What are Life Processes?
The basic functions performed by living organisms to survive on this earth are called Life
Processes.
Main Life Processes:
โ Nutrition: Taking in food.
โ Respiration: Using food to produce energy.
โ Transportation: Moving materials within the body.
โ Excretion: Removing waste products.
2. Nutrition
A. Autotrophic Nutrition (Plants)
Plants make their own food through Photosynthesis.
โ Equation: 6CO_2 + 12H_2O >[Chlorophyll]{Sunlight} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 + 6H_2O
โ Key Step: Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight > Light energy converts to chemical energy >
Water splits >CO_2 reduced to Glucose.
B. Heterotrophic Nutrition (Animals/Humans)
Organisms depend on others for food.
โ Holozoic: Involves ingestion, digestion, absorption, and egestion (e.g., Humans,
Amoeba).
3. Respiration (Energy Production)
The breakdown of Glucose to release energy (ATP).
โ Aerobic: Uses Oxygen. Occurs in Mitochondria. Produces 38 ATP (High energy).
โ Anaerobic: Does not use Oxygen. Occurs in Cytoplasm. Produces 2 ATP (Low energy).
โ Example: In muscles during heavy exercise, glucose turns into Lactic Acid,
causing cramps.
4. Transportation
A. In Humans
โ Heart: Acts as a pump.
โ Blood: Carries oxygen, food, and waste.
โ Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood (away from heart).
