Animals Nervous System

Animals nervous system consists of specialized nerve cells also known as neurons. A typical neuron
consists of cell body, axon and dendrites.
Cell body contains nucleus. Dendrites detects the information from the environment. This
information is picked up by the dendritic tips and sets off the electrical impulse which travels from
dendrite to cell body and then to axon.

Fig.1. Structure of the Neuron

Reflex Action
A sudden response to some environment stimulus is known as reflex. For example, we sudden take
off our hand from the flame without thinking.
Reflex Arch
Sensory neurons synapse in the spinal cord before it passes to the brain. This pathway is known as
reflex arch.

Fig.2. Reflex Arch

Voluntary means it is
under the control of a person (e.g. writing)
Involuntary means it is not under the control of a person. (e.g. heartbeat)
Nervous System
Vertebrates nervous system is classified as central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
Brain and spinal cord are the parts of central nervous system. Peripheral nervous system consists of
autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system. Autonomic nervous system consists of
spinal nerves and cranial nerves.
Functions
(i) To receive the information from environment
(ii) To receive the information from various body parts.
(Stimuli Response)
(iii) To act accordingly through muscles and glands.
Stimulus : Any change in 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.
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.
Receptors : Are specialized tips of some nerve cells that detect the in formation from the
environment.
Receptors are sense Organs

Human Brain
Brain is divided into forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
Forebrain consists of cerebrum, hypothalamus and thalamus. Forebrain is specialized in hearing,
sight, smell etc. It also controls voluntary movements in our body such as movement of leg
muscles. Centre for hunger is also located in the separate part of forebrain. Cerebrum or the cerebral
cortex consists of 4 lobes- parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe and frontal lobes.
Functions
1. Thinking part of the brain
2. Control the voluntary actions.
3. Store information(Memory)
4. Centre associated with HUNGER
5. Receives sensory impulses from various body parts and integrates it

Fig. 3. Different Lobes of the

Brain
Midbrain is located between the forebrain and hindbrain. It controls certain involuntary actions in
the body.
Hindbrain consists of pons, medulla and cerebellum. It controls salivation, blood pressure and
vomiting.
Cerebellum also controls certain important functions such as riding a bicycle, picking up a pencil. It
also maintains posture and balance of the body.
Brain is protected in a bony case known as cranium. Cranium also contains a fluid filled in it known
as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that protects the brain from mechanical shock and injury. And spinal
cord is protected by vertebral column.

How nervous tissue causes action?

Information is received by nervous tissue, then it passes to brain muscles and then it causes the
action. The junction between the two neurons is known as synapse. Information are passed from
one neuron to another neuron via electrical or chemical transmission.
 Fig.4. Structure
of Human Brain

Electrical transmission Chemical transmission

No need of neurotransmitter is needed Neurotransmitter is needed
Fast mode of nerve impulse transmission Slow mode of nerve impulse transmission
Impulse are directly transmitted from one Impulse are not directly transmitted from one
neuron to another neuron neuron to another neuron
Coordination in plants
Plants though do not have nervous system or muscles but they also respond towards the stimulus.
For example, when we touch Mimosa pudica (touch-me-not plant), its leaves fold up and droop.
There are two types of movements in plants -dependent on growth and independent of growth.
When we touch the Mimosa pudica, its leaves fold up but no growth occurs, so it does not involve
any growth. But movement of seedling is due to growth. Plants convey information from cell to cell
through electrical-chemical means.

Hormones produced by the plant

 Hormone Function
Auxins Promote root growth
Cytokinin Promote shoot growth and cell division
Gibberellin Promotes flowering
Abscisic acid Retards growth
Ethylene It helps in fruit ripening
Movement due to growth
The most common example of movement of growth are tendrils. Tendrils are sensitive to touch.
When they come in contact with some object, the part of tendril away from the object will grow fast
compare to the part of tendril which is in contact with the object. So it is a directional movement
and it appears as if the plant is moving.

Directional movements of the plants are known as tropic movements.

The movement can be towards the stimulus or away from the stimulus.
Examples of some movements in plants are mentioned below-
Phototropism Movement due to light
Gravitropism Movement due to gravity
Hydrotropism Movement due to water
Chemotropism Movement due to some chemicals
Endocrine Glands
They are the chemical messengers that are secreted in small quantities. There are two types of
glands- endocrine glands
and exocrine glands.
Endocrine glands do not
have ducts to carry the
secretion and they
produces the hormones.

Fig.5. Human Endocrine Glands

Exocrine glands do have ducts to carry their secretion. List of different hormones secreted and their
function are given below-
 Endocrine Gland Function
Produces thyroxine that regulates carbohydrate, protein and fat
Thyroid gland
metabolism
Adrenal gland Produces adrenaline and it is secreted at the time of fear, fight or flight
Produces insulin and glucagon which regulate glucose metabolism in our
Pancreas
body.
Produces male hormone known as testosterone required male secondary
Testis
sexual characteristics such as beard and moustaches.
Secretes growth hormone that regulates the growth and development of an
Pituitary gland
organism
Ovaries Produces oestrogen needed for female sexual development
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 cause a disease
called goitre.
EXAMPLE :
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 right time.