Life Processes is Chapter 6 of Class 10 Science and a core topic for both board exams and competitive foundations like NEET. It explains how living organisms perform essential biological functions to sustain life — including nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion.
At Convex Classes Jaipur, we simplify complex biology into crystal-clear notes so students can revise faster, understand deeper, and score higher.
What Are Life Processes?
Life processes are the basic activities performed by living organisms to maintain life. These include:
- Nutrition – intake and utilization of food
- Respiration – release of energy from food
- Transportation – movement of substances within the body
- Excretion – removal of metabolic waste
Nutrition
In Plants – Autotrophic Nutrition
- Plants prepare food via photosynthesis using sunlight, CO₂, water, and chlorophyll.
- Equation:
6CO2+6H2O→sunlightC6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{sunlight} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2
In Humans – Heterotrophic Nutrition
- Involves five steps: Ingestion → Digestion → Absorption → Assimilation → Egestion
- Organs involved: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
- Enzymes: Salivary amylase, pepsin, trypsin, lipase
Respiration
Types of Respiration
| Type | Oxygen Used | Products | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobic | Yes | CO₂ + H₂O | High |
| Anaerobic | No | Alcohol + CO₂ / Lactic Acid | Low |
Human Respiratory System
- Organs: Nose, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli
- Alveoli are the site of gas exchange
- Diaphragm helps in breathing movement
Transportation
In Humans
- Heart pumps blood through arteries, veins, and capillaries
- Blood transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste
- Lymph transports fats and fights infection
In Plants
- Xylem: Transports water and minerals
- Phloem: Transports food from leaves to other parts
Excretion
In Humans
- Kidneys filter blood and form urine
- Nephrons are the functional units
- Urine passes through ureters → bladder → urethra
In Plants
- Waste stored in vacuoles
- Removed via resins, gums, or leaf fall
Key Diagrams to Practice
- Human digestive system
- Human respiratory system
- Human excretory system
- Structure of nephron
- Transportation in plants (xylem & phloem)
Important Terms
- Peristalsis – movement of food in esophagus
- Stomata – pores for gas exchange in leaves
- Transpiration – loss of water from leaves
- Double circulation – blood passes twice through heart in one cycle
- Dialysis – artificial removal of waste when kidneys fail
FAQs – Life Processes Class 10
Q1. What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition?
👉 Autotrophic: Organism makes its own food (plants); Heterotrophic: Depends on others (humans, animals)
Q2. What is the role of alveoli in respiration?
👉 Alveoli are tiny air sacs in lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Q3. What is double circulation?
👉 In humans, blood passes twice through the heart in one cycle — once for lungs, once for body.
Q4. What is the function of nephron?
👉 Nephrons filter blood and form urine in kidneys.
Q5. Why is transpiration important in plants?
👉 It helps in cooling the plant and upward movement of water.
Conclusion
Life Processes is not just a chapter — it’s the foundation of biology. From digestion to excretion, every concept builds your understanding for board exams and future competitive tests. At Convex Classes Jaipur, we make sure every student learns with clarity, confidence, and concept mastery.
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