Topic-wise notes on Control and Co-ordination. Living organisms respond to various stimuli like heat, light, cold, touch, pressure etc. Example: Withdrawal of hand on touching a hot object. Control and Coordination in Animals Coordination The working together of various organs of the body of an organism in a proper manner to produce appropriate reaction to a stimulus is called coordination. Itis brought about in all animals with the help of two main systems (a) Nervous System (b) Endocrine System Nervous System: Consists of Brain, Spinal network and a huge network of nerves. Functions of nervous system (i) To receive information from environment (ii) To receive the information from various body parts. (Stimuli-Response) (iii) To act accordingly through muscles and glands. Key words involved: Stimulus: Any change in the environment to which the organisms respond is called stimulus. E.g., touching a hot plate. Response: The reaction of our body to a stimulus. E.g., withdrawal of our hand on touching hot plate. Receptors: Are specialized tips of some nerve cells that detect information from the environment. Receptors are present within the sense OrgansNeuron-Structure and Function (including the mechanism of electrical impulse transmission) Neuron: > It is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. » Neurons (also known as neurons, nerve cells and nerve fibers) are electrically excitable cells in the nervous system that function to process and transmit information. >» In vertebrate animals, neurons are the core components of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Structure of neuron Structure: The primary components of the neuron are 1) the soma (cell body) I) the axon III) Dendrites IV) _ synapses (specialized junctions between neurons). Q Transmission of Nerve Impulse: The dendrites are branching fibers that receive electrical signals from other neurons. The axon (nerve fiber) is a long slender projection that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body. Synapse: The point of contact between the terminal branches of axon of one neuron with the dendrite of another neuron is called synapse Dendrites — cell body — axon — nerve endings at the tip of axon >synapse — dendrite of next neuron. Chemical released from axon tip of one Reuron, cross the synapse or neuromuscular junction to reach the next cell. REFLEX ACTION SEES ACTION Definition: Reflex action is an automatic response of the body to a stimulus. e.g., withdrawal of hand, knee jerk ete. on touching a hot plate. Reflex are: The pathway taken by nerve impulses in a teflex action is called reflex are, Mechanism of Reflex action: A reflex mechanism involves a receptor organ, an effector organ, and some type of communication network, The following flow chart shows the flow of signal in a reflex arc. Receptor ~» Sensory neuron + Relay neuron /Interneuron—> Motor neuron —> Effector (muscle) The organ that senses danger is called the receptor organ + The sensory neurons pick signals from the Teceptor and send them to the interneuron. + The interneuron is Present in the spinal cord, + The spinal cord sends signals to the motor neuron which stimulates the muscles (effector) in that region. + The muscles Present in this region come into action and move the receptor away from danger. ® Although every action is ultimately controlled by the brain, the reflex action #s mainly controlled at the level of spinal cord,HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM: The nervous system of vertebrates (including humans) is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The (CNS) is the major division and consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The spinal canal contains the spinal cord, while the cranial cavity contains the brain, Human Brain: The human brain has three major parts or regions: (a) Forebrain (b) Mid Brain (c) Hind Brain, Q The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. Q Itreceives input from the sensory organs and sends output to the muscles. Q The human brain has the same basic structure as other mammal brains, but is larger in relation to body size than any other brains (a) Forebrain (CEREBRUM) Most complex/specialized part of the brain is Cerebrum or the forebrain. Functions 1. Thinking part of the brain 2. Control the voluntary actions. 3. Store information (Memory) 5. Receives sensory impulses from various body parts and integrates it (b) Mid Brain It connects the forebrain with the hindbrain, It is the portion of the central nervous system associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal (alertness), and temperature regulation. () Hind-Brain Cerebellum: It is responsible for precision of voluntary actions and maintaining the posture and balance of the body. Protection given to brain and Spinal cor Brain: It is enclosed in a cranium (brain box) and is protected by cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a shock absorber. Spinal Cord: Spinal Cord is enclosed in Vertebral column,COORDINATION IN PLANTS: Unlike animals, plants do not have a nervous system. Plants use chemical means for control and co-ordination. Many plant hormones are responsible for various kinds of movements in plants. Coordination in Plants Movement in Plants Movement dependent ‘Movement independent on growth of growth [immediate response ‘ ‘o stimulus ‘Tropic movements eg. dropping of| {directional movements of Touch-me-not in response to stimulus) Phototropism — Geotropism Hydrotropism Movement Movement Movement towards light towards gravity towards Chemicals? towards / (growth of pollen water tube towards ovule) Growth Independent movements/Nastic movements: > The movement which does not depend on the direction from the stimulus acts are called nastic movement. > For example, when someone touches the leaves of mimosa, the leaves droop, > The drooping is independent of the direction from which the leaves are touched. : > Such movements usually happen because of changing water balance in the cells. > When leaves of mimosa are touched, the cells in the leaves lose- water and become flaccid, resulting in drooping of leaves. Growth Dependent movements/ Tropic movements Tropic Movement: The movements which are in a particular direction in relation to the stimulus are called tropic movements. Tropic movements happen because of growth of a plant part in a particular direction. There are various typesof tropic movements. (@ Geotropic movement: The growth ina plant part in response to gravity is called geotropic movement, Roots usually show positive geotropic movement, i.e., they grow in the direction of gravity. Stems usually show negative geotropic movement. (ii) Phototropic Movement: The Srowth in a plant part in response to light is called phototropic movement, Stems usually show positive phototropic movement, while roots usually show negative phototropic movement. (ii) Hydrotropie Movement: When roots grow in the soil, they usually grow towards the nearest source of water. This shows a positive hydrotropic movement, Hormones in plants and animals: Plant hormones: Plant hormones are chemicals which help to co-ordinate growth, development and responses to the environment, Type of plant hormones: (@) Auxin: Auxin is a plant hormone produced in the stem tip that promotes cell elongation, (©) Gibberellins: Gibbereltins (GAs) are plant hormones that regulate growth and influence various developmental processes, including stem elongation, germination, flowering, (© Cytokinins: Cytokinins (CK) promote cell division, or cytokinesis, in plant {bots and shoots. They are involved primarily in cell growth and differentiation, but also affect apical dominance, axillary bud growth, (@) Abscisic acid: Inhibits growth, causing wilting of leaves (Stress hormone). Hormones in animals: ormones in animals: Endocrine gland Hormone secreted | Function | Hypothalamus ‘owth | Activates pituitary glandto | Hormone releasing hormone _ secrete growth herronePituitary gland | Somatotropin/Growth Initiates growth within the fy | Hormone tissues | Pineal gland Melatonin Regulates circadian rhythm Thyroid gland Thyroxin Metabolism (weight, hair, | energy levels and so on.) 4 et ime a si | Parathyroid gland Parathyroid hormone | Maintains calcium and | phosphate levels in the blood. Also Vitamin D | Thymus gland | To produce T-Cells Pancreas (Endocrine part) | insulin | Regulates Blood sugar levels | inthe body { ‘Adrenal gland | Adrenaline/Stress hormone/ Increases heart rateand Fight or Flight hormone blood pressure, boosts energy supplies. | Testis Testosterone (Male sex regulate sex drive (libido), hormone) bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red | | blood cells and sperm. Itis needed for puberty, the | menstrual cycle, pregnancy, | bone strength and other | functions of the body. Estrogen Ovaries Points of importance regarding certain glands Thyroid gland: Iodised Salt is Necessary because thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroxine which helps in regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Deficiency of iodine causes a disease called goitre. Pancreas (Endocrine part): deficiency or controlled production of insulin hormone causes diabetes. Cause: It is due to deficiency of Insulin hormone secreted by Pancreas that is responsible to lower/control the blood sugar levels,Treatment: Common diabetes can be controlled by medicine but in severe cases. Injections of insulin hormone are given to the patients. Feedback Mechanism The excess or deficiency of hormones has a harmful effect on our body. Feedback mechanism makes sure that hormones are secreted in precise quantities and at the right time. Sugar level in the blood rises Eg S 8--- Detected by ceils of Pancreas Bz v ge Synthesis insulin 53 + Ge __ ~~~ Blood sugar level falls (like a float tank) ‘i Stop secreting more insulin