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LIVING ORGANISMS
The stem grows towards light and the roots grow towards water.
The roots of mangrove trees grow upwards. Some plants climb on supports.
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You have already learned about the flowering and shedding of leaves and their
role of nervous system in controlling and beneficial use in the field of Agriculture.
co ordinating life activities of organisms. The
Hormones in human beings
activities controlled by nervous system are
those which happen quickly. But, activities We know that the digestive glands
such as growth, reproduction, maintenance produce enzymes involved in digestion.
of glucose level in blood, reabsorption of These enzymes are secreted from the glands
water in kidneys etc. that take place regularly through specific ducts to their sites. But the
also need to be regulated. The chemicals glands which secrete hormones have no
that regulate such activities are called ducts. The hormones are transported to their
hormones. The hormones co-ordinate target sites of action through circulation.
various activities that take place within and Therefore, these glands are called endocrine
between cells, by chemical means.
glands or ductless glands. The hormones We shall now study the functions of
have action only in a target organ or tissue. thyroxine. They include :
Observe the figure 5.1 and study the z Break down of food and release of
various endocrine glands in the human body energy
and their position. We shall now learn about z Growth and activity of the brain
the various hormones and their functions. z Growth of body
z Maintenance of healthy skin
Thyroid Gland
z Heart-beat
This is the largest endocrine gland in the
Let us see how abnormal secretion of
human body. Study the figure 5.1 and find Thyroxine affects various functions in our
its position. Have you noticed the two lobes body.
of this gland? The thyroid gland produces Hypothyroidism
A condition caused by under-production
of Thyroxine. It is characterized by :
• Low energy production
• Bloating of body
• Slowing down of heart-beat
• Loss of appetite, lethargy
thyroid • Dry skin
gland
Hyperthyroidism
A condition caused by over-production
parathyroid gland of Thyroxine. The symptoms are :
Figure 5.2
• Energy production increases
Thyroid gland • Emaciation of body
• Increased heart-beat
• Increased appetite
the hormone called Thyroxine. Iodine is • Frequent sweating
required for the production of this hormone. • Shivering of hands
Have you heard of goitre? What are its The symptoms due to the deficiency of
symptoms? The enlargement of thyroid gland thyroxine are clear from the above mentioned
due to deficiency of iodine in blood is termed points. Apart from these, it also causes a
goitre. This condition can be prevented by condition characterized by the retardation of
eating small fishes and vegetables which mental and physical development. This
contain iodine. condition is termed cretinism. But in adult
the deficiency of thyroxie leads to a disease
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BIOLOGY
called Myxoedema. The symptoms include regulate the level of calcium ions in the blood.
puffiness, oedema, dry skin and lethargy. Observe illustration I carefully.
What happens when there is over- z How can deficiency of calcium in blood
production of thyroxine? The affected be rectified?
persons experience mental disturbance. An
z What is the role of Thyroid gland in
obvious symptom is the bulging of the
regulating the level of calcium ions?
eyeballs. Swelling of throat as in simple
goitre is another symptom. This condition is We have already learned that the above
known as exophthalmic goitre (ex-exterior, mentioned hormones viz. calcitonin and
ophthalmos - eyes). The thyroid gland parathormone complement each other and
produces yet another hormone called regulate the level of calcium ions in the blood.
calcitonin. Calcitonin together with What happens when there is increased
parathormone produced by the parathyroid production of Parathormone? Calcium salts
gland regulates the level of calcium ions in are absorbed from the bones and added to
the blood. blood. Consequently the bones become
Thyroid Parathyroid
Stimulated Stimulated
Q
inc uantit tity
rea y uan ases
ses Q cre
Calcitonin de Parathormone
Amount of calcium at normal rate
10-12mg/100ml) blood
z Calcium is excreted Q z Calcium is removed from
through urine- tity in uan the bone to blood.
uan ases cr ti
ea ty From the intestine to the
z Accumulates in Q cre se z
de s blood.
the bones z From the Nephron to the
blood.
Illustration I
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
called Tetany which affects the functioning of We understand that aldosterone helps
muscles. This is manifested as strong spasms to maintain the balance of salts and water in
of muscles. What are the consequences of the blood. What are the functions of
this condition? Cortisol? Cortisol prevents allergic diseases
Adrenal gland and oedema. Because of this, it is used in
Identify the organ to which this gland is the treatment of arthritis, asthma etc.
connected. It is seen like a cap situated just Continous use of cortisol causes elevation of
above the kidney. The size of this gland is glucose level in blood.
smaller in females compared to that in males. Besides these hormones, cortex also
Observe the figure 5.3. What are the parts produces sex hormones such as estrogen and
of this gland? What are the hormones androgen.
produced by the cortex? What are their
functions? Examine Table 5.1.
A gland seen in children
• E x c r e te s p o ta s s iu m io n s
• R e g u la te s o s m o tic p re s s u re .
C o rtis o l • S tim u la te s b re a k -d o w n o f p ro te in s a n d fa ts .
• S tim u la te s s y n th e s is o f g lu c o s e fro m a m in o a c id s .
• S tim u la te s s to ra g e o f g ly c o g e n in th e liv e r.
• R e p a irs tis s u e s .
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BIOLOGY
z Blood glucose level increases You have learned the effect of cortisol
on the blood glucose level. In fact, the
z Blood flow to the alimentary canal and
hormones produced by the Islets of
skin is reduced.
Langerhans are responsible for maintaining
Such changes prepare the body to face a constant level of glucose in the blood. The
any emergency situation. Therefore, level of glucose is maintained at the rate of
adrenaline is also termed as 'emergency 80 to 120 mg per 100 ml of blood. The
hormone'. blood glucose level increases following
You have learned that the above absorption of digested food. On the
mentioned responses are also related to the otherhand, it drops when a person is hungry.
sympathetic nervous system. It is clear that Let us understand the mechanism that
they are controlled by the combined actions maintains a constant blood glucose level.
of adrenal hormones and the sympathetic Observe illustration II. Learn how the
nervous system. hormones secreted by Islets of Langerhans
(insulin, glucagon) regulate the level of glucose
in the blood.
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
• Stimulates transport of
glucose in the cells
• Converts glucose to
glycogen
• Stimulates synthesis of
proteins and facts
• Converts glycogen to
glucose
• Converts amino acids to
glucose
Illustration II
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Hormones Functions
• Growth of reproductive organs
Testes Testosterone • Production of sperms
n • Physical changes in adolescent period
Ma
• Growth of reproductive organs
Gonads Estrogen • Production of eggs
Wo • Involves mensturation
ma • Physical changes in adolescent period
n Ovaries
Illustration III
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
artery
artery
hypothalamusv
nerve fibres
front part of the pituitary gland inferior part of the pituitary gland
vein
Figure 5.5
Relation between hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
(Thr
oug
h ne
rve f
Releasing hormones (through blood) ibre
s)
(Trophic hormones)
TSH ACTH GTH
Illustration IV
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
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cell
membrane formation of
vacudes cytoplasm
nucleius cytoplasm enlarged vacuole
A B C D
Figure 5.6
A cell formed from the meristematic cell
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
z Explain how lateral meristem and apical Growth in plants occurs by the division and
meristem differ in their functions. development of meristematic cells. The
z What is the function of intercalary factors which control plant growth are
meristem? referred to as plant hormones.
sunlight
outer cells
sunlight
auxins concentrated at
the region where no the cells do not divide where Auxins
outer cells sunlight is received concentrated outer cells enlarges and
bends towards sunlight
Figure 5.8
Action of Auxins
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BIOLOGY
z How do auxins influence growth of stem? The chemistry of folding of the leaves
z How is growth of roots related to The hormone produced at a particular
direction of light? part of the mimosa plant where we
touch, travels through the conducting
Record your conclusions in the science
tissues and reaches the petiole of the
diary. leaf. Consequently exosmosis of water
Plant movements occurs in the inter cellular spaces. This
causes the folding of leaves. The
You have learned how the direction of stimulus travels from the tip of the leaf
growth in plants is affected by light under the to the petiole and other leaves at the
influence of hormones. A similar kind of rate of 3cm per second.
growth is responsible for the movement in
plants. Don't you think that the blossoming If the direction of movement is towards
of flowers and the growth of pollen-tube the direction of stimulis, it is positive tropism
and if it is in the opposite direction, it is
during fertilization are examples of
negative tropism.
movement?
Place a big germinating seed parallel to
Find out more examples of movements the ground. Observe its growth. To which
in plants. Classify them according to the direction does the radicle grow? What about
direction of movement. the plumule? Turn the seed and observe it
Tropic movement and Nastic the next day. Now what are the changes that
movemnet you find in the direction of growth? Gravity
acts as a stimulus in influencing growth. What
You have seen how the stem grows
can this movement be called? The root
towards light. Roots grow towards moist soil
exhibits tropism. You have now learnt about
and water. In other words, the direction of
the tropic movements. Fill up the table given
the movement is influenced by the direction
below.
of the stimulus. But how does the leaves of
Mimosa fold? The movement causing folding Tropic
Stimulus Stem Root
is not restricted to the part of leaves where movement
you touch. Tropism is a movement that takes Sunlight Phototropic Positive Negative
place in accordance with the direction of
movement
stimulus.
Gravity
Nastic movements are those that are not
related to the direction of stimulus. Find out Water
more examples for both types of movements.
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
In addition to the plant movements movement? The plant winds over the support
described earlier, there are also other types on being stimulated by touch. Movement
of movements. We will now study these induced by touch is called haptotropism.
movements. Find out more examples of this. Apart from
these plant movements, other types of
Chemotropism
movements are also observed. Try to find
Which stimulus in flowers directs growth out more about them.
of pollen after pollination? Some chemicals
produced by the ovary are responsible for this Plant growth and hormones
movement. Such movements are called
How you have learned how the auxins
chemotropic movements.
influence plant movements. Do auxins alone
Haptotropism
have a role in them? Observe the figures
Have you noticed how the pea plants
given below. Identify other plant hormones
climb over the supports? Is it not a type of
stored food
embryo
auxins help in
elongation of stem
gibberellin is synthesised in
stem tips helps in leaf
abscisic acid is synthesized formation
in leaves. It helps to ethylene (gaseous form) is
defoliation and fall off synthesized in different parts. * helps the elongation of
stem in Monocot plants
ripened fruits Helps in ripening of fruits,
leaves etc.
Figure 5.9
Plant growth and hormones
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BIOLOGY
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CHEMICAL CO-ORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS
SUMMARY
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FURTHER ACTIVITIES
¬ The sugar level in the urine of a diabetic ¬ It is seen that when bee hives are
patient is varies. Give reasons. attacked by enemies, the bees began to
attack their enemies following the
¬ Parathyroid hormone has a key role in
attacks of a single one. Give explanation
maintaining life. Justify your opinion.
for this.
¬ A person shows symptoms like lazyness,
¬ Monocot plants do not shows growth
aversion towards food, swelling of body,
in thickness as in dicots. Justify the
dry skin, low heart beat etc. Suggest
statements.
the changes to be made is his diet.
¬ To obtain more plantlets of rose and red
¬ Pituitary gland is connected to the
mussanda, a gardener used stem cutting
hypothalamus with nerves and blood
of that plants. But all of them dried out
vessel. Name the region where the hor-
Can you help him to produce healthy
mone from he hypothalamus is mixed
plants?
with blood?
¬ Diabetic patients feel more thirst. They
¬ Ethylene is present in ripened fruits. What
drink lots of water. Justify the statement.
will happene to unripened tomatoes
which are kept among ripened fruits?
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