Control and Coordination Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, receptors, brain structures, plant tropisms, and hormones from Chapter 6 Control and Coordination.

Gustatory receptors

Specialized tips of nerve cells located in sense organs like the tongue that detect taste.

Olfactory receptors

Specialized tips of nerve cells located in sense organs like the nose that detect smell.

Synapse

The physical gap between two neurons across which chemical signals cross to initiate an electrical impulse in the next neuron.

Reflex arc

A quick neural pathway formed directly between input (sensory) nerves and output (motor) nerves in the spinal cord.

Central Nervous System

The major nervous system division comprising the brain and spinal cord that receives and integrates information from all parts of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

The nervous system network consisting of cranial nerves from the brain and spinal nerves from the spinal cord that facilitates communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

Fore-brain

The main thinking part of the brain that receives sensory input, interprets information, controls voluntary muscle movement, and contains a hunger center.

Medulla

A structure in the hind-brain that controls involuntary actions such as blood pressure, salivation, and vomiting.

Cerebellum

A region in the hind-brain responsible for the precision of voluntary actions as well as maintaining the posture and balance of the body.

Vertebral column

The hard, bumpy bone structure (backbone) along the middle of the back that protects the spinal cord.

Geotropism

The directional growth response of plant stems upward and roots downward in response to the pull of gravity.

Chemotropism

Directional movement or growth in plants in response to a chemical stimulus, such as pollen tubes growing towards ovules.

Auxin

A plant hormone synthesized at the shoot tip that stimulates cells to grow longer, aiding in phototropic bending toward light.

Gibberellins

A class of plant hormones that promote the growth of the plant stem.

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that promote cell division and are concentrated in areas of rapid cell division, such as fruits and seeds.

Abscisic acid

A plant hormone that inhibits growth and causes responses such as the wilting of leaves.

Adrenaline

A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands into the blood to prepare the body for emergency actions such as fighting or running away.

Thyroxin

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism to maintain balanced body growth.

Goitre

A medical condition characterized by a swollen neck, caused by an iodine deficiency that impairs thyroxin synthesis.

Growth hormone

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

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure that plays an important role in hormone regulation, such as releasing growth hormone releasing factor to stimulate the pituitary gland.