Transportation is the life process by which substances are moved within an organism. In animals, the circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products through blood. In plants, the vascular system (xylem and phloem) transports water, minerals, and food. This is a key chapter in CBSE Class 10 Life Processes.
The human circulatory system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. The heart is a muscular organ with four chambers — two atria (upper) and two ventricles (lower). It pumps blood through two circuits: the pulmonary circuit (heart → lungs → heart) for gas exchange, and the systemic circuit (heart → body → heart) for delivering oxygen and nutrients.
Blood consists of: (1) Plasma — the fluid portion (55%) that carries dissolved nutrients, hormones, and waste products. (2) Red Blood Cells (RBCs / erythrocytes) — contain haemoglobin that binds oxygen. (3) White Blood Cells (WBCs / leucocytes) — defend against infection. (4) Platelets (thrombocytes) — help in blood clotting at wound sites.
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart (exception: pulmonary artery). They have thick, elastic walls to handle high pressure. Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart (exception: pulmonary vein). They have thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow. Capillaries are the thinnest blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues.
Plants have two types of conducting tissues. Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from roots to leaves. It consists of dead cells (tracheids and vessels) and transport is driven by transpiration pull and root pressure. Phloem transports food (sucrose) from leaves (source) to other parts (sink) through living cells (sieve tubes and companion cells) via a process called translocation.
Transpiration is the evaporation of water from leaf surfaces through stomata. It creates a suction force (transpiration pull) that pulls water upward through the xylem from roots to leaves. Transpiration also helps in cooling the plant and is the main driving force for water transport in tall trees.
Double circulation means blood passes through the heart twice in one complete cycle — once through the pulmonary circuit (for oxygenation in lungs) and once through the systemic circuit (for delivery to body organs).
Xylem transports water and minerals upward from roots, is made of dead cells, and uses transpiration pull. Phloem transports food both up and down, is made of living cells, and uses active translocation.
Arteries receive blood at high pressure directly from the heart. Their thick, elastic, muscular walls withstand and maintain this pressure to keep blood flowing to all body parts.
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