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Life Processes — Question 4

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Question 4

How are water and minerals transported in plants?

Answer

Water and minerals are transported in plants by Xylem vessels. In xylem tissue, vessels and tracheids of the roots, stems and leaves are interconnected to form a continuous system of water-conducting channels reaching all parts of the plant. Water and minerals are transported in plants in following ways:

  1. At the roots, cells in contact with the soil actively take up ions.
  2. This creates a difference in the concentration of these ions between the root and the soil.
  3. Water, therefore, moves into the root from the soil to eliminate this difference. This means that there is steady movement of water into root xylem, creating a column of water that is steadily pushed upwards.
  4. As this pressure is not enough to push water very high, plants create a suction force through transpiration by losing water in the form of vapour from their aerial parts which pulls water higher up from the roots.
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Science | Chapter 5: Life ProcessesWeb Content

Chapter 5: Life Processes — Quick Revision Guide

Introduction

Life processes are the basic functions performed by all living organisms to sustain life. This chapter covers nutrition (autotrophic and heterotrophic), respiration, transportation, and excretion in plants and animals.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (in chloroplasts using chlorophyll and sunlight)
  2. Stomata: tiny pores for gas exchange and transpiration; guard cells control opening/closing
  3. Human digestive system: mouth (salivary amylase) → stomach (HCl, pepsin) → small intestine (bile, trypsin, lipase; absorption by villi) → large intestine → anus
  4. Aerobic respiration (mitochondria): glucose + O2 → CO2 + H2O + 38 ATP
  5. Anaerobic: in yeast → ethanol + CO2; in muscles → lactic acid; both yield 2 ATP
  6. Xylem: transports water upward (dead cells, transpiration pull); Phloem: transports food bidirectionally (living cells, uses ATP)
  7. Heart: 4 chambers, double circulation (pulmonary + systemic); septum prevents mixing
  8. Blood: plasma + RBCs (O2 via haemoglobin) + WBCs (immunity) + platelets (clotting)
  9. Nephron: Bowman's capsule + glomerulus → filtration → reabsorption → urine; dialysis for kidney failure
  10. Plant excretion: transpiration, leaf fall, stored in vacuoles, resins/gums

Real-World Connections

Photosynthesis is the basis of all food chains; fermentation used in bread and alcohol production; blood donation saves lives; dialysis machines sustain patients with kidney failure.

Quick Self-Test (5 Questions)

  1. What is the most important concept you learned from this chapter?
  2. Can you write three key equations/formulae from this chapter from memory?
  3. Draw a labelled diagram relevant to this chapter without looking at your notes.
  4. Explain one real-world application of a concept from this chapter.
  5. What is one common mistake students make in this chapter, and how can you avoid it?

Further Study

  • NCERT Textbook Chapter 5
  • NCERT Exemplar Problems
  • Bright Tutorials Detailed Notes: ch05-life-processes.html
  • Bright Tutorials Practice Questions: ch05-life-processes.html
  • Previous Year CBSE Board Papers

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