Seven Science Class Notes NCERT CBSE

Transportation in Animals and Plants

Transportation in Unicellular Organisms: In unicellular organisms, transportation of
substances happens through diffusion and osmosis. Gases move in and out of the cell
by diffusion. Other substances move by osmosis.
DIFFUSION: Random motion of particles in order to attain equilibrium of concentration
is called diffusion. Diffusion can be observed in many aspects of day to day life. The
aroma of food comes from the kitchen because of diffusion. A pleasant smell of flowers
comes because of diffusion. Bad odour of garbage comes because of diffusion.
OSMOSIS: Movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane from high water
concentration to low water concentration is called osmosis. Osmosis is a type of
diffusion. Cell membrane is a semi-permeable membrane. Substances move across the
cell membrane because of osmosis. Seeds swell up; when soaked in water; because of
osmosis.
Review Questions
1. What
is
diffusion?
Answer: Random movement of particles in order to attain equilibrium of
concentration is called diffusion.
2. What
is
osmosis?
Answer: Movement of water through semi-permeable membrane from high water
concentration to low water concentration is called osmosis.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IN HUMANS
Diffusion and osmosis can result in transportation of substances to short distances only.
For bigger and complex organisms, there is a need of a more complex system for
transportation of substances.
The circulatory system in humans is composed of three main components, viz. heart,
blood vessels and blood.
BLOOD

Blood is a type of tissue which is responsible for transportation of substances. Blood

works as the carrier of various substances. Following are the main components of
blood.
Blood Cells, Platelets and Plasma
PLASMA: Plasma makes the liquid part of the blood. It makes the largest part of the
blood. Plasma is pale in colour.
BLOOD CELLS: There are two main kinds of blood cells in the human blood, viz. Red
Blood Cells and White Blood Cells.
a. Red Blood Cells or Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC): These are in the shape of
discs. They contain a pigment; called haemoglobin. Haemobglobin binds with
oxygen and thus is mainly responsible for transportation of oxygen in the body.
Haemoglobin also transports some amount of carbon dioxide.
b. White Blood Cells or White Blood Corpuscles (WBC): These are present in
various shapes. WBCs engulf foreign particles and harmful microbes. Thus,
WBCs help in fighting the diseases. WBCs make the immune system of the
body.
PLATELETS: Platelets are responsible for clotting or coagulation of blood. In case of an
injury, the blood clots after some time. This prevents excess loss of blood. Clotting of
blood is a defense mechanism in the body.
BLOOD VESSELS:
Blood vessels are of three main types, viz. arteries, veins and capillaries.
ARTERIES: Arteries are made of thicker walls. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the
heart to different organs. Pulmonary artery is an exception, because it carries
deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
VEINS: Veins are made of thinner walls. Veins carry deoxygenated blood from different
organs to the heart. Pulmonary vein is an exception, because it carries oxygenated
blood from the lungs to the heart.
CAPILLARIES: These fine branches of arteries and veins.
Review Questions
1. What
is
blood?
Answer: Blood is a type of tissue which is responsible for transportation of
substances.

2. What
is
the
Answer: Transportation of oxygen.

role

of

RBCs?

HEART

:
The heart is a small muscular organ which is responsible for pumping the blood. The
human heart has four chambers, viz. the right auricle, the right ventricle, the left auricle
and the left ventricle. The upper chambers are called auricle or atrium. The lower
chambers are called ventricle. The following flow chart shows the movement of blood
through the heart (the blue colour shows deoxygenated blood and the red colour shows
oxygenated blood):
From the body Right Auricle Right Ventricle Pulmonary Artery Lungs
Pulmonary Vein Left Auricle Left Ventricle To the body
HEART BEAT: While pumping the blood, different chambers of the heart contract and
relax in turns. The contraction and relaxation of different chambers produces a
thumping sound. This sound can be heard as heart beat. One heart beat indicates one
cycle of pumping action by all the four chambers. The heart of a normal human beats
for 72 times in a minute. The heart pumps about 70 mL blood in one beat. This means
that heart pumps a whopping 5 liter blood in a minute.
PULSE: A certain locations in the body, a pulse; similar to heart beat; can be felt. This
happens because of blood rushing in with every heart beat. The pulse rate is same as
the heart rate. Pulse can be felt near the wrist, neck, ankle, etc.
STETHOSCOPE: This is a device which is used by doctors to listen to the heart beat
and pulse. Stethoscope is composed of a long rubber tube, two ear pieces and a
diaphragm.

Review Questions
1. Which organ in the human body is responsible for pumping of blood?
Answer: heart
2. Which
type
of
Answer: Oxygenated Blood

blood

is

carried

by

arteries?

EXCRETION
Various activities always go on inside the body of a living being. These activities are
collectively called metabolism. Many harmful substances are created during metabolic
activities. These substances can prove lethal if not removed from the body in time.
Removal of waste from the body is called excretion.
Excretory System

The human excretory system is composed of a pair of kidneys, two tubes; called ureter
and a urinary bladder.
KIDNEY: Kidneys are bean-shaped. They work like filters. Blood; laden with waste
materials enters the kidney. The waste is filtered from the blood and the purified blood is
sent to the normal circulation. The waste; along with water; is transferred to the urinary
bladder through the ureters. The content of the ureter is called urine. Urine contains
95% water, 2.5% urea and 2.5% other wastes. Urine is expelled out from time to time.

Type of waste and mode of excretion: Protein is made up of nitrogen. Metabolism of

protein creates nitrogenous wastes in the body. The nitrogenous waste is the main
waste in animals. The nitrogenous waste takes different forms in different animals.
These are; ammonia, urea and uric acid. Based on the type of nitrogenous waste,
animals can be divided into following categories:
AMMONOTELIC: Ammonia is the main nitrogenous waste in these animals. Lot of
water is required for removal of ammonia. Ammonotelism is present in aquatic animals,
e.g. fish, frogs, etc.
UREOTELISM: Urea is the main nitrogenous waste in these animals. Less water is
required for removal of urea. Ureotelism is present in mammals.
URECOTELISM: Uric acid is the main nitrogenous waste in these animals. Removal of
uric acid requires negligible amount of water. Urecotelism is present in reptiles and
aves.
Note: Some of the wastes are removed along with sweat. Carbon dioxide is an
important waste which is removed through the lungs.
Review Questions
1. Which
is
the
Answer: Kidneys
2. Which
is
Answer: Urea

the

main
main

excretory
excretory

organ

in

humans?

product

in

humans?

TRANSPORTATION IN PLANTS:
For transportation in plants, there are two main tissues, viz. xylem and phloem. These
are composed of narrow tube-like structures. Xylem is responsible for transport of
water, while phloem is responsible for transport of food.
Transport of Water: Plants take water from soil. Following are the main steps in
transport of water in plants.
In Roots: From soil, the water enters the root hairs because of osmosis. From root hairs
water enters further because of root pressure.

IN STEM: Various factors are at play during transportation of water through xylem in
stems. The transport of water through xylem is also called Ascent of Sap.
a. Root pressure is responsible for the rise of water to some height.
b. Capillary action pushes the water further up. The rise of liquid in a very narrow
tube is called capillary action. Capillary action happens because of very small
diameter of the tube.
c. Adhesion Cohesion: Water molecules stick to each other and make a continuous
column inside the xylem tubes.
d. Transpiration pull: There are numerous small pores on the surface of leaves.
These pores are called stomata. Water vapour is continuously removed through
stomata during daytime. Removal of water vapour in plants is called
transpiration. This creates a pull in the underlying xylem tissues. The pull is
called transpiration pull. Transpiration pull creates a suction effect on the water
column inside the xylem.
TRANSPORT OF FOOD: Food is prepared in leaves and needs to be transported to
different plant parts for use and for storage. The transport of food takes place through
phloem. Some biological force is used in transport of food in plants.
Review Questions
1. Transport of water and minerals in plants happens through which tissues?
Answer: Xylem
2. Transport of food in plants happens through which tissues?
Answer: Phloem

Reproduction In Plants
Reproduction: The process by which a living being produces its offspring is called
reproduction.
Types of Reproduction:
1 - Asexual Reproduction: When a single parent is involved in the process, it is called
asexual reproduction. Following means of asexual reproduction are used by plants:
(a) Budding: This method is used by unicellular plants; like yeast. Yeast is a fungus and
fungi are also known as non-green plants. The yeast cell produces a bud which gets its
own nucleus. The bud develops to certain size and detaches from the mother cell to
produce the new yeast.

(b)Fragmentation: In some simple plants, the plant body is divided into smaller
fragments. Each fragment then develops into a new plant. Example: Spirogyra.

(c) Spore Formation: Special spore-bearing organs are present in some plants;
especially in fungi and algae. These are called sporangiophores. The sporangiophore
bears spores. The spores germinate to develop a new plant.

(d) Vegetative Propagation: When a new plant is developed by a vegetative part; such
as root, stem or leaf; it is known as vegetative propagation. For example: when the
tuber of potato is cut into several pieces and each piece bears an eye; each piece
produces a new plant. The stems of moneyplant, rose, mango, etc. can produce new
plants when they are inserted in soil. The leaf of bryophyllum produces new plants
through its notches.
Review Questions:
(A) Give an example of an organism which reproduces by budding.
Answer: Yeast
(B)How many parents are involved in asexual reproduction?
Answer: Only one
2 - Sexual Reproduction: When two parents are involved in the process, it is called
sexual reproduction. Two gametes, viz. male and female gametes, are formed. The
fusion of male and female gametes is called fertilization. Zygote is formed after
fertilization. The zygote develops into an embryo and finally into a new individual.

Flower: Flower is a special organ of flowering plants (angiosperms) which works as the
reproductive system. A flower is composed of four distinct whorls.
(1) The outermost whorl is called calyx. It is composed of green leaf-like structures;
called sepals.
(2) The second whorl is called corolla. It is composed of colourful structures; called
petals. Petals are colourful so that insects and other animals can be attracted towards
them. This is necessary for pollination.
(3) Androecium: The third whorl is called androecium. It is composed of stamens.
Stamen has two main parts. The tube-like portion is called filament. The capsule like
structure at the top is called anther. The anther produces pollen grains; which are the
male gametes.
(4) Gynoecium: The whorl at the center is called gynoecium. It has a swollen base;
called ovary and a tube-like structure; called style. The top of the tube is somewhat
flattened and is called stigma. Ovary produces the eggs or female gametes.
Review Questions
A -What is the benefit of colourful petals for plants?
Answer: Colourful petals attract insects, birds and other animals. It helps in cross
pollination.
B - What is the name of the male gamete in a flowering plant?
Answer: Pollen grain
Pollination: The transfer of pollen grains from anthers to stigma is called pollination.
Pollination is of two types, viz. self pollination and cross pollination.

Self Pollination: When anthers of the same flower are transferred to the stigma; it is
called self pollination.
Cross Pollination: When anthers from a different flower are transferred to the stigma; it
is called cross pollination. The flowers can be on the same plant or on different plants.
Cross pollination is the norm in most of the plants. Plants need help from various agents
of pollination to carry out cross pollination. Wind, insects, birds and other animals play
the role of agent of pollination.

Fertilization: The fusion of the male gamete and the female gamete is called fertilization.
When pollen settles on top of the stigma, it germinates to produce a pollen tube. The
pollen tube enters the ovary through the style. Male nuclei are transferred to the ovary,
through the pollen tube. The cell formed, just after fertilization, is called zygote. Zygote
develops into embryo. Each embryo develops into a seed. The seed is an embryo which
is enclosed in a protective coat. The ovary gets transformed into fruit.
Dispersal of Seeds: If all the seeds were to germinate near the mother plant, the new
plants shall not get adequate resources; like sunlight, air and nutrients. For proper
growth of the new plants, it is necessary that they develop away from the mother plant.
For this, it is necessary that seeds are spread far and wide. The process of spreading
seeds to different places is called dispersal of seeds. Many agents of seed dispersal
assist the plants in this process.
Dispersal by Wind: Seeds of some plants are light-weight and some hair-like or winglike structures are present on them. Such seeds float on air and are thus dispersed by
wind. Example: Dandelion, maple, drumstick, etc.
Dispersal by Water: Dispersal by water takes place in some aquatic plants and in some
which grow near a water body. Seeds of water lily float and thus dispersed by water.
The coconut seed has a tough fibrous covering which has plenty of air inside. This helps
the coconut seeds in floating on water.

Dispersal by Animals: Some seeds have spine like structures on them. They get stuck
to the fur of animals and thus get spread to different places. Examples; Beggar tick,
Xanthium, Urena, etc. Some seeds are swallowed by birds and animals along with
fruits. These seeds get dispersed with bird or animal droppings.
Dispersal by Bursting: Some fruits burst open when they mature. The force of bursting
is enough to spread the seeds. Examples; Ladyfinger, castor, balsam, etc.
Dispersal by Humans: Human beings also help in dispersal of seeds, especially during
farming.
Review Questions:
1- What is pollination?
Answer: Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma is called pollination.
2 - Give two examples of seeds which are dispersed by wind.
Answer: Dandelion, maple

Respiration in Organism
RESPIRATION: The biological process in which food is utilized to produce energy is called
respiration. Respiration is necessary for survival for the living beings. A living being cannot
survive even for a few seconds, without respiration. During respiration, it is mainly the
carbohydrate which is oxidized to produce energy. This can be shown by following equation:

SITE OF RESPIRATION: Respiration happens inside the cells. As respiration happens inside
the cell, it is also called cellular respiration. A cell organelle; called mitochondria; is the site of
cellular respiration.
TYPES OF RESPIRATION:

AEROBIC RESPIRATION: Aerobic respiration takes place in the presence of oxygen.

Carbon dioxide and water are the end products of aerobic respiration. Aerobic
respiration happens in most of the organisms.

ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION: Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of

oxygen. Anaerobic respiration usually happens in most of the microbes. Alcohol and
carbon dioxide are formed at the end of anaerobic respiration. In some cases, lactic acid
is formed at the end of anaerobic respiration.

Anaerobic respiration also happens in our muscle cells. When someone runs or walks
too fast, one may feel a throbbing pain in calf muscles. This happens because of
deposition of lactic acid; produced by anaerobic respiration. Once the person takes rest
for some time, the pain goes away.

Review Questions
1. What is respiration?

Answer: Respiration is a biological process in which food is utilized to produce energy.

2. What is the end product of respiration in most of the organisms?

Answer: Carbon dioxide and water

3. What is the end product of anaerobic respiration in muscle cells?

Answer: Lactic Acid

BREATHING: The process of taking in and giving out air; for respiration; is called breathing.
Breathing involves two man steps, viz. inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation, we breathe
in air which is rich in oxygen. During exhalation, we breathe out air which is rich in carbon
dioxide.
RATE OF BREATHING: When we are doing normal activities, the rate of breathing is normal.
The rate of breathing increases when we do strenuous physical works; such as running,
swimming, jogging, etc. the rate of breathing decreases when we take rest or when we are
sleeping.
PROCESS OF BREATHING: The breathing is controlled by the movement of diaphragm.
Diaphragm is a membrane which is between the chest and abdomen. The movement of
diaphragm is controlled by a group of muscles; called intecostalis muscles.
When the diaphragm moves down, the ribcage expands. This leads to the expansion inside the
lungs. As a result, the air moves into the lungs. This process is called inspiration or inhalation.

When the diaphragm moves up, the ribcage contracts. This leads to contraction of the lungs. As
a result, the air moves out of the lungs. This process is called expiration or exhalation.
To show that carbon dioxide is released during exhalation:
Carbon dioxide reacts with limewater to make calcium carbonate. This property is utilized to
show the evolution of carbon dioxide during respiration. For this, take a test tube and pour some
limewater in it. Dip a drinking straw in the test tube. Blow air in the limewater through the

drinking straw. It is observed that the limewater turns milky. This shows that carbon dioxide is
released during exhalation.
Review Questions:
1. What is breathing?
Answer: The process of taking in and giving out air; for respiration; is called breathing.
2. What is the respiratory organ in humans?
Answer: Lungs
3. Which membrane controls the movement of lungs?
Answer: Diaphragm

BREATHING IN OTHER ANIMALS

Animals, which belong to amphibia, reptilian, aves and mammalia, use the lungs for breathing.
Amphibians breathe through their skin, when they are in water. Smaller animals have different
organs for breathing.
BREATHING IN FISH: Fish have a pair of gills. The breathe air; dissolved in water; through gills.
BREATHING IN COCKROACH: Cockroach and other insects breathe through spiracles and
tracheae. There is a network of hollow tubes running through the body of an insect. These
hollow tubes are called trachea. Each trachea opens on the body surface in the form of very
small pore. These pores are called spiracles.
BREATHING IN EARTHWORM: Earthworms breathe through their skin. The skin of earthworm
always remains moist, which helps in breathing.
Breathing in Unicellular Animals: Unicellular animals breathe through the cell membrane.
BREATHING IN PLANTS: Plants can be of various sizes. Developing respiratory organs could
not be a fruitful solution for plants; because of their unlimited growth. Each plant part breathes
through its external layer of cells. Roots breathe through root hairs. Stems breathe through
epidermis. Leaves have numerous small pores; called stomata; for breathing.
Review Questions:

1. What
is
the
respiratory
Answer: Gills
2. What is the respiratory organ in cockroach?

Answer: Spiracles and tracheae

3. Which organ is used by a frog for breathing under water?

Answer: Skin

MARY COM

organ

in

fish?