Chapter: 7- Control and Coordination -Key Notes

SUBJECT: Biology GRADE 10

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Environmental factors like heat, light, cold, touch, taste, smell, sound, water current, force of gravity etc
induces response and reaction in all living organisms. These factors are called stimuli.
Stimuli: The changes in the environment to which the organism respond and react are called stimuli.
Different organisms respond to stimuli differently.
• Stimuli result in movement, which may lead to growth.

There are movements which are not associated with growth

They are
1. cat running behind a mouse
2. Buffaloes chewing cud
3. Protecting ourselves by Closing our eyes when exposed to bright light and removing our hands when
we touch hot objects etc.
Therefore, it is necessary that all the concerned organs of the body should work in a proper manner to
produce the response.
Eg: Stimuli and response to stimuli
Hunger is the stimuli
Response is Ingestion (intake of food)
Coordinated activity of our body
1. eyes locate food
2. nose register smell
3. hands pick up the food
4. and bring it to mouth
5. mouth opens to receive the food
6. teeth and jaw help in mastication of food
7. saliva moistens the food
8. digestion starts
9. tongue pushes the bolus to the stomach.
Coordination-
• The working together of various organs of the body of an organism in a proper manner to produce
proper reaction to the stimuli is called coordination.
 • For proper control and coordination higher animals have evolved two systems -
1. Nervous System
2. Endocrine System (Hormonal System)
Nervous system
• Information from our environment is detected by tip of nerve cells called receptors
• These receptors are located in sense organs.
Eg: Gustatory receptors detect taste
Olfactory receptors detect smell.
Nervous system in Animals
• Except sponges, all animals have simple or complex nervous system.
• Nervous system is made of neurons or nerve cells. Structural and functional unit of nervous system
are neurons.

Arrangement of Neurons
• The neurons lie end to end in chains to transmit nerve impulses
• Each neuron receives an impulse through its dendrite and passes it on to the next neuron through
a synapse.

Synapse
• Neurons are not connected. There occurs a very minute gap between axon of one neuron and
dendrites of another neuron. This minute gap is called synapse. The gap between the axon of a
neuron and muscle is known as neuromuscular junction
The receptors collect information from the environment in the form of stimuli.
The stimuli set up impulses which pass the information in the form of electrical impulses to the brain or
spinal cord through the nerves.
Brain or spinal cord analyses the impulse and give rise to suitable response.
Movement of electrical impulses through the nerves
• A minute gap between axon and dendrite of neuron is called synapse.
• There are chemical substances present in the synapse called neurotransmitters.
• When an stimulus reaches a Dendron the chemical substance (neurotransmitter) in the synapse sets
up a chemical reaction which creates an electric impulse.
• This impulse travels through the cell body, axon and reaches the next synapse.
• Here these chemicals are released and they cross the synapse and another impulse is created which
travel to the next neuron.
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Reflex Action
Animals perform three types of movement
1. Reflex action
2. Voluntary Action
3. Involuntary Action.
A reflex action can be defined as a spontaneous, automatic and mechanical response to a stimulus,
without the will of the animal.
What happens in Reflex action?
• In reflex action the tip of dendrites of receptors (skin) quickly relay a message (electric impulse)
via sensory nerves to the spinal cord.
• The spinal cord then sends response via motor nerve to effectors (muscles/glands).
• This path through which the nerve impulse travel is called reflex arc.
• The reflex actions are formed in spinal cord for quick responses.
Reflex action
• When our hand accidently touches a hot object-
• Heat is sensed by the receptors in our skin
• Receptors trigger stimulus in sensory neuron
• Sensory neuron transmits message to spinal cord
• Spinal cord give response through the motor neuron
• Motor neuron transmits the instruction to withdraw the hand.
The hand muscles contract and pulls our hand away.
Reflex arc

Important Questions
 1. State the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Draw its neat labelled diagram
and write two functions.
Ans: The structural and functional unit of nervous is the neuron.

The functions of the neuron are:

a) Passing of information takes place –
i) By electric impulse
ii) In the form of chemicals through synapse.
b) Reflex action

2. Differentiate between sensory neurons and motor neurons.

Ans: Sensory neurons bring the stimulus received by the sense organs to the brain and the spinal cord.
The motor neurons carry the response from the brain and the spinal cord to the corresponding muscles or
the glands.

3. Define ‘nerve impulse’. Which structure in a neuron helps to conduct a nerve impulse
i. towards the cell body?
ii. away from the cell body?
Ans: The information passing through the neurons in the form of chemical and electrical signals is called
nerve impulse.
i. Dendrites –Towards the cell body.
ii. Axon –Away from the cell body.
4. Define Reflex action. What happens in Reflex Actions?
Ans: A reflex action can be defined as a spontaneous, automatic and mechanical response to a stimulus,
without the will of the animal.
In reflex action, fine tips of neurons called receptors quickly send a message(stimulus) through sensory
neurons to the spinal cord. The spinal cord then sends information(response) through motor neurons to
the effector organs which can be muscles or glands. The path taken by nerve impulses in a reflex action
is called reflex arc.
5. Illustrate the pathway of a reflex action (sneezing).
Human Brain
• Brain is the main coordinating centre of the body.
• Brain and spinal cord make the central nervous system
• CNS receive information from all parts of the body.
• CNS have to communicate with the muscles to do all its functions.
• This communication between the CNS and other parts of the body is done by Peripheral nervous
system
• Peripheral nervous system is made of cranial nerves and spinal nerves.
• Cranial nerves – are the nerves arising from brain
• Spinal nerves – are the nerves arising from spinal cord.
Parts of brain
• Brain allows us to think and take actions based on thinking
• So, brain have a complex design
• Brain is responsible for analysing and integrating different inputs and outputs
• Major part of brain is - Fore brain
Mid brain
Hind brain

Fore brain
• Is the main thinking part of the brain
• It forms the greater parts of the brain called cerebrum
• It receives sensory impulses from various receptors and interpret and create responses.
• Fore brain is specialized for
Hearing, smell, sight, movement of voluntary muscles,
sensation of feeling full associated with hunger, etc.
Mid brain
• It controls reflex movements like – heartbeat, breathing, digestion of
food, change in the size of pupil etc.
• HIND BRAIN:
consists of three parts – cerebellum
 pons
medulla
• Cerebellum maintains posture, balance of the body.
• Medulla controls the involuntary actions like – controlling blood pressure, salivation, vomiting
etc.
• Pons controls some aspects of respiration.
Mid brain and Hind brain control the involuntary actions.
How brain and spinal cord is protected
• Brain and spinal cord are very delicate organs.
• Brain is situated in the cranium of the skull
• Spinal cord is the extension of brain and enclosed in the vertebral column (backbone)
• Brain is covered by a fluid filled balloon which protect brain from external shocks.
Action of nervous tissue
• When the nerve impulse from the brain reaches the muscles, it should move.
• The movement of muscle happens – because there are special proteins in the muscle cells
called contractile proteins, which change their shape and arrangement based on the nervous
impulse.
This result in the contraction and relaxation of muscle cells and makes the muscle move.
Important Questions:
1. State the function of:
i) Gustatory receptors
ii) Olfactory receptors
Ans: i) Gustatory receptors - These are sensitive to taste
ii)Olfactory receptors - These are sensitive to smell
2. a) How is brain protected from injury and shock?
b) Name two main parts of hind brain and state the functions of each.
Ans: a) Brain is covered by a three-layered membrane called meninges. In between the layers of
meninges and brain, there is a fluid filled space. The hard-bony cranium covers the meninges. Thus
meninges, fluid filled space and bony cranium protect the brain from injury and shock.
b) The two main parts of hind brain are –
- Medulla – Involuntary actions such, blood pressure, salivation, vomiting etc.
- Cerebellum – responsible for precision of voluntary actions, maintaining posture and balance
of body.

3. Which part of the brain controls involuntary actions? Write the function of any two regions
of It?
Hind brain controls involuntary actions. Cerebellum controls the coordination of body
movement and posture.Medulla controls the blood pressure , salivation and vomiting.
4. Sameer was studying in his room. Suddenly he smells something burning and sees smoke in
the room. He rushes out of the room immediately. Was Sameer’s action voluntary or
involuntary? Why?
 Sameer’s action was voluntary because rushing out of the room was under his conscious control. The
smoke and smell were perceived by the receptors in the sense organs and signals are sent to the brain.
The brain, then sent signals to the effector organs, i.e., the muscles, to move out of the room.

Chemical Coordination
Coordination in plants
• Plants respond and react to various environmental stimuli such as light, gravity, water touch etc.
• Plants show two types of movements -
1. movement independent to growth (eg: movement of leaves of touch me not plant)
2. movement dependent to growth (directional movement of seedlings with root going down
and stem coming up).
Both these movements are due to the action of chemical substance called plant hormones
(phytohormones).
Movement independent of growth
• If we touch the leaves of chhui-mui plant with our finger, we find that all the leaves immediately
fold up and droop. After some time, they regain their original structure.
• Here no growth is involved. This movement will be fast.
• Instead plant cells change shape by changing the amount of water in them (Turgor changes)
resulting in folding of leaves.
• After sometime amount of water regains in the cells and the plant restore its normal structure.
Movement dependent on growth
• Movement induced by growth are called directional or tropic movement.
• Directional movement of a plant is in response to the external stimuli.
• Directional movement can be towards the stimuli or away from the stimuli
eg: shoots bending towards the light and roots bending away from the light.
Growth related movement of plants will be small.
Light, force of gravity, water, chemical substances are the common external stimuli to which plants
respond
Types of movement based on external stimuli
1. Phototropic movement: is the directional movement of plant in response to sunlight. Eg: upward
movement of shoot
2. Geotropic movement: is the directional movement of plant in response to gravity
eg. Growth of root towards earth.
3. Chemotropic movement: is the directional movement of plant in response to chemical stimulus.
Eg: growth of pollen tubes towards ovules.
4. Hydrotropic movement: is the directional movement of plant in response to water
 Phototropic Hydrotropic

Chemotropic

Plant hormones (Phytohormones)

• Are naturally occurring organic chemical substance present in plants which bring control and
coordination in growth activities in plant.
• Besides growth other activities like falling of leaves, fruit growth, fruit ripening, aging, movements
etc are controlled by phytohormones.
• These hormones are synthesised in minute quantities in one part of the plant body and diffuse to
the part of action.
• On the basis of effect, the phytohormones are divided into two groups
1. Growth promoters
2. Growth inhibitors
• Growth promoters: stimulate plant growth
They are 1. auxins
2. gibberellins
3. cytokinin
Auxins: synthesized at shoot tip
function - help cell to grow longer in the presence of light
when light falls on one side of plant, auxin diffuse to the shady part of the shoot and stimulate the
cells of that part to grow longer. Thus, the plant bend towards the light.
• Gibberellins: help in the growth of stem
• Cytokinin: promote cell division.
are present in greater concentration in fruits and seeds.
Growth inhibitors: inhibit or reduce the plant growth.
promote falling of leaves
eg: abscisic acid is a hormone which inhibits growth.
Important questions:
1. State the main function of abscisic acid in plants?
 Abscisic acid slows the plant growth and inhibits cell division.
2. How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support?
The movement of tendril around the support is caused by the hormone auxin. Less auxin occurs
on the side of contact with support as compared to the free side. As the sunlight falls on the tendril
the auxin diffuses towards the shaded area (free side) and promotes the cells of shaded area to
divide. As cell division occur in shaded area, its growths in length compared to the area of tendril
in contact with support. Auxin promotes the growth on the free side. As a result of growth on the
free side, the tendril coils around the support.

3. Differentiate between tropic and nastic movements in plants.

Tropic movement Nastic movement
1.Is directional movement 1. Is non directional movement
2.Is growth dependent movement 2.Is not dependent on growth
3.Occur due to cell division 3.Occur due to change in turgor pressure
4. eg: Bending of stem towards light and root 4. eg: Folding and drooping of leaves in
towards gravity response to touch.
4. What is chemotropism? Give one example.
The movement induced by the presence of certain chemical substance sis known as chemotropism.
Eg: growth of pollen tubes towards ovule, being stimulated by sugary substance secreted by the
stigma, the style and ovary.
5. What is meant by hydrotropism? Is bending of stem towards light a growth dependent
movement or growth independent movement?
Growth movement to water stimulus is called hydrotropism.
Growth dependent movement.

Chemical coordination in Animals

• Electrical impulses are an excellent means for communication.
But they will reach only the cells connected to the nervous system.
Cells cannot continually create and transmit electrical impulse.
• So multicellular organisms use another means of communication known as. chemical
communication
• Even though slow chemical communication can reach all the cells of the body.
 • The chemicals are called hormones
• Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands.
Hormones
• Are chemical messengers that regulate the biological process in the living organisms
• Hormones are:
secreted by endocrine glands in small amounts, secreted to the blood
blood carries hormones from glands to the site of action
• Endocrine glands:
are glands that do not have duct and secrete hormones directly to blood.
Pituitary gland – secrete growth hormone
Growth hormone regulate growth and development of the body.
-deficiency of growth hormone in childhood leads to dwarfism
- over production of growth hormone leads to gigantism
Thyroid gland - secrete thyroxine
Thyroxine regulate regulates metabolism of the body
Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroxine
Deficiency of iodine causes goitre – symptom is swollen neck.

Pancreas
The endocrine part of pancreas (islets of Langerhans) secretes insulin.
Insulin help to lower the blood glucose level
Patients suffering from high blood sugar (Diabetes) is treated with insulin tablets or injections to reduce
the sugar level in the blood.
Adrenaline: situated on the upper side of the kidney.
secretes adrenaline (emergency hormone)
In normal situation, these hormones are secreted in small amounts. When a person faces stress or danger,
these secrete in large amounts to prepare the body to face emergency situations
Changes that occur in the body are -
- increase the heart beat rate (to supply more O2 to muscles)
-increases the breathing rate (because of contraction of diaphragm and rib muscles.)
- basic metabolic rate also increases
-blood circulation increases to the skeletal muscles
All these responses together prepare the animal body to be ready to deal with the situation.
Because of the above roles the adrenal glands are also known as glands of emergency.
Regulation of secretion of hormones
• Hormones should be secreted in very small quantities. The mechanism to regulate the action of
hormone as per the need of the body is known as Feedback mechanism
• Eg: if the sugar level in the blood rise – it is detected by pancreas and releases insulin, when the
blood sugar lowers the production of insulin is reduced.
The whole process is monitored by Pancreas

Important questions:
1. Name the hormones secreted by thyroid, parathyroid and pancreas.
Thyroid – Thyroxine
Parathyroid – Parathormone
Pancreas – Insulin
2. List the function of testosterone and estrogen
Testosterone – stimulates growth and development of male accessory glands
- Stimulates development of male secondary sexual characters.
Estrogen - stimulates the formation of ova in ovary
- Stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characters.
3. How does precise quantities of secretion of insulin hormone is regulated?
The timing amount of hormone released are regulated by feedback mechanism. When the sugar
level in blood rises, it is detected by the cells of Pancreas. They produce more insulin hormone to
metabolize the increases sugar.
4. What causes goiter? Mention one of the symptoms.
Goiter is caused by iodine deficiency in the diet. Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroxin
hormone.
5. How does feedback mechanism regulate the secretion of hormone?
Endocrine glands or ductless glands produce hormones. Theses glands do not continuously
produce hormones. Their secretion is controlled by feedback system. Thus, their over production
of hormones is controlled.
Eg: a hormone called Insulin is secreted by Pancreas. Insulin brings down the sugar level in blood,
when produced in required quantity. If sugar level increases in blood, cells of pancreas detect this
producing more insulin to reduce the sugar level in blood. As the blood sugar level falls, insulin
secretion is reduced. This mechanism of regulating the timing and amount of hormones released
based on the requirement of the body is called feedback mechanism.
6. How does our body respond when adrenaline is secreted into the blood?
Adrenaline is termed as emergency hormone or flight and fight hormone. When a person faces
stress or danger, it is secreted in large amounts to prepare the body to face emergency situations.
It increases the rate of heart beat, breathing, blood pressure, high sugar level in the blood, increases
metabolic activities and increase in energy production to meet the situation.

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