Life Processes Important Questions Class 10 2026

Lesson Plan

The chapter Life Processes is one of the most important and extensive parts of Class 10 Biology. It introduces the basic functions that keep living organisms alive such as nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion. Understanding these processes helps you see how the human body and plants work systematically to maintain life.

This chapter carries significant weightage in the board exams and lays the foundation for advanced topics in Class 11 and 12 Biology. From the journey of food inside our body to the circulation of blood and removal of waste, every topic is interconnected and conceptually rich.

These Life Processes Class 10 Important Questions are designed to help you:

  • Strengthen your understanding of biological systems and their mechanisms.
  • Revise the most asked diagram-based and reasoning questions.
  • Prepare effectively for board exams through structured and concept-based practice.

Whether you study these online or download the PDF for offline revision, this guide helps you prepare efficiently and confidently.

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Chapter 5 Life Process: Important Questions

Q1. Which of the following must be valid for a dialysis chamber? Circle 'Yes' or ‘No' to indicate your response.

Is this necessary
for dialysis?
Yes or No
Used dialysis solution is recycled
back to the chamber as fresh
dialysis solution.
Yes/No
The hollow pipes should have
semi-permeable walls.
Yes/No
The blood pressure inside the
hollow pipes should be higher
than that inside the human body
Yes/No

Ans.  

Is this necessary
for dialysis?
Yes or No
Used dialysis solution is recycled
back to the chamber as fresh
dialysis solution.
Yes
The hollow pipes should have
semi-permeable walls.
Yes
The blood pressure inside the
hollow pipes should be higher
than that inside the human body
No

Explanation: 

(i)The patient's body may reuse the dialysis solution.

Hemodialysis involves passing the used dialysate fluid through a sorbent filter and a degassing chamber before returning it to the patient. Additionally, numerous medical facilities reuse dialyzers repeatedly, either for a predefined number of uses or until they are no longer functional.

In peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), a bag of dialysis solution is attached to a tube put into the patient's belly. The used solution is subsequently drained and substituted with a fresh solution via gravity.

(ii) Yes, the hollow fibers in a dialyzer must have semi-permeable walls.

The semi-permeable membrane within the hollow fibers of the dialyzer serves as a barrier separating the blood from the dialysate. This membrane allows waste products and excess fluid to pass out of the blood while restricting larger molecules or essential components from crossing. This procedure guarantees the elimination of toxins, sustains acid-base equilibrium, and modulates electrolyte concentrations in the bloodstream.

(iii) Indeed, sustaining elevated blood flow during dialysis is essential to guarantee that the optimal volume of blood traverses the dialyzer. This accelerates the velocity of solutes in the bloodstream, thereby increasing the rate of diffusion. Due to the shortness of dialysis sessions, elevated blood flow is essential for optimal solute clearance.

During the operation, the hemodialysis machine continually checks the patient's blood pressure and may change the blood flow pace as needed.

Dialysis functions as a substitute for certain renal activities by eliminating waste products and surplus fluid from the bloodstream. It also helps regulate blood pressure and maintain a proper balance of minerals in the body.

Q2. What type of blood vessel brings in the blood with wastes?

Ans. The renal vein is a blood vessel that transports waste-filled blood to the kidney. The afferent arteriole, another blood vessel, delivers blood containing nitrogenous wastes to the Bowman's capsule within the kidney.

The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, blood vessels, and blood. There are three primary types of blood vessels:

  • Arteries: Transport blood away from the heart to various organs.
  • Veins: Carry blood back to the heart from the organs.
  • Capillaries: Small, thin vessels that connect arteries and veins, facilitating the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products.

Q3. Which organ acts like a natural dialysis chamber in the human body? 

a. Heart

b. Brain

c. Kidneys

d. Pancreas 

Ans. (c) Kidneys

Explanation: 

Function
The kidneys filter the blood, removing waste products and excess fluids while regulating the levels of various substances in the blood. They play a vital role in maintaining a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals.

Location
Most people have two kidneys, which are located in the back of the abdomen, just below the ribcage, on either side of the spine.

Importance
When the kidneys fail to function properly, dialysis can take over by removing waste products, excess salt, and water from the body. It also helps maintain safe levels of minerals and vitamins while regulating blood pressure.

Q4. Sanjeev wanted to check whether plant leaves release water vapour. He took a potted plant and covered the plant with a plastic bag. The picture below shows what he observed after 2 hours.

Sanjeev compared the results of the activity with a new pot to confirm his findings. Which of the following best represents the new pot?

Ans. Option B 

Explanation: When a plant is covered and sealed with a plastic bag, it eventually dies due to a depletion of starch. Plants require carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce food through photosynthesis, a process that occurs in the presence of chlorophyll. When the plant is enclosed, access to fresh carbon dioxide is restricted, disrupting photosynthesis. Over time, the plant exhausts its stored starch and cannot sustain itself, leading to its death.

Q5. How does the loss of water by plant leaves help the plant? Mention two points. 

Ans. Transpiration, the loss of water vapor from plant leaves, serves several essential functions:

  • Cooling: Transpiration cools plants by releasing water vapor from the leaves, which is particularly beneficial on hot days.
  • Maintaining structure: It helps maintain the turgidity of plant cells, which is crucial for young plants without woody stems.
  • Transpirational pull: Transpiration creates a suction force that draws water upward through the plant's xylem vessels.
  • Mineral transport: It aids in transporting minerals from the soil to different parts of the plant.
  • Osmosis: Transpiration plays a role in maintaining osmotic balance within the plant.
  • Cell division: By maintaining cell turgidity, transpiration supports cell division.

Transpiration is a passive process that does not require energy from the plant. It occurs through stomata, tiny pores on the leaves formed by two bean-shaped guard cells. External factors such as temperature, light, and humidity influence the rate of transpiration.

Q6. Blood transports oxygen and carbon dioxide to different parts of the human body. The exchange of gases between blood and inhaled air takes place in the capillaries of the lungs. The diagram below shows how blood circulates in the human body.

What statement is supported by the diagram? 

a. All arteries carry oxygenated blood.

b. Capillaries are permeable to gases. 

c. The wall between the left ventricle and the right ventricle is porous. 

d. Blood can flow back and forth between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Ans. (b) Capillaries are permeable to gases.  

Explanation: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body and are permeable to gases, enabling the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. They also facilitate the exchange of other substances, including water, glucose, urea, uric acid, lactic acid, and creatinine.

Q7. Which of these will be the immediate effect if gaseous exchange in the lung capillaries reduces? 

a. Blood will flow in the reverse direction

b. Pulmonary veins will receive blood with less oxygen

c. The space between the left and the right ventricle will increase

d. The pressure of the blood inside the capillaries with a decrease

Ans. (b) Pulmonary veins will receive blood with less oxygen.

Explanation: When the exchange of gases in the lung capillaries is reduced, less oxygen is transferred from the alveoli to the blood. As a result, the blood becomes less oxygenated and is carried by the pulmonary veins to the left atrium of the heart.During normal breathing, the lungs take in and expel about 5 to 8 liters of air per minute. This facilitates the transfer of approximately 0.3 liters of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood each minute.

Q8. The diagram below shows the human alimentary canal. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are four different organs that are parts of the canal.

Which of the labeled parts represents the liver? 

a. 1 

b. 2 

c. 3 

d. 4

Ans. (a) 1

Explanation: Liver – The liver is the largest gland in the digestive system. It secretes bile, which aids in the digestion of fats, breaking them down into fatty acids and glycerol.

Q9. Which of the following will be adversely affected in Mr. Ayub's body? 

a. Digestion of carbohydrates

b. Digestion of proteins

c. Digestion of fats

d. Digestion of vitamins 

Ans. (c) Digestion of fats 

Explanation: If Mr. Ayub has a malfunctioning pancreas, the digestion of fats in his body will be negatively impacted.The pancreas secretes enzymes that break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It produces the enzyme lipase, which, along with bile from the liver, helps break down fats. Bile emulsifies fats, increasing their surface area and making it easier for digestive enzymes to break them down.

Q10. Tiny hair-like structures line the upper part of the human respiratory tract. These structures trap the dust particles, germs and chemicals entering the human body during breathing.

Smoking is likely to cause infections in the respiratory tract. Which statement best explains the fact? 

a. Smoking destroys the hair-like structures.

b. Smoking causes excessive growth of hair-like structures. 

c. Smoking stimulates the hair-like structures to release harmful chemicals. 

d. Smoking makes the hair-like structures wet, and they fail to trap dust particles

Ans. (a) Smoking destroys the hair-like structures

Explanation: These "hair-like structures" are called cilia, and they play a vital role in filtering out dust and debris from the air we breathe. Smoking damages and paralyzes these cilia, preventing them from effectively clearing the airways, which increases the risk of respiratory infections.

Why the other options are incorrect:

  • B. Smoking causes excessive growth of hair-like structures: This is false. Smoking actually damages and destroys cilia, not causing them to grow excessively.
  • C. Smoking stimulates the hair-like structures to release harmful chemicals: Although smoking introduces harmful chemicals into the respiratory tract, it does not cause the cilia to release them.
  • D. Smoking makes the hair-like structures wet, and they fail to trap dust particles: While smoking can increase mucus production, the primary issue is the damage to the cilia, not just their wetness.

Q1. Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of multicellular organisms like humans?

Ans. Diffusion is a slow process. In multicellular organisms like humans, the body size is very large and every cell is not in direct contact with the environment. Oxygen would have to travel long distances to reach each cell. This cannot happen quickly through diffusion alone. Therefore, higher organisms have developed a specialised respiratory and circulatory system to meet their oxygen demand efficiently.

Q2. Differentiate between autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition. Give examples.

Ans.

Autotrophic Nutrition Heterotrophic Nutrition
Organisms prepare their own food from simple inorganic substances like CO₂ and H₂O using sunlight. Organisms depend directly or indirectly on plants/other organisms for food.
It requires chlorophyll and sunlight. Does not require chlorophyll.
Example – Green plants, algae. Example – Humans, cow, lion, fungi.

Q3. Describe the role of villi in the small intestine.

Ans. The inner lining of the small intestine has millions of tiny finger-like projections called villi.
Functions:

  1. They increase the surface area for absorption of digested food.
  2. They are richly supplied with blood vessels which transport absorbed nutrients like glucose and amino acids to all parts of the body.

Thus, will absorption is fast and efficient.

Q4. Explain the significance of photosynthesis. Write its balanced chemical equation.

Ans. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants prepare food (glucose) from CO₂ and H₂O in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

Importance:

  • Provides food for all living organisms.
  • Releases oxygen needed for respiration.
  • Maintains balance of CO₂ and O₂ in the atmosphere.
  • Fossil fuels are stored products of photosynthesis.

Equation: 6CO2​+6H2​O—--->​C6​H12​O6​+6O2

Q5. How does the human heart ensure separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood?

Ans. The human heart has four chambers – two atria and two ventricles. The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. The partition between the two sides prevents mixing. This ensures an efficient supply of oxygen to body cells, which is essential for humans as they are warm-blooded and require more energy.

Q6. What is double circulation? Why is it important for humans?

Ans. Double circulation means blood passes through the heart twice during one complete cycle.

  1. Pulmonary circulation – Blood flows from heart → lungs → heart.
  2. Systemic circulation – Blood flows from heart → rest of body → heart.

Importance:

  • Keeps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate.
  • Ensures efficient oxygen supply for high energy needs.
  • Helps in maintaining constant body temperature.

Q7. Explain the process of digestion of fats in humans.

Ans. //add a line

  • Fats are present in food as large globules.
  • Bile juice (from the liver) emulsifies fats into small droplets.
  • Pancreatic enzyme lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and glycerol.
  • These are absorbed in the small intestine through villi.

Q8. explain the structure of a nephron.

Ans. A nephron is the basic filtration unit of the kidney.

Structure:

  • Bowman’s capsule with glomerulus filters blood.
  • Tubule reabsorbs useful substances like glucose, amino acids, and water.
  • Collecting duct collects urine.

Functions:

  1. Filtration of blood.
  2. Reabsorption of useful substances.
  3. Formation of urine.

Q9. Describe the process of nutrition in Amoeba.

Ans. Amoeba shows holozoic nutrition:

  1. Engulfs food with pseudopodia (endocytosis).
  2. Forms food vacuole.
  3. Digestive enzymes break food into simple substances.
  4. Absorbed into cytoplasm.
  5. Undigested material thrown out (egestion).

Q10. Why do herbivores have a longer small intestine than carnivores?

Ans. Herbivores eat food rich in cellulose, which is difficult to digest. A longer small intestine allows more time for complete digestion of cellulose with the help of enzymes and symbiotic bacteria. Carnivores eat protein-rich meat which is easier to digest, so their small intestine is shorter.

Q11. Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Ans.

Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration
Occurs in the presence of O₂. Occurs in absence of O₂.
Glucose completely broken into CO₂ + H₂O. Glucose partially broken into alcohol/lactic acid + energy.
Produces large energy (38 ATP). Produces less energy (2 ATP).
Occurs in mitochondria. Occurs in cytoplasm.

Q12. Explain transpiration and give its importance.

Ans. Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from aerial parts of the plant, mainly through stomata.

Importance:

  1. Helps in upward movement of water (transpirational pull).
  2. Maintains cooling of the plant.
  3. Helps in distribution of minerals.
  4. Maintains turgidity of cells.

Q13. What are guard cells? How do they regulate the opening and closing of stomata?

Ans. Guard cells are specialized cells that control the opening and closing of stomata in plant leaves.

  • Guard cells are bean-shaped cells surrounding stomatal pores.
  • When water enters guard cells, they become turgid → stomata open.
  • When water goes out, they become flaccid → stomata close. This helps in controlling gas exchange and water loss.

Q14. State the role of alveoli in respiration.

Ans. Alveoli are tiny air sacs in lungs.

  • Provide large surface area for gas exchange.
  • Have thin walls for easy diffusion.
  • Surrounded by blood capillaries.
  • Allow oxygen to diffuse into blood and carbon dioxide to diffuse out.

Q15. Why is transportation of materials necessary in plants and animals?

Ans. Here are some of the reason why transportaion of materials in plants ans animals:

  • In animals: For supply of oxygen, nutrients, and removal of waste.
  • In plants: For movement of water and minerals (via xylem) and food (via phloem). Without transport, cells away from the surface cannot receive essential materials or remove wastes.

Q16. How does peristaltic movement help in digestion?

Ans. The walls of the alimentary canal have muscles which contract and relax alternately. This wave-like movement is called peristalsis.

  • Pushes food forward along the canal.
  • Helps mixing food with digestive juices.
  • Ensures smooth passage of food through oesophagus, stomach, and intestine.

Q17. Write three differences between arteries and veins.

Ans.

Arteries Veins
Thick-walled, elastic. Thin-walled.
Carry blood away from the heart. Carry blood towards the heart.
Blood flows under high pressure. Blood flows under low pressure.
Valves absent. Valves present.

Q18. How does water and minerals enter the root hairs and reach the leaves?

Ans. Here are some of the following reason:

  • Root hairs absorb water and minerals from soil by diffusion and osmosis.
  • Water enters xylem of root.
  • From root → stem → leaves, transport occurs through xylem vessels.
  • Transpiration pull and root pressure help in upward movement.

Q19. Why is stomatal opening essential for photosynthesis?

Ans. Stomata are small pores on leaves. They:

  • Allow entry of CO₂ needed for photosynthesis.
  • Allow O₂ produced during photosynthesis to leave.
  • Help in maintaining balance of gases in the plant body.

Q20. Why is nutrition necessary for living organisms?

Ans.
Nutrition provides:

  1. Energy for life processes like respiration, circulation, excretion.
  2. Materials for growth and repair of tissues.
  3. Regulation of body functions with proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
  4. Helps organisms adapt and survive in a changing environment.

Video Lecture: Must-watch for Quick Revision

Extra Practice Zone – Challenge Yourself!

Here are some of the best Questions that we find for you to test yourself:

Q1. Write two different ways in which glucose is broken down in the human body. Name the end products formed in each case.

Q2. Explain why the rate of breathing in aquatic organisms is faster than in terrestrial organisms.

Q3. Draw a neat labelled diagram of the human respiratory system and mark: pharynx, trachea, lungs, diaphragm, alveolar sac.

Q4. State one similarity and one difference between respiration in plants and respiration in animals.

Q5. Why are rings of cartilage present in the trachea? What will happen if they are absent?

Q6. Compare arteries and veins on any two points.

Q7. Write the role of bile juice in the digestion of food.

Q8. Explain how transpiration helps in the movement of water in plants.

Q9. State the raw materials required for photosynthesis. Why is each of them important?

Q10. What will happen if mucus is not secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach?

How to Ace These Class 10 Life Processes Important Questions?

Scoring well in this chapter is all about clarity, diagrams, and precision. Follow this step-by-step plan to prepare effectively:

Step 1: Read the NCERT Chapter Thoroughly

Start with the NCERT textbook and ensure you understand the four main life processes: nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion. Highlight all definitions and processes given in the text.

Step 2: Master Nutrition in Plants and Animals

Understand how autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms obtain their food. Revise photosynthesis in detail, including the role of chlorophyll, sunlight, and CO₂. For human nutrition, learn the structure and functions of the digestive system with proper labeling.

Step 3: Understand Respiration and Its Types

Revise the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and how energy is released through the breakdown of glucose. Memorize the word and chemical equations of respiration and understand the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide in humans.

Step 4: Learn Transportation in Humans and Plants

Focus on the human circulatory system, including the structure and function of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Revise the pathway of blood and understand double circulation. For plants, study xylem and phloem transport.

Step 5: Study Excretion and Its Importance

Learn the structure and function of the human excretory system, including the kidney, nephron, and urinary bladder. Understand how the kidney filters waste from the blood.

Step 6: Revise All Diagrams

Practise diagrams of the human digestive system, respiratory system, heart, and nephron. Label them neatly, as diagram-based questions are common in exams.

Step 7: Solve Sample Papers and Case-Based Questions

Solve CBSE sample papers and previous year questions to understand commonly tested concepts and improve your time management.

Benefits of Accessing Life Processes Important Questions with Answers PDF

For students, access to the Life Processes Class 10 Important Questions with Answers PDF can be incredibly valuable.  These PDFs provide clear, concise, and structured answers to important questions, allowing for simple revision. Here are some key advantages of using these resources:

  • Portability: The PDF format allows you to carry your study material anywhere, whether on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
  • Pre-structured Answers: The answers provided in these PDFs are written by subject experts, and aligned to the CBSE guidelines.
  • Time-saving: Instead of spending hours writing and organising notes, the PDF provides you with everything in one place. This saves time, allowing you to focus more on revision and practice rather than gathering study materials.

Studying smart, with a focus on the right questions, is key to success in Class 10 Science. Remember, consistency and regular practice of these life processes and important questions will set you up for achieving high marks in your exams.

We hope that you practise the above Life Processes Class 10 Extra Questions With Answers and achieve your dream marks.

FAQs

Q1. How many marks are usually allotted to the Life Processes chapter in Class 10 board exams?

Ans. This chapter generally carries around 7 to 10 marks and often includes one diagram-based question.

Q2. Which are the most important topics in Life Processes?

Ans. Photosynthesis, respiration, structure of the heart, transportation in humans and plants, and excretion in humans are the most important.

Q3. How should I prepare the diagrams in this chapter?

Ans. Draw and label all diagrams from the NCERT textbook. Practise them regularly and learn the function of each labeled part.

Q4. Is learning chemical equations necessary for this chapter?

Ans. Yes, equations for photosynthesis and respiration are frequently asked and carry marks for accuracy.

Q5. How can I revise this chapter quickly before exams?

Ans. Go through your handwritten notes, review diagrams, and recall processes step-by-step using flowcharts. Focus on keywords and practice short explanations.

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