Biology T–100 Material: Control and Coordination

Vocabulary flashcards covering human and plant control and coordination, including nervous system components, hormones, and plant tropisms.

Vertebral column

A bony cage that encloses and protects the spinal cord in the human body.

Positive geotropism

The growth or movement of a plant part, specifically the root, toward the direction of gravity.

Negative geotropism

The growth or movement of a plant part, specifically the shoot, away from the direction of gravity.

Hind-brain

A part of the brain that controls respiration, cardio-vascular reflexes, and gastric secretions, while also modulating motor commands initiated by the cerebrum.

Adrenaline

A hormone released from the adrenal gland during 'fight or fright' situations that increases blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate while diverting blood to essential organs.

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that help or promote cell division and are found in greater concentration in areas of rapid cell division.

Gibberellins

Plant hormones that promote the growth of the stem and serve as a plant growth promoter.

Thyroxine

A hormone that regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism in the body to provide the best growth balance.

Nervous and muscular tissues

The two tissues that provide control and coordination in multicellular animals.

Cerebellum

A part of the hind-brain that controls the posture, balance of the body, and the coordination of body movement.

Gustatory receptors

Receptors located in the Cerebrum of the fore-brain that are sensitive to taste.

Olfactory receptors

Receptors located in the Olfactory lobe of the fore-brain that are sensitive to smell.

Auxin

A growth-promoting plant hormone synthesized at the tip of the stem that diffuses to the shady side to stimulate cell elongation.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the human nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord.

Reflex action

A quick, involuntary, and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus that relieves the brain from excess work.

Chemotropism

The growth of a plant part in response to a chemical stimulus, such as a pollen tube growth towards a chemical produced by an ovule.

Nissl's granules

Structures found in the cyton and dendrites of a neuron formed of ribonucleic acid ($\text{RNA}$).

Cerebrospinal fluid

The fluid found between the meninges.

Synapse

The gap between two neurons where electrical signals are converted into chemicals called neurotransmitters to cross to the next neuron.

Testosterone

The male sex hormone secreted by the testes that regulates male accessory sex organs and secondary sexual characters.

Trophic hormone

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates the secretion of hormones from other endocrine glands.

Growth hormone

A pituitary hormone that regulates the growth and development of bones and muscles; deficiency causes dwarfism and excess causes gigantism.

Vasopressin

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates water and electrolyte balance in the body.

Nastic movements

Non-directional plant movements which are neither towards nor away from a stimulus, such as the dropping of leaves.

Curvature movements

Plant movements where organs move towards or away from a stimulus, such as a shoot bending toward light.

Medulla oblongata

A part of the hind-brain that regulates the centers for swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting.

Pancreas

The organ that secretes insulin when blood sugar rises and releases the enzyme pancreatic juice.

Abscisic acid

An example of a plant growth inhibitor.

Oestrogen

The hormone produced by the ovaries in females when they reach puberty.

Neuron

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system that passes information via electric impulses and chemicals.