Gradsure

Life processes: Important board questions

Short Answer Type Questions[l] [2 Marks] -Year 2015

1.What are enzymes? Name any one enzyme of our digestive system and write
its function.
Answer. Enzymes are biological catalysts. Catalysts are proteins that increase the
rate of chemical reactions
without being used up. For example: Amylase catalyses the breakdown of starch into
sugars in the mouth and small intestine

2.(i) Write the balanced chemical equation for the process of photosynthesis,
(ii) When do the desert plants take up carbon dioxide and perform
photosynthesis ?
Answer.
(i) Photosynthesis can be represented using a chemical equation. The overall
balanced equation is

(ii) Desert plants open up their stomata during night and take in CO2. Stomata
remains close during the day time to prevent the loss of water by i transpiration.
They store the CO2 in their cells until the sun comes out and they can carry on with
photosynthesis during the day time.

Short Answer Type Questions[ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2015

3.In single celled organisms diffusion is sufficient to meet all their

requirements of food, exchange of gases or removal of wastes but it is not in
case of multicellular organisms. Explain the reason for this difference.
Answer. Unicellular organisms can absorb sufficient oxygen because of its complete
contact with the atmosphere, but in multicellular organisms the rate of absorption
and diffusion becomes very less because all cells are not in direct contact with the
atmosphere. Multicellular organisms require greater amount of oxygen to sustain life
processes which cannot be fulfilled by the process of diffusion.
4. Draw a diagram of human excretory system and label kidneys, ureters on it.
Answer.

5.Name the acid presents in the following:

(i) Tomato (ii) Vinegar (iii) Tamarind
Answer.
(i) Oxalic acid (ii) citric acid (iii) Tartaric acid.

6.State the role of the following in human digestive system :

(i) Digestive enzymes (ii) Hydrochloric acid (iii) Villi
Answer.
(i) Digestive enzymes – Foods need to be broken into their small or simpler
molecules so that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the physical
breakdown of food is not enough. Enzymes are hence needed for the chemical
breakdown of food and speeding up the digestive process. The products of digestion
can hence be small enough to be absorbed.
(ii) Hydrochloric acid – Hydro chloric acid helps to kill the germs which might have
entered in to the system through food. It creates acidic medium for the pepsin to act
on food to breakdown proteins.
(iii) Villi – Villi are finger like projections in the small intestine. They help to increase
the surface area for absorption of the digested food. Villi are richly supplied with
blood vessel which help to absorb digested food in to the blood stream.

Long Answer Type Question [5 Marks] -Year 2015

7.(a)Explain how does the exchange of gases occur in plants across the
surface of stems, roots and leaves.
(b) How are water and minerals transported in plants ?
Answer.
(a) In plants there are tiny pores called stomata on leaves and lenticels in stem
which facilitate the exchange of gases. Carbon dioxide is taken in and oxygen given
out {during photosynthesis} and vice versa during respiration.
(b) Water and minerals are transported within the plant by the Xylem vessels (mainly
in an upward direction); these are part of the vascular system which also includes
Phloem vessels.
Phloem transports the products of photosynthesis within the plant, to all parts like the
stem, roots, fruits etc. in all directions.

Very Short Answer Type Question [1 Mark] -Year 2014

8. Mention the raw materials required for photosynthesis.

Answer. The following raw materials are required for photosynthesis:
(i) Carbon Dioxide: Plants get CO2 from atmosphere through stomata.
(ii)Water: Plants absorb water from soil through roots and transport to leaves.
(iii) Sunlight: Sunlight, which is absorbed by the chlorophyll and other green parts of
the plant.

Short Answer Type Questions[l] [2 Marks] -Year 2014

9. Why do herbivores have longer, small intestine than carnivores ?

Answer.Digestion of cellulose takes a longer time. Hence, herbivores eating grass
need a longer small intestine to allow complete digestion of cellulose. Carnivorous
animals cannot digest cellulose due to the absence of enzyme CELLULASE, hence
they have a shorter intestine.

10.Write correct sequence of four steps of method for the preparation of

temporary mount of a stained leaf peel.
Answer.

1. Take a healthy leaf from the potted plant.

2. Remove a part of the peel from the lower surface of the leaf. You can do this
by folding the leaf over and gently pulling the peel apart using forceps. Keeps
the peel in a watch glass containing water.
3. Put a few drops of safranin stain in a watch glass.
4. After 2-3 minutes take out the peel and place it on a clean glass slide.
5. Put a drop of glycerin over the peel and place a clean covers lip gently over it
with the help of a needle.
6. Remove the excess stain and glycerin with the help of blotting paper.
7. Observe the slide under magnifications of the compound microscope.

Short Answer Type Questions[ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2014

11.In mammals and birds why is it necessary to separate oxygenated and de-
oxygenated blood ?
Answer. Mammals and birds are warm blooded animals. This means they can
control their body temperature and do not have to depend on environment for their
body temperature regulation. Because of this birds and mammals require optimum
oxidization of glucose which would be possible with good supply of oxygen. So it is
required to have separate oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to supply the
required amount of oxygen.

12.Draw a neat diagram of excretory system of human beings and label on it:
(i) Left kidney (ii) Urinary bladder
Answer.

13. Draw a diagram of human respiratory system and label on it :

(i) Diaphragm (ii) Larynx
Answer.

14.(a) Name the site of exchange of material between the blood and
surrounding cells. (b) Draw a schematic representation of transport and
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in human body.
Answer.
(a) Capillaries
(b)

Very Short Answer Type Question [1 Mark] -Year 2013

15.What would be the consequences of deficiency of hemoglobin in your

body?
Answer.The deficiency of hemoglobin in our body is called anemia. In anemia, the
blood is unable to carry the sufficient amount of oxygen required by the body. So,
respiration would be less and less energy will be available to the body. The
hemoglobin deficient person will feel weak, pale, lethargic and will be
unable to perform heavy physical work.

Short Answer Type Questions[ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2013

16. List three characteristics of lungs which make it an efficient respiratory

surface.
Answer. These features which particularly make our lungs efficient for gas
exchange.
1.Thin: the air sac walls are very thin so that gases can quickly diffuse through them.
Oxygen is absorbed in to the blood and carbon dioxide is given out in to the lungs to
be exhaled out.
2.Moist: the air sacs are moist with mucus so that gases can dissolve before
diffusing.
3.Large surface area: the surface area for gases to diffuse through in human lungs
is roughly the same as a tennis court. The alveoli help to increase the surface area
for absorption of oxygen.
4.Good blood supply: the air sacs or the alveoli have a large capillary network so
that large volumes of gases can be exchanged. More the flow of blood more
exchange.
17.(a) What is the role of HCl in our stomach ?
(b) What is emulsification of fats ?
(c) Which protein digesting enzyme is present in pancreatic juice ?
Answer.
(a)(i) It sterilises food by killing pathogens and other microbes.
(ii) It has a pH of 2, which is perfect for entyaus such as pepsin to break down
proteins as effectively as possible.
(iii) Helps emulsify food (digestion of protein and stimulates the pancreas to produce
digestive enzymes and bile) and protects against harmful ‘ bacteria
(b) Breakdown of large gloubule fats into smaller fats droplets is known as
emulsification.
(c) Trypsin is the enzyme secreted by the pancreas which aids in digestion of
proteins.

18. List in tabular form three differences between arteries and veins.
Answer.

long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks] -Year 2013

19. Draw a diagram of human excretory system and label renal artery and
urethra.
State in brief the function of :

1. renal artery
2. kidney
3. ureter
4. urinary bladder
Answer.

1. Renal artery: The renal artery carries blood to the kidneys from the abdominal
aorta. This blood comes directly from the heart and is sent to the-kidneys to be
filtered before it passes through the rest of the body. Up to one-third of the total
cardiac output per heartbeat is sent to the renal arteries to be filtered by the
kidneys. Each kidney has one renal artery that supplies it with blood. The
filtered blood then can exit the renal vein.
2. Kidney: The kidneys perform the essential function of removing waste
products from the blood and regulating the water fluid levels. The kidneys
regulate the body’s fluid volume, mineral composition and acidity by excreting
and reabsorbing water and inorganic electrolytes.
3. Ureter: The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary
bladder.’ There are two ureters, one attached to each kidney.
4. Urinary bladder: The urinary bladder is an expandable muscular sac that
stores urine before it is excreted out of the body through the urethra.

20.(a) Draw a diagram of excretory system in human beings and label the
following parts. Aorta, kidney, urinary bladder and urethra.
(b) How is urine produced and eliminated ?
Answer.(a)
(b) Blood from the heart comes into the kidneys afferent and efferent arteriols from
the renal arteries where it enters about 2-3 million nephrons per kidney. Then, it
goes through the glomerulus a tugt or bunch of blood capillaries and get rid of some
of the unwanted substances like urea, uric acid, creatinine in the blood and then
continues through the renal tubules. The loop of Henley, reabsorb certain
substances such as water (actually if body is dehydrated, body will send anti-diuretic
hormone (ADH) to kidneys to prevent extra water from going into urine and thus
saving water for body and get rid of anything else that isn’t wanted, then the urine
goes through ureters to bladder and then to urethra where it is excreted out of body
as urine.

Short Answer Question [I] [2 Marks] -Year 2012

21. Why do the walls of the trachea not collapse‟when there is less air in it?
Answer. Rings of cartilages are present in trachea. These rings support the trachea
and do not allow the trachea to collapse when there is less air in it.

Short Answer Type Questions [ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2012

22. In human alimentary canal, name the site of complete digestion of various
components of food. Explain the process of digestion.
Answer.In small intestine, complete digestion of various components of food take
place. The process of digestion of food in mouth, stomach and small intestine in
human
body are as follows:
Mouth: Digestion of food begins in the mouth. Saliva present in mouth contains a
digestive enzyme, called salivary amylase, maltose and dextrins, which breaks down
starch into sugar.
Stomach: Stomach stores and mixes the food received from the oesophagus with
gastric juices. The main components of gastric juice are hydrochloric acid, mucus
and pepsinogen. Hydrochloric acid dissolves bits of food and creates an acidic
medium. In this medium, pepsinogen is converted to pepsin which is a protein-
digesting enzyme. Mucus protects the inner lining of the stomach from the action of
HC1.
Small Intestine: Small intestine is the site of complete digestion of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats. Small intestine produces intestinal juice from the glands present in
its wall. The intestinal juice helps in further digestion of food. Small intestine also
obtains digestive juices from liver and pancreas. The liver produces bile juice that
causes emulsification of fats and the pancreas produces pancreatic juice for
digesting proteins and emulsified fats. This digested food is finally absorbed through
the intestinal walls.

23. List the three kinds of blood vessels of human circulatory system and write
¦ their functions in tabular form.
Answer. Three types of blood vessels in human circulatory system are: Arteries,
Veins and Capillaries.
Their functions are tabulated below:

Lonq Answer Type Questions [5 Marks] -Year 2012

24.(a) Draw a diagram to show open stomatal pore and label on it:
(i) guard cells
(ii) chloroplast
(b) State two functions of stomata.
(c) How do guard cells regulate the opening and closing of stomatal pore?
Answer.(a)

(b) Two functions of stomata are:

(i) Exchange of gases between the plant and the atmosphere takes place through
stomata.
(ii)Transpiration in plants takes place through stomata.
(c) Opening and Closing of Stomatal Pore: The opening and closing of the pore is a
function of the guard cells. The guard cells swell when water flows into them causing
the stomatal pore to open. Similarly, the pore closes if the guard cells shrink. As
large amount of water is lost through these stomata, the plant closes these pores
when it does not require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

25.(a) Draw a diagram of human respiratory system and label the following:
(i) part where air is filtered by fine hair and mucus
(ii) part which terminates in balloon – like structures
(iii) balloon – like structures where exchange of gases takes place. (iv) part
which separates chest cavity from abdominal cavity.
(b) Why is the rate of breathing in aquatic organisms much faster than in
terrestrial organisms?
Answer.(a)

(b) Quantity of dissolved oxygen is fairly low in water as compared to the amount of
oxygen in air. Aquatic organisms therefore have to breath faster than terrestrial
organisms to absorb the required amount of oxygen from the water.

26. Draw a neat diagram of excretory system of human beings and label the
following:
(i) Kidney
(ii) Ureter
(iii) Urinary Bladder
(iv) Urethra
Answer.

Short Answer Type Questions[l] [2 Marks] -Year 2011

27.What are the final products after digestion of carbohydrates and proteins?
Answer.The final product produced after digestion of carbohydrates is glucose and
of proteins is amino acids.

28.What is saliva? State its role in the digestion of food.

Answer. Saliva is a watery fluid secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth. The
digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and helping to create a food
bolus, so it can be swallowed easily. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that
breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin.

29.Explain the process of nutrition in Amoeba.

Answer. Amoeba is an important protozoa found in fresh water. It feeds on
microscopic plants and animals present in water. The mode of nutrition in amoeba is
Holozoic. And the process of obtaining food by amoeba is called phagocytosis. The
different processes involved in the nutrition of amoeba are:

1. Ingestion: Ingestion is the process of taking food in the body. Amoeba is a

unicellular animal, so it doesn’t have a mouth for ingestion of food. Amoeba
ingests the food by encircling it by forming pseudopodia. When the food is
completely encircled , the food is engulfed in the form of a bag called food
vacuole.
2. Digestion: Digestion is the process of breaking the large and insoluble
molecules in small and water soluble molecules. In amoeba, several digestive
enzymes react on the food present in the food vacuoles and break it down into
simple and soluble molecules.
3. Absorption: The food digested by digestive enzymes is then absorbed in the
cytoplasm by the process of diffusion. While the undigested food remains in the
food vacuole. If a large amount of food is absorbed by amoeba, the excess
food is stored in the cytoplasm ih the form of glycogen and lipids.
4. Assimilation: During this step the food absorbed by the cytoplasm is used to
obtain energy, growth and repair. This process of utilizing absorbed food for
obtaining energy, repair and growth is called assimilation.
5. Egestion: When a sufficient amount of undigested food gets collected in the
food vacuole, it is thrown out of the body by rupturing cell membrane. The
process of removal of undigested food from the body is called egestion.

30. State two differences between arteries and veins.

Answer. Arteries

1. Arteries carry oxygenated blood, away from the heart except pulmonary artery.
2. These are thick-walled, highly muscular except arteries of cranium and
vertebral column.
3. Valves are absent.

Blood in arteries moves with pressure.Veins

1. Veins carry deoxygenated blood, towards the heart except pulmonary veins.
 2. These are thin-walled.
3. Valves are present which provide unidirectional flow of blood.
4. Blood in veins moves under very low pressure.

31. How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?
Answer.Alveoli are small pouches or sacs like structure. They are surrounded by
blood capillaries. Thus a large amount of air is brought in contact with the air in the
lungs. More than millions of alveoli are present in the lungs. The presence of millions
of alveoli in the lungs provides a very large surface area for the exchange of gases.
The availability of large surface area maximises the exchange of gases.

32. Name two excretory products other than 02 and CO2 in plants.
Answer. The two excretory products other than 02 and CO2 in plants are resins and
gums.

Short Answer Type Questions[ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2011

33.(a) “The breathing cycle is rhythmic whereas exchange of gases is a

continuous process”. Justify this statement.
(b) What happens if conducting tubes of circulatory system develops a leak?
State in brief, how could this be avoided?
(c) How opening and closing of stomata takes place?
Answer. (a) The breathing cycle involves inhalation and exhalation of air due to
alternate expansion and contraction of thoracic cavity. Thus it is a rhythmic process.
But exchange of gases is a continuous process as it takes place between the blood
and each and every cell, by diffusion.
(b) The circulatory system will become inefficient if it develops a leak. This could be
avoided by maintaining a normal blood pressure.
(c) When water flows into the guard cells, the guard cells swell and the stomatal pore
opens up. When water moves out the guard cells shrinks and the stomatal pore
closes.

34. Draw a diagram of the front view of human heart and label any six parts
including at least two, that are concerned with arterial blood supply to the
heart muscles.
Answer.

Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks] -Year 2011

35.(a) Draw a schematic representation of transport and exchange of oxygen

and carbon dioxide during transportation of blood in human beings and label
on it:
Lung capillaries, Pulmonary artery to lungs, Aorta to body, Pulmonary veins
from lungs.
(b) What is the advantage of separate channels in mammals and birds for
oxygenated and deoxygenated blood?
Answer.(a) A schematic representation of transportation and exchange of oxygen
and
carbon dioxide during transportation of blood in human beings

(b) It is necessary to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in mammals and

birds because they need high energy and large amount of oxygen. The separation of
oxygenated and deoxygenated blood provides high oxygen supply to the organs.
36.(a) Draw a diagram depicting Human Alimentary Canal and label on it: Gall
bladder, Liver and Pancreas.
(b) State the roles of Liver and Pancreas.
(c) Name the organ which performs the following functions in humans:
(i) Absorption of digested food
(ii) Absorption of water.
Answer.(a)

(b) Liver: It synthesize and store bile juice secreted by gall bladder which breaks
down fats into fat globules.
(c) The organ which performs the following functions in humans are as follows:
Pancreas: It secretes pancreatic juice which contains protein-digesting and starch-
digesting enzymes. *
(i) Absorption of digested food – Small intestine.
(ii)Absorption of water – Large intestine.

37.(a) Draw a sectional view of the human heart and label on it – Aorta, Right
ventricle and Pulmonary veins.
(b) State the functions of the following components of transport system:
(i) Blood (ii) Lymph
Answer.(a)
(b) The functions of blood and lymph are as follows:
(i) Blood

 Oxygen is transported by the blood to the tissues of the body for the
breakdown of digested food.
 Carbon dioxide is transported to the lungs by the blood plasma.
 The digested and absorbed nutrients are transported by blood to the tissues.
Nitrogenous wastes are transported to the kidneys.
 It regulates the body temperature and maintains the pH of the body tissues.
 It transports various hormones from one region to another and bring about the
coordination.
 It maintains water balance to constant level.
 The lymphocytes produce antibodies against the invading antigens and protect
from diseases.
 It helps in rapid healing of wounds by forming a clot at the site of injury.

(ii) Lymph

 It cleans the cellular environment.

 It returns proteins and tissue fluids to the blood (drainage)
 It provides a pathway for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins into the
bloodstream.
 It defends the body against disease.

38.(a) Draw a labelled diagram of the respiratory system of human beings with
diaphragm at the end of expiration.
(b) List four conditions required for efficient gas exchange in an organism.
Answer.(a)
(b) (i) A large surface area over which exchange can take place.
(ii) A concentration gradient without which nothing will diffuse.
(iii) A thin surface across which gases diffuse.
(iv) Warm conditions.

39.(a) Draw a diagram to show the nutrition in Amoeba and label the parts
used for this purpose. Mention any other purpose served by this part other
than nutrition.
(b) Name the glands associated with digestion of starch in human digestive
tract and mention their role.
(c) How is required pH maintained in the stomach and small intestine?
Answer.(a)

Pseudopodia serves the purpose of locomotion apart from nutrition.

(b) The salivary gland is associated with digestion of starch in human digestive tract.
It secretes saliva which contains enzyme salivary amylase. This enzyme converts
starch into maltose (sugar).
(c) Gastric glands present on the walls of the stomach release HC1. HC1 creates an
acidic medium, which facilitates the action of enzyme pepsin. Bile juice from liver
makes the food alkaline in small intestine for the pancreatic enzymes to act.

40. (a) Draw a labelled diagram of stomata. List two functions of stomata.
(b) What are the raw materials used during photosynthesis? Write chemical
equation for photosynthesis.
Answer.(a)

(i) Gaseous exchanges between plant and the atmosphere.

(ii) Plant loses water through stomata which helps in movement of minerals from soil
to leaves.
(b) Raw materials for photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight
are the essential raw materials for photosynthesis.
(i) Carbon dioxide is a gas, which is released into the atmosphere during respiration.
This gas is utilised by the autotrophic plants which enters the leaf through the
stomata present on its surface during the process of photosynthesis.
(ii) Water is another requirement for photosynthesis, which is transported upward
through xylem tissues to the leaves, from where it reaches the photosynthetic cells.
This water then splits in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.
(iii) Chlorophyll is a green pigment in plants, which acts as a catalyst. It is
responsible for absorption of the sun’s energy by the plant. The chlorophyll pigments
are photoreceptor molecules which play a key role in the photosynthetic process.
The different types of chlorophyll molecules are chlorophyll a, b, c, d, e and
bacteriochlorophyll; of which chlorophyll a and b are the most common.
(iv) Light affects photosynthesis by its intensity, quality and duration. In green light,
the rate of photosynthesis is minimum, while in red and blue lights the rate of
photosynthesis is maximum.
Rate of photosynthesis is higher in plants getting average light of 10-12 hrs a day.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is as follows:

41.(a) Leaves of a healthy potted plant were coated with vaseline to block the
stomata. Will this plant remain healthy for long? State three reasons for your
answer.
(b) State any two differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic
nutrition.
Answer. (a) No, this plant will not remain healthy for long. The plant will begin to die
because
(i) Gaseous exchange will not take place.
(ii) No absorption of C02, hence no photosynthesis.
(iii) Transpiration will not occur; hence no transportation of water.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark] -Year 2010

42.Name the green dot like structures in some cells observed by a student
when a leaf peel was viewed under a microscope. What is this green colour
due to?
Answer. The green dot-like structures in some cells observed by a student when a
leaf peel is viewed under a microscope are chloroplasts. The green colour is due to
the presence of green pigment, chlorophyll.

43. State any one difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of
nutrition.
Answer. In autotrophic nutrition, organisms obtain their food from inorganic
substances. In heterotrophic nutrition, organisms derive their food from organic
substances.

44. A Give one reason why multicellular organisms require special organs for
exchange of gases between their body and their environment. :
Answer. In unicellular organisms the entire body of the organism is in contact with
the environment hence exchange of materials can take place but, in multicellular
organisms the entire body of the organism is not in contact with the environment and
hence simple diffusion is not helpful.

45. Name the process in plants where water is lost as water vapour. :
Answer. Transpiration is the process when plants loose water as vapour.

46. What is„translocation‟in plants?

Answer. Translocation is the movement of soluble materials, products of
photosynthesis from leaves to other tissues throughout the plant.

47.State the basic difference between the process of respiration and

photosynthesis.
Answer.

48. Name the intermediate and the end products of glucose breakdown in
aerobic respiration.

Answer: do self

49. In the experiment “Light is essential for photosynthesis”, why does the
uncovered part of the leaf turn blue-black after putting iodine solution?
Answer. Starch is produced in the uncovered part of the leaf because it is exposed
to sunlight allowing it to photosynthesize, which turns blue-black in presence of
iodine solution.

50.Name the component of blood that helps in the formation of blood clot in
the event of a cut.
Answer. Platelets help in clotting of blood in the event of a cut.

51.Mention how organisms like bread moulds and mushrooms obtain their
food.
Answer. Organisms like bread moulds and mushrooms breakdown the food
materials outside the body and then absorb the nutrients of the bread.

Short Answer Type Questions[ll] [3 Marks] -Year 2010

52.Describe in brief the function of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and

urethra.
Answer.The Kidneys filter the blood and concentrate the filtrate to make urine. They
also help regulate blood pressure.
Ureters transport the urine to the urinary bladder.
Urinary bladder is like a holding tank for the urine until it’s ready to be excreted.
Urethra is the tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body for
excretion.

53. Explain the process of breakdown of glucose in a cell (ii) in the absence of
oxygen.
Answer. The process of breakdown of glucose in a cell are as follows:
The first step in the breakdown of glucose both in presence of 02 and in absence of
Os is same. In this step, glucose is broken down into pyruvate.
Second step which involves further breakdown of private into simple compounds can
take place in two different ways:
(i) In presence of Oz: In the presence of 02, private is converted into C02 and water.
Energy released during aerobic respiration is much greater than that released during
an anaerobic respiration.
(ii)In absence of Oz: In the absence of 02 in yeast, pyruvate is converted into ethanol
and C02 and the process is called fermentation. In absence of 02, in our muscle
cells, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid. The build up of lactic acid in muscle cells
causes cramps.

Long Answer Type Question [5 Marks] -Year 2010

54.(a) List the three events that occur during the process of photosynthesis.
Explain the role of stomata in this process.
(b) Describe an experiment to show that “sunlight is essential for
photosynthesis.”
Answer.
(a) The three events that occur during the process of photosynthesis are:
(i) Absorption of light energy by the green pigment chlorophyll.
(ii) Conversion of light energy into chemical energy and the splitting of water
molecule into hydrogen and oxygen.
(iii) Reduction of carbon dioxide into carbohydrate.
Role of Stomata
Stomata are tiny pores present on the surface of leaves. They are also present on
the surface of young stems. Stomata are mainly engaged in the exchange of gases
(entry of CO2 and release of O2 ) associated with photosynthesis. Plant closes the
stomata when it does not need CO2 for photosynthesis.
(b) Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis

Procedure:
(i) Place a healthy green potted plant in a dark room for 1-2 days. This is done to
ensure
that the plant consumes all its reserve food and the leaves do not contain any starch.
(ii) Then, cover a portion of a leaf of this plant on both sides with two uniform pieces
of black paper, fixed in position with two paper clips.
(iii) Now, expose this plant to bright light. After a few hours, remove the leaf and
decolorize it with alcohol and test the presence of food (starch) with iodine solution.
Observation: It can be observed that the portion of the leaf covered with black paper
does not (food),
Conclusion: This is because the food prepared by plants through the process of
photosynthesis is stored as starch. Starch reacts with the iodine solution to give
blue-black colour. Only those portions of the leaf that were exposed to sunlight could
photosynthesise. Hence, gives blue- black colour when tested with iodine. The
portion of the leaf covered with black paper did not receive sunlight. Hence, starch
was not produced. Thus, it can be
concluded that the sunlight is essential for photosynthesis.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark] -Year 2009

55. What will happen to a plant if its xylem is removed?

Answer. Xylem in plant transports water and dissolved mineral nutrients from the
roots to all parts of the vascular plant. So, if xylem is removed from the plant, the
water and mineral supply to the plant will stop and therefore, the plant will die.

56. Where does digestion of fat take place in our body?

Answer. Digestion of fat takes place in the small intestine of our body.

57. What is the mode of nutrition in human beings?

Answer. Holozoic nutrition.

Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks] -Year 2009

58.(a) What is meant by breathing? What happens to the rate of breathing

during
vigorous exercise and why?
(b) Define translocation with respect to transport in plants. Why is it essential
for plants? Where in plants are the following synthesised?
(i) Sugar (iii) Hormone
Answer.(a) The process of taking in of oxygen from air in to the lungs and expulsion
of carbon dioxide out of the lungs is called breathing. The rate of breathing during
vigorous exercise increases by about 20 to 25 times per minute. It is because, during
vigorous exercise the demand for oxygen increases. Breathing occurs involuntarily
but its rate is controlled by the respiratory center of the brain.
(b) Translocation is the transport of food from the leaves to other parts of the plant
and occurs in the part of the vascular tissue known as phloem.
It is essential for plants because every part of the plant needs food for obtaining
energy for building its parts and maintaining its life.
(i) Sugar is synthesised in the leaves of the plant.
(ii) Hormones are synthesised at the tips of roots and stems of a plant.