Based on the latest syllabus and guidelines issued

by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

LIVING SCIENCE
BIOLOGY
10

D K Rao  •  J J Kaur
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© D K Rao & J J Kaur, 2007

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First Published 2007
First revised edition 2011
Second revised edition 2017
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ISBN  978-93-85976-89-6

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Preface
Biology is about understanding how living organisms work. During the last couple of centuries, our knowledge of
Biology has grown at a staggering rate. Living Science ‘Biology’ for Class X conforms to the latest CBSE syllabus.
The book contains all the material which is a part of the core syllabus.
We have written this book to give you a thorough introduction to Biology at the Secondary level. We have
presented the various scientific concepts as vital, compelling and meaningful which might otherwise seem dull.
Each part of this book has been carefully planned to make it student-friendly and present Biology in an interesting,
understandable and enjoyable manner. We have tried to stress the applications of what you are learning so that
you can relate the facts to the living world.
The ‘Guided Tour’
Before you start using this book let us familiarize you with its major features.
Course divided into Themes and Chapters
The book is divided into different chapters. The continuity from one chapter to another is step by step, clear and
methodical.
Chapter 1: Life Processes – Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation and Excretion
Chapter 2: Control and Coordination
Chapter 3: Reproduction in Plants and Animals
Chapter 4: Heredity and Evolution
Chapter 5: Management of Natural Resources
Chapter 6: Our Environment
Learning Objectives
Learning becomes easy and purposeful if one is aware of the goals and targets of study. Thus, ‘Learning Objectives’
have been given in the beginning of each chapter to guide the learner about the concepts to be studied step by
step. The Learning Objectives also provide an overview of the entire chapter.
The Text
Learning proceeds from concrete to abstract. One learns about the difficult unknown concepts from simple facts
which are quite familiar to him/her. The main text introduces ideas from scratch. A lucid introduction to the
chapter has been given to stimulate the interest of the learner in the respective topics. Informal and interactive
style has been used throughout the text, which is divided into units and sub-units.
Self-Test Assignments
Each section is followed by a self-test assignment in the form of ‘Check your progress’ to reinforce the concept.
Each chapter contains several such assignments which students will find valuable to obtain feedback about their
progress.
Text and Illustration Coordination
A large number of figures have been used to enhance effectiveness of the text. Simple and clear illustrations have
been designed keeping the needs of the reader in mind. The text and the illustrations together teach the content
better and in an interesting manner.
Use of Tables, Graphs and Flowcharts
The tables and graphs used in the text are capable of standing on their own (self-explanatory). In addition, important
processes are explained in the form of flowcharts which are in coordination with the text.
Feature Boxes
The feature boxes contain topics of special interest – practical techniques or modern applications of science.
Interesting facts related to the topics have been included at appropriate places as box material. These boxes will
give you an indepth knowledge to help you understand the concept better.
Summary
The main text of each chapter has been summarized at the end of the chapter which lists the main points of the text.
The summary is excellent for revision and to gain an overview of the topics covered in the chapters.
Terminal Exercises
Terminal exercises at the end of each chapter focus on the application of the subject matter and contain questions
which give the opportunity to practice key skills. These exercises provide a full dress rehearsal for examination.
They include a variety of questions to facilitate the integration of different concepts taught and test the grasp of the
complete chapter. These will be highly helpful for examination purpose and to identify strengths and weaknesses
in understanding the concepts.
Glossary
A glossary of technical terms has been provided at the end of the book for quick reference.
We sincerely hope that this book will meet the aspirations of the students as well as the teachers. Your valuable
suggestions for further improvement of the book will be appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.

D K Rao & J J Kaur

Delhi
Syllabus
THEME: MATERIALS (30 Periods)
UNIT I: CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES – NATURE AND BEHAVIOUR
Chemical reactions: Chemical equation, balanced chemical equation, implications of a balanced
chemical equation, types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, displacement, double
displacement, precipitation, neutralization, oxidation and reduction.
Acids, bases and salts: Their definitions in terms of furnishing of H+ and OH– ions, general properties,
examples and uses, concept of pH scale (Definition relating to logarithm not required), importance
of pH in everyday life; preparation and uses of sodium hydroxide, bleaching powder, baking soda,
washing soda and plaster of Paris.
Metals and non-metals: Properties of metals and non-metals; reactivity series, formation and
properties of ionic compounds; basic metallurgical processes; corrosion and its prevention.

THEME: THE WORLD OF THE LIVING (20 Periods)

UNIT II: WORLD OF LIVING
Life processes: ‘Living being’. Basic concept of nutrition, respiration, transport and excretion in plants
and animals.
Control and coordination in animals and plants: Tropic movements in plants; Introduction to plant
hormones; Control and coordination in animals: Nervous system; voluntary, involuntary and reflex
action, Chemical coordination: animal hormones.

THEME: HOW THINGS WORK (32 Periods)

UNIT IV: EFFECTS OF CURRENT
Electric current, potential difference and electric current. Ohm’s law; resistance, resistivity, factors on
which the resistance of a conductor depends. Series combination of resistors, parallel combination
of resistors and its applications in daily life. Heating effect of electric current and its applications in
daily life. Electric Power, Interrelation between P, V, I and R.
Magnetic effects of current: Magnetic field, field lines, field due to a current carrying conductor, field
due to current carrying coil or solenoid; Force on current carrying conductor, Fleming’s Left Hand
Rule. Electromagnetic induction. Induced potential difference, induced current. Fleming’s Right Hand
Rule, direct current. Alternating current: frequency of AC. Advantage of AC over DC. Domestic
electric circuits.

THEME: NATURAL RESOURCES (8 Periods)

UNIT V: NATURAL RESOURCES
Sources of energy: Different forms of energy, conventional and non-conventional sources of energy:
Fossil fuels, solar energy; biogas; wind, water and tidal energy; nuclear energy. Renewable versus
non-renewable sources of energy.
THEME: MATERIALS (25 Periods)
UNIT I: CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES – NATURE AND BEHAVIOUR
Carbon compounds: Covalent bonding in carbon compounds. Versatile nature of carbon.
Homologous series. Nomenclature of carbon compounds containing functional groups (halogens,
alcohol, ketones, aldehydes, alkanes and alkynes), difference between saturated hydrocarbons
and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Chemical properties of carbon compounds (combustion, oxidation,
addition and substitution reaction). Ethanol and Ethanoic acid (only properties and uses), soaps
and detergents.
Periodic classification of elements: Need for classification, Modern Periodic Table, gradation in
properties, valency, atomic number, metallic and non-metallic properties.

THEME: THE WORLD OF THE LIVING (30 Periods)

UNIT II: WORLD OF LIVING
Reproduction: Reproduction in animals and plants (asexual and sexual) reproductive health – need
and methods of family planning. Safe sex vs HIV/AIDS. Child bearing and women’s health.
Heredity and Evolution: Heredity; Mendel’s contribution – Laws for inheritance of traits: Sex
determination: brief introduction; Basic concepts of evolution.

THEME: NATURAL PHENOMENA (23 Periods)

Unit III: NATURAL PHENOMENA
Reflection of light by curved surfaces, Images formed by spherical mirrors, centre of curvature,
principal axis, principal focus, focal length, mirror formula (Derivation not required), magnification.
Refraction; Laws of refraction, refractive index.
Refraction of light by spherical lens; image formed by spherical lenses; Lens Formula (Derivation
not required); Magnification. Power of a lens; Functioning of a lens in human eye, defects of vision
and their corrections, applications of spherical mirrors and lenses.
Refraction of light through a prism, dispersion of light, scattering of light, applications in daily life.

THEME: NATURAL RESOURCES (12 Periods)

UNIT V: NATURAL RESOURCES
Conservation of natural resources.
Management of natural resources. Conservation and judicious use of natural resources. Forest and
wildlife. Coal and petroleum conservation. Examples of people’s participation for conservation of
natural resources.
Regional environment: Big dams: advantages and limitations; alternatives if any. Water harvesting.
Sustainability of natural resources.
Our environment: Eco-system, environmental problems, ozone depletion, waste production and their
solutions. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.
Contents

1. LIFE PROCESSES (Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation and Excretion) 9

Unit I: Nutrition
Modes of nutrition 10,  How do simple organisms like Amoeba obtain their
nutrition? 13,  Nutrition in plants – Photosynthesis 13,  The mechanism of
photosynthesis 17,  Nutrition in human beings 18,  Alimentary canal and associated
digestive glands 18,  Process and physiology of digestion 21,  Steps in feeding and
digestion 22 
Unit II: Respiration
What is respiration? 32,  Types of respiration 32,  Respiration in plants 34, Gaseous
exchange in animals 35,  Respiration in humans 37,  Respiratory system in human
beings 37,  The breathing mechanism 39,  Exchange of gases in lungs and tissues 40
Unit III: Transportation
Transportation in plants 48,  Transportation of materials and fluids in human beings 51, 
Human blood 52,  Blood vessels 54,  Heart in human beings 55,  Cardiac cycle 56, 
Lymphatic system 58 
Unit IV: Excretion – Elimination of body wastes
Excretion 66,  Excretion in plants 66,  Excretion in animals 66,  Nature of waste
products in human beings 67,  Excretion in human beings 67,  Nephron – The
functional unit of kidney 67,  Physiology of urine formation 69, Haemodialysis 70

2. CONTROL AND COORDINATION 76

Stimuli and receptors 76,  Control and coordination in plants 77,  Tropic movements
or tropism 77,  Nastic movements or nasties 78,  Plant hormones 79, Coordination
in animals – Nervous system 80,  Nervous system in lower animals 80,  Control and
coordination in humans 80,  Nervous system in humans 80,  Neurons – The unit of
nervous system 80,  Organs of nervous system in human beings 82,  Central nervous
system 83,  Reflex action and reflex arc 85,  Peripheral nervous system 86, Autonomic
nervous system 86,  Endocrine system in humans; What are hormones? 86, Endocrine
glands 87,  Thyroid gland 87,  Adrenal glands 88, Pancreas 89,  Pituitary – The master
gland 89,  Hormones secreted by gonads 90,  Feedback mechanism of hormone
secretion 91
 3. REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS 98
What is reproduction? 98,  Types of reproduction 99,  Asexual reproduction 99,  Types of
asexual reproduction 99,  Vegetative propagation 102,  Vegetative propagation by natural
methods 103,  Vegetative propagation by artificial methods 104,  Do organisms create
exact copies of themselves in asexual reproduction? 107,  Sexual reproduction 108,
Sexual reproduction in flowering plants 109, Pollination 110,  Fertilization and
development of the seed 111,  Reproduction in humans beings 112, Reproductive
system in human beings 112,  Male reproductive system 113,  Female reproductive
system 114,  What happens when the egg is not fertilized? 115,  Fertilization, pregnancy
and development of the embryo 116,  Reproductive health 117,  Birth control 117,
Sexually transmitted diseases 119

4. HEREDITY AND EVOLUTION 128

Heredity, genetics and variations 128,  Accumulation of variation during
reproduction 129,  Inheritance of traits – Mendel’s contributions 130, Mendel’s
experiments 131,  Monohybrid cross 132,  Dihybrid cross 134,  Interpretation of
Mendel’s observations 135,  Mendel’s laws of inheritance 135,  Transmission of
traits 136,  Sex determination in lower animals 137,  Sex determination in human
beings – Son or daughter? 137, Evolution 138,  Acquired and inherited traits 140,
Speciation 140,  Evolution and classification 141,  Tracing evolutionary
relationships 143,  Evolution by stages 145,  Evolution of man 147

5. MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 153

What are natural resources? 153,  Why should we manage our natural resources? 153, 
The Ganga action plan 154,  Conservation of forests 155,  Sustainable management
of forests 156,  Conservation of wildlife 157,  Conservation of water 159, Water
harvesting 160,  Three R’s to save environment – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 161, Coal
and petroleum – The fossil fuels 161

6. OUR ENVIRONMENT 165

How does waste material affect the environment? 166, Ecosystem 167,  Food chain and
food web 168,  Trophic levels 170,  Flow of energy in an ecosystem 171,  How do our
activities affect the ecosystem? 172,  How do toxic chemicals enter our food chain? 173,
Ozone layer depletion 173,  Managing the garbage we produce 174

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (Based on Practical Skills in Science) 180

SOME LINE DIAGRAMS FOR PRACTICE 184

GLOSSARY 187
  The best a nd most efficient pharmacy
is within your own syste m. 
— ROBERT C PEALE

CHAPTER 1

Life Processes (Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation and Excretion)

H ow do you differentiate a living thing from a

non-living thing? Is it by shape, size, activities
or anything else? The most important criteria to
WHAT ARE LIFE PROCESSES?
If you look around, you will find that living beings
differ in shape, structure and size. Yet they show some
decide whether something is living or not, is the similarities in their life activities. To maintain their life
movement. Change in position of an organism or any they have to perform certain basic life processes.
of its body part on its own is called movement. The activities by which living organisms take
❖❖ All living things move by themselves without any in food, derive energy, remove waste material
external help. On the other hand, non-living things from their body and respond to changes in the
do not. environment are called life processes.
❖❖ Animals can move from one place to another while The first and foremost life process is nutrition which
plants are fixed at one place. involves taking in food by the body and converting it
❖❖ The plants can show movements in their body into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by body.
parts (like leaves, shoots, roots and flowers) only The food absorbed by the body has to be broken down
in response to stimuli. to release energy, which is done by respiration. Through
❖❖ Another important thing is that living beings, the process of transportation, a nutrient absorbed by
both plants and animals are made up of very small the body or a hormone released by some organs is
living units called cells which are further made distributed to other parts of the body. Another process,
up of molecules. Even though the movement of excretion, helps in removing the waste materials
molecules is at a very small scale and not visible produced in the body.
to naked eyes, yet this molecular movement is Since the organisms live in an environment, the
essential for existence of life. process of control and coordination helps them to
❖❖ There are certain other characteristics of living adapt to change in the environment in and around
beings, such as they need food, air and water; them. Finally, the process of reproduction helps in
show growth to some extent; respire and release multiplication, so that they can produce more of their
energy from food; respond to changes around own kind. The living organisms need energy to perform
them, can excrete waste products, and reproduce all these life processes which they get from the food
and multiply. The body design and complexity of they consume.
organisms increases from a single-celled organism In this chapter you will study about basic life
Life Processes

to a complex multicellular organism. Similarly, processes as under:

the different body organ system of multicellular 1. nutrition, 2. respiration,
organisms specialize and become more complex 3. transportation of materials and fluids, and
to meet the requirements of all the cells. 4. excretion. 9
 (I) NUTRITION

Learning Objectives Study Tip

Food is an organic substance. Simple sugar or
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
glucose is the simplest food. Starch is a complex food
❖❖ define the term nutrition and describe various modes of
which is made from glucose. Glucose and starch are
nutrition in living beings;
carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are most common food
❖❖ describe the importance of photosynthesis to the living
for getting energy.
world;
❖❖ state the generalized equation of photosynthesis and list
the raw materials required for it; Food substances such as proteins, carbohydrates,
❖❖ suggest suitable experiments to show the raw
fats, minerals, etc. which support the growth
materials required and products formed as a result of
photosynthesis; of organisms and provide raw materials for the
❖❖ list various parts of the alimentary canal in humans; biosynthesis of body constituents are called
❖❖ describe the process of ingestion, digestion, absorption nutrients. Nutrients are broadly divided into three
and assimilation of food across various parts of groups namely, 1. energy-yielding (carbohydrates
alimentary canal in humans;
and fats), 2. body-building (proteins), and 3. growth-
❖❖ explain the role of pancreas and liver in digestion.
regulating or protective (vitamins and minerals).
Organisms need food for:

A ll living organisms can be regarded as working

machines which require a continuous supply of
energy in order to keep working and stay alive. In order
❖❖ growth and to get energy for carrying out various life
activities,
❖❖ repair of damaged cells and tissues,

to perform various life processes, all living organisms ❖❖ producing enzymes and hormones which are

need energy-providing and growth-promoting food. essential to carry out and maintain proper life
The process of intake of food, its digestion, activities, and develop resistance against diseases.
absorption, and distribution to different parts of
the body for utilization is known as nutrition. In MODES OF NUTRITION
other words, nutrition is the process of acquiring Modes of nutrition means methods of procuring
energy and materials for growth. The source food or obtaining food by an organism. Organisms
of energy and materials is the food we eat and utilize. differ from each other in their modes of nutrition. On
carbohydrates
the basis of mode of obtaining food, organisms are
proteins (energy-giving food) classified into two types, namely autotrophs and
(body-building food)
heterotrophs. Thus, there are mainly two modes of
nutrition:
1. autotrophic nutrition, and
2. heterotrophic nutrition.

Autotrophic nutrition
The term autotrophic has been derived from two
Greek words – auto meaning self and trophe meaning
nutrition. Thus, autotrophic nutrition can be defined
as a type of nutrition in which organisms synthesize
Life Processes

organic material (i.e. food) from simple inorganic

vitamins and minerals fats
sources (i.e. carbon dioxide and water) with the
(protective food) (energy-giving food) help of sunlight. The autotrophic organisms or
10 Fig. 1.1 Basic food groups autotrophs are self-nourishing. Autotrophs are also
 MODES OF NUTRITION

Autotrophic Heterotrophic
Food (organic substances) manufactured Food (organic substances)
(synthesized) from inorganic raw materials obtained from other organisms

Photosynthesis Chemosynthesis Saprotrophic Parasitic Holozoic

Energy for food-synthesis Energy for food-synthesis (saprophytic) Feeding Feeding on living Eating other organisms,
comes from sunlight, e.g. comes from special on dead animals and animals and plants, usually as a whole, e.g.
most plants chemical processes, e.g. plants, e.g. certain e.g. certain animals, most animals, humans,
certain bacteria bacteria and fungi plants, bacteria Amoeba and Paramecium

Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore Carrion feeder

(Scavengers)
Fig. 1.2 Different types of nutrition found in organisms

called producers. For example, all green plants and is obtained from the intake and digestion of
some bacteria have autotrophic mode of nutrition. the organic substances derived from plants or
On the basis of type of energy used, that is, light animals.
energy or chemical energy, autotrophic nutrition can In this type of nutrition, the organic substances after
be divided into photosynthetic or chemosynthetic. their intake are broken down into simpler substances
Green plants prepare their food using carbon dioxide which are then utilized in various metabolic processes.
and water as raw materials in the presence of light A heterotrophic organism cannot prepare its own
energy from sun, and chlorophyll present largely in the food but depends upon other organisms for its
leaves, by the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll
Table 1.1 Differences between Autotrophic and
is also present in green parts of the plant exposed to Heterotrophic nutrition
light such as stem, branches and raw fruits. On the
Autotrophic Heterotrophic
other hand, some non-green plants and few bacteria Characteristics
nutrition nutrition
use chemical energy released during oxidation of
occurrence occurs in all green occurs in all
inorganic compounds to prepare their food. This is plants and some animals and fungi
called chemosynthesis. bacteria
raw material food is food is obtained
Heterotrophic nutrition manufactured from other
The word heterotrophic is derived from two from inorganic organisms (plants
Greek words – hetero meaning different and trophe raw materials such and animals)
as carbon dioxide
meaning nutrition. Thus, heterotrophic nutrition
and water in the
can be defined as a type of nutrition in which presence of light
an organism cannot make or synthesize its own and chlorophyll
food from simple inorganic materials and energy source of energy light autotrophs or
other animals
Study Tip presence of chlorophyll is chlorophyll is not
Life Processes

Photosynthesis is the only process by which solar energy chlorophyll necessary for required
is converted into chemical energy. When we eat food photosynthesis
grains, fruits, vegetables, the chemical energy in them is when does it take occurs generally occurs at all
released in our body during respiration. place during daytime times
11
 a. Bacteria b. Agaricus (mushroom)

Fig. 1.3 Some examples of saprophytes Fig. 1.4 Cuscuta – a parasite on other plants

food. Thus, heterotrophs are consumers as they food from the body of other living organisms
are dependent directly or indirectly on producers. (host) without killing them is known as parasitic
All animals, most bacteria, fungi and some non-green nutrition. Some common examples of parasites are
flowering plants, are heterotrophs. microbes like certain disease-causing protozoans such
as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania and some
Types of Heterotrophic nutrition worms like roundworm, filarial worm and tapeworm.
Heterotrophic nutrition can be of three types – Fungi like Puccinia are parasites on wheat plants. Ticks,
saprophytic nutrition, parasitic nutrition and lice and leeches feed on the blood of other animals
holozoic nutrition. and derive nutrition. Cuscuta (amarbel) and Viscum are
parasites on angiosperm plants.
Saprophytic nutrition Cuscuta (Fig. 1.4) obtains its food by parasitic
The word saprophyte is derived from two Greek words mode of nutrition. It lacks leaves and chlorophyll. Its
– sapro meaning rotten and phyto meaning plants. Thus, roots are modified into haustoria which penetrate the
those organisms which get their food supply from stem tissues of the host plant and establish contact with
dead or decaying organic matter are known as host’s vascular tissues to draw its nourishment.
saprophytes and the mode of nutrition is known
as saprophytic nutrition. Saprophytic nutrition is also Holozoic nutrition
called saprotrophic nutrition. The word holozoic is derived from two Greek words
You would have seen mushrooms growing on the – holos meaning whole and zoic meaning animal. The
soil or rotten hay and moulds growing on bread and nutrition in which an organism takes in complex
pickles during rainy season. Some common examples organic matter by the process of ingestion,
of saprophytes are bacteria (Fig. 1.3a), fungi, yeast which is subsequently digested and absorbed is
(a unicellular fungus), mushrooms (Fig. 1.3b) and called holozoic nutrition. Organisms like Amoeba,
moulds. Saprophytes produce digestive enzymes Paramecium, frogs and human beings show this type
which break down insoluble decaying food matter into of nutrition.
simpler soluble form outside their body which is then
absorbed by them.

Parasitic nutrition
The word parasite is derived from two Greek words
– para meaning other and site meaning grains. Thus,
Life Processes

parasite is an organism which lives outside or

inside the body of another organism (called the
a. Amoeba b. Paramecium
host) and derives its nourishment from the host.
12 The mode of nutrition by which parasites get their Fig. 1.5 Some examples of holozoic organisms
 On the basis of food habits, holozoic animals can
be further classified into four types – herbivores, food particle

carnivores, omnivores and carrion feeders or

scavengers. nucleus
1. Ingestion: Food
is taken into the pseudopodia
Herbivores body

The word herbivore is derived from two words – herba

2. Digestion: Complex food vacuole
meaning herbs and vorate meaning to eat. Those food is broken
down into simpler
animals, which feed only on plants and plant absorbable forms
products are called herbivores. For example, goat,
cow, buffalo, elephant and sheep are all herbivores. 3. Absorption: Simple
food particles diffuse
into body
Carnivores
The word carnivore is derived from two words – 4. Assimilation: Food
absorbed is utilized
Amoeba grows in size
carnis meaning flesh and vorate meaning to eat. Those in the body to release
energy
animals, which eat the flesh of other animals are
known as carnivores. For example, lion, tiger and 5. Egestion: Undigested
food materials are Undigested food thrown out
leopard are carnivores. They hunt and kill their prey thrown out
and then feed on them.
Fig. 1.6 Nutrition in Amoeba

Omnivores pseudopodia encircling prey fuse with each other

Two words, omnis meaning all and vorate meaning to and a food vacuole is formed. Food vacuoles are
eat, form the word omnivore. Those animals, which temporary structures. Every time Amoeba feeds,
feed on both plants as well as flesh of other animals a new food vacuole is formed. This process is called
are known as omnivores. For example, man, bear, ingestion.
crow and cockroach are omnivores. 2. Digestion: Enzymes from the cytoplasm are
secreted into the food vacuole. This results in the
Carrion feeders or Scavengers breaking down of complex food into a simple form
The word carrion is derived from Latin word caro in the food vacuole. This process is called digestion.
meaning flesh. Those animals, which feed on the The digestion taking place in food vacuole in the
body of dead animals are called carrion feeders or cytoplasm is called intracellular digestion.
scavengers. For example, crow, vulture, hyena. 3. Absorption: Digested food diffuses into the
cytoplasm from food vacuole.
HOW DO SIMPLE ORGANISMS LIKE AMOEBA 4. Assimilation: The absorbed food is utilized as per
OBTAIN THEIR NUTRITION? requirement in the cytoplasm and Amoeba grows.
Unicellular organisms like Amoeba feed on microscopic 5. Egestion: The undigested and unabsorbed food is
plants and animals present in water (such as algae and thrown out when the food vacuole comes up on the
bacteria) and decaying food particles. Intracellular cell surface and bursts open.
digestion (digestion within the cell) takes place
in Amoeba. The mode of nutrition in Amoeba is NUTRITION IN PLANTS – PHOTOSYNTHESIS
holozoic and the process of obtaining food by it is The process by which inorganic substances in green
termed phagocytosis. plants are converted into organic substances is called
Life Processes

The process of nutrition in Amoeba is as under: photosynthesis (photo means light, synthesis means
1. Ingestion: Food particles or prey, such as minute combination). Photosynthesis is an important activity
bacteria, are captured by pseudopodia (pseudo that occurs in all green plants, whether flowering or
means false and podia means feet). The tips of non-flowering. 13
 Carbon dioxide and water
The main source of CO2 for land plants is the
atmosphere, which contains 0.03–0.04 per cent of
chlorophyll
glucose to the
sunlight this gas. Aquatic plants use CO2 dissolved in water.
plant tissues
We have learnt that glucose is a product of
photosynthesis which is stored in plant tissues as
starch. The starch formation in a leaf is the basis of
photosynthesis experiments. So, to confirm whether
oxygen to the or not photosynthesis has taken place let us perform
atmosphere
carbon dioxide from
starch test.
water and minerals
from the soil the atmosphere
Activity 1
Fig. 1.7 Photosynthesis in green plants
To test a leaf for the presence of starch
Thus, photosynthesis may be defined as a Procedure
biochemical process by which plants manufacture ❖❖ Detach a fresh green leaf and dip it in boiling water for
their own food (glucose) using inorganic substances 1 minute. This will kill the protoplasm and enzymes
(carbon dioxide and water) as raw materials in the in it, so that no further chemical change takes place.
Boiling will also make the cell more permeable to water.
presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. Oxygen is
❖❖ Now boil the leaf in a test tube containing
released as a by-product of photosynthesis.
methylated spirit in a water bath till it becomes
The overall equation of photosynthesis is given colourless due to removal of chlorophyll.
here. ❖❖ The leaf now becomes brittle and hard. Place it again
in boiling water to make it soft.
light energy
6CO2 + 12H2O chlorophyll
→ C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2 ❖❖ Spread the leaf flat on a white surface such as a
carbon water glucose water oxygen glazed tile or a Petri dish and pour few drops
dioxide of iodine solution (Iodine = 0.3 g; potassium iodide
= 1.5 g and water = 100 mL) on the leaf surface.
Study Tip What do you observe?
❖❖ The food prepared during photosynthesis is glucose. Observation
The glucose is converted into starch and then stored ❖❖ You will observe that some parts of the leaf become
in plant tissues as starch. blue-black, while some show brown colour.
❖❖ Food prepared during photosynthesis provides all the Conclusion
energy to the plant. ❖❖ The part of leaf that turns the colour of the iodine
solution to blue-black contains starch.

Did You Know?

Two main processes, photosynthesis and respiration, take water
alcohol
place side by side but photosynthesis does not take place boiling (spirit)
water
in the absence of light whereas respiration continues
throughout the day as well as night.

Raw materials for photosynthesis a.  b. 

Life Processes

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are the raw

blue-black
materials for photosynthesis. Light serves as a source c. 
of energy. The process of photosynthesis takes place Fig. 1.8 Experimental set-up to test a leaf for
in chloroplasts (containing chlorophyll). the presence of starch
14
 CBSE Living Science Biology Class X

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Author : D K Rao And J J

Publisher : Ratna Sagar ISBN : 9789385976896
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