Is it correct to say: Confusing photosynthesis with respiration?

Photosynthesis: uses CO₂ + water, produces O₂ + glucose (day). Respiration: uses O₂ + glucose, produces CO₂ + water (day + night).

Is it correct to say: Saying anaerobic respiration gives more energy?

Aerobic gives 38 ATP; anaerobic gives only 2 ATP per glucose.

Is it correct to say: Writing lactic acid as a product of yeast fermentation?

Yeast produces ethanol + CO₂. Muscle cells produce lactic acid.

Is it correct to say: Assuming stomata are only on the upper leaf surface?

Stomata are mostly on lower surface (fewer on upper) to reduce water loss.

Is it correct to say: Confusing veins and arteries by name?

Pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood (heart → lungs). Pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood (lungs → heart). Exception to the usual rule.

Is it correct to say: Ignoring role of bile in digestion?

Bile from liver emulsifies fats (breaks big drops into small droplets). It does not have enzymes but is essential for lipase to work.

Life Processes

Nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion in plants and animals — Maharashtra SSC Science Part 2

📐 6 formulas✏️ 3 examples🎯 6 practice⚖️ 6 marks🏫 Maharashtra State Board📚 Class 10✓ 2025–26 syllabus

💡

Board Exam Tips

→Diagram of human digestive/respiratory/circulatory system — 4 marks. Practise labelling.
→Photosynthesis equation + reaction site + conditions — 3 marks.
→Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration — 2-mark comparison every SSC paper.
→Double circulation and its significance — repeat SSC 3-mark ask.
→Nephron structure and urine formation — 4-mark HOTS.

📊 Diagram

Human digestive system — mouth to anus with major organs labelled

📐 Formulas(6)

Photosynthesis Equation★ Board fav

6 C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O sunlight, chlorophyll C_{6} H_{12} O_{6} + 6 O_{2}

Aerobic Respiration★ Board fav

C_{6} H_{12} O_{6} + 6 O_{2} \to 6 C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O + Energy (38 ATP)

Anaerobic Respiration in Muscles

C_{6} H_{12} O_{6} \to 2 Lactic acid + Energy (2 ATP)

Fermentation in Yeast

C_{6} H_{12} O_{6} \to 2 C_{2} H_{5} O H + 2 C O_{2} + Energy

Rate of Photosynthesis

Rate \propto light intensity \times [C O_{2}] \times chlorophyll

Glomerular Filtration Rate★ Board fav

GF R \approx 125 mL/min

✏️ Solved Examples

1Solved Exampleeasy4 steps

Write the balanced equation of photosynthesis. State the site and conditions.

Reaction equation

6 C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O sunlight, chlorophyll C_{6} H_{12} O_{6} + 6 O_{2}

2Solved Exampleboard5 steps

Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic respiration (four points) and give one example of each.

Presence of oxygen

Aerobic: yes; Anaerobic: no

3Solved ExampleHOTS5 steps

Describe double circulation of blood in humans. Why is it necessary?

Definition — blood passes through the heart twice in one complete cycle

2 circuits: pulmonary + systemic

⚠️ Traps & Common Mistakes

⚠️Common Mistakes6

1
Confusing photosynthesis with respiration
✓Photosynthesis: uses CO₂ + water, produces O₂ + glucose (day). Respiration: uses O₂ + glucose, produces CO₂ + water (day + night).
2
Saying anaerobic respiration gives more energy
✓Aerobic gives 38 ATP; anaerobic gives only 2 ATP per glucose.
3
Writing lactic acid as a product of yeast fermentation
✓Yeast produces ethanol + CO₂. Muscle cells produce lactic acid.
4
Assuming stomata are only on the upper leaf surface
✓Stomata are mostly on lower surface (fewer on upper) to reduce water loss.
5
Confusing veins and arteries by name
✓Pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood (heart → lungs). Pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood (lungs → heart). Exception to the usual rule.
6
Ignoring role of bile in digestion
✓Bile from liver emulsifies fats (breaks big drops into small droplets). It does not have enzymes but is essential for lipase to work.

🎯 Practice Yourself

🎯Practice Yourself6 questions

Q1
State two functions of the small intestine.
Q2
Name the largest gland in the human body and one of its functions.
Q3
How do plants excrete waste?
Q4
Write the equation of photosynthesis and mention conditions.
Q5
State the function of nephron.
Q6
Name the four chambers of the human heart.

📝 Notes

Life Processes — Maharashtra SSC

Chapter 2 of Science Part 2 (Biology). This is the longest biology chapter and expects mastery of four sub-topics: nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion.

The four essential life processes

Nutrition — obtaining food and energy.
Respiration — releasing energy from food.
Transportation — moving substances within the body.
Excretion — removing waste.

Nutrition in plants — photosynthesis

Occurs in chloroplasts (thylakoid membranes contain chlorophyll).
Two phases: light reaction (in thylakoid) and dark reaction (in stroma).
Products: glucose (energy store) and oxygen (byproduct).

Nutrition in humans — digestive system in order

Mouth → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) → large intestine → rectum → anus.

Mouth: saliva (amylase) starts starch digestion.
Stomach: HCl + pepsin start protein digestion.
Small intestine: bile emulsifies fat; pancreatic and intestinal juices complete digestion.
Villi: finger-like projections that absorb nutrients into blood.

Respiration — cellular level

Aerobic: in mitochondria. Complete oxidation of glucose. Yields 38 ATP.
Anaerobic: in cytoplasm. Incomplete breakdown. Yields 2 ATP.
Muscles: glucose → lactic acid (during heavy exercise).
Yeast: glucose → ethanol + CO₂.

Transportation — blood, heart, vessels

Blood components: plasma, RBC (haemoglobin, O₂ carrier), WBC (immunity), platelets (clotting).
Heart: four chambers — 2 atria, 2 ventricles. Double circulation.
Blood vessels: arteries (from heart, thick), veins (to heart, valves), capillaries (exchange).

Transportation in plants

Xylem: carries water and minerals from root to leaf (upward). Passive transport via transpiration pull.
Phloem: carries food (sugars) from leaves to storage organs (both up and down). Active transport.

Excretion — human urinary system

Kidneys (2) → filter blood → nephrons → urine.
Ureters carry urine from kidney to bladder.
Bladder stores urine.
Urethra expels urine.

Board vs CBSE

Both boards cover the same syllabus. Maharashtra SSC often gives combined diagram + labelling questions — draw big and clear diagrams. Practise the digestive and excretory diagrams both in outline and with organ names.