Introduction

All living organisms perform certain basic functions to maintain themselves and reproduce. These functions are called life processes. The four essential life processes are:

Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of obtaining food and utilizing it for energy and growth. There are two main types of nutrition: autotrophic and heterotrophic.

• Autotrophs: Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their food from simple inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and water. Plants are autotrophic organisms.
• Heterotrophs: Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their food and must rely on other organisms for food. Animals, humans, and fungi are heterotrophic organisms.

Respiration

Respiration is the process of breaking down food to release energy. There are two main types of respiration: aerobic and anaerobic.

• Aerobic respiration: Aerobic respiration requires oxygen to break down food. Most living organisms, including plants and animals, use aerobic respiration.
• Anaerobic respiration: Anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen to break down food. Some organisms, such as yeast and bacteria, use anaerobic respiration.
• Human Respiration: Human respiration is the process of breathing. It supplies oxygen for energy and removes waste carbon dioxide.

Transportation

Transportation is the process of moving substances within an organism. In plants, transportation is carried out by the xylem and phloem.

• Xylem: The xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.
• Phloem: The phloem is responsible for transporting food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

In animals, transportation is carried out by the circulatory system. The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

• Heart: The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
• Blood vessels: Blood vessels are tubes that carry blood throughout the body.
• Blood: Blood is a fluid that contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Excretion

Excretion is the process of removing waste products from the body. In plants, excretion is carried out by the leaves and roots.

• Leaves: The leaves excrete waste products, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, through the stomata.
• Roots: The roots excrete waste products, such as salts and organic acids, into the soil.

In animals, excretion is carried out by the kidneys and the liver.

• Excretion in Humans: Excretion in humans is the essential process of eliminating waste products and excess substances from the body, helping maintain internal balance and overall health. The excretory system, primarily consisting of the kidneys, plays a central role in this vital function.
• Kidneys: The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and produce urine.
• Liver: The liver removes toxic substances from the blood and produces bile.