7.

1 ANIMALS – NERVOUS SYSTEM

Nervous system: The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating
the activities of all the organs and tissues in the body. It is made up of two main
parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Reflex action: An involuntary, automatic response to a stimulus. It is a quick and
automatic response to a stimulus that does not involve the brain.
Stimulus: The event that triggers a reflex action.
Receptor: The part of the body that detects the stimulus.
Sensory neuron: The neuron that carries information from the receptor to the spinal
cord.
Interneuron: The neuron that relays information between the sensory neuron and the
motor neuron.
Motor neuron: The neuron that carries information from the spinal cord to the
effector.
Effector: The part of the body that responds to the nerve impulse.
Diagram of a reflex arc: This diagram shows the pathway of a reflex action, from
the stimulus to the response.
Mnemonics:

Stimulus: Something that makes you jump.

Receptor: Detects what's happening.
Sensory neuron: Sends a message to the CNS.
Interneuron: Relays the message.
Motor neuron: Sends a message to the effector.
Effector: Responds to the message.

Questions that have been asked in boards:

What is a reflex action?

What are the different parts of a reflex arc?
How is a reflex action different from a voluntary action?
Important points:

Reflex actions are essential for survival. They help us to avoid danger and to
respond quickly to changes in our environment.
Reflex actions are controlled by the spinal cord, which means that they do not
involve the brain.
Reflex actions are very fast. They can occur in as little as 1/10th of a second.

7.1.2 Human Brain

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is responsible for
controlling all of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
The brain is made up of billions of neurons, which are cells that transmit
electrical signals.
The neurons in the brain are organized into different regions, each of which has a
specific function.
For example, the frontal lobe is responsible for planning and decision-making,
while the occipital lobe is responsible for vision.
The brain is also responsible for controlling the body's involuntary functions,
such as breathing and heart rate.
The brain is protected by the skull, which is a hard bone that surrounds the brain
and helps to protect it from injury.
The brain is also surrounded by a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid, which helps
to cushion the brain and prevent it from getting damaged.

7.2 COORDINATION IN PLANTS

 Plants do not have a nervous system, but they can still coordinate their
activities.
Plants can respond to stimuli such as light, touch, and gravity.
They can also move in response to stimuli.
For example, the Venus flytrap can catch insects.
The sunflower can turn its head to follow the sun.
Plants can coordinate their activities by using hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by glands and travel through
the bloodstream to affect the activity of cells.
Hormones can affect the growth, development, and behavior of plants.

7.2.1 Immediate Response to Stimulus

Plants can respond to stimuli quickly and automatically.

For example, when a Venus flytrap touches an insect, the trap snaps shut.
This is an example of a reflex action.
Reflex actions in plants are controlled by hormones.
When the Venus flytrap touches an insect, a hormone is released that causes the
trap to snap shut.
7.2.2 Movement Due to Growth

Plants can also move in response to stimuli, but this type of movement is caused
by growth.
For example, when a sunflower turns its head to follow the sun, it is because the
cells on the side of the sunflower that is facing the sun are growing faster than
the cells on the other side.
This causes the sunflower to turn until it is facing the sun.
The growth of plants is also controlled by hormones.
For example, auxin is a hormone that is produced in the tip of a plant shoot.

Auxin causes the cells on the side of the shoot that is facing away from the sun
to grow faster than the cells on the other side.
This causes the shoot to bend towards the sun.
The growth of plants is also controlled by other hormones, such as gibberellins,
cytokinins, and abscisic acid.

Important questions:

What are the different types of plant movements?

How do hormones affect plant growth?
What is the role of auxin in plant growth?
Questions asked in boards:

What is a reflex action?

What are the different parts of a reflex arc?
How is a reflex action different from a voluntary action?
What are the different types of plant movements?
How do hormones affect plant growth?
What is the role of auxin in plant growth?

Additional important points:

Plants can also respond to stimuli that are not caused by growth.
For example, when a plant is touched, it may release a hormone that causes the
leaves to close.
Plants can also respond to changes in the environment, such as changes in light
intensity or temperature.
Plants can coordinate their activities over long periods of time.
For example, a plant may produce seeds that will not germinate until the following
spring.
Important labeling:

Stimulus: The event that triggers a plant's response.

Receptor: The part of the plant that detects the stimulus.
Transduction pathway: The pathway that converts the stimulus into an electrical
signal.
Effector: The part of the plant that responds to the signal.