Coordination in animals

The working together of the various organs of the body of an organism in a systematic mannêr to produce a
proper response to a stimulus is called coordination.
Neuron transmits the
I.) Nervous system: It is composed of specialized cells called neurons (or nerve cels).
impulse).
message in the form of electrical signals called nerve impulse (or just
chemical messengers
ii.) Endocrine system: It consists of specialized gland called endocrine glands which secrets
called hormones.

Nervous System in animals

Neuron (nerve cell) is structural & functional unit of the nervous system. It has three Components:
i) Cyton or soma (Cell body): It is like atypical animal cellwhich contains all organelles. It also contains Niss's
granules arise from ER. It receives nerve impulse from dendrites and transmits them to axon.
ii.) Dendrites: These are short, branched processes stretching out from the cell body. It also contains Nissl's
granules. Dendrites receive information (nerve impulse) from receptor cells.
i.) Axon: It is a single largest process on the body of a neuron. It lacks Niss's granules. Axon give off laterai
branches and each branch terminates as bulb-like structure called synaptic knobs
Nucleus
(end plates) which possess
synaptic vesicles containing chemicals called neurotransmitters. It
conducts nerve impulse to another neuron. -Derrdrite

Synapse:It is a microscopic gap between two neurons. The nerve

impulse is carried over this smallgap between one neuron to other by
neurotransmitters. t eni_ures unidirectional movement of impuls. Nerve
crdkig

Types of neurons
i.)Sensory (or receptor) neurons transmit impulse from the seise organs toward the CNS.
Sensory receptor is anerve cell or group of nerve cells in a sense organ which i_ sensitive to a particular type of
stimulus. Photoreceptors detect light in eyes; phonoreceptors detect sound in ears; olfactory receptors detect
sIneii in nose; Gusiatoryreceptors detect taste in tongue; Thermoreceptors detect heat & cold in skin,
Tangoreceptors detect touch.
ii.) Motor (or effecicr) neurons transmit impulse from CNS towards the effectors. Effectors are muscles, glards,
tissue or cells which aci in response to astimulus received from nervous system.
iii.) Relav (or connector) neurons serve as links between sensory and motor neurons..

Neurotrarsmta
Transfer of nerve impulses (ormessages) croSsas synase Sy
-Nerve impulse is a self propagated electrochemical current that travels from one
neuron to another neuron.
impulse'which
-The receptor receives the stimulus. The stimulus generates 'nerve
travels from the dendrite of asensory neuronto it cell body and th¹n along it axon.al|
release of tiý amt are
Receptar cets
-At end of axon i.e. at synaptic knob the electric. impulse stimulates actvated

of neurotransmitters in to synapse which crosses the gap.

neuron to relay neuron in CNS.
-From Hnd neuron electric impulse is carried through other sensory
taken & sends instruction through motor neurons.
-The brain analyses this message,.decides the action to be
spinal cord to the effectors.
The motor neurons bring electrical impulse from brain and

Reflex action and Reflex arcs knee jerk,

a.stimulus without the will of an animal. e.g. A
Reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to impulse in
movement of diaphragm, yawning, sneezing, blinking
of eyes. The path way (or route) taken by nerve
a reflex actior is called the reflex arc. reflexes.
involve anly the spinal cord are called spinal
Spinal reflexes: Those types of reflexes which
very quickly.
e.g. when we touch a hot object we pull our hand awaybrain are called cerebral reflexes. Cerebràl reflexes occur
action which involve
Cerebral reflexes: Those reflexes dim light.
because e.g. adjustment of pupil in bright &
in the organs present in the head certain situations, sensation requires immediate response as time
Significance: It results in quick sesponse. In
body.
used for processing may cause harm to the
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Flow chatt depicting a reflex action
Stimulus received Electric Electric
Spinal cord Motor Electric
by receptors impulse impulse Effector
(Relay neuron) neuron impulse
(sensory neurons) (Muscle or gland)

Human nervous system

It is divided into CNS (Consisting of brain &spinal cord) &
PNS (Consisting of cranial &spinal nerves).
A. Central nervous system or CNS
The job of the CNS is to collect all the information (or
messages) from all the receptors in our body and to divert
the action messages to the effectors accordingly. It consists of brain &
spinal cord.
1. Brain: It is located inside the skull ofeur-body and protected by a
bony box called cranium. It is surrounded by
three membranes called meninges .The space between the membranes is filled with a
protects the brain from mechanical shock. 12 pairs of cranial nerves arise from the brain.
cerebrospinal fluid which
The brain is divided in
to three regions::
i.) Fore brain controls all the voluntary actions of body. The cerebrum (or cerebral hemispheres) is
the main
thinking part of the brain. Hypothalamus is present at base of forebrain which secrets neurohormones.
ii.) Mid brain controls visual and auditory reflexes. It alsocontrols the reflex movement of eye muscle,
change in
pupil size &shape of eye lens.
iii.)Hind brain
Cerebrum
a.) Pons takes part in regulating respiration. Corpus
collosum
b.) Cerebellum helps in maintaining posture & balance of body.
c.) Medullacontrols various involuntary actions such as heart beat -Ventrides

breathing, blood pressure, peristaltic movement of amentary Hypothalarus

canal. It also control reflexes such as swallowing, coughing, Midbrain
Pituitary
sneezing, secretion of saliva andvomiting. gland
Pens -Cerebellum
2. Spinal Cord: It isa cylindrical structure. It begins in continuation Meduila Brain
stem
with medulla & extends downward. It is located in the vertebral
canal of the bony vertebral column. It is surrounded by 3
membranes called meninges like brain. 31 pairs of spinal nerves arise from spinal cord.

B. Peripheral nervous system or PNS :

It connects CNS with different parts of the body. It can be divided into two parts
i.) Voluntary or Somatic nervous system relays voluntary impul[es from the CNSto skeietal muscles.
ii.) Autonomic nervous system transmits impulses from the CNS tÍ the involuntary organs and smooth muscles
of the boy. It is further divided into sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS which have opposing functions.
Chemical coordination in animals
Glands: A gland is a group of cell ortissue, which secrets a specific chemical substance in our body.
i) Exocrine glands: secret its product into aduct (or tube) e.g. salivary gland secrets the saliva into salivary duct.
ii.) Endocrine glands do not have a duct and secret it product (hormones) directly int¡ the blood stream. The
group of endocrine glands which make, store and release various hormones is called and endocrine system.
Hormones: are chemical substances secreted in very small amount by endocrine glands. The hormones have
their effect at the sites different from the sites where they made. So they are also called chemical messengers.
The hormones act on specific organs called target organs.
endocrine functions:
ii.) Heterocrine glands: Some of glands in our bady have both exocrine and
pancreatic duct.
Pancreas secrets the insulin hormone as well aspancreaticjuice in
spermsin to the sperm duct.
- Testes secret the testosterone hormone as wel! as release
wellas release ovum or egg into oviduct.
- Ovaries secret the oestrogen & progesterone hormones as

3
 The endocrine system
The maincentre for the coordination of nervous &endocrine
i.)Hypothalamus: It is present in fore brain regulate the
systems is hypothalamus & pituitary gtand.
ii.) Pituitary gland: It is present just below the brain secretion of anterior pituitary gland hormones.
and secrets a number of hormones.
-Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): it stimulate secretion of
thyroxine
-Somatotrophic or Growth Hormone (STH or GH): It controls growth of the
deficiency of growth hormone in childhood remains very short and human body. A person having
hand a person having too much growth hormone becomes becomes dwarf (dwarfism). On the other
very tall (gigantism &acromegaly).
-Oxytocin: birth hormone/ milk ejecting hormone.
-Vasopressin (Antidiuretic hormone: ADH): regulates water absorbtion in
iii.) Pineal gland: It is present in the middle of brain. kidney
-It secretes a hormone melatonin.
-It helps in regulation of a 24-hour (diurnal) biological rhythm
of our body such as sBeep and wake cycle.
iv.) Thyroid gland: It is the largest endocrine gland, attached to wind
-It secret thyroxine (require iodine for synthesis) &thyrocalcitonin. pipe.
-These hormones control the rate of metaboiism of
carbohydrates, fats and protein in our body.
-The deficiency of lodine in the diet causes goiter. The
main symptom of goiter is that the neck of the person
appears to be swollen (due toenlargement of thyroid glands).
v.)Parathyroid gland: These are four small glands which are embedded in
-lt secrets parathormone.
the thyroid gland.
-It regulates calcium andphasphate level in the blood.
vi.) Thymus gland: It lies in the lower part of the neck and upper part of chest.
-It seret thymTsine hormone.
- It plays important role in the development of the immune system of the body.
vii.) Pacheas: It is presei just below the stomach.
-It se:res insulin& glucagon.
-insulie lowers the blocd sugar. Deficiency of insulin hormone caüses adisease known as diabetes mellitus. It
can be antroled by ccatroiling die, reducing weight, doing regular physical exercise and taking medicines.
-Glucagon raises bivodsugar level.
vi:}) AdrenaB gland (Glard of emergency): Two adrenal glands are located on the top of twe kidneys.
-It secreis adrenaiine hormone.
-Adrenaline reg:lates heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressur and carbohydrate metabolism.
When it secreted in large amount it prepares our body for action. It speed up heart beat and breathing, raises
blood pressure and allow mere glucose to go into blood tO give a lot of energy.
ix.) Testes: These glands are present only in males.
-It makes sex hornmone called androgens mainly testosterone.
-Testosterone controls the development of male sex argans and male features
-The testes also rmake male gametes called sperms.
x)Ovaries: Ovaries are present only in females
-Ovaries make female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
-Oestrogen controls the development of female sex organs and female features
-Progesterone controls the uterus change in menstruation cycle &helps in the maintenance of pregnancy.
-The ovaries also make the female gametes called ova.
FeedbaCk mechanism: The timing and amount of hormone released are regulated by feedback rnechanism e.g.
IT the sugar levels in blood rise. they are detected by the cells of pancreas which respond by producing more
insulin. As the bloodsugar level falls, insuin secretion is reduced.
 Coordination in p'ants

Plant growth regulators: PGRs (Phytohormones or Plant hormones)

acid & Ethylene are growth inhibitor.
Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins are plant growth promoters but Abscisic
1. Auxins (Indole-3-Acetic acid or IAA): -They promote stem &fruit growth.
-They promote cellenlargement and celldifferentiation in plants.
2. Gibberellins:
differentiation in plants -They promote stem &fruit growth.
- They promotes cellenlargement and cell
3.Cytokinins:
- They promote cell division in plants.
concentration in area of rapid cell division,.such
as n fruits and seeds.
- They are present in greater
4. Abscisic acid (ABA: Stress hormone): leaves..
-It inhibits the plant growth. - It promotes the wilting and falling of
5. Ethylene:
& even roots.
- It is synthesized in ripening fruits, flowers, leaves
synthesis and transport.
-Release of ethylene commonly inhibitsauxins flowers and fruits.
stinulates the formation of a separation layer or absci_sionzone in leaves,
- it

Plant moyement is of two ypes:

mivement at verg slow rate ip the forn of growti or turgor moyemerts. it
Planis show

1. Nasties jor Nastiç rnovements) response to stirnulus.

non- directionalgrowth related movement of plant in when we touch the leaves
These are aresponse of plant to touch. e.g.,
Seismonastic movement): It is
a.)Thigmonasty (or (chui-mui) then the leaves fold up and drop almost
immediately.
pudica light)
of 'touch me not or mimosa e.g. A dandelion flower opens up in the morning (bright
plant to light
b.) Photonasty: It is.a response of closes during day but open up at night when it is dark.
flower
but close in evening. A moon

movement)
2. Tropism (or Tropicgrowth related movement of plant in response to stirnulus.
These are directional toward the stimulus.
tropism: If the growth of a plant part is
Positive from the stimulus.
the growth of a plant part is'away around the support. The
Negative tropism: If Thigmotropism: Coiling of tendrils
the touch of an object: wind arourrd the
a.) Response of plants to slowly then its other side. This causes it to
object grows
part of tendril in contact with the
object and cling toit. Phototropism
(or movement)of plants to light:
b.) Response shows +ve phototropism.
bends towards light so it
plant
-The stem of growing from the ight so they show
-ve photótropi_m. rate of growth in a stem
roots of a plant move away Auxin hormones increase the
-The Auxin hormone. light has all the
phototropism is due to the action of fact that the side of a root away trom
-The due to the
of growth in a root. It
but decrease the rate spread.
Auxiis concentration in
it and it does not Geotropism
movement)of plants to Gravity:
.

C.) Response (or toward gravity so they

show +ve geotropism. even if it mearS
downward always go toward water
-The roots of plant grow Hydrotropism: The roots of plant
toward water:
d.) Response of plants through the style towards
ovule
puBtof gravity. tube grows down
going against the Chemotropism: The pollen
Response of plant to chemical:
e.) action of stigma. 1
in response of chemical
Extra questions
Q.1 Give reason, why
endocrine glands release their secretion
Ans: These are ductless
glands & their products have to into the blood?
secretion in blood. act at distance site.
Therefore, they release their
Q,2 Which cellorganelle is
Ans: Centriole.
absent in neurons?
Q.3 What is effector?
Ans: An effector issome muscle or
gland in specific part of body which
Q.4 Nervous & hormonal systems
together produces response.
Ans: The integration of nervous system and perform the function of control and coordination. Justify.
brain. It secretes hormones which regulate the hormonal system is brought about by hypothalamus. It is a part of
regulate the growth and secretion of other secretion of pituitary hormones. The pituitary hormones in turn
various activities of the body. endocrine glands. In this way both the system control and
coordinate
Q.5 Give reason: Nervous system &
endocrine system are often collectively known as
Ans:. It is so because both the systems
operate in neuro-endocrine system?
functions of the endocrine system are in fact under the a coordinated way on mary occasions. Many important
Q.6 Nervous coordination in animals is quick. controlof nervous system.
However, it has certain limitations. Give two limitations.
Ans: i.) Nerve impulses can reach only those
animal cells which are connected by nervous tissue.
ii.) Such cells, after generation and transmission
of nerve impulse, take some time to reset their
Q.7Why is hypothalamic - pituitary system important? mechanism.
Ans: It is important for homeostasis as it regulates most of the
major physiologijcalactivities of the body.
Textbeck questions: Pg 119
1.What is the difference between areflex action
and walking?
Ans: Reflex action is a spontaneous and automatic response to a
the will of an arimal. On the other hand, walking is a stimu!us acting on aspecific receptor without
vointary actioi that occurs with the animal's will
4. How do we detect the smeli of an agarbatti (incense stick)?
Ans: We have òlfactory receptors in our nose. These receptors detect the
smei and transnit tB.is information in
the form of nerve inpulse to the brain. The message is then sent to
olfactory lobe of fcietrain. The message is
then sent to temporal lobe where it is interpreted.
5. What is the role of the brain in reflex action?
Ans: Reflex action generally involves spinal cord for quick response to specifñc
stimuluS. However, the
information input also goes on to reach the brain where thinking process OCcurs.

Exercise:
7. Which signals willget disrupted in case of aspinal cord injury?
Ans: In case of spinal injury, reflex actions and involuntary actions will get disrupted.
10. How are involuntary actions and reflex actions different from each other?
Ans: Involuntary actions are regulated by brain while reflex actions are spontaneous responses which involve
spinal cord.
11. Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for controland coordination in animals.
Nervous information Hormonal information
1. It is sent as an electrical impulse across syna 1. It issent as a chemical messenger via blood stred
2. It traveis rapidly 2. it travels slowly.
3. Information is directed to specific receptors. 3. Information is spread through out the body by bl
4. It effects are short lived 4. Itseffects are generally more prolonged.
12. What is the difference between the manner in -which movement takes place in asensitive plant and
movement in legs?
Ans: Sensitive plant, in response to touch,show quick movement of leaves which fold up anddroop. Here plant
cells change shape by changing the amount of water in them (turgor change). On the other hand movement of
our legs is voluntary action which is controlled by cerebellum of hind brain.