Control and Coordination (Video) - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the nervous system, reflexes, brain regions, plant and animal hormones, and plant tropisms from the lecture notes.

Neuron

Nerve cell; the basic unit of nervous tissue that transmits information via electrical impulses; consists of dendrites, a cell body, and an axon; communicates at synapses.

Dendrite

Part of a neuron that receives signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long extension through which impulses travel away from the cell body toward the synapse.

Synapse

Gap between two neurons where a chemical signal crosses to pass the nerve impulse.

Receptors

Specialised nerve endings in sense organs that detect stimuli (taste, smell, touch, etc.).

Gustatory receptors

Taste receptors located on the tongue and taste buds.

Olfactory receptors

Smell receptors located in the nose.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes information and coordinates responses.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect the brain and spinal cord to muscles and sense organs.

Reflex Arc

Neural pathway that forms a reflex; usually involves the spinal cord and enables quick, automatic responses.

Reflex Action

Involuntary, rapid response to a stimulus, not requiring conscious thought.

Forebrain

Front part of the brain responsible for thinking and sensory interpretation; contains areas for perception and hunger regulation.

Midbrain

Middle brain region that coordinates movement and processes some sensory information.

Hindbrain

Back part of the brain that controls involuntary actions; includes the medulla and cerebellum.

Medulla

Part of the hindbrain that governs autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

Hypothalamus

Brain region regulating pituitary activity and releasing hormones; maintains homeostasis.

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland that secretes growth hormone and other hormones; influenced by the hypothalamus.

Growth Hormone

Hormone from the pituitary that stimulates growth and development of body tissues.

Adrenaline

Hormone from the adrenal glands that triggers the fight-or-flight response; increases heart rate and respiration.

Endocrine System

System of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily processes.

Thyroxin

Thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism; requires iodine for synthesis.

Goitre

Swelling of the neck due to iodine deficiency affecting thyroid function.

Insulin

Hormone from the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels; deficiency leads to diabetes; injections are a common treatment.

Auxin

Plant hormone produced at the shoot tip; diffuses to shaded side and promotes cell elongation, causing bending toward light.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that promote stem growth and certain developmental processes.

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that promote cell division and are abundant in rapidly growing tissues.

Phototropism

Directional growth of plant shoots toward light (and roots away from light).