Chapter 7 Control and Coordination
Introduction
When the complexity of organism increases ,then it is very important to
control and coordinate different parts of the body to carry out a particular
function. For this a living organism’s body need to produce an appropriate
reaction to a stimulus. The working together of various parts of the body of an
organism in a proper manner to produce an appropriate response to a
stimulus is called control and coordination.
Stimulus Response
It is a change that evokes a specific Any behaviour of a living thing
functional reaction in an organ or tissue that results from a stimulus
Eg; Touching a hot pan Eg; pulling hands away
Control and coordination in animals
In higher animals control and coordination is done by two different systems
(a) Nervous system
(b) Endocrine system
(A) Nervous system
The nervous system is composed of nervous tissue .Nervous tissue is made up
of specialized cells called nerve cell or neuron which can detect, receive and
transmit different kinds of stimuli.
Structure of neuron
Neuron consists of following parts
(a) Dendrites :- They are short branches arising from cyton and are many in number. They
receive information from other neurons and transmit this information to cyton .
(b) Cyton or cell body :- It is the central part of neuron which containing nucleus. It receives
signals from dendrites and pass these signals to axon.
(c ) Axon :-It is a single long branch arising from cyton along which nerve impulses from
cyton is transmitted.
Receptors
A cell or group of cells able to detect any external stimuli and transmit a signal to sensory
neuron.
Eye – Photo receptors
Ear – Phono receptors
Nose – Olfactory receptors
Tongue – Gustatory receptors
Skin – Thermo and Thigmo receptors
Effectors
A muscle or gland that acts in response to a stimulus.
Types of neurons
There are mainly 3 types of neurons and are as follows
(a) Sensory neuron :- These neurons receive signals from sense organs and pass them to
central nervous system.
(b) Motor neuron :- These neurons take responses from central nervous system and send
them to effector organs.
(c ) Relay neuron :- These neurons are present in the central nervous system .They connect
sensory neuron to motor neuron and interpret the impulses.
General scheme of travelling of nerve impulses
All the information from the environment is detected by specialised tips of some nerve
cells(receptors) which are located in the sense organs. This information acquired by the end
of the dendritic tip of a nerve cell sets off chemical reaction that create an electric impulse.
This impulse travels from dendrites to cell body and then along the axon to its end. At the
end of axon, the electrical impulse sets off the release of some chemicals. These chemicals
cross the gap between the neurons (synapse) and starts a similar chemical impulse in a
dendrite of next neuron and so on.
Reflex action
It is an involuntary and sudden action in response to a stimulus which is controlled by spinal
cord.
Reflex arc
It is the pathway of nerves involved in reflex action.
Nervous system in human
Nervous system
↙ ↘
Central nervous system Peripheral nervous system
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Brain Spinal cord Cranial nerves Spinal nerves
→ Fore brain
(Cerebrum, hypothalamus)
→ Mid brain
→Hind brain
(Cerebellum, medulla, pons)
Central nervous system or CNS
It is the central part of our nervous system which consists of 2 parts
(a) Brain (b) spinal cord
Human Brain
Human brain is a highly complex organ; which is mainly composed of the
nervous tissue. The tissues are highly folded to accommodate a larger
surface area in less space. The brain is covered by a three layered system
of membranes; called meninges. Cerebrospinal fluid is filled between the
meninges. The CSF provides cushion to the brain against mechanical
shocks. Furthermore, the brain is housed inside the skull for optimum
protection. The human brain can be divided into three regions, viz.
forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
Fore Brain
Cerebrum: The cerebrum is the largest part in the human brain. It is
divided into two hemispheres; called cerebral hemispheres.
Functions of cerebrum:
It is the site of sensory perceptions; like tactile and auditory
perceptions.
It is the seat of learning and memory (seat of intelligence)
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus lies at the base of the cerebrum. It
controls sleep and wake cycle (circadian rhythm) of the body. It also
controls the urges for eating and drinking and sensation of feeling full.
Mid Brain
Mid brain connects fore brain to hind brain.
Hind Brain
Cerebellum: Cerebellum lies below the cerebrum and at the back of the
whole structure. It coordinates the motor functions. When you are riding
your bicycle; the perfect coordination between your pedalling and steering
control is achieved by the cerebellum. It also helps in maintain posture
and balance of the body.
Pons: It is involved in the control of breathing.
Medulla: Medulla forms the brain stem; along with the pons. It lies at the
base of the brain and continues into the spinal cord. Medulla controls
various involuntary functions; like hear beat, respiration, etc.
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system. It is a long pipe-like structure arising
from the medulla oblongata part of the brain consisting of a collection of nerve fibres, running
through the vertebral column of the backbone. It is protected by vertebral column and
cerebrospinal fluid. It controls reflex actions.
Peripheral nervous system or PNS
1.Cranial nerves
The cranial nerves are 12 pairs of nerves that can be seen on the ventral (bottom)
surface of the brain. Some of these nerves bring information from the sense organs
to the brain; other cranial nerves control muscles; other cranial nerves are connected
to glands or internal organs such as the heart and lungs.
2.Spinal nerves
A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic
signals between the spinal cord and the body. In the human body there are 31 pairs
of spinal nerves, one on each side of the vertebral column.
B. Endocrine system in human
The endocrine system is composed of several endocrine glands. A
ductless gland is called endocrine gland. Endocrine gland secretes its
product directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are produced in the
endocrine glands. Hormone is mainly composed of protein. Hormones
assist the nervous system in control and coordination. Nerves do not
reach to every corner of the body and hence hormones are needed to
affect control and coordination in those parts. Moreover, unlike nervous
control; hormonal control is somewhat slower.
endocrine Hormones
Location Functions
gland Produced
Growth hormone
GH stimulates growth, TSH
Pituitary (GH), thyroid
stimulates functioning of
gland (Also At the base stimulating hormone
thyroid gland, FSH
known as the of brain (TSH), Follicle
stimulates the follicles
master gland) stimulating hormone
during ovulation.
(FSH)
Controls general
Thyroid Gland Neck Thyroxine metabolism and growth in
the body.
Prepares the body for
Above emergency situations and
Adrenal gland Adrenalin
kidneys hence is also called ‘Fight
and flight’ hormone.
Pancreas Near
Insulin Controls blood sugar level
stomach
Sperm production,
development of secondary
Testis (male) In scrotum Testosterone sexual characters during
puberty.
Egg production,
Ovary development of secondary
Near uterus Oestrogen
(female) sexual characters during
puberty.
Co-Ordination in Plants
Movements in Plants
There are two main types of movements in plans
(A) Tropic Movements
Tropic movement or tropism is the plant movement that is determined by the
direction of an environmental stimulus. Tropic movements can be towards the
stimulus or away from it. They are growth dependent movements. The tropic
movements are of various types depending on the nature of stimulus-
(a) Phototropism – The movement of a part of the plant in response to sun light. The
part of a plant either move towards (positive phototropism) the light or away from
it(negative phototropism).Shoot shows positive phototropism and root shows
negative phototropism.
(b) Geotropism – The movement of a part of the plant in response to gravity. The
part of a plant either move towards (positive geotropism) the gravity or away from
it(negative geotropism).Shoot shows negative geotropism and root shows positive
Geotropism.
sm.
(c) Hydrotropism – The movement of a part of the plant in response to water. The
part of a plant either move towards (positive hydrotropism) the water or away from
it(negative hydrotropism).Shoot shows negative hydrotropism and root shows
negative hydrotropism. )
(d)chemotropism – The movement of a part of the plant in response to chemicals.
Example :- Growth of pollen tube after the pollination.
(e ) Thigmotropism – The movement of a part of the plant in response to touch.
Example : - Clinging of stem tendril or leaf tendril to a support
(B) Nastic movements
Nastic movement is not a directional movement of the plant part with response to the
stimulus. In nastic movement, from whichever direction the stimulus is applied, it
affects all the parts of the organ of a plant equally and they always move in the same
direction. They are growth independent movements.
1.In the Mimosa pudica plant(touch me not plant), when we touch the leaves
of the plant they fold up. Here the stimulus is touch.
2. In a dandelion flower, the opening up of the petals of this flower in the
morning in bright light and closing in the evening when light fades. Here, the
stimulus is light.
Plant Hormones(Phyto hormones)
Phytohormones are naturally occurring organic chemical substances present in plant which
bring about control and coordination of various activities in them.
1.Plant Growth Promoters – They promote cell division, cell enlargement, flowering, fruiting
and seed formation. Examples are auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins. Plant
2.Growth Inhibitors – These chemicals inhibit growth and promote dormancy and abscission
in plants. examples abscisic acid, ethylene etc..
