Life Processes are the basic maintenance activities that keep living organisms alive.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 5 connect this chapter with nutrition, respiration, transportation and excretion.
Chapter 5 Life Processes explains how living organisms obtain energy, use food, exchange gases, transport materials and remove wastes. It begins with the idea that living beings need continuous molecular movement and maintenance even when they are not visibly active.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 5 - All Exercise Questions
Q.
The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for
(a) nutrition.
(b) respiration.
(c) excretion.
(d) transportation.
Q.
The xylem in plants are responsible for
- transport of water.
- transport of food.
- transport of amino acids.
- transport of oxygen.
Q.
The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires
- carbon dioxide and water.
- chlorophyll.
- sunlight.
- all of the above.
Q.
The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes place in
- cytoplasm.
- mitochondria.
- chloroplast.
- nucleus.
Q.
How are fats digested in our bodies? Where does this process take place?
Q.
What is the role of saliva in the digestion of the food?
Q.
What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its by products?
Q.
What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Name some organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration.
Q.
How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?
Q.
What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies?
Q.
Describe double circulation in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Q.
What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
Q.
Compare the functioning of alveoli in lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and functioning.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 5 cover all exercise questions in textbook order, including Life Processes Class 10, nutrition in human beings Class 10, autotrophic nutrition Class 10, aerobic and anaerobic respiration Class 10, human respiratory system Class 10, transportation in human beings Class 10, transportation in plants Class 10, excretion in human beings Class 10, and Class 10 Science life processes solutions for revision. The chapter identifies nutrition, respiration, transportation and excretion as essential life processes.
Key Takeaways
- Nutrition: Organisms obtain food and raw materials for energy, growth and repair.
- Respiration: Food is broken down to release energy, usually in the form of ATP.
- Transportation: Materials such as oxygen, food, water and wastes are moved within the body.
- Excretion: Harmful metabolic wastes are removed from the body.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 5 Structure 2026
| Section |
Main Topic |
Question Focus |
| 5.1 |
What are life processes? |
Maintenance, energy, raw materials |
| 5.2 |
Nutrition |
Autotrophic nutrition, human digestion |
| 5.3 |
Respiration |
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration, lungs |
| 5.4 |
Transportation |
Heart, blood, xylem and phloem |
| 5.5 |
Excretion |
Nephrons, urine formation, plant wastes |
| Exercises |
NCERT questions |
13 textbook questions |
NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 5 Exercise Solutions
The exercise questions in Chapter 5 test whether students understand digestion, photosynthesis, respiration, blood circulation, transport in plants, kidney function and the comparison between alveoli and nephrons.
Life Processes Class 10: Exercise Questions and Answers
Q1. The kidneys in human beings are a part of the system for:
Options:
(a) nutrition
(b) respiration
(c) excretion
(d) transportation
Kidneys remove nitrogenous wastes such as urea from the blood and help form urine.
Answer:
(c) excretion
Q2. The xylem in plants are responsible for:
Options:
(a) transport of water
(b) transport of food
(c) transport of amino acids
(d) transport of oxygen
Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant.
Answer:
(a) transport of water
Q3. The autotrophic mode of nutrition requires:
Options:
(a) carbon dioxide and water
(b) chlorophyll
(c) sunlight
(d) all of the above
Autotrophic nutrition needs carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight for photosynthesis.
Answer:
(d) all of the above
Q4. The breakdown of pyruvate to give carbon dioxide, water and energy takes place in:
Options:
(a) cytoplasm
(b) mitochondria
(c) chloroplast
(d) nucleus
In aerobic respiration, pyruvate is broken down in mitochondria to form carbon dioxide, water and energy. The chapter explains that glucose first breaks into pyruvate in the cytoplasm, and pyruvate is then broken down using oxygen in mitochondria.
Answer:
(b) mitochondria
Nutrition in Human Beings Class 10
Q5. How are fats digested in our bodies? Where does this process take place?
Fats are digested mainly in the small intestine.
Fats reach the small intestine in the form of large globules. These large globules are difficult for enzymes to act upon. Bile salts from the liver break the large fat globules into smaller globules. This process is called emulsification.
After emulsification, pancreatic juice acts on fats. The enzyme lipase breaks down emulsified fats into fatty acids and glycerol. The intestinal juice also helps complete digestion.
Answer:
Fats are digested in the small intestine. Bile salts emulsify fats into smaller globules, and lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and glycerol.
Q6. What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?
Saliva helps in digestion in two ways.
First, it wets the food and makes it easier to chew and swallow. This helps the food move smoothly through the food pipe.
Second, saliva contains the enzyme salivary amylase. This enzyme begins the digestion of starch in the mouth by breaking starch into simple sugars.
Answer:
Saliva moistens food and contains salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into simple sugars.
Autotrophic Nutrition Class 10
Q7. What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its by-products?
Autotrophic nutrition takes place through photosynthesis.
Necessary conditions:
Carbon dioxide
Water
Chlorophyll
Sunlight
During photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to make carbohydrates. Oxygen is released as a by-product.
Copy-friendly equation:
6CO₂ + 12H₂O — sunlight/chlorophyll → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O
Answer:
Autotrophic nutrition requires carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight. Its main product is carbohydrate, and oxygen is released as a by-product.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration Class 10
Q8. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name some organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration.
| Aerobic Respiration |
Anaerobic Respiration |
| Takes place in the presence of oxygen |
Takes place in the absence of oxygen |
| Produces carbon dioxide, water and energy |
Produces ethanol and carbon dioxide in yeast, or lactic acid in muscles |
| Releases more energy |
Releases less energy |
| Takes place mainly in mitochondria after glycolysis |
Takes place in cytoplasm |
Examples of organisms using anaerobic respiration:
Yeast
Some bacteria
Anaerobic respiration also occurs in human muscle cells during sudden activity when oxygen is insufficient. The chapter explains that yeast converts pyruvate into ethanol and carbon dioxide during fermentation, while muscle cells may form lactic acid when oxygen is lacking.
Answer:
Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and releases more energy. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and releases less energy. Yeast and some bacteria use anaerobic respiration.
Human Respiratory System Class 10
Q9. How are the alveoli designed to maximise the exchange of gases?
Alveoli are tiny balloon-like structures present at the end of the respiratory tubes in the lungs.
They are designed for efficient gas exchange because:
They provide a large surface area.
Their walls are thin and delicate.
They are surrounded by a rich network of blood capillaries.
Oxygen from alveolar air diffuses into the blood.
Carbon dioxide from blood diffuses into the alveoli.
The lungs also contain residual air, which gives enough time for oxygen to be absorbed and carbon dioxide to be released. The chapter states that alveoli provide the surface where exchange of gases takes place and that their walls contain an extensive network of blood vessels.
Answer:
Alveoli have thin walls, a large surface area and many blood capillaries, which together maximise gas exchange.
Q10. What would be the consequences of a deficiency of haemoglobin in our bodies?
Haemoglobin is the respiratory pigment present in red blood corpuscles. It carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
If haemoglobin is deficient:
Less oxygen will be transported to body cells.
Cells will receive less oxygen for respiration.
Less energy will be released.
The person may feel tired, weak and breathless.
Body activities may slow down because of poor oxygen supply.
Answer:
A deficiency of haemoglobin reduces oxygen transport in the body, causing weakness, tiredness and lower energy release in cells.
Transportation in Human Beings Class 10
Q11. Describe double circulation of blood in human beings. Why is it necessary?
Double circulation means that blood passes through the heart twice in one complete cycle of circulation.
There are two parts:
Pulmonary circulation:
Deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart goes to the lungs.
In the lungs, carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added.
Oxygenated blood returns to the left side of the heart.
Systemic circulation:
Oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart is pumped to the body.
Body cells use oxygen and return deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart.
Double circulation is necessary because it keeps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate. This helps the body receive a highly efficient supply of oxygen. It is especially important for mammals and birds because they need high energy to maintain body temperature. The chapter explains that separation of the right and left sides of the heart prevents mixing of oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-rich blood.
Answer:
Double circulation is the movement of blood through the heart twice in one cycle: once between heart and lungs, and once between heart and body. It is necessary to keep oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate for efficient oxygen supply.
Transportation in Plants Class 10
Q12. What are the differences between the transport of materials in xylem and phloem?
| Xylem |
Phloem |
| Transports water and minerals |
Transports food and other soluble products |
| Movement is mainly upward from roots to leaves |
Movement can be upward and downward |
| Transport depends mainly on root pressure and transpiration pull |
Transport uses energy from ATP |
| Made of vessels and tracheids |
Made of sieve tubes and companion cells |
| Mostly transports raw materials |
Mostly transports products of photosynthesis |
The chapter explains that xylem moves water and minerals from the soil, while phloem transports products of photosynthesis from leaves to other parts of the plant. It also states that phloem transport, called translocation, uses energy from ATP.
Answer:
Xylem transports water and minerals mainly upward, while phloem transports food and other substances in both upward and downward directions using energy.
Excretion in Human Beings Class 10
Q13. Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and functioning.
| Point of Comparison |
Alveoli |
Nephrons |
| Organ |
Lungs |
Kidneys |
| Structure |
Balloon-like sacs with thin walls |
Filtration units made of Bowman’s capsule, capillaries and tubules |
| Blood Supply |
Surrounded by blood capillaries |
Contains a cluster of blood capillaries |
| Main Function |
Exchange of gases |
Filtration of blood and urine formation |
| Material Removed |
Carbon dioxide from blood |
Nitrogenous wastes such as urea |
| Material Taken Back |
Oxygen enters blood |
Useful substances such as glucose, amino acids, salts and water are reabsorbed |
| Final Output |
Carbon dioxide-rich air is exhaled |
Urine is formed |
Alveoli and nephrons both have thin-walled structures closely associated with blood capillaries. Alveoli help exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Nephrons filter blood, reabsorb useful substances and remove wastes through urine. The chapter explains that each nephron has a cup-shaped Bowman’s capsule with a capillary cluster and that useful substances such as glucose, amino acids, salts and water are selectively reabsorbed as urine flows along the tube.
Answer:
Alveoli are gas-exchange units of lungs, while nephrons are filtration units of kidneys. Both have thin walls and rich blood supply, but alveoli exchange gases and nephrons remove nitrogenous wastes from blood.
Life Processes Class 10: Concepts Used in Chapter 5
Chapter 5 Life Processes includes nutrition, respiration, transportation and excretion. These processes maintain life by supplying energy, moving materials and removing wastes.
Life Processes Class 10
Life processes are the maintenance functions that continue in living organisms even when they are resting.
Examples:
Nutrition
Respiration
Transportation
Excretion
Nutrition in Human Beings Class 10
Nutrition in human beings takes place through the alimentary canal.
Main steps:
Ingestion
Digestion
Absorption
Assimilation
Egestion
Important organs:
Mouth
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Anus
Autotrophic Nutrition Class 10
Autotrophic nutrition is the mode of nutrition in which organisms make their own food from simple inorganic substances.
Main process:
Photosynthesis
Raw materials:
Carbon dioxide
Water
Sunlight
Chlorophyll
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration Class 10
Respiration releases energy from food.
Aerobic respiration:
Glucose is broken down using oxygen.
Products:
Carbon dioxide, water and energy
Anaerobic respiration:
Glucose is broken down without oxygen.
Products in yeast:
Ethanol, carbon dioxide and energy
Product in muscles during oxygen shortage:
Lactic acid
Human Respiratory System Class 10
Main parts:
Nostrils
Nasal passage
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Lungs
Function:
It helps take oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide.
Transportation in Human Beings Class 10
The transport system in human beings consists of:
Heart
Blood
Blood vessels
Blood transports:
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Digested food
Nitrogenous wastes
Salts and other substances
Transportation in Plants Class 10
Plants use vascular tissues for transport.
Xylem:
Transports water and minerals.
Phloem:
Transports food and other soluble products.
Excretion in Human Beings Class 10
The human excretory system includes:
A pair of kidneys
A pair of ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
The kidney’s basic filtration unit is called the nephron.
Quick Revision Table for NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 5
| Concept |
Copy-Friendly Point |
Used In |
| Life processes |
Nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion |
Full chapter |
| Photosynthesis |
6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O |
Q7 |
| Aerobic respiration |
Uses oxygen and releases more energy |
Q8 |
| Anaerobic respiration |
Occurs without oxygen and releases less energy |
Q8 |
| Alveoli |
Gas exchange surface in lungs |
Q9, Q13 |
| Haemoglobin |
Transports oxygen in blood |
Q10 |
| Double circulation |
Blood passes through heart twice in one cycle |
Q11 |
| Xylem |
Transports water and minerals |
Q12 |
| Phloem |
Transports food using energy |
Q12 |
| Nephron |
Filtration unit of kidney |
Q13 |
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