Life Processes Class 10 MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Class 10 CBSE Results 2026 - 690+ Students Scored Above 90%
Life Processes Class 10 MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Preparing for Class 10 Science Chapter 6 Life Processes becomes easier when you practice concept-based MCQs regularly. This chapter is one of the most important topics in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus, covering essential life processes such as nutrition, respiration, transportation, and excretion in living organisms.

On this page, you'll find Life Processes Class 10 MCQs with answers, quick revision notes, important concepts, and exam-focused tips based on the latest CBSE Board pattern. These resources will help you strengthen your understanding, revise important topics quickly, and prepare confidently for your school exams.

If you're revising the entire subject, don't miss our collection of Class 10 Science MCQs, where you can practice chapter-wise objective questions. You can also explore our Class 10 MCQs to prepare across different subjects and improve your overall exam readiness. For more topic-wise practice, visit our complete MCQs section and access a wide range of exam-oriented multiple-choice questions.

Quick Chapter Overview

Life Processes explains the basic activities that keep living organisms alive. Every organism needs energy, transportation of materials, waste removal, and proper exchange of gases for survival.

This chapter mainly focuses on:

  • Nutrition in plants and humans
  • Respiration and energy release
  • Transportation in plants and animals
  • Excretion and waste removal

Students also learn how different organs and tissues work together to maintain life.

Life Processes Class 10 MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Practicing MCQs helps students quickly identify weak areas and improve exam speed. Questions from Life Processes are mainly based on digestion, respiration, transportation, plant processes, excretion, diagrams, assertion and reason, and case-study concepts. The structured MCQ section below is designed to help students prepare for all major CBSE question patterns effectively.

Q. During a classroom activity, iodine solution is added to boiled rice water. The mixture immediately turns blue-black. What does this observation confirm?

A. Presence of proteins
B. Presence of starch
C. Presence of fats
D. Presence of glucose

Answer: B

Explanation: Iodine solution is commonly used to test starch. When starch is present, iodine reacts with it and produces a blue-black color. This reaction helps students identify carbohydrate-rich food materials during laboratory activities.

Q. A student notices that breathing becomes faster after running for a long time. Which process mainly causes this increase in breathing rate?

A. Increased oxygen demand by muscles
B. Reduction in blood circulation
C. Lower production of carbon dioxide
D. Decrease in heart activity

Answer: A

Explanation: During physical activity, muscles require more energy. To release this energy, cells need extra oxygen for respiration. Faster breathing helps the body take in more oxygen and remove excess carbon dioxide produced during energy release.

Q. Read the statement carefully: “Food moves through the alimentary canal due to rhythmic muscular movements.” This process is known as:

A. Diffusion
B. Circulation
C. Peristalsis
D. Assimilation

Answer: C

Explanation: Peristalsis refers to wave-like contractions of muscles in the digestive tract. These movements push food forward from the mouth toward the stomach and intestines, allowing digestion and absorption to continue smoothly.

Q. In a laboratory experiment, one leaf is partially covered with black paper and exposed to sunlight for a few hours. After the starch test, only the uncovered part turns blue-black. What does this show?

A. Water is necessary for photosynthesis
B. Carbon dioxide is stored in leaves
C. Light is essential for starch formation
D. Chlorophyll works only at night

Answer: C

Explanation: The uncovered portion receives sunlight and performs photosynthesis, producing starch. The covered region does not get light, so starch is not formed there. This experiment proves that sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis.

Q. A person suffering from emphysema experiences difficulty in breathing because:

A. Blood vessels become blocked
B. Alveolar walls lose elasticity
C. Stomach acid enters the lungs
D. Kidneys stop filtering blood

Answer: B

Explanation: In emphysema, the tiny air sacs of the lungs called alveoli get damaged. Their elastic walls break down, reducing the surface area available for gas exchange. As a result, oxygen intake becomes less efficient.

Q. Which statement best describes the role of bile juice in digestion?

A. It converts proteins into amino acids
B. It directly digests starch molecules
C. It helps in breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets
D. It absorbs water from undigested food

Answer: C

Explanation: Bile juice does not contain digestive enzymes, but it plays an important role in fat digestion. It emulsifies fats into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for lipase enzyme action.

Q. A student observes tiny pores on the surface of leaves under a microscope. These pores mainly help in:

A. Seed formation
B. Mineral storage
C. Gas exchange
D. Food transport

Answer: C

Explanation: The tiny openings on leaves are called stomata. They allow the exchange of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide between the plant and the atmosphere. They also help in transpiration.

Q. During anaerobic respiration in muscle cells, which substance is produced?

A. Ethanol
B. Lactic acid
C. Oxygen
D. Starch

Answer: B

Explanation: When oxygen supply becomes insufficient during heavy exercise, muscle cells switch to anaerobic respiration. This process releases a small amount of energy and forms lactic acid, which may cause muscle cramps.

Q. Select the correct explanation about xylem tissue in plants.

A. It transports prepared food only
B. It carries water and minerals upward
C. It stores glucose in roots
D. It controls opening of stomata

Answer: B

Explanation: Xylem is a conducting tissue responsible for transporting water and dissolved minerals from roots to stems and leaves. The movement mainly occurs upward through vessels and tracheids.

Q. A doctor advises a patient to avoid smoking because smoking damages the lungs. Which structure is most affected?

A. Nephrons
B. Guard cells
C. Alveoli
D. Villi

Answer: C

Explanation: Smoking gradually damages alveoli, the tiny air sacs responsible for gaseous exchange. Their walls become weak and less elastic, reducing oxygen absorption efficiency in the lungs.

Q. Which observation correctly indicates that photosynthesis is taking place in a green plant?

A. Carbon dioxide is released continuously
B. Starch is formed in leaves
C. Roots stop absorbing water
D. Leaves lose chlorophyll

Answer: B

Explanation: Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight. Excess glucose is stored as starch in leaves, making starch formation a reliable indicator of photosynthesis.

Q. In humans, digested food is mainly absorbed in the:

A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine

Answer: C

Explanation: The small intestine contains finger-like projections called villi that increase surface area for absorption. Most nutrients from digested food enter the bloodstream through these structures.

Q. A student compares arteries and veins. Which feature is generally seen in arteries?

A. Thin walls and valves
B. Blood flow toward the heart
C. Thick elastic walls
D. Low blood pressure

Answer: C

Explanation: Arteries carry blood away from the heart under high pressure. Their walls are thick and elastic so they can withstand and maintain this pressure during circulation.

Q. Read the reaction carefully:
Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon dioxide + Energy
This process commonly occurs in:

A. Human kidneys
B. Yeast cells without oxygen
C. Green leaves during daylight
D. Human lungs

Answer: B

Explanation: Yeast performs anaerobic respiration when oxygen is absent. In this process, glucose breaks down into ethanol and carbon dioxide while releasing a small amount of energy.

Q. Which structure prevents food from entering the windpipe while swallowing?

A. Epiglottis
B. Trachea
C. Bronchus
D. Diaphragm

Answer: A

Explanation: The epiglottis acts like a flap above the windpipe. During swallowing, it closes the opening of the trachea and prevents food from entering the respiratory tract.

Q. A plant kept in darkness for several days shows reduced starch content in its leaves. What is the best explanation?

A. Chlorophyll gets converted into proteins
B. Photosynthesis stops without light
C. Water absorption completely stops
D. Roots consume all minerals instantly

Answer: B

Explanation: Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis. Without light, plants cannot prepare food, so starch formation decreases and stored food begins to get used for respiration.

Q. Which statement correctly describes the function of hemoglobin?

A. It helps in digestion of proteins
B. It transports oxygen in blood
C. It stores minerals in bones
D. It removes toxins from kidneys

Answer: B

Explanation: Hemoglobin is a red pigment present in red blood cells. It binds with oxygen in the lungs and carries it to different tissues of the body for respiration.

Q. In a healthy plant, food prepared in leaves is transported to other parts through:

A. Xylem
B. Cortex
C. Phloem
D. Epidermis

Answer: C

Explanation: Phloem tissue carries prepared food from leaves to growing and storage regions of the plant. This movement is called translocation and can occur in different directions.

Q. Which activity is an example of a life process?

A. Sleeping on a chair
B. Respiration in cells
C. Changing clothes
D. Reading a book

Answer: B

Explanation: Life processes are activities necessary for maintaining life. Respiration is essential because it releases energy required for survival and body functions.

Q. During inhalation, the diaphragm:

A. Moves upward and relaxes
B. Contracts and becomes flatter
C. Stops functioning temporarily
D. Pushes air out of lungs

Answer: B

Explanation: During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, increasing chest cavity volume. This lowers air pressure inside the lungs, allowing air to enter.

Q. Which organ is mainly responsible for filtering nitrogenous wastes from blood?

A. Liver
B. Lungs
C. Kidney
D. Pancreas

Answer: C

Explanation: Kidneys remove waste products like urea from the blood. Tiny filtering units called nephrons help in filtration, reabsorption, and urine formation.

Q. A student says that plants respire only at night. Why is this statement incorrect?

A. Plants do not need oxygen
B. Respiration occurs continuously in plants
C. Respiration happens only in roots
D. Photosynthesis replaces respiration

Answer: B

Explanation: Respiration is a continuous process in living cells. Plants respire both during day and night to release energy needed for growth, repair, and other activities.

Q. What can be concluded if guard cells lose water and become flaccid?

A. Stomata open widely
B. Photosynthesis increases rapidly
C. Stomatal pores close
D. Roots stop absorbing minerals

Answer: C

Explanation: Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata. When they lose water, they shrink and close the stomatal pore, reducing water loss through transpiration.

Q. Which process helps in movement of water from roots to leaves in tall plants?

A. Diffusion only
B. Transpiration pull
C. Fermentation
D. Digestion

Answer: B

Explanation: Water evaporating from leaves creates a pulling force called transpiration pull. This force helps draw water upward through xylem vessels from roots to leaves.

Q. A patient undergoing dialysis has problems related to malfunctioning:

A. Lungs
B. Heart valves
C. Kidneys
D. Stomach glands

Answer: C

Explanation: Dialysis is used when kidneys fail to remove wastes effectively from the blood. The process artificially filters blood and removes excess salts and nitrogenous wastes.

Q. Which option correctly matches the process with its location?

A. Photosynthesis — mitochondria
B. Respiration — chloroplast
C. Digestion of starch begins — mouth
D. Filtration of blood — stomach

Answer: C

Explanation: Digestion of starch starts in the mouth due to salivary amylase enzyme present in saliva. This enzyme breaks starch into simpler sugars.

Q. A fish breathes faster than humans because water:

A. Contains more oxygen than air
B. Has very little dissolved oxygen
C. Prevents gas exchange completely
D. Increases blood pressure instantly

Answer: B

Explanation: Water contains much less oxygen compared to air. To obtain sufficient oxygen, fish must pass large amounts of water over their gills continuously.

Q. Which structure in the kidney performs filtration of blood?

A. Alveolus
B. Nephron
C. Villus
D. Stomata

Answer: B

Explanation: Nephrons are the structural and functional units of kidneys. They filter blood, remove wastes, and help maintain water and salt balance in the body.

Q. A student observes bubbles rising from a water plant kept in sunlight. These bubbles most likely contain:

A. Nitrogen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Oxygen
D. Hydrogen

Answer: C

Explanation: During photosynthesis, green plants release oxygen as a byproduct. In aquatic plants, this oxygen appears as visible bubbles in water under sunlight.

Q. Select the correct explanation for why villi are important in the small intestine.

A. They reduce digestion speed
B. They increase surface area for absorption
C. They produce bile juice
D. They destroy bacteria in blood

Answer: B

Explanation: Villi are tiny finger-like projections lining the small intestine. Their large surface area allows efficient absorption of digested nutrients into the bloodstream.

Topics Covered in Life Processes MCQs

  • Nutrition
  • Respiration
  • Transportation
  • Excretion

Revision Notes for Life Processes

Photosynthesis

Plants prepare food using carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll, and sunlight.

Equation:

Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen

Human Digestion

Digestion starts in the mouth

Stomach releases hydrochloric acid and enzymes

Small intestine absorbs nutrients

Bile helps in fat digestion

Respiration

Respiration releases energy from food.

Types:

Aerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration

Transportation in Humans

Heart pumps blood

Arteries carry blood away from the heart

Veins bring blood back

Hemoglobin carries oxygen

Transportation in Plants

TissueFunction
XylemTransports water and minerals
PhloemTransports prepared food

Excretion

Kidneys filter blood

Nephrons are the functional units

Urea is removed through urine

Conclusion

Life Processes is one of the most important chapters in CBSE Class 10 Science because it explains how living organisms survive and function. Strong understanding of this chapter helps not only in board exams but also in future Biology concepts.

Regular practice of Life Processes Class 10 MCQs improves conceptual clarity, question-solving speed, and confidence during exams. Focus on understanding the processes clearly, revise diagrams properly, and practice different question types consistently for better performance.

Class 10 CBSE Results 2026 - 690+ Students Scored Above 90%

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