Foundation Sci Bio Class 10 38

5 Control and Coordination

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body is and
madeCoordination
up of billions of cells that get organizedand
intoCoordination
different tissues. Different tissues
constitute organs, and different organs constitute systems such as the digestive, respiratory and
circulatory systems. In order to perform a particular function the component organs of each
system depend on each other and work in harmony. In the absence of such working in harmony,
an organism cannot do many things that it normally does. For example, when we run, our
muscles require greater energy, which can be produced when there is a greater supply of oxygen.
To increase the oxygen supply, the rate of breathing increases. When we stop running, our
muscles do not need so much energy. Consequently, there is no need for extra oxygen and the
rate of breathing comes down to the normal level. All these activities are coordinated and well
organized. The working together of various systems in the body is called coordination.

Response and Coordination in Plants and Animals

The ability of an organism to detect changes and make appropriate responses is called sensitivity.
Anything to which an organism responds and reacts is called a stimulus. In animals the responses
are quicker and more obvious. Unicellular animals respond to stimuli either by moving towards
them or away from them. In multicellular animals, the process of responding to stimuli is
different. The responses occur within seconds, but through a complex network of communication
which involves several life processes like movement, locomotion, transport, respiration, etc. For
example, when you step out in bright sunlight, you partly close your eyes to keep out the bright
light. You may start sweating as the temperature rises. These are coordinated responses to
stimuli.
Response and coordination in animals involve the sense organs, nervous system and
chemical messengers called hormones.
Plants also react to specific environmental conditions. However, they have no nervous
system and their responses are in the form of slow modified growth or movements called turgor
movements, caused due to the distension (swelling) of cells. Let us first examine the phenomena
of response and coordination in plants.

RESPONSE AND COORDINATION IN PLANTS

Continuous Movements of Plants
As a plant grows, the stem tip does not grow upwards in a straight line but follows a curved path.
This movement, known as nutation, occurs when at any given time, one part of the apical
meristem grows faster than the rest of the stem. The region of more rapid growth moves slowly
round the apex. This type of movement is more pronounced in climbing plants such as pea,
whose stem tips (or tendrils) twine themselves around a support. The part of the tendril in contact
with the support does not grow as rapidly as the part of the tendril away from the object. As a
result, the tendril encircles the object and clings to it.

38
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Control and Coordination 39

Fig. 5.1 Tendrils in pea

Quick Movements of Plants

Rapid movements are uncommon in plants, but some plants do display such movements in
response to stimuli.
Touch the tip of a sensistive plant (Mimosa pudica) gently. Only a few leaflets close. When you touch it
roughly, all the leaflets close.

Fig. 5.2 Response to touch in Mimosa pudica

In Mimosa pudica, the leaflets fold up quickly if any leaflet is touched. How does it happen? It
happens because the touch triggers a sudden and rapid loss of water (turgor changes) from cells
at the base of the leaflets. These movements of sensitive plants in response to touch are very
quick. All quick movements are not so quick. For example, the leaves of many plants, including
those of Mimosa pudica, remain open during day. When darkness falls, the leaves fold up. Many
flowers open after sunrise and close after sunset. All these movements are directed neither
towards nor away from the stimulus. Such movements are called nastic movements.

Stomatal Movements
The opening and closing of stomata is controlled by changes in the turgor pressure of guard cells
and is coordinated with light and darkness.

Tropic Movements
The movement of an organism in the direction of a stimulus or away from it is called tropic
movement, or tropism. A tropic movement is said to be positive if it is directed towards the
source of stimulus and negative if directed away from the source of stimulus. The plant responds
by growth or turgor changes, so that parts of the plant bend towards or away from the direction
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40 Foundation Science: Biology for Class 10

of stimulus. Tropic movements are of different types in response to different stimuli.

Growth-related movement of plants is quite slow.
Phototropism
Phototropism is the tropic response of organisms to light. When a young green plant receives
light from one direction only, the stem grows towards the light source. The stem is said to be
positively phototropic because the stem tip grows in the direction of light.
In order to observe the response of plants to light, you can try the following activity. Take a big cardboard
box with a large window cut near its top edge. Keep a small potted plant at the bottom of the box. Take a
piece of cardboard with a small window near one edge and fix it in the box as shown in the figure. Cover
the box so that light enters only through the window on the top. You will observe that the plant grows
towards the light. It will first grow out of the small window in the cardboard. Then it will bend towards the
top window and grow out through it.

Fig. 5.3 Phototropism

Sunflower buds exhibit a special type of phototropism in which the buds turn slowly through
the day so that they always face the sun. This movement is caused by turgor changes.
Geotropism
Geotropism is the tropic response of organisms to gravity. When a growing portion of a plant is
placed horizontally, the stem tip grows away from the pull of gravity, while the root tip grows
towards it. Thus, the stem is said to be negatively geotropic and the root positively geotropic.
Place a potted plant horizontally on the ground. After a week, you will see that the stem has bent
upwards to grow away from gravity. And if you break the pot and remove some of the soil gently, you
will notice that the root has bent downwards to grow in the direction of the pull of gravity.

Fig. 5.4 The stem is negatively geotropic, while the root is positively geotropic.
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Control and Coordination 41

Hydrotropism
The growth of plant parts towards or away from water is called hydrotropism. Roots are
positively hydrotropic, i.e., they grow towards water in the soil.
Do you know that the positive hydrotropism of roots is stronger than their positive
geotropism? This can be demonstrated by the following activity.
Take a sieve or a trough with perforations at the bottom. Put some moist sawdust in it and place
germinating seeds on the sawdust. Raise the trough above the surface by keeping a brick under each edge.
After a few days you will see that the radicles of the seedlings grow downwards through the pores due to
geotropism. These radicles then grow towards the moist sawdust in the trough due to hydrotropism.
Perforated
trough
Moist sawdust
Germinating seed

Radicles of seeds
Brick

Fig. 5.5 Demonstration of hydrotropism

Due to hydrotropism, the roots of roadside trees often block leaking sewage drains.
Chemotropism
The tropic response of organisms to chemicals is known as chemotropism. For example, pollen
tubes grow towards a chemical produced by the ovule during fertilization.
Thigmotropism
The tropic response of organisms to touch or contact with a solid surface is called thigmotropism.
The climbing parts of a plant that twine around a support are positively thigmotropic. When such
a plant part touches a support, the side of its apical meristem in contact with the support grows
slower than the other side. This is how tendrils coil around a support.

Plant Hormones
Responses and growth in plants are controlled by chemical substances called plant hormones, or
phytohormones. These substances are found in very minute quantities in plant tissues. A hormone
is produced in specific cells of the plant and is transferred to another part where it influences a
specific physiological process. While some plant hormones such as auxins, gibberellins and
cytokinins stimulate growth, some others such as abscisic acid retard it. Plant hormones control
directional growth in plants and also bring about growth in carefully controlled ways. For example,
they help plants to grow leaves only at the nodes and not at other parts of the body.
Auxins
Auxins are a group of plant hormones synthesized in the apical meristem of the root tips and
shoot tips. When a shoot tip receives light, the hormone auxin is synthesized and diffuses
towards the shady side of the shoot. This leads to enhanced growth on this side. Thus, the plant
bends towards the light. The twining of a tendril around a support is also due to auxins.
In many plants, the apical meristem suppresses the growth of lateral, or axillary, buds. The
strong influence of the apical bud on the growth of the lateral buds can be seen by removing the
apical bud from the plant.
Take two potted Coleus plants of almost the same size. Cut off the shoot tip of one plant, but do not
disturb the other. Observe and compare the growth of both plants for about ten days. The plant with the
nipped-off shoot tip acquires a bushy appearance due to the increased growth of lateral branches. The
other plant grows taller with a lesser degree of lateral growth due to the dominance of the apical bud.
Regular pruning of the hedges in gardens removes the apical buds and promotes the growth of lateral
buds, giving the plants a bushy appearance.
Auxins promote cell elongation, root formation, cell division, respiration and other
physiological processes like protein synthesis, water uptake, etc.
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Gibberellins
Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation, seed germination and flowering. The maximum
concentration of gibberellins is found in fruits and seeds. Gibberellins oppose the effect of
abscisic acid, which inhibits growth.
Cytokinins
Cytokinins are chemicals which promote cytokinesis (cell division). They are produced in dividing
cells throughout the plant. In mature plants, cytokinins are produced in the root tips and are
transported to the shoots. They also help in breaking dormancy and regulating phloem transport.
Abscisic acid
Abscisic acid is a growth inhibitor that reverses the growth-promoting effects of auxins and
gibberellins. It causes dormancy of seeds, tubers and bulbs. It promotes leaf and fruit fall. It helps
in the closure of the stomata to decrease the loss of water.

COORDINATION IN ANIMALS
Coordination of the body functions in animals is brought about by the endocrine glands and the
nervous system. The substances produced by endocrine glands are called hormones.
Some characteristics of animal hormones are as follows:
1. Hormones are different compounds such as proteins, steroids, etc.
2. Hormones are chemical messengers which are discharged in the blood by endocrine
glands, from where they reach different parts of the body.
3. A hormone will go to a particular organ and influence its functions. The organ that is
influenced by a particular hormone is called the target organ of that hormone.
A hormone acts as a trigger or switch. Endocrine glands are directly or indirectly controlled
by the nervous system, which receives information about changes in the external environment or
internal conditions in the form of stimuli.
Control and coordination in animals depend on two things for information transmission—
chemical signals of hormones and nerve impulses (electrical impulses). If they depended only on
electrical impulses through nerve cells, a limited range of tissues would be stimulated. Since they
get chemical signals in addition to the nerve impulses, a large range of tissues are stimulated. As
a result, animals can show wide-ranging changes in response to stimuli.
Human Endocrine Glands
Hormones are secreted by the endocrine
glands, which are ductless glands. We
shall now learn about some important
endocrine glands in the human body.
These are shown in Figure 5.6.
Pituitary gland
The pituitary is a small gland attached to
the ventral side of the brain. The pituitary
is the most important endocrine gland, as it
secretes a number of hormones that
regulate various functions of the body. It
also controls the functioning of the other
endocrine glands. Therefore, it is called the
master gland of the body.
Fig. 5.6 Diagram showing the positions of endocrine
The pituitary gland consists of two glands. In the pancreas, testis and ovary, there
main parts—the anterior lobe and the are specialized areas for endocrine function.
posterior lobe. The anterior lobe secretes The thymus gland has not been shown because
various hormones. One of these is the this gland is degenerated or lost in the adult. If
growth hormone which regulates growth present, it is located near the heart.
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Control and Coordination 43

and development of the body. It promotes the growth of bones and muscles when the body is
growing. An excessive secretion of this hormone leads to gigantism, an abnormal condition of
excessive growth. On the other hand, insufficient secretion of the growth hormone in childhood
retards growth, leading to dwarfism, an abnormal condition of stunted growth.
The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland also secretes hormones that influence the secretion of
milk in the mammary glands, the production of sperms in males and the maturing of ova (eggs) in
females. Two types of hormones are secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary. One of these
helps in childbirth and the other influences the reabsorption of water in the kidney.
Pineal gland
It is a small gland attached to the dorsal side of the brain. It has light-sensitive cells. It controls the
biological clock (the timing mechanism by which an organism controls regular activities such as
sleeping).

Thyroid gland
Thyroid is a large gland located behind the larynx (voice
box) in the neck. The main hormone secreted by this
gland is thyroxine, which contains iodine. Thyroxine
controls the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and
proteins, and brings about balanced growth.
Excessive secretion of thyroxine is called
hyperthyroidism. It increases the general metabolism of
the body. As a result, fat stored in the body is depleted
and there is a loss of body weight. Insufficient thyroxine
secretion is called hypothyroidism. It lowers the general
metabolism of the body and increases body weight. By
slowing down metabolic activity, hypothyroidism
retards body growth and brain development in children.
When the thyroid gland becomes overactive and
secretes excess thyroxine, it becomes enlarged. As a
result, the neck swells up and the eyeballs bulge
outward. This is called exophthalmic goitre. Swelling of
the thyroid may also be due to the deficiency of iodine in Fig. 5.7 An enlarged thyroid gland is
the diet. This is called simple goitre. To prevent this it is due to goitre.
important for us to have iodized salt in our diet. Iodine is
needed for the synthesis of thyroxine.
Parathyroid glands
These are two pairs of small glands buried in the thyroid gland. They secrete parathormone,
which increases the level of calcium in the blood by taking out calcium from the bones. A certain
amount of calcium in the blood is essential for functions such as muscular activity and blood
clotting.
Thymus gland
This gland, located near the heart, is present in newborn babies. It gradually becomes smaller
with age and is degenerated or lost in the adult. It produces WBCs which fight infection.
Islets of Langerhans
The pancreas is a digestive gland located in the C-shaped bend of the duodenum (Figure 5.6).
Inside this gland there are groups of hormone-secreting cells. These groups are called the islets of
Langerhans. Among the hormones produced by them, insulin is the most important. Insulin
controls the rate of oxidation of glucose. It helps the liver and muscle cells to absorb glucose from
the blood. It also controls the formation of glycogen from glucose in the liver.
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44 Foundation Science: Biology for Class 10

People who are unable to secrete sufficient insulin suffer from a condition called diabetes
mellitus. The level of glucose in their blood keeps on rising, and after a limit the kidney lets the
extra glucose be excreted with urine. Doctors advise diabetics to take less sugar in their diet.
Some diabetics are advised to take injections of insulin, if they have very high levels of blood
sugar. High levels of blood sugar harm the body in many ways.
Adrenal glands
We have two adrenal glands, one on each kidney. The adrenal glands secrete the hormone called
adrenaline or epinephrine. This hormone is secreted when an individual is under great physical
or emotional stress or feels threatened by some kind of danger. Excitement generally stimulates
adrenaline secretion. Adrenaline increases the heartbeat, rate of respiration and blood pressure.
More air is inhaled as the diaphragm and the rib muscles contract, expanding the chest cavity.
Adrenaline constricts all the blood vessels except those that supply blood to the heart muscles
and skeletal muscles. As the small arteries around the digestive organs constrict, blood is
diverted to the skeletal muscles to carry out a response.
Adrenaline is called ‘fight and flight’ hormone because there is a surge of adrenaline when a
person is fighting or preparing to fight or running away from danger. The changes caused by
adrenaline prepare the body to react during an emergency. Hence, adrenaline is also called the
‘emergency hormone’.
Testis
The main function of the testis is to produce sperms. The testes also synthesize the male sex
hormone testosterone. Testosterone secretion begins at the onset of puberty (age of sexual
maturity), at 10–12 years of age. It helps in the development of secondary sexual characters in
males, e.g., moustache, beard, etc.
Ovary
At the onset of puberty the ovaries begin to secrete oestrogen, a female sex hormone. Oestrogen
produces secondary sexual characters in females and prepares the body for pregnancy. During
pregnancy, the ovaries secrete special hormones that help in the development of the baby.
Control of Hormone Secretion We have a feedback mechanism for controlling the precise
quantity and timing of hormone secretion. For example, when we take a meal, our blood sugar
level rises. The response to this stimulus is the secretion of the required amount of insulin. The
insulin carries glucose to the tissues. As a result, the blood sugar level falls and insulin secretion
is reduced. Such control of hormone secretion helps maintain a state of balance in the body.

THE HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system performs the following three
functions.
1. Sensory input, that is, the detection of stimuli by
the receptors, or sense organs (e.g., eyes, ears,
skin, nose and tongue)
2. Transmission of this input by nerve impulses to
the brain and spinal cord, which generate an
appropriate response
3. Motor output, that is, carrying out of the
response by muscles or glands, which are called
effectors
Two types of cells constitute the nervous system—
neurons and neuroglia. The neurons conduct impulses
and the neuroglia support and protect the neurons. A
neuron consists of a cell body called cyton, and two
Fig. 5.8 A nerve cell (neuron)
types of processes—dendrite and axon.
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Control and Coordination 45

Dendrites or dendrons These are hairlike processes connected to the cyton. They receive
stimulus, which may be physical, chemical, mechanical or electrical, and pass it on to the cyton.
Cyton It is the cell body, with a central nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm.
Axon From one side of the cyton arises a cylindrical process filled with cytoplasm. This process is
called axon. It is the longest part of the neuron. It transmits impulse away from the cyton. Its tip
has a swelling called axon bulb. Generally, a neuron has one axon. The ending of an axon may be
branched. These endings are called synaptic terminals. The gap between a synaptic terminal and
the dendrite of another neuron or an effector cell is called a synapse.
How do we feel a hot or cold object? How do we feel pain? Why do different things have
different smells and tastes? There are thousands of receptor cells in our sense organs. They detect
stimuli such as heat, cold, pain, smells and tastes. There are different types of receptors such as
algesireceptors (for pain), tangoreceptors (for touch), gustatoreceptors (for taste),
olfactoreceptors (for smell), and so on. The stimulus received by a receptor is passed on in the
form of electrical signals through the dendrites of a neuron to the cyton of the neuron. The cyton
transmits only strong impulses. Weak impulses are not further transmitted. An impulse passed
on by the cyton travels along the axon of the neuron. When it reaches the end of the axon, it
causes the axon bulb to release a chemical which diffuses across the synapse and stimulates the
dendrites of the adjacent neuron. These dendrites in turn send electrical signals to their cell body,
to be carried along the axon. In this way, the sensation from the receptor is passed on to the brain
or spinal cord. A signal from the brain is similarly passed on to the effector, which carries out the
appropriate response.
Eat some sugar. You will find it tastes sweet. If you block your nose with your fingers there is no
difference in its taste. It still tastes sweet because sugar has no smell that can also contribute to the taste.
Block your nose again while eating lunch. You will find that the blocked nose makes a difference in
appreciating the taste of various food items. When an item has taste as well as smell, it needs the
gustatoreceptors on the tongue as well as the olfactoreceptors in the nose to transmit its stimuli to the
brain for the full appreciation of its taste. For example, you may not be able to distinguish between
mashed papaya and mashed banana with your nose blocked and eyes closed. The gustatoreceptors and
olfactoreceptors together make us appreciate any food better. This is the reason why food seems
tasteless when you have a cold and your nose is blocked.
In humans and vertebrates, the nervous system may be divided into the (1) central,
(2) peripheral, and (3) autonomic nervous system.
Central nervous system
The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
Brain It is the most important coordinating centre in the body. It is lodged in the brain box, or
cranium, which protects it. The brain is covered by membranes called meninges. Between the
membranes and the brain and also inside the brain, there is a characteristic fluid, called
cerebrospinal fluid. This also protects the brain. The brain may be divided into three
parts—forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
1. The forebrain (cerebrum) is the anterior part, consisting of two large hemispheres divided
by a longitudinal fissure. The surface of the hemispheres has many folds and is called
cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex consists of numerous neurons, and the folds serve to
increase the surface area so that the maximum number of neurons can be present. The
cerebral hemispheres are seats of intelligence and voluntary action. The forebrain also
contains olfactory lobes, which are the centres of smell; and the diencephalon, which has
centres of hunger, thirst, etc. To the floor of the diencephalon is attached the pituitary
gland.
2. The midbrain includes optic lobes, which are the centres of vision.
3. The hindbrain is the posterior part, located below the forebrain. It consists of the
cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata. The cerebellum is the coordination centre, and
maintains the body’s posture and balance. It also controls some precise voluntary actions
such as those involved in writing and speech. The medulla oblongata in the brain stem is
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46 Foundation Science: Biology for Class 10

the centre of involuntary actions, like swallowing, coughing, sneezing, salivation,

vomiting, heartbeat and breathing. The medulla oblongata is continued into the spinal
cord. The pons relays information between the cerebellum and the cerebrum.

Fig. 5.9 Section through the human brain

Spinal cord It is a long cord which arises from the medulla oblongata and runs through the
vertebral column (backbone). The vertebral column protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord is
also covered by meninges. A cross section of the spinal cord shows the central canal, which is
filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Around the canal are clusters of cytons, which form the grey
matter. The peripheral part has mainly axons and is called white matter. From each side of the
spinal cord two roots, the dorsal and the ventral root, arise. The dorsal root is joined by a nerve
called sensory nerve, which picks up sensations from the sense organs (receptors). From the
ventral root arises the motor nerve, which takes messages from the spinal cord to the muscles or
glands (effectors).

Fig. 5.10 Cross section of the spinal cord, showing how the impact of the hammer was sent to the
dorsal root through the sensory nerve and how the motor nerve brought the message from
the ventral root to pull the leg downward. This is an example of reflex action.
Reflex action
What happens when you touch something hot or your finger is pricked by a needle? You
immediately pull your hand away, without even thinking why you are doing so. Such sudden
involuntary responses to stimuli are examples of reflex action. The response may be different when
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Control and Coordination 47

your conscious thought process is involved. For example, when a doctor pricks you with an
injection needle to inject a medicine into your arm, you do not withdraw your arm immediately.
Your conscious thinking tells you that the medicine is being administered to cure your disease. In
this case, a message from the spinal cord goes to the cerebrum, the thinking part of your brain,
and your thinking brain directs your arm to bear the pain and not pull away.
The spinal cord is the centre of reflex action. Reflex actions are produced by reflex arcs, which
may be formed anywhere along the spinal cord, nearest to the receptor and effector. A reflex arc
is formed by a sensory nerve and a motor nerve joined by a connecting nerve present in the spinal
cord. As the impulses do not have to travel all the way to the brain and back, the detection of
stimuli and the completion of responses are faster.
Reflex action is an extremely quick action, which does not involve any thinking by the brain.
If someone hits your leg with a hammer the leg is immediately withdrawn. In this type of reflex
action the impact of the hammer (stimulus) received by the receptor is sent to the spinal cord
through the sensory nerve. The message is received by the connecting nerve in the spinal cord.
The connecting nerve then sends a response through the motor nerve to the muscles (effectors) to
pull the leg away (Figure 5.10). Thus, reflex action is a sudden, involuntary motor response to a
stimulus. The flow of food in the alimentary canal, blinking in strong light or in response to a
sudden movement in front of the eye, sneezing, coughing, yawning, hiccupping, shivering, etc.,
are also reflex actions.

Peripheral nervous system

The peripheral nervous system includes 12 pairs of cranial nerves arising from the brain and 31
pairs of spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord. The nerves from the brain and the spinal cord
connect the skeletal muscles and control their activity according to the directions and demands of
the body. These nerves are, therefore, related to voluntary acts, i.e., they act according to our will.
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system controls and integrates the functions of internal organs like the
heart, blood vessels, glands, etc., which are not under the control of our will.
The autonomic nervous system has two subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic. The
organs receive both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. The two types of nerves have
opposite effects on the organs, i.e., if one is stimulatory, the other is inhibitory.
How does the nervous tissue cause the muscles to act?
When an electrical signal from a nerve cell reaches a synapse it causes the axon bulb to release a
chemical. This chemical, which is discharged at the junction between the nerve cell and the
muscle cell, causes the cell membrane of the muscle cell to move some ions in the muscle cell. This
triggers a series of changes, ultimately causing the muscle to contract or relax.

• POINTS TO REMEMBER •

· The working together of the various systems in · Plant responses and growth are controlled by
the body is called coordination. chemical messengers called hormones. The main
plant hormones and their functions are:
· Chemical coordination is seen in plants and
animals. 1. Auxins promote cell elongation, cell division, etc.
· Response and coordination in plants are in the 2. Gibberellins are growth hormones of plants.
form of slow growth and turgor movements. 3. Cytokinins promote cytokinesis.
· The movement of organisms in the direction of a 4. Abscisic acid inhibits growth.
stimulus or away from it is called tropic · Response and coordination in animals involve
movement. Tropic movements are in response to the sense organs, the nervous system and
light (phototropism), gravity (geotropism), water hormones.
(hydrotropism), chemicals (chemotropism) and · A feedback mechanism regulates the action of
touch (thigmotropism). hormones.
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Gland Hormone Effect

Pituitary Growth hormone Controls growth

Others Controls other endocrine glands
Thyroid Thyroxine Controls general metabolism
Parathyroid Parathormone Controls calcium level in blood
Pancreas (islets of Langerhans) Insulin Controls blood glucose level
Adrenal Adrenaline Causes excitement, increases blood pressure,
heartbeat and respiration rate
Testis Testosterone Promotes development of secondary sexual
characters in males
Ovary Oestrogen Promotes development of secondary sexual
characters in females

· Animal hormones are produced by ductless · The central nervous system consists of the brain
glands called endocrine glands, and are and spinal cord. The brain has three main
discharged in the blood. Some important parts—forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
endocrine glands, their hormones and functions
· The spinal cord is the centre of reflex action.
are given in the above table.
· The human nervous system consists of central, · Reflex actions are quick involuntary responses to
peripheral and autonomic parts. stimuli.

• EXERCISES •

A. Very-Short-Answer Questions 7. Which endocrine gland is called the master gland of

1. Name any two types of tropism. the human body? Why?
2. What happens if a young green plant receives 8. Distinguish between gigantism and dwarfism.
sunlight from one direction only? 9. Differentiate between the functions of sensory and
3. Mention one important function of gibberellins. motor nerves.
4. Name the plant hormone that promotes cell 10. Why are diabetes patients treated by insulin
division. injections?
5. What is reflex action? 11. Why is the use of iodised salt advisable?
6. What is synapse? 12. What is a nerve impulse? Which structure in a
7. Which part of the brain maintains the posture and neuron helps to conduct a nerve impulse (i) towards
balance of the body? the cell body and (ii) away from the body? [CBSE]
8. Name the two sets of nerves that constitute the 13. Name one hormone secreted by
peripheral nervous system. (a) the testis
9. Name one hormone which controls growth in (b) the islets of Langerhans
animals. (c) the thyroid gland
(d) the ovary
B. Short-Answer Questions
1. What is coordination? Give an example. C. Long-Answer Questions
2. What are hormones? 1. What is the difference between the movement in a
3. What are tropic movements? Name the types of sensitive plant and the movement in our legs?
tropic movement observed in plants. 2. Compare and contrast the systems of nervous and
4. Differentiate between tropic and nastic movements hormonal control in animals.
in plants. Give one example of each. [CBSE] 3. Which gland secretes adrenaline? Why is
5. Design an experiment to demonstrate adrenaline called the emergency hormone?
hydrotropism. 4. Briefly describe the structure of the neuron.
6. Where are auxins produced? Mention any two 5. Explain with an example how a reflex action takes
important functions of auxins. place.
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Control and Coordination 49

6. (a) Draw the structure of a neuron and label its (a) insulin (b) adrenaline
nucleus, dendrite, cyton and axon. (c) thyroxine (d) testosterone
(b) Name that part of a neuron 7. The seat of intelligence and voluntary action in the
(i) which receives stimulus brain is the
(ii) which transmits impulse [CBSE]
(a) pons (b) cerebellum
7. (a) What is (i) phototropism and (ii) geotropism? (c) cerebrum (d) medulla oblongata
Give an activity supported by labelled diagrams to
8. The activities of the internal organs are controlled by
show that light and gravity affect the direction of
(a) the reflex arc
plant growth.
(b) Mention the role of the following plant (b) the peripheral nervous system
hormones. (i) Auxin (ii) Abscisic acid [CBSE] (c) the autonomic nervous system
(d) none of these
D. Objective Questions
9. The junction between two neurons is called
I. Pick the correct option.
(a) synapse (b) dendrite
1. The plant hormone essential for cell division is (c) joint (d) axon
(a) abscisic acid (b) auxin
10. Reflex action is controlled mainly by the
(c) gibberellin (d) cytokinin
(a) brain
2. The root of a plant is (b) autonomous nervous system
(a) positively geotropic (c) peripheral nervous system
(b) positively phototropic (d) spinal cord
(c) negatively geotropic
II. Fill in the blanks.
(d) positively thigmotropic
1. The sensitive plant _____ folds up its leaflets on
3. Which of these plant hormones is a growth
being touched.
inhibitor?
(a) Gibberellin (b) Auxin 2. In animals, hormones are secreted by _____.
(c) Abscisic acid (d) Cytokinin 3. Simple goitre is caused by the deficiency of _____ in
4. The response of plant parts towards light is called the diet.
(a) geotropism (b) phototropism 4. _____ promotes the development of secondary
(c) hydrotropism (d) chemotropism sexual characters in a female.
5. The master gland of the body is the 5. The cell body of a neuron is called _____.
(a) testis (b) pituitary 6. The brain is enclosed in a box called _____.
(c) thyroid (d) adrenal 7. The membranes covering the brain are called _____.
6. People suffering from diabetes mellitus are unable 8. The _____ gland is located on the kidney.
to secrete sufficient

• ANSWERS •

Objective Questions
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (b)
6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (d)