Topic 3 - Nervous Control in Plants and Animals

Ateneo de Davao University
Senior High School

Bangkal, Davao City, Philippines
AY 2020-2021
Nervous Control in Plants and Animals
Compared to plants, animals have chemical and nervous control that enable them to
respond to environmental stimuli. Chemical control is under the regulation of the endocrine
system and includes the various hormones. Chemical control is slow-acting but the effect is
long-term. On the other hand, nervous control is under the regulation of the nervous system
with its system of neuronal mechanisms. Nervous control is fast-acting and the effect is short-
term, although frequent stimulation can be stored to produce a longer-lasting behavioral
response.
The nervous system is the one responsible for coordinating the functions of the other
body systems. The nervous system gathers information, processes the information, and elicits a
corresponding response or reaction to the stimulus. The nervous system has two main divisions:
the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is
composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the main control center while the spinal
cord connects the brain to other nerves of the body. The PNS is composed of nerves that branch
out from the brain and the spinal cord to specific body parts and divided further into somatic
and autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary body
movements while the autonomic controls involuntary actions. The diagram below shows the
brief description of each division.
The central nervous system and peripheral nervous system work together in nervous response
through this mechanism:
1. Detection of stimulus by sensory receptors
2. Transmission of signals along nerves
3. Interpretation and analysis of impulses by the control center
4. Transmission of impulse along nerve
5. Response by effector
The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Once stimulated,
a neuron transmits electrical signals called an action potential or an impulse across the system
and lets a body part respond accordingly. Although neurons differ in some respects, they
contain four basic parts: dendrite, soma, axon, and axon terminals. The cell body or soma
contains the nucleus and most organelles. The axon is a single projection from the soma which
carries the impulse to the axon terminal. An impulse is a sudden change in the electric potential
of the cell membrane. The axon may be enveloped by a myelin sheath for faster conduction of
impulse. The dendrites are several projections which extend outward from the cell body and
receive chemical signals from the axon terminals of another neuron. Electrical disturbances in
the dendrites or axon will cause a new wave of impulse down the axon. The figure below shows
a typical neuron with its parts and the direction of impulse transmission.
The nervous system includes three (3) classes of neurons. These are:
a. Sensory neuron which transmits incoming impulses from receptor to control center.
b. Interneuron which transmits impulses within control centers.
c. Motor neuron which transmits outgoing impulses from control center to effector.
Figure showing the three classes of neurons

Neurons connect with one another through a junction called synapse. The moment an
action potential reaches the axon’s terminal, a series of events will be created leading to the
stimulation of the next neuron. Chemicals called neurotransmitters are released which facilitate
the transmission of an impulse across a synapse. The figure below shows a synapse and synaptic
transmission.
The peripheral nervous system consists of nerve cells outside the central nervous system.
The neurons of the brain and spinal cord interact constantly with those of the peripheral nervous
system—the nerve cells outside the central nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is functionally divided into sensory (afferent) and motor
(efferent) divisions. Sensory pathways carry signals to the central nervous system from sensory
receptors in the skin, skeleton, and other organs. The motor pathways of the PNS include
somatic (voluntary) nervous system and autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. The somatic
nervous system carries signal from the brain to voluntary skeletal muscles. The autonomic
nervous system transmits impulses from the brain to smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and the
glands. Autonomic nervous system is subdivided into:
a. sympathetic nervous system – dominates under stress; “fight or flight”
b. parasympathetic nervous system – returns body to normal; “rest and repose”
c. enteric nervous system – responsible for the function of the gastrointestinal tract
PLANT RESPONSES
All living things respond to environmental stimuli primarily to survive. Plants, which are
sessile (stationary) exhibit responses to stimuli such as light, water, touch, and wind. Responses
are important to get a needed nutrient, survive a certain condition (such as extreme weather
changes) or defend itself from predators and to reproduce. The sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica,
locally called “Makahiya”, closes its leaflets once touched. The sunflower moves toward the
direction of the sun. The stomata close in response to rapid loss of water. The seeds of some
plants need to be burned to trigger seed germination. Recent studies also show that some plants
can release chemicals that act as defense mechanisms against pathogens and predators and warn
nearby plants to prepare for an impending attack.
Tropism is a biological mechanism that enables plant to move toward (positive tropism)
or against (negative tropism) the source of a stimulus. The roots grow underground because
they usually move toward the source of water and the center of gravity while leaves usually
grow above ground where they absorb sunlight. The table below shows a list of responses in
plants.
-End of Nervous System-
Additional Resources:
To better understand cell transport mechanism, below are some links which might be very helpful:
• Video: The Nervous System, Part 1: Crash Course A&P #8

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPix_X-9t7E)
• Video: The Nervous System, Part 2 - Action! Potential!: Crash Course A&P #9
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZG8M_ldA1M)
• Also, below are some additional notes from

https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/3-17_NERVOUS_HANDOUT.pdf

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Ateneo de Davao University

Senior High School

Nervous Control in Plants and Animals

Figure showing the three classes of neurons

-End of Nervous System-

• Video: The Nervous System, Part 1: Crash Course A&P #8

• Also, below are some additional notes from

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