Question 1:

What is the difference between a reflex action and walking?

A reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus. It does not involve any thinking. For
example, we close our eyes immediately when the bright light is focused. Walking, on the other hand, is
a voluntary action. It is under our conscious control.

What happens at the synapse between two neurons?

A very small gap that occurs between the last portion of axon of one neuron and the dendron of the
other neuron is known as a synapse. It acts as a one way valve to transmit impulses in one direction
only. This uni-direction transfer of impulses occurs as the chemicals are produced in only one side of the
neuron i.e., the axon’s side. From axon, the impulses travel across the synapse to the dendron of the
other neuron.

Which part of the brain maintains posture and equilibrium of the body?

Cerebellum, a part of hindbrain is responsible for maintaining posture and equilibrium of the body.

How do we detect the smell of an agarbatti (incense stick)?

The thinking part of our brain is the forebrain. It has separate areas that are specialized for hearing,
smelling, sight, taste, touch, etc. The forebrain also has regions that collect information or impulses from
the various receptors. When the smell of an incense stick reaches us, our forebrain detects it. Then, the
forebrain interprets it by putting it together with the information received from other receptors and also
with the information already stored in the brain.

What is the role of the brain in reflex action?

Reflex actions are sudden responses, which do not involve any thinking. For example, when we touch a
hot object, we withdraw our hand immediately without thinking as thinking may take time which would
be enough to get us burnt.

The sensory nerves that detect the heat are connected to the nerves that move the muscles of the hand.
Such a connection of detecting the signal from the nerves (input) and responding to it quickly (output) is
called a reflex arc. The reflex arcs −connections present between the input and output nerves − meet in
a bundle in the spinal cord.

Reflex arc

Reflex arcs are formed in the spinal cord and the information (input) reaches the brain. The brain is only
aware of the signal and the response that has taken place. However, the brain has no role to play in the
creation of the response.
What are plant hormones?

Plant hormones or phytohormones arenaturally-occurring organic substances. These are synthesized in

one part of the plant body (in minute quantities) and are translocated to other parts when required. The
five major types of phytohormones are auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene.

Question 2:

How is the movement of leaves of the sensitive plant different from the movement of a shoot towards
light?

The movement of leaves of the sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica or “touch me not”, occurs in response to
touch or contact stimuli. This movement is independent of growth. The movement of shoot towards light
is known as phototropism. This type of movement is directional and is growth dependent.

Give an example of a plant hormone that promotes growth.

Auxin is an example of growth-promoting plant hormone.

How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support?

Auxin is synthesized at the shoot tip. It helps the cell grow longer. When a tendril comes in contact with
a support, auxin stimulates faster growth of the cells on the opposite side, so that the tendril forms a coil
around the support. This makes the tendrils appear as a watch spring.

Design an experiment to demonstrate hydrotropism.

Take two small beakers and label them as A and B. Fill beaker A with water. Now make a cylindrical-
shaped roll from a filter paper and keep it as a bridge between beaker A and beaker B, as shown in the
figure. Attach few germinating seeds in the middle of the filter paper bridge. Now, cover the entire set-
up with a transparent plastic container so that the moisture is retained.

Observation:

The roots of the germinating seeds will grow towards beaker A.

This experiment demonstrates the phenomenon of hydrotropism.

How does chemical coordination take place in animals?

Chemical coordination takes place in animals with the help of hormones.Hormone is the chemical
messenger that regulates the physiological processes in living organisms. It is secreted by glands. The
regulation of physiological processes, and control and coordination by hormones comes under the
endocrine system. The nervous system along with the endocrine system in our body controls and
coordinates the physiological processes.

Why is the use of iodised salt advisable?

Iodine stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin hormone. It regulates carbohydrate, fat, and
protein metabolism in our body. Deficiency of this hormone results in the enlargement of the thyroid
gland. This can lead to goitre, a disease characterized by swollen neck. Therefore, iodised salt is advised
for normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

How does our body respond when adrenaline is secreted into the blood?

Adrenalin is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in case of any danger or emergency or any kinds
of stress. It is secreted directly into the blood and is transported to different parts of the body.

When secreted in large amounts, it speeds up the heartbeat and hence supplies more oxygen to the
muscles. The breathing rate also increases due to contractions of diaphragm and rib muscles. It also
increases the blood pressure. All these responses enable the body to deal with any stress or emergency.

Why are some patients of diabetes treated by giving injections of insulin?

Diabetes is a disease in which the level of sugar in the blood is too high. Insulin, a hormone secreted by
the pancreas, helps in regulating the blood sugar levels. This is the reason why diabetic patients are
treated by giving injections of insulin.

Which of the following is a plant hormone?

(a) Insulin

(b) Thyroxin

(c) Oestrogen

(d) Cytokinin

(d) Cytokinin is a plant hormone.

The gap between two neurons is called a

(a) dendrite.

(b) synapse.

(c) axon.

(d) impulse.

(b) The gap between two neurons is called a synapse.

The brain is responsible for

(a) thinking.

(b) regulating the heart beat.

(c) balancing the body.

(d) all of the above.

(d) The brain is responsible for thinking, regulating the heart beat and balancing the body.

What is the function of receptors in our body? Think of situations where receptors do not work properly.
What problems are likely to arise?

Receptors are sensory structures (organs/tissues or cells) present all over the body. The receptors are
either grouped in case of eye or ear, or scattered in case of skin.

Functions of receptors:

(i) They sense the external stimuli such as heat or pain.

(ii) They also trigger an impulse in the sensory neuron which sends message to the spinal cord.

When the receptors are damaged, the external stimuli transferring signals to the brain are not felt. For
example, in the case of damaged receptors, if we accidentally touch any hot object, then our hands
might get burnt as damaged receptors cannot perceive the external stimuli of heat and pain.

Draw the structure of a neuron and explain its function.

Neurons are the functional units of the nervous system. The three main parts of a neuron are axon,
dendrite, and cell body.
Structure of a neuron

Functions of the three parts of a neuron:

Axon: It conducts messages away from the cell body.

Dendrite: It receives information from axon of another cell and conducts the messages towards the cell
body.

Cell body: It contains nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles. It is mainly concerned with the
maintenance and growth.

How does phototropism occur in plants?

Thegrowth movement in plants in response to light stimulus is known as phototropism.The shoots show
positive phototropism and the roots show negative phototropism. This means that the shoots bend
towards the source of light whereas the roots bend away from the light source.

Some examples of phototropism are as follows:

(a) The flower head of sunflower is positively phototropic and hence it moves from east to west along
with the sun.

(b) The ovary stalk of groundnut is positively phototropic before fertilization and becomes negatively
phototropic after fertilization, so that the fruit is formed underground.

Which signals will get disrupted in case of a spinal cord injury?

The reflex arc connections between the input and output nerves meet in a bundle in the spinal cord. In
fact, nerves from all over the body meet in a bundle in the spinal cord on their way to the brain. In case
of any injury to the spinal cord, the signals coming from the nerves as well as the signals coming to the
receptors will be disrupted.

How does chemical coordination occur in plants?

In animals, control and coordination occur with the help of nervous system. However, plants do not have
a nervous system.

Plants respond to stimuli by showing movements. The growth, development, and responses to the
environment in plants is controlled and coordinated by a special class of chemical substances known as
hormones. These hormones are produced in one part of the plant body and are translocated to other
needy parts. For example, a hormone produced in roots is translocated to other parts when required. The
five major types of phytohormone are auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. These
phytohormones are either growth promoters (such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and ethylene) or
growth inhibitors such as abscisic acid.

What is the need for a system of control and coordination in an organism?

 The maintenance of the body functions in response to changes in the body by working together of
various integrated body systems is known as coordination. All the movements that occur in response to
stimuli are carefully coordinated and controlled. In animals, the control and coordination movements are
provided by nervous and muscular systems. The nervous system sends messages to and away from the
brain. The spinal cord plays an important role in the relay of messages. In the absence of this system of
control and coordination, our body will not be able to function properly. For example, when we
accidentally touch a hot utensil, we immediately withdraw our hand. In the absence of nerve
transmission, we will not withdraw our hand and may get burnt.

How are involuntary actions and reflex actions different from each other?

Involuntary actions cannot be consciously controlled. For example, we cannot consciously control the
movement of food in the alimentary canal. These actions are however directly under the control of the
brain. On the other hand, the reflex actions such as closing of eyes immediately when bright light is
focused show sudden response and do not involve any thinking. This means that unlike involuntary
actions, the reflex actions are not under the control of brain.

Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for control and coordination in animals.

 Answer

 Discussion

Nervous system mechanism Hormonal system mechanism

1. The information is conveyed in the form of electric 1. The information is conveyed in the form of
impulse. chemical messengers.

2. The axons and dendrites transmit the information 2. The information is transmitted or
through a coordinated effort. transported through blood.

3. The flow of information is rapid and the response 3. The information travels slowly and the
is quick. response is slow.

4. Its effects are short lived. 4. It has prolonged effects.

What is the difference between the manner in which movement takes place in a sensitive plant and the
movement in our legs?

 Answer

 Discussion

Movement in sensitive plants Movement in our legs

1. The movementthat takes place in a sensitive plant such 1. Movement in our legs is an example
as Mimosa pudica occurs in response to touch of voluntary actions.
(stimulus).

2. For this movement, the information is transmitted from 2. The signal or messages for these
cell to cell by electro-chemical signals as plants do not actions are passed to the brain and
have any specialised tissue for conduction of impulses. hence are consciously controlled.

3. For this movement to occur, the plant cells change 3. In animal muscle cells, some
shape by changing the amount of water in them. proteins are found which allow the
movement to occur.