,
impairing nutrient absorption. As a result, the small intestine
cannot function properly. The only way to manage celiac
disease is to avoid gluten-containing foods. Millets such as
jowar, bajra, and ragi are good alternatives because they are
naturally gluten-free.
5. Large Intestine

After nutrient absorption in the small intestine, undigested

food moves into the large intestine.
 The large intestine is about 1.5 meters long, shorter but
wider than the small intestine.
 Alimentary Canal


 Its main function is to absorb water and some salts from the
undigested food.
 This process turns the waste into a semi-solid form called
stool.
 Stool is stored in the rectum until the body is ready to
eliminate it.
 The waste is expelled through the anus in a process called
egestion.
 Eating fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains helps keep the large intestine healthy and stool easier
to pass.
Facts:
 The large intestine contains helpful bacteria that break down
undigested fiber.
 These bacteria produce nutrients important for health.
 Eating fiber-rich and fermented foods like curd and pickles
supports a healthy digestion.
 The ancient Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita stresses the
importance of easily digestible foods. Spices like ginger,
black pepper, and cumin are used to improve digestion.
Modern nutrition also highlights eating at proper times,
mindful eating, and avoiding overeating to maintain good
digestive health.

Digestion in Other Animals

Not all animals digest food like humans. Their digestive

systems are adapted to their diets and habitats:
1. Ruminants
 These grass-eating animals partially chew it, and swallow it
into their stomachs for partial digestion.
 The food is then brought back to the mouth for thorough
chewing, a process called rumination.
 Ruminants spend about 8 hours a day chewing their food.
 After chewing, the food moves down the alimentary canal
for further digestion.

Digestion in Ruminants- Grass Eating

Animals


2. Birds
Birds lack teeth but have a special stomach chamber called
 the gizzard.

 The gizzard breaks down food by contracting and relaxing,

often with the help of small stones (grit) swallowed by birds.
 Animals show variations in their digestive systems to suit
different types of food.
 Nutrients from digested food help build and repair the body
or are broken down to release energy.
 The process of converting nutrients into energy is called
respiration.

Respiration in Animals

Respiration is the process by which animals use oxygen to

break down nutrients (like glucose) to release energy,
producing carbon dioxide and water as by-products.
 Breathing is a physical process which brings oxygen into the
body and removes carbon dioxide, while respiration is a
chemical process occurring in cells.
Respiration in Humans

Breathing is the process of inhaling (breathing in) oxygen

and exhaling (breathing out) carbon dioxide.
 Breathing is essential for survival; without it, humans cannot
live more than a few minutes.
 All living beings, including plants and animals, breathe.
 The respiratory system is the body system responsible for
breathing and gas exchange.
 Human Respiratory System

 Nostrils: Openings in the nose through which air is inhaled

and exhaled.
 Nasal Passages: Small passages after the nostrils lined
with tiny hairs and mucus that trap dust and dirt. Breathing
through the nose is better than through the mouth because
of this filtration.
 Windpipe (Trachea): Tube that carries air from the nasal
passages to the lungs and divides into two branches.
 Lungs and Alveoli: The windpipe branches further inside
the lungs into finer tubes ending in tiny balloon-like sacs
called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.
 Protection: The lungs are protected by the rib cage, a bony
structure surrounding them.

Facts
 Although the respiratory system filters out much dust from
inhaled air, small infectious particles can still enter the
lungs.
 For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-
CoV-2 virus affected the respiratory system.
 This virus caused breathing difficulties and serious lung
problems in many people.

Activity to Understand Breathing Mechanism through

a Simple Model
 Materials Needed: Wide transparent plastic bottle with a
lid (bottom removed) , Y-shaped hollow tube, Deflated
balloons (2), Rubber bands, Clay (for sealing) , Thin rubber
sheet ,Large rubber band (for securing rubber sheet).
Procedure:
Prepare the Bottle:
 Take the wide transparent plastic bottle and remove its
bottom.
 Make a hole in the lid of the bottle.
Prepare the Tube and Balloons:
 Take the Y-shaped hollow tube. Fix the two deflated
balloons to the forked end of the tube and secure them with
rubber bands to make them airtight.
Assemble the Model:
 Insert the straight end of the tube tightly through the lid of
the bottle and seal the lid with clay to ensure it is airtight.
 Attach a thin rubber sheet to the open base of the bottle
tightly using a large rubber band.
Conducting the Experiment:
 Pulling the Rubber Sheet Downward: Pull the rubber sheet
from the center of the base downwards. Observe the
balloons closely.
 Releasing the Rubber Sheet: Release the rubber sheet
upwards and observe the changes in the balloons.
Observations:
 When you pull the rubber sheet downwards, the balloons
inflate.
 Conversely, when you release the rubber sheet upwards,
the balloons deflate.

How Respiration Happens

(i) Inhalation
When you breathe in (inhale), your chest expands as your
ribs move up and outwards.
 The diaphragm, which is a dome-shaped muscle located
below your lungs, moves downwards during inhalation.
 This movement increases the space inside your chest,
allowing air to enter your lungs.
(ii) Exhalation
When you breathe out (exhale), your ribs move down and
inwards, while the diaphragm moves upwards.
 This reduces the space inside your chest and helps to push
air out of your lungs.

In the activity we discussed before, the balloons represent

the lungs, and the rubber sheet represents the diaphragm.

Facts:
Breathing exercises like Pranayama and Tummo have been
practiced for centuries worldwide to boost lung health and
mental calmness. Pranayama from India enhances
respiration and concentration, while Tummo breathing in
cold Ladakh improves lung function and body warmth. Deep
breathing combined with chanting is also used in many
traditions to promote relaxation and clarity of mind.
What do we Breathe Out?
When we exhale, the air we breathe out contains more
carbon dioxide compared to the air we inhale.
This can be demonstrated through an experiment
with lime water
 Lime water is a clear solution that turns milky when it reacts
with carbon dioxide.
 Two test tubes with equal amounts of fresh lime water are
taken.
 (a) Air is passed into lime water with a pichkari/syringe (b) Air is
exhaled into lime water

 Air similar to inhaled air is passed through lime water in test

tube A using a syringe.
 Exhaled air is blown through a straw into lime water in test
tube B.
 Test tube B (exhaled air) turns milky, showing a reaction
with carbon dioxide.
 Test tube A (inhaled air) shows no change and remains
clear.
 This indicates exhaled air contains a higher concentration of
carbon dioxide than inhaled air.
(iii) Gas Exchange
 Fresh air enters the lungs through breathing and fills tiny
sacs called alveoli.
 Alveoli have thin walls surrounded by blood vessels.
 Carbon dioxide from the blood is released into the alveoli to
be exhaled.
 Oxygen from the alveoli passes into the blood and is carried
to the entire body.
 Oxygen is used to break down glucose from food, releasing
energy in a process called respiration.
 Gas exchange through alveoli

 Overall Process of Respiration: In cells, oxygen breaks

down glucose to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
 Inhaled air contains about 21% oxygen and 0.04% carbon
dioxide.
 Exhaled air contains about 16–17% oxygen and 4–5% carbon
dioxide.
 Breathing is a physical process of air intake and release.
 Respiration is a chemical process inside the body that
produces energy.
 Both breathing and respiration are vital for survival.

Percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide in inhaled and exhaled

air

Difference Between Breathing and Respiration

 Breathing and respiration are related but happen at different
levels in our bodies.
 Breathing is the simple act of moving air in and out of the
lungs, while respiration is the chemical process inside cells
that releases energy from food.
The table below highlights how these two processes differ.

Feature Breathing Respiration

Type of Physical process Chemical process

Process
 Involves Inhaling oxygen Breaking down food
and exhaling (glucose) using
carbon dioxide oxygen to release
energy

Occurs in Lungs and air Cells throughout the

passages body

Purpose To bring in oxygen To produce energy for

and remove body functions
carbon dioxide

Energy No Yes (it releases

Requiremen energy)
t

Produces Only exchange of Energy (ATP), carbon

gases dioxide and water

Control Can be voluntary Completely

or involuntary involuntary

Role of the Circulatory System

 The circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen, and
waste products in the body.
 It consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
 The heart pumps blood through vessels to deliver oxygen
and nutrients and remove wastes.

Facts:
 Smoking damages the lungs and increases the risk of lung
cancer and other respiratory diseases.
 It causes persistent coughing and makes the body prone to
frequent infections.
 Smoking releases toxic chemicals into the air, harming
others through passive smoking.
 Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially
vulnerable to passive smoking.
 Avoiding smoking protects both personal health and the
health of those around us.

Respiration in Other Animals

Different animals live in different habitats and have different

breathing mechanisms suited to their environments.
Animals have adapted respiratory systems based on their
habitats:
 Lungs: Animals like birds, elephants, lions, cows, lizards,
and snakes breathe through lungs, though lung structures
vary.
 Gills: Aquatic animals like fish use gills, which extract
dissolved oxygen from water and release carbon dioxide.

Breathing body parts in a fish

 Skin and Gills: Amphibians like frogs use gills as tadpoles,

lungs as adults on land, and moist skin for gas exchange in
water.
 Moist Skin: Earthworms breathe through their moist skin,
allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Important Terms

 Alimentary Canal: The long tube in the digestive system

from the mouth to the anus where food is digested and
absorbed.
 Mechanical Digestion: The physical breakdown of food
into smaller pieces, such as by chewing.
 Peristalsis: The wave-like muscle contractions that move
food through the digestive system.
 Villi: Finger-like projections in the small intestine that
increase surface area for nutrient absorption.
 Egestion: The process of expelling undigested waste (stool)
through the anus.
 Ruminants: Animals like cows that partially digest food,
regurgitate it, and chew it again.
 Gizzard: A muscular chamber in birds that grinds food,
often with swallowed stones.
 Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon
dioxide are exchanged.
 Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that
aids breathing by moving up and down.
 Respiration: The chemical process in cells where oxygen
breaks down glucose to release energy.
 Circulatory System: The system (heart, blood, blood
vessels) that transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste.