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Monday, June 25, 2007

CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS - II : BRIEF AND LONG ANSWERS

ANSWER AS ASKED



*INDEX-TOPIC SEARCH


  1. Explain : Tropism

    ANS:

    • The movement of curvature of plants in the direction of stimuli is known as tropism.
    • Phototropism : When illuminated by a unidirectional light, the response of a growing plant by bending towards that light is called phototropism.


    • Geotropism : The downward movement of the roots of the plants, for fixation and absorption, as a response to the gravitational force is called geotropism.
    • Chemotropism : The movement of a plant or its part as a response to certain chemicals is called chemotropism. For example, germination of pollen grains and development of pollen tubes as a response to the chemicals secreted by the surface of the stigma.


  2. Explain : Explain : Nastic movement

    ANS:

    • The response by some plants to the external stimuli without any directional movement of growth or curvature towards that external stimuli is called nastic movement.
    • Examples :

      1. The leaves of Mimosa (touch-me-not) are sensitive to touch. They droop when touched.
      2. All insectivorous plants bend down or curl up when touched by insects.
      3. A sunflower plant bends towards the sun.

    • Of the above examples, (i) and (ii) are examples of thigmonastic response and (iii) is an example of photonastic response.


  3. Distinguish between tropic movement and nastic movement.

    ANS :


  4. Explain : Photoperiodism.

    ANS:

    • Photoperiodism is the phenomenon in which the duration of light decides the flowering and germination in plants.
    • Plants are (i) Long-day plant and (ii) Short-day plant on the basis of the duration of light received by them.
    • Day natural plants do not respond to photoperiodism.
    • Plants respond to photoperiodic stimulus by a specialised pigment present in them called phytochrome.


  5. Explain : Coordination in animals.

    ANS:

    • All multicellular organisms, except porifera, have well-developed nervous system.
    • Hydra and other cnidarians possess nerve cells which form a nerve net in the body.


    • In invertebrates, the nerve net condenses into nerve mass called 'ganglion'.
    • Insects have a bilobed nerve mass (brain), nerve cord and nerve ganglia.



    • Higher organisms possess sensory organs (receptors) related to light, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
    • Receptors receive the stimulus and pass on the message to the brain through sensory neuron.
    • The brain transmits information to the effector organ (generally muscles and glands) through motor neuron.
    • The brain acts as the center for the analysis of information.
    • Motor neurons stimulate the muscles of the organ to respond.
    • Hormones also play an important role in control and coordination in animals.
    • In vertebrates there is a successive development of nervous system.
    • The nervous system of human beings is highly developed.
    • Hormones secreted by endocrine glands control various biochemical and mechanical activities carried out in the organisms. This is chemical control.


  6. Write an explanatory note on HUMAN BRAIN.

    ANS:



    • Human brain is the main coordinating center for all the activities of the human body.
    • It is protected by a bony box in the skull called cranium and three membranes called meninges.
    • There is a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid in the space between these membranes.
    • Cerebrospinal fluid acts as a cushion and protects the brain from mechanical shocks.
    • The brain is divided into three regions : (i) fore-brain (ii) mid-brain and (iii) hind-brain.
    • FORE-BRAIN consists of cerebrum and olfactory lobes.

      • Cerebrum is the most complex and specialised part of the brain.
      • It consists of two cerebral hemispheres.
      • It has sensory area to receive impulse from the sense organs and motor area to send impulse to muscles and effector organs.
      • Cerebrum has four regions having different centers of activity : (i) frontal lobe (ii) parietal lobe (iii) temporal lobe (iv) occipital lobe.


      • The frontal lobe possesses centres for voluntary muscular activities.
      • Parietal lobe possesses the centres for temperature control, smell and touch.
      • Temporal lobe possesses the centres for auditory and olfactory reception.
      • Occipital lobe possesses the centres for visual reception.

    • MID-BRAIN is a part of the brain stem and possesses the regions for visual reception, auditory reception and touch.
    • HIND-BRAIN consists of cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata.

      • Cerebellum is situated on the posterior side of the fore-brain and it controls the rhythmic movement of muscles, body balance and posture.
      • Pons connects various parts of the central nervous system and cerebellum by the transverse bands of nerves.
      • Pons takes part in the regulation of respiration and helps in the movement of head as per audio-visual perception in coordination with medulla oblongata and spinal cord.
      • Medulla oblongata possesses the centres to regulate heartbeats, breathing, blood-pressure, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, swallowing, hiccups, etc.



  7. Write in brief about Spinal cord.

    ANS:

    • Spinal cord is a cylindrical structure.
    • It is the posterior extension of of medulla oblongata.
    • The vertebral column and meninges protect the spinal cord.
    • There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord.
    • These nerves connect various organs of the body to the brain.
    • They help in the conduction of impulses from brain to organs and from organs to brain.
    • They also perform reflex action.


  8. Explain : Reflex action

    ANS:



    • An unconscious and involuntary response of effectors to the stimulus is called reflex action.
    • Due to reflex action we suddenly withdraw our leg when we step on a very hot or pricking object.
    • Similarly, our response towards very hot or very cold water is sudden and involuntary.
    • The reflex action is performed by the spinal cord when the brain is busy or at rest.
    • In reflex action, a message from the receptors is relayed by sensory nerves to the spinal cord and the spinal cord sends response via motor nerve to the effector organ.
    • This entire pathway is called 'REFLEX ARC'.


  9. Write a note on Autonomous nervous system.

    ANS:

    • The system which is responsible for the intervention in the activities of the organs located in the body cavity without the awareness of brain is called autonomous nervous system.
    • This system controls heart, blood vessels, glands, uterus and coelomic organs.
    • Autonomous nervous system is of two types : (i) sympathetic (ii) parasympathetic.
    • The involuntary actions of the body are controlled and regulated by the coordination of these two systems.
    • The effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are complimentory and contradictory.
    • For example : If the sympathetic system increases the heartbeats abnormally, the parasympathetic system decreases it and brings it back to normal.


  10. Mention characteristics of hormones.

    ANS:

    • They are specific chemical messengers.
    • Generally the origin and the target area of hormones are different.
    • They are directly poured into the blood (from the gland) and carried by blood circulation.
    • The effect of a hormone is either rapid or slow (i.e. it may increase or decrease the speed of some process). For example, acetylcholine increases the speed of the conduction of impulses whereas decreases (slows down) the effect of sex hormones.


  11. Write a note on endocrine glands.

    ANS:

    • Endocrine glands play an important role in coordination (in animals).
    • These are ductless glands and secrete hormones which are specific chemical messengers.
    • The main endocrine glands are hypothalamus, pituitary,, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, testis and ovary.
    • Pituitary gland is called the master gland as it regulates the secretion of hormones by other endocrine glands.
    • The function of the pituitary gland is controlled by the secretion of hypothalamus.


  12. Mention different endocrine glands, hormones secreted by them and the functions of these hormones.

    ANS:



  13. How is brain protected ?

    ANS : The brain is surrounded by cranium, a bony box in the skull and three membranes called meninges. In the space between these membranes there is a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid protects the brain against mechanical shocks. Thus brain is protected.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN LIVING ORGANISMS - I : MCQs AND SHORT ANSWERS


*INDEX-TOPIC SEARCH

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS



SELECT THE CORRECT ALTERNATIVE:

  1. ______ is the complimentary system of nervous system.

    1. Circulatory system
    2. Endocrine system
    3. Lymphatic system
    4. Skeletal system

  2. Plant hormones are called ______.

    1. hypohormones
    2. metahormones
    3. phytohormones
    4. cytohormones

  3. The leaves of mimosa are sensitive to ______.

    1. light
    2. touch
    3. heat
    4. smell

  4. A sunflower plant bends towards the sun. It is ______ response.

    1. Thigmonastic
    2. seismonastic
    3. thermonastic
    4. photonastic

  5. All multicellular organisms, except ______, have well-developed nervous system.

    1. porifera
    2. mammals
    3. arthropoda
    4. insecta

  6. Nerve mass in invertebrates is called ______.

    1. brain
    2. neuron
    3. ganglion
    4. pelvis

  7. Hormones are secreted by ______.

    1. endocrine glands
    2. blood
    3. midbrain
    4. liver

  8. The space between meninges is filled with ______.

    1. lymph
    2. blood plasma
    3. cerebrospinal fluid
    4. ACTH

  9. ______ is not the part of hindbrain.

    1. cerebellum
    2. pons
    3. medulla oblongata
    4. cerebrum

  10. ______ protects spinal cord.

    1. Cranium
    2. Vertebral column
    3. Skull
    4. Ribs

  11. ______ pairs of spinal nerves arise from spinal cord.

    1. 21
    2. 31
    3. 32
    4. 42

  12. Which of the following organs is not controlled by autonomous nervous system ?

    1. Heart
    2. Uterus
    3. Glands
    4. Eyes

  13. The effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are ______.

    1. complimentary
    2. contradictory
    3. complimentary and contradictory
    4. none of above.

  14. Endocrine glands ______.

    1. secrete plasma
    2. secrete nutrients
    3. secrete hormones
    4. secrete antibodies

  15. Acetylcholine ______.

    1. increases the speed of conduction of impulses
    2. decreases the speed of conduction of impulses
    3. quickens the effect of growth hormones
    4. controls pituitary gland

  16. ______ is called the master gland.

    1. Pineal
    2. Pituitary
    3. Thyroid
    4. Thymus

  17. ______ hormone regulates ionic balance.

    1. Vasopressin
    2. Thyroxin
    3. Glucagon
    4. Testosterone

  18. ______ is the hormone responsible for development of female characteristics.

    1. Adrenalin
    2. Testosterone
    3. Thyroxin
    4. Progesterone

  19. ______ is responsible for lowering glucose level in blood.

    1. Glucagon
    2. Oxytocin
    3. Insulin
    4. Adrenalin

  20. ______ is responsible for increasing glucose level in blood.

    1. Glucagon
    2. Oxytocin
    3. Insulin
    4. Adrenalin

  21. Prolactin regulates ______.

    1. blood pressure
    2. heartbeat
    3. mammary glands
    4. glucose metabolism

  22. Nerve net is found in ______.

    1. sponges
    2. hydra
    3. earthworm
    4. cockroach

  23. Which multicellular organism lacks the nervous system ?

    1. Hydra
    2. Locust
    3. Sponges
    4. Tapeworm

  24. Which hormone functions as a growth promotor ?

    1. Auxin
    2. Ethylene
    3. Abscisic acid
    4. Both B and C

  25. Which of the following shows thigmonastic response ?

    1. Sun flower
    2. Insectivorous plants
    3. Lotus
    4. Bryophyllum

  26. Which two organs are connected by pons with the help of transverse band of nerves ?

    1. Nerves of brain and spinal cord
    2. Both the cerebral hemispheres
    3. Cerebellum and central nervous system
    4. Sympathetic and parasympathetic






ANSWERS TO MCQs:

(1) B (2) C (3) B (4) D (5) A (6) C (7) A (8) C (9) D (10) B (11) B (12) D (13) C (14) C (15) A (16) B (17) A (18) D (19) C (20) A (21) C (22) B (23) C (24) A (25) B (26) C

SHORT QUESTIONS



ANSWER IN SHORT:

  1. What is a stimulus ?

         ANS : Any environmental factor that affects a living organism by showing changes is called a stimulus.

  2. What is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system in multicellular organisms ?

         ANS : Neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system in multicellular organisms.

  3. What does the nervous system do ?

         ANS : The nervous system controls and coordinates various activities in the body of an organism.

  4. Mention some factors (stimuli) to which plants respond.

         ANS : Light, touch, water, gravitational force, insects, chemicals, etc are some stimuli to which plants respond.

  5. Mention some plant hormones.

         ANS : Auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene, etc are some plant hormones.

  6. Mention growth hormones of plants.

         ANS : Auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin are growth hormones of plants.

  7. Which hormones in plants are responsible for ripening of fruits and shedding of leaves ?

         ANS : Abscisic acid and ethylene are responsible for ripening of fruits and shedding of leaves.

  8. Which plant hormones retard growth ?

         ANS : Abscisic acid and ethylene retard growth.

  9. What is tropism ?

         ANS : The movement of curvature of plants in the direction of stimulus is known as tropism.

  10. What is phototropism ?

         ANS : The bending of a growing plant towards unidirectional light as a response to the illumination is called phototropism.

  11. What is geotropism ?

         ANS : Geotropism is a growth response of a plant to the force of gravitation (gravity) in which the roots show the downward movement.

  12. What is hydrotropism ?

         ANS : Hydrotropism is a growth response of a plant towards water shown by the growth of roots towards water.

  13. What is chemotropism ?

         ANS : Chemotropism is a growth response (movement) of a plant towards certain chemicals.

  14. Give an example of chemotropism.

         ANS : The germination of pollen grains and the development of pollen tube as a response to the chemicals secreted by the stigmatic surface is an example of chemotropism.

  15. Define : Nastic movement.

         ANS : A response of a plant to an external stimulus independent of its direction is called nastic movement.

  16. What is thigmonastic response ?

         ANS : The bending down or curling up of insectivorous plants, when touched by insects, is called thigmonastic movement.

  17. What is photoperiodism ?

         ANS : Photoperiodism is the response of some plants to the duration of light which mainly affects the flowering and germination in plants.

  18. Which specialised pigment is responsible for the photoperiodic response by plants ?

         ANS : Phytochrome is responsible for the photoperiodic response by plants.

  19. Which organisms possess nerve net ?

         ANS : Hydra and other cnidarians possess nerve net.

  20. What does the nervous system of insects consist of ?

         ANS : The nervous system of insects consists of a bilobed nerve mass (brain), nerve cord and nerve ganglia.

  21. What is the function of receptors in nervous system ?

         ANS : Receptors receive the stimuli and pass the message to the brain with the help of sensory neuron.

  22. What is sensory neuron ?

         ANS : Sensory neuron is a nerve cell which receives the stimuli from receptor and passes the message to the brain.

  23. What is motor neuron ?

         ANS : Motor neuron is a nerve cell which receives information from brain, transmits it to effector organ and stimulates it to respond.

  24. Through what do hormones reach the target organ ?

         ANS : Hormones reach the target organ through blood.

  25. What protects brain in human beings ?

         ANS : A bony box in the skull called cranium and three membranes called meninges protect the brain in human beings.

  26. What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid ?

         ANS : Cerebrospinal fluid acts as a cushion and protects the brain from mechanical shocks.

  27. Mention three regions of brain.

         ANS : The three regions of brain are : forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.

  28. What does forebrain consist of ?

         ANS : Forebrain consists of cerebrum and olfactory lobes.

  29. Mention the regions of cerebrum.

         ANS : The regions of cerebrum are : frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe.

  30. Mention the centres located in frontal lobe region.

         ANS : Frontal lobe possesses the centres for voluntary muscular activities.

  31. Mention the centres located in parietal lobe region.

         ANS : Parietal lobe possesses the centres for temperature control, smell and touch.

  32. Mention the centres located in temporal lobe region.

         ANS : Temporal lobe possesses the centres for auditory and olfactory reception.

  33. Mention the centres located in occipital lobe region.

         ANS : Occipital lobe possesses the centre for visual reception.

  34. Mention the regions of the midbrain.

         ANS : The midbrain has the regions for visual reception, auditory reception and touch.

  35. Mention the parts of brainstem.

         ANS : Brainstem consists of midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata.

  36. What does hindbrain consist of ?

         ANS : Hindbrain consists of cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata.

  37. What is the function of cerebellum ?

         ANS : Cerebellum controls the rythmic movement of muscles, body balance and posture.

  38. Mention the centres possessed by medulla oblongata.

         ANS : Medulla oblongata possesses the centres to regulate heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, sneezing, vomiting, coughing, swallowing, hiccups, etc.

  39. What is reflex action ?

         ANS : Reflex action is an unconscious and involuntary response of effectors to a stimulus.

  40. What is reflex arc ?

         ANS : Reflex arc is the pathway through which a message from receptors is relayed by sensory nerves to the spinal cord which sends to effectors for response via motor nerve.

  41. Which organ performs reflex action ? When ?

         ANS : The spinal cord performs reflex action when the brain is busy or at rest.

  42. What is meant by autonomous nervous system ?

         ANS : The system responsible for the control of organs located in the body cavity without the awareness of the brain is called autonomous nervous system.

  43. Mention the organs controlled by the autonomous nervous system.

         ANS : Heart, blood vessels, glands, uterus, coelomic organs, etc are controlled by the autonomous nervous system.

  44. Mention two types of autonomous nervous system.

         ANS : Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system are the two types of autonomous nervous system.

  45. Write the names of important glands.

         ANS : Hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenal, testis, ovary, etc are important glands.

  46. Which gland is called the master gland ?

         ANS : Pituitary gland is called the master gland.

  47. Why is pituitary gland called the master gland ?

         ANS : Pituitary gland is called the master gland because it regulates the secretion of hormones by other glands.

  48. What controls the functioning of pituitary gland ?

         ANS : The secretion of hypothalamus controls the functioning of pituitary gland.

  49. What is the function of trophic hormones ?

         ANS : Trophic hormones regulate the secretion from other endocrine glands.

  50. Which hormone controls male characteristics ?

         ANS : Testosterone controls the male characteristics.

  51. What is the function of parathyroid hormone ?

         ANS : Parathyroid hormone regulates the level of calcium and phosphate in blood.

  52. Name growth inhibitors in plants.

         ANS : Abscisic acid and ethylene are growth inhibitors in plants.

  53. Which structure protects brain ?

         ANS : The structure consisting of cranium and three membranes called meninges having CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in between them protects brain.

  54. How are ganglia formed ?

         ANS : Ganglia are formed by the condensation of nerve nets at some junction in the body of insects.

  55. Explain the importance of cerebrospinal fluid.

         ANS :Cerebrospinal fluid between the meninges of brain act as a cushion and protect the brain against mechanical shock.

  56. What is the role of phytochrome in plants ?

         ANS :Phytochrome is a specialized pigment present in plants which plays an important role in control and coordination of plants with environmental stimuli.