Science Chapter 6: Control and Coordination

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the biological concepts of control and coordination in animals and plants, including the nervous system, brain structure, plant tropisms, and endocrine hormones.

Movement in response to environment

Carefully controlled actions by living organisms to use changes in their environment to their advantage or protection.

Gustatory receptors

Specialised receptors located in the tongue that detect taste.

Olfactory receptors

Specialised receptors usually located in the nose that detect smell.

Neuron

An organised network of nerve cells specialised for conducting information via electrical impulses from one part of the body to another.

Dendrite

The specialised tip of a nerve cell where information is first acquired and set off as a chemical reaction creating an electrical impulse.

Axon

The part of the neuron along which the electrical impulse travels from the cell body to the end.

Synapse

The gap at the end of the axon where electrical impulses set off the release of chemicals to start a similar impulse in the next neuron.

Neuromuscular junction

The point of delivery where nervous impulses travel from neurons to muscle cells.

Reflex action

A sudden action in response to something in the environment performed without conscious thinking or feeling in control.

Reflex arc

A connection where the input nerve (detecting a signal) and the output nerve (responding with action) meet, typically in the spinal cord for a quick response.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, serving as the main coordinating centre of the body that receives and integrates information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of cranial nerves arising from the brain and spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord, facilitating communication between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Fore-brain

The main thinking part of the brain containing separate areas specialised for hearing, smell, and sight, as well as areas of association for interpreting sensory information.

Mid-brain and Hind-brain

The regions of the brain that control many involuntary actions like blood pressure, salivation, and vomiting.

Medulla

A part of the hind-brain that controls involuntary actions including blood pressure, salivation, and vomiting.

Cerebellum

A part of the hind-brain responsible for the precision of voluntary actions and maintaining the posture and balance of the body.

Vertebral column

Also known as the backbone, it is a hard, bumpy bony structure that protects the spinal cord.

Muscle cell movement

At the cellular level, muscle cells change their shape by shortening, driven by special proteins that change arrangement in response to electrical impulses.

Chhui-mui

The 'sensitive' or 'touch-me-not' plant belonging to the Mimosa family, which folds its leaves in response to touch.

Tropic movements

Directional growth movements of plants that occur towards or away from a stimulus like light or gravity.

Phototropism

Plant movement where shoots respond by bending towards light while roots respond by bending away from it.

Geotropism

The upward growth of shoots and downward growth of roots in response to the pull of earth or gravity.

Chemotropism

Directional growth movements in response to chemicals, such as the growth of pollen tubes towards ovules.

Plant hormones (Phytohormones)

Chemical compounds produced in plants that help coordinate growth, development, and responses to the environment by diffusing to areas of action.

Auxin

A plant hormone synthesised at the shoot tip that helps cells grow longer, typically diffusing to the shady side to cause the plant to bend towards light.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that, like auxins, assist in the growth of the stem.

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that promote cell division, found in high concentrations in areas of rapid division like fruits and seeds.

Abscisic acid

A plant hormone that inhibits growth, with effects including the wilting of leaves.

Adrenaline

A hormone secreted from the adrenal glands directly into the blood to prepare the body for 'fight or flight' by increasing heart rate and oxygen supply to muscles.

Thyroxine

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism for optimal growth.

Iodine

An essential element required by the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroxine; deficiency can lead to goitre.

Growth hormone

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates the growth and development of the body.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps in regulating blood sugar levels.

Feedback mechanism

A regulatory system that ensures hormones are secreted in precise quantities, such as pancreas cells detecting high sugar and increasing insulin production.