Biology Std 10-Function and location Study notes
Plant Physiology
Organ Location
Lenticels On the surface of old, woody
stems
Cuticle Wax like covering on
epidermis of leaves & green
stems
Mesophyll Cells Between the epidermal cells
of the leaf.
Cambium Below the bark of the tree
Xylem Veins of leaf, stem and
leaves/ Innermost part of
Vascular bundles
Phloem Found in the veins of leaf,
stem and leaves /Periphery of
the Vascular Bundles
Hydathodes Special openings on the leaf
margin
Guard Cells Between the epidermal cells
of the leaf/ On either side of
stoma.
Chloroplast In the cytoplasm of green
plant cells
Thylakoids/ Grana In the chloroplast
Stroma Colourless ground substance
present in the chloroplast
Stoma Minute openings(surrounded
by guard cells) occurring in
large number on the lower
surface of leaf
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Function
Exchange of photosynthetic
and respiratory gases
Prevent Transpiration
Traps light energy with the
chloroplast present in them
for photosynthesis
Increases the girth of the
stem
Conducts water from the
roots to the aerial parts of
plant.
Translocates the prepared
food in the leaves to the
storage organs.
Guttation
Regulate the opening and
closing of the stoma
Photosynthesis
Site of Light Reaction
Site of light independent
reaction
Diffusion of photosynthetic
and respiratory gases ,
Transpiration
Circulatory System

Structure Location Function

1) Heart Situated between the two Pumps oxygenated blood to the
lungs in the thoracic cavity. different parts of the body.
The apex is tilted towards the
left side.
2) Pericardial fluid Found in the pericardial Protects the heart from
cavity, between the two mechanical injury and shock.
membranes of pericardium. Acts as a lubricant and reduces
friction for the beating of the
heart.
Keeps the tissues of the heart
moist.
3) Sino atrial node Upper wall of right atrium. Initiates the heart beat.
(S A node) or Regulates the contraction of the
Pacemaker. auricles.
4) Atrio Ventricular Bottom of the right auricle. Regulates the contraction of the
node. (AV node) ventricles.
5) Bundle of His Arises from the A V node and It receives an impulse from the A V
consists of a left and right node and transmits it to the Purkinje
branch which extends upto fibres.
the apex of the heart.
6) Bicuspid valve or Between the left auricle and Allows the blood to flow from the left
mitral valve. ventricle of the heart. auricle to the left ventricle and
prevents it from going back into the
auricle.
7) Tricuspid valve. Between the right auricle and Allows the blood to flow from the
ventricle of the heart. right auricle to the right ventricle and
prevents it from going back into the
auricle.
8) Chordae Extend from the papillary Keeps the tricuspid and bicuspid
tendinae. muscles to the pointed ends valves in position and prevents them
of the cuspid valves. from upturning.
9) Pulmonary At the opening of the Prevents backflow of deoxygenated
semilunar valve. pulmonary artery which blood into the right ventricle.
arises from the right
ventricle.
10) Aortic At the opening of the aorta Prevents backflow of oxygenated
semilunar valve. which arises from the left blood into the left ventricle.
ventricle.
11) Coronary artery Arises from the aortic arch, Supply oxygenated blood to the walls
near its base as it emerges of the heart.
from the heart.
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 Excretory System

Structure Location Function

1) Kidney Lie along the posterior Excretion .
abdominal wall one on either Osmoregulation.
side of the vertebral column.
2) Ureters They arise from the renal Transports urine from the pelvis of
pelvis of the kidneys at the the kidney to the urinary bladder.
hilum and the other end opens
into the urinary bladder.
3) Urinary bladder Sac like structure situated in Temporary storage of urine.
the lower end of the abdomen
into which the other end of the
ureter opens.
4) Urethra Short, muscular tube arising Allows the passage of urine outside
from the neck of the urinary the body.
bladder and leading to the
outside.
5) Glomerulus Knot of capillaries present in Brings about ultrafiltration of urine.
the cup of the Bowmans
capsule.
6) Proximal Lies in the cortex of the Reabsorbs most water and much of
convulated tubule kidney. glucose and sodium and chloride
ions.
7) Loop of Henle Present in the renal medulla. Absorption of water and sodium
ions.
8) Distal convulated Present in the cortex of the Tubular secretion, Reabsorption of
tubule. kidney. remaining chlorides and some water.
9) Collecting duct Formed by the union of Pours urine into the pelvis of the
collecting tubules passes kidney.
through the cortex , medulla
and opens into the pelvis of the
kidney.

Endocrine System

Structure Location Function

1) Adrenal gland Cap like structure above each
kidney.
Adrenal Outer region of the adrenal Secretes corticoids-
Cortex. gland. Glucocorticoids.
mineralocorticoids.
Sex corticoids.

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 Adrenal Inner region of the adrenal
medulla. gland.
2) Thyroid gland Situated on the lateral and
ventral sides of the trachea, just
below the larynx.
3) Pancreatic gland Below the stomach, at the loop
of the duodenum.
4) Pituitary gland Attached to the hypothalamus or Anterior lobe of pituitary secretes
below the hypothalamus.
Secretes adrenaline which
prepares the body in an
emergency situation for fight
or flight response.
Secretes thyroxine which regulates
the basal metabolic rate of the body.
Secretes hormones like Glucagon
and insulin.
Glucagon increases blood sugar
level by converting glycogen into
glucose.
Insulin controls the blood sugar level
by converting glucose into glycogen.
hormones like growth hormone and
tropic hormones such as TSH,
ACTH, LH, FSH.
Posterior lobe of pituitary secretes
hormones like Oxytocin and
Vassopressin.(ADH)

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Parts of a neuron
SL. NAME OF LOCATION FUNCTION
NO STUCTURE
Perikaryon
1 / cyton / Proximal part of a neuron Typical cellular structure.
cell body Centrosome absent.
2. Dendrites Cytoplasmic projections of Receives nerve impulses and
cyton/ perikaryon conducts it to the cyton.
3 Axon Long process of the cell body Conducts nerve impulses away
from the cyton.
4. Myelin sheath Covering /surrounding the Prevents the mixing of nerve
axon impulses.
Increases the speed of nerve
impulse conduction.
.5. Nodes of Ranvier Unmyelinated gaps between Increases the speed of nerve
the myelin sheath. impulse conduction.
6. Neurilemma Surrounding the myelin sheath Protects the axon.
7. Terminal branches Posterior end of the axon. Receives nerve impulses
/axon terminals conducted through the axon and
transmits it to the next neuron.
8. Synaptic bulb Distal end of the terminal Contains chemicals called
branches neurotransmitters (eg.
acetylcholine).When the nerve
impulse reaches the terminal
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 branches, neurotransmitters are
released by the synaptic bulb,
9. Neurotransmitters Found in the synaptic bulb. Neurotransmitters are released
into the synapse by the synaptic
bulb. Hence these chemicals are
responsible for transmission of
nerve impulses from the
terminal branches of one neuron
to the dendrites of the next
neuron.
10. Synapse Is the junction between the Neurotransmitters are released
terminal branches of one in to the synapse, which sets off
neuron and the dendrites of the a wave of excitement in the next
adjacent neuron. neuron.

Types of neurons
1. Sensory neuron Extends from receptors( sense
organs) to Central Nervous
System
2. Motor neuron Extends from the Central
Nervous System to the
effectors (muscles and
glands)
3 Association neuron Found in the spinal cord and
brain
Transmits nerve impulses of
stimuli received from the sense
organs to brain or spinal cord
Transmits nerve impulses for
response from CNS to the
muscles and glands.
Interconnect the sensory
neuron and the motor neuron.

THE BRAIN
A. Protective layers of the brain
1. Meninges Outer protective layer of the Tough layer, hence protects
brain the internal delicate parts of
the brain.
It contains blood vessels and
so nourishes the brain
2. Cerebro spinal fluid Found between the layers of Serves as a shock absorber
(CSF) the meninges. Maintains constant pressure in
and around the brain.
Helps in exchange of nutrients
and waste products between
nerve tissue and blood.

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 B. Parts of the brain
Forebrain
1. Cerebrum Part of the fore brain and is It is the seat of intelligence,
the largest part of the brain. memory, thinking, reasoning
and emotions
Centre for perception of
stimuli for vision, smell, taste
and hearing.
All voluntary activities are
initiated in the cerebrum.
2. Corpus callosum Transverse band of nerve Transmits nerve impulses from
fibres, internally joining the the right cerebral hemisphere
two cerebral hemispheres. to the left hemisphere and vice
versa.
3. Diencephalon made Between the two cerebral Hypothalamus: Controls
up of the hemispheres, just superior to pituitary gland, sleeping and
Hypothalamus and the mid brain. waking patterns, hunger and
the Thalamus thirst. Also regulates body
temperature.
Thalamus: interprets sensory
impulses such as pain, touch
and pressure.
Mid brain
1. Mid brain. Between the anterior and It relays sensory impulses
posterior part of the brain from the spinal cord to the
thalamus.
It relays motor impulses from
the thalamus to the Spinal
cord.

Hind brain
1. Cerebellum Located under the cerebrum Maintains the body balance.
Coordinates the movements of
the skeletal muscles.
2. Pons Between the two lobes of the Transmits nerve impulses
cerebellum on the ventral across the two lobes of the
side. cerebellum, thus ensuring a
coordination of muscular
movements on both sides of
the body.
3. Medulla oblongata Below the cerebellum Controls the involuntary
activities such as breathing and
heart beat.
Also controls peristaltic
movements of the alimentary
canal.

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 EYE
1. Tear glands Under the upper eyelids, at the
upper, outer corner of the orbit
of the eye.
2. Conjunctiva Covering of the entire front
surface of the eye, continuous
with the inner eyelids.
Secretes tears- cleanses the eye
by washing away foreign
substances that may enter the
eye.
Contains lysozymes- this
protects the eye from infections.
Protects the surface of the eye.

3. Sclera Outermost white layer of the Provides and maintains the

eyeball. shape of eyeball.
4. Cornea Anterior, bulging and Refracts the light rays as they
transparent part of sclera. pass through it.

5. Choroid Middle layer of the eye, inner As it is pigmented, it absorbs

to the sclera. light rays and prevents total
internal reflection of the light
rays.
Blood vessels present here,
nourish the eye.

6. Iris Located between the lens and It regulates the amount of light
the cornea. entering the eyeball, by
increasing or decreasing the
diameter of the pupil.
It gives colour to the eye.

7. Pupil Opening seen in the center of It admits light rays into the
the iris. eyeball.

8. Ciliary body Swollen portion of the choroid, Ciliary processes secrete

at the junction of the choroid aqueous humour.
and iris. Ciliary muscles alter the shape
of the eye lens for
accommodation.

9. Suspensory ligaments Extends from the ciliary Holds the eye lens in position.
muscles to the eye lens. Along with ciliary muscles alter
the shape of the eye lens for
accommodation.

10.. Retina Innermost layer of the eyeball, It is the photosensitive layer of

adhering to the choroid and the eye.
ending at the edge of the Provides the screen for image
ciliary body. formation.

Rods Present at the periphery of the Respond to low light intensity

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 (contain a pigment retina. and so enable vision in dim
called Rhodopsin) light.

Cones Present mainly at the yellow Are specialized for colour

(contain a pigment spot. vision and for vision in bright
called Iodopsin) light.

11. Optic nerve Leaves the eye at the blind
spot and reaches the occipital
centre of the brain.
Transmits nerve impulses from
the sensory cells (rods and
cones) of the retina to the visual
area (occipital region) of the
cerebrum for interpretation.

12. Lens Located behind the iris and
pupil, supported by the
suspensory ligaments.
Refracts and focuses the light
rays on the retina.
Clear vision of both far and near
objects is obtained due to its
ability to change its focal length
with the help of the ciliary
muscles and suspensory
ligaments.

13. Aqueous humour In the anterior chamber, Keeps the cornea moist.
between the lens and the Protects the lens from
cornea mechanical shocks
Helps in refraction of light rays.

14. Vitreous humour In the vitreous chamber, Maintains the shape of the
between the lens and the eyeball.
retina. It refracts the light rays before it
reaches the retina.
It protects the retina.

15. Yellow spot On the retina, in line with the It is the region of brightest and
horizontal axis of the eyeball. sharpest vision as it contains the
highest concentration of cones.

16. Blind spot Opening lateral to the yellow This is an area of no vision,
spot, where the optic nerve since rods and cones are absent
leaves the eyeball. here.

EAR
External ear
1. Ear pinna Either sides of the head. Collects sound waves and
directs it into the auditory
canal.
2. Auditory canal Extends from pinna to the Directs sound waves to the
tympanum. ear drum / tympanum.

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3. Tympanum / ear Stretched tightly between the
drum external and middle ear.
Middle ear
1. Ear Ossicles Made up of three small bones.
a. Malleus – is hammer
shaped. Its handle rests on the
tympanum and the head rests
on the incus.
b. Incus- is the central small
bone and is anvil shaped.
c. Stapes- is stirrup shaped
and its base is attached to the
oval window.
2. Eustachian tube Extends from the pharynx to
the cavity of the middle ear.
3. Oval window On the inner boundary of the
middle ear and inner ear
4. Round window Below and a little behind the
oval window.
Inner ear (Membranous
labyrinth)
1. Cochlea Bony canal made of two and
half spirals in the inner ear.
Found in the lower portion of
the labyrinth.
2. Organ of Corti In the middle canal / median
canal/cochlear canal of the
cochlea.
3. Semi circular canals Set of three fluid filled canals
arranged at right angles to
each other. Found in the
upper portion of the labyrinth.
4. Vestibule Forms the central portion of
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When sound waves strike its
surface, it vibrates. These
sound vibrations are then
transmitted to the middle ear.
The 3 ossicles form a leverage
system. They amplify the
sound waves received from the
external ear and transmit these
sound vibrations to the internal
ear.
It equalizes the air pressure on
either sides of the ear drum.
The sound vibrations from the
stapes (middle ear) is
transmitted through the oval
window to the cochlea of the
inner ear.(this in turn sets the
fluid in the cochlea to vibrate)
When the stapes transmits
vibrations to the oval window,
the round window moves
outwards. This enables the
fluid in the cochlea to move
freely.
Contains the Organ of Corti
which is responsible for
hearing.
Contains receptor cells which
transform sound vibrations
into nerve impulses. (It has
different areas suited to
interpret sounds of different
frequencies.)
Contains sensory cells
responsible for dynamic
balance.
Contains sensory cells
 the labyrinth. It is made up of
two sacs called the Utriculus
and the Sacculus
5. Auditory nerve Extends from the inner ear to
the temporal lobe of the
cerebrum.
Male Reproductive System
Organ Location
Testes Contained in the thin walled
scrotum
Seminiferous Tubules Present in the lobules of the
testes
Interstitial Cells / Leydig Cells Present as packing tissue in the
lobules of the testes, between
the seminiferous tubules.
Epididymis Fitting like a cap on the upper
pole of each+ testis.
Vas Deferens Connects the epididymis to the
urethra
Penis Lies in front of the scrotum
Seminal Vesicles Between posterior surface of
urinary bladder & rectum.
Prostate Gland Surrounds the Urethra, at the
base of the Urinary Bladder.
Bulbo – urethral Gland or Located beneath the prostrate
Cowper’s gland gland on either side of the
urethra.
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responsible for static balance.
Transmits nerve impulses from
the Organ of Corti to the
cerebrum.
Function
Produces sperms & Hormone
Testosterone.
Spermatogenesis (Produces
sperms)
Produces the male hormone
Testosterone
Stores the sperms till they
mature & become motile
Transports sperms from the
epididymis to the urethra.
Serves for passing out of both
semen and urine.
To produce a sugary secretion
which provides energy to the
sperms.
To produce an alkaline
secretion to neutralises the
acidic vagina.
Its secretion lubricates the end
of the penis during coitus.
 Female Reproductive System
Organ Location
Ovaries Upper pelvic cavity, one on
each side of uterus
Oviduct / Fallopian Tube/ Extends laterally on each side
Uterine Tube of the uterus
Oviducal Funnel Mouth of oviduct, with finger
like projections called fimbriae
& just above the ovary.
Uterus Pear – shaped , hollow ,
muscular organ situated
between urinary bladder and
rectum.
Endometrium Innermost vascular layer of the
uterus
Cervix A small lower constricted part
of the uterus.
Vagina A muscular tube starting from
lower end of the uterus to the
outside
Corpus Luteum Yellow remnants of the
Graafian follicle after
ovulation.
Amnion Surrounds the embryo except at
the thick umbilical cord.
Amniotic Fluid A fluid within the amnion ,
surrounding the foetus
Chorion Second layer of the foetal
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Function
Oogenesis, Ovulation &
Secretion of Hormone
Progesterone & Oestrogen.
Site of fertilization /Picks up &
transports the released ovum
into the uterus.
Receives the released ovum and
pushes it into the oviduct.
Protects & nourishes the
developing embryo.
Thickens to receive the
fertilized egg and gets
discharged during the Menstrual
Phase.
Enlarges during parturition
Receives the penis during
coitus (intercourse)
Produces hormones after
releasing the ovum.
Contains the foetus and the
amniotic fluid.
Protects the embryo against
mechanical jerks, Keeps even
pressure around the embryo,
Prevents sticking of the foetus
to the amnion.
Supports the amnion
 membranes.

Allantois Forms the Villi of the placenta Helps in diffusion of substances

from the foetal side. from the mother to the foetus &
foetus to mother .

Placenta A disc – like structure attached Diffusion of substances from

to the uterine wall the mother to the foetus &
foetus to mother /Also acts as
an endocrine gland

Umbilical Cord A cord containing blood vessels
connecting the placenta to the
foetus.
The only blood vascular
connection between foetus and
uterine wall. Hence transports
substances from mother to
foetus and vice versa.

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