Arinjay Academy

Study Maths, Hindi, Accounts, Economics, for K-12 and International Taxation for CA Final Students. Visit Website or download app for updates.

You are here: Home / Archives for Biology Class 10

Biology Class 10

/

Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Waste

Biodegradable Waste

These kind of waste products are broken down by the action of micro-organisms like Bacteria. This kind of waste decay and Decompose naturally and become harmless after some time. Biodegradable Waste Examples are Cattle Dung, Tea leaves, Wood, Grass, Fruit & Vegetables, Paper, Animal Bones.  These turn into compost after decaying and act as Natural Fertilizers.  They do not normally Pollute the Environment, but if present in a large quantity, those that cannot be Decomposed can pollute the Environment.




Non-Biodegradable Waste

These substances or type of waste material, (non-poisonous and harmless substances)cannot be broken down into a simpler form, they cannot be decomposed.  Non-Biodegradable waste examples are Plastics, Ball Point Pen Refill, Polythene Bags, Glass Objects, Aluminum Cans, Iron Nails, Foil paper, Radioactive waste, to name a few.

Non-Biodegradable wastes are the main Pollutants of the environment.  A harmful substance like D.D.T (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloromethane), used in spraying crops is passed down the food chain from plants to animals and can harm them.

/

Food chain and Food web in Ecosystem

TRANSFER OF ENERGY

All living organisms require energy in order to survive.  Plants get their energy from Sunlight and Animals get theirs by eating plants or other animals.  This method of obtaining and sustaining energy takes place either in the form of a Food Chain or a Food Web.

FOOD CHAIN

Energy  is transferred from one level to the next in the form of a Food Chain. Plants (Producers) are the chief source from which the transfer originates.  Animals that feed on the plants are in turn fed upon by animals, which in turn get fed on by animal higher in the Hierarchy.  As a result the transfer of energy takes place from plants to animals.  This transfer of energy is called the Food Chain




EXAMPLES OF A FOOD CHAIN

 

FOOD WEB

When a large number of Food Chains exist in a Community, then they tend to form a Food Web.  This is an inter-connection of food chains operating in an Ecosystem forming a Network where one organism in dependent on another for its survival.  There is a linkage between various species of producers and consumers, suggesting that the food chains do not operate alone but instead rely on a Network of food chains called a Food Web.




TROPHIC LEVELS

A Food Chain represents the level at which organisms live off one another…It shows the transfer of Energy from one step or level to the next.

These steps or levels through which energy transfer takes place are called Trophic Levels, and can take place from the Primary Level to the Tertiary Level or from Producers to Consumers.

 

 

TRANSFER OF ENERGY IN FOOD CHAINS

Energy is not created in the Ecosystem.  It is only converted from one form to another.  Sunlight is the main source or provider of Energy.  Without it Plants (Producers) cannot manufacture their food (Photosynthesis).  The food produced by plants is stored as Chemical Energy and when consumed by Herbivores (Consumers) is transferred and utilized by the Herbivores, which in turn are eaten by Carnivores and Top Carnivores. (Top Consumers)




This form of Energy transfer and utilization takes place in the Food Chain at all Trophic Levels and is said to be Unidirectional.   However, not all the energy is utilized and is lost to the Environment as Heat.  This cannot be utilized by the Plants and as a result this flow of energy is said to be Unidirectional.

 

 

 

 

/

Ecosystem | Components of an Ecosystem

ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem is a self-contained unit comprising of (Plants, Animals and Decomposers), that make up the living environment and (Soil, Water and Air) that make up the non-living environment.  An Ecosystem requires Sunlight energy for its functioning.  Types of Ecosystems are – Grasslands, Forests, Deserts, Mountains, Ponds, Rivers and Lakes or Seas.

Grasslands, Forests, Deserts, Mountains form what is called the Terrestrial Ecosystem (Land Based Ecosystem) and Ponds, Rivers, Lakes and Seas form the Aquatic Ecosystem (Water Based Ecosystem)

 




Components of Ecosystem

  • Abiotic Components (Non-Living)
  • Biotic Components (Living)

Abiotic Components–

These include the Physical Environment like Soil, Water, Air and Physical factors and Climatic factors like Temperature, Light, Humidity, Pressure.

Biotic Components

This comprises of a community of organisms (Plants and Animals) made up of many inter-dependent populations. Producers, Consumers and Decomposers are 3 types.

 

A) PRODUCERS

Also called Autotrophic organisms as they produce their own food from simple inorganic substances like Carbon Dioxide and Water by using Sunlight Energy in the presence of Chlorophyll.  Examples are Green Plants and Blue Green Algae.




B) CONSUMERS

These Organism consume (eat food) prepared by Producers.  All organisms are consumers.  From Microscopic organism like Protozoa to Man.  Food produced by plants is directly consumed by animals like Goats, Cattle, Antelopes etc.  These animals are referred to as direct consumers.  These animals are then eaten or consumed by other animals like Dogs, Big Cats and Humans, which obtain their energy indirectly by eating the animals. Consumers are divided into 3 categories.

The Categories of Consumers are Herbivores, Carnivores and Omnivores

1.Herbivores

These are Plant eating organisms and are called Primary consumers as they obtain their food directly

from producers.  Eg. Cow, Goat, Sheep, Deer, Rabbit, Elephant.

2.Carnivores

These are meat eating organisms and obtain their food from the Herviroes, and as they obtain their food

from Primary Consumers, they are called Secondary Consumers.  Eg. Lion, Cat, Dogs, Falcon, Eagle,

Snake.




3.Omnivores

These rely on both Plant and Animals for their food source.  In other words, they eat both plants and meat

for their sustenance.  Eg. Man, Bear, Crow, Ants.

C) DECOMPOSERS

Organisms like Bacteria and Fungi which are incapable of producing their own food, live off the dead and decaying plant and animal bodies.

Importance of Decomposers:  They play a vital role in Decomposing plant and animal bodies and act as cleansing agents of the Environment.  The nutrients they absorb into their system is returned back to the soil, which is then used by plants for manufacturing their food.

Decomposers help by continuing the process of the Cycle of Life and Death.  If they were not present then all Plant and Animal life would cease to exist.  Hence, Evolution would not take place.

/

What is Nastic Movement

What is Nastic Movement?

When the response by a plant to a stimulus is ignored or not directed toward the stimulus, it is called a Nastic Movement.

Generally plants, their entire body, always grow in the direction of the stimulus.  But in nastic movements, parts of the plant tend to behave differently, like the closing of Petals of a flower or the folding of the leaves. This behavior is called Thigmonasty

In certain cases, the petals of a flower open according to the intensity of light.  The brighter the light, the petals remain open.  If light fades, then the petals close.  This behavior is called Photonasty.

/

Tropism | Types of Tropism in Plants

TROPISM

The Growth movement of a plant in response to its stimulus, based on the direction of the stimulus, determines the direction of growth of the plant, referred to as TROPISM.

This Growth pattern of a plant can be based on the nature of the tropism.  If the Plant bends or grows towards the stimulus,  it has a positive effect on growth termed as Positive Tropism.

If the plant bends and grows away from the direction of stimulus, it has a negative effect on growth termed as Negative Tropism.




PHOTOTROPISM

This is the movement of the plant in response to light.  This is a positive tropism, as the shoot of the plant grows towards sunlight.

GEOTROPISM

This is the movement of the plant in response to Gravity.  This is a positive tropism, as the root of the plant grows downwards into the soil.

CHEMOTROPISM

This is when a plant responds to a Chemical.  It too is a form of positive tropism.  Eg the Pollen tube in a Flower grows toward the Ovules for Fertilization.

HYDROTROPISM

Roots always grow in the direction of the source of water for the development of the plant. In doing so they against the law of Gravity.  They can grow upwards or sideways depending on the water source.  They are said to be Hydrotropic.

THIGMOTROPISM

We may have come across situations or plants, that which upon touching close their leaves.  Some plants have weak stems called Tendrils and use the support of stronger plants by winding around them and helping them grow.  This is an example of positive tropism, as the weaker plant (tendril) responds to the stimulus by clinging and winding on it, enabling it to grow.

/

What are Plant Hormones | Types of Plant Hormones

What are Plant Hormones (PHYTOHORMONES )

Phytos means “Light” as plants respond to sunlight for Growth.

Plant Hormones carry out the Control and Coordination in plants.  They coordinate the plant activities by controlling the growth.

Apart from Growth, Other activities like Stomata Control, Formation of Flowers, Fruit Growth, Ripening of Fruits, Falling of Leaves, are all controlled by the action of Plant Hormones.

There are 4 types of Plant Hormones:

Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic Acid (ABA)




Types of  Plant Hormones

AUXINS

These promote Cell Enlargement and Cell Differentiation.  They promote Fruit Growth.  They Control a plants response to Light and Gravity.  This means that they are Phototropic (help the shoot to respond to light and help it grow upwards towards light) and Geotropic (help the roots to grow down wards towards gravitational pull). They are produced on the tips of Stems and Roots.  They are also used synthetically in Agriculture and Horticulture.




GIBBERELLINS

These like Auxins help promote Cell Enlargement and Cell Differentiation.  They are responsible for the breaking of Dormancy in seeds and buds.  They promote Fruit Growth and also help in the elongation of shoots.

CYTOKININS

These promote Cell Division.  They delay the ageing in Leaves and the Breaking of Dormancy in Seeds and Buds. .  They promote Fruit Growth and also help in the opening of the Stomata.

ABSCISIC ACID (ABA)

These function mainly a Growth Inhibitor. Unlike “Breaking of Dormancy”, ADA hormones help in the Dormancy of seeds and buds.  They also help in the closing of Stomata and in the promotion of Wilting and Falling of Leaves.  It also causes detachment of Flowers and Fruit

/

Control and Coordination in Plants | Class 10 Biology Notes

Control and Coordination in Plants

Plants unlike Animal respond to different kind of Stimuli. Control and Coordination in Plants is based on the concept of movement.

Although this process involves Photosynthesis, control and coordination is based basically on the response of plants to stimuli which results in Growth.

Like Humans, Special Hormones are involved in the growth of a plant, that help it to react to a particular stimuli.




PHOTOSYNTHESIS

The process by which plants manufacture food in the presence of Sunlight, Water and Carbon Dioxide.  This food that is stored is used by the plant in controlling and coordination the movement of the plant with the help of hormones, when they respond to a Stimuli.  Movement in plants is based on the whole body of the Plant changing its position or direction based on the nature of the stimuli.  Unlike Animals, they do not move single body parts in response to a stimulus.

For Coordination and functions to be carried out, there has to be control over the actions and reactions.  Plants can change their behavior against environmental changes by the help of Hormones.  As a result, Plants only use Hormones for Coordination and respond to stimuli by Growing.

DORMANCY AND BREAKING OF DORMANCY

When a Seed, before it develops into a seedling and then a Plant, it is in an sleeping or Dormant stage.  It requires Warmth, Moisture, Air and Hormones to develop.  This is known as Dormancy.




When the Seed acquires these elements, it then develops into a seedling, which then grows into a plant.  The process by which the seed turned and transformed into a Plant, resulted in a process known as “Breaking of Dormancy”.  This was done by the use of the elements acquired.

The sprouting of the seed into the Radicle (root) and Plumule (shoot), were all achieved by the help of hormones.  The Plumule producing buds, leaves and flowers.  All these took place in relation to a response to a stimuli with the help of hormones.

PHYTOHORMONES (Plant Hormones)

Phytos means “Light” as plants respond to sunlight for Growth.

Plant Hormones carry out the Control and Coordination in plants.  They coordinate the plant activities by controlling the growth.

Apart from Growth, Other activities like Stomata Control, Formation of Flowers, Fruit Growth, Ripening of Fruits, Falling of Leaves, are all controlled by the action of Plant Hormones.

There are 4 types of Plant Hormones:

Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic Acid (ABA)




TYPES OF PHYTOHORMONES

AUXINS

These promote Cell Enlargement and Cell Differentiation.  They promote Fruit Growth.  They Control a plants response to Light and Gravity.  This means that they are Phototropic (help the shoot to respond to light and help it grow upwards towards light) and Geotropic (help the roots to grow down wards towards gravitational pull). They are produced on the tips of Stems and Roots.  They are also used synthetically in Agriculture and Horticulture.

GIBBERELLINS

These like Auxins help promote Cell Enlargement and Cell Differentiation.  They are responsible for the breaking of Dormancy in seeds and buds.  They promote Fruit Growth and also help in the elongation of shoots.

CYTOKININS

These promote Cell Division.  They delay the ageing in Leaves and the Breaking of Dormancy in Seeds and Buds. .  They promote Fruit Growth and also help in the opening of the Stomata.




ABSCISIC ACID (ABA)

These function mainly a Growth Inhibitor. Unlike “Breaking of Dormancy”, ADA hormones help in the Dormancy of seeds and buds.  They also help in the closing of Stomata and in the promotion of Wilting and Falling of Leaves.  It also causes detachment of Flowers and Fruit

PLANT MOVEMENTS

Plants are always rooted or fixed to the ground.  Hence, they cannot move from place to place like animals.

However, parts of the plant, shoot, flowers, fruits, leaves all respond to stimuli and move in that direction.

Plants responds to growth with the help of Auxins.  Depending on the amount of Auxin present within the plant in a particular region, that  portion of the plant will grow faster than the part with less Auxins.  That is why plants bend.




TROPISMS OR TROPIC MOVEMENTS

The Growth movement of a plant in response to its stimulus, based on the direction of the stimulus, determines the direction of growth of the plant, referred to as TROPISM.

This Growth pattern of a plant can be based on the nature of the tropism.  If the Plant bends or grows towards the stimulus,  it has a positive effect on growth termed as Positive Tropism.

If the plant bends and grows away from the direction of stimulus, it has a negative effect on growth termed as Negative Tropism.

PHOTOTROPISM

This is the movement of the plant in response to light.  This is a positive tropism, as the shoot of the plant grows towards sunlight.

GEOTROPISM

This is the movement of the plant in response to Gravity.  This is a positive tropism, as the root of the plant grows downwards into the soil.

CHEMOTROPISM

This is when a plant responds to a Chemical.  It too is a form of positive tropism.  Eg the Pollen tube in a Flower grows toward the Ovules for Fertilization.

HYDROTROPISM

Roots always grow in the direction of the source of water for the development of the plant. In doing so they against the law of Gravity.  They can grow upwards or sideways depending on the water source.  They are said to be Hydrotropic.

THIGMOTROPISM

We may have come across situations or plants, that which upon touching close their leaves.  Some plants have weak stems called Tendrils and use the support of stronger plants by winding around them and helping them grow.  This is an example of positive tropism, as the weaker plant (tendril) responds to the stimulus by clinging and winding on it, enabling it to grow.

NASTIES OR NASTIC MOVEMENTS

When the response by a plant to a stimulus is ignored or not directed toward the stimulus, it is called a Nastic Movement.

Generally plants, their entire body, always grow in the direction of the stimulus.  But in nastic movements, parts of the plant tend to behave differently, like the closing of Petals of a flower or the folding of the leaves. This behavior is called Thigmonasty

In certain cases, the petals of a flower open according to the intensity of light.  The brighter the light, the petals remain open.  If light fades, then the petals close.  This behavior is called Photonasty.

/

Neuron | Parts of a Neuron | Neuron Function | Types of Neurons

Neurons

Neurons are structural and functional units of the Nervous System that carry messages (impulses) in the form of Electrical Impulses.

Parts of a Neurons

 

The Cell Body is the roughly round part of a neuron that contains the nucleus, mitochondria, and most of the cellular organelles.




Small tree-like structures called Dendrites extend from the cell body to pick up stimuli from the environment, other neurons, or sensory receptor cells.

Long transmitting processes called Axons extend from the cell body to send signals onward to other neurons or effector cells in the body.

Neuron Function 

When a single neuron in an Effector detects a Stimulus, the Receptor sends a signal or impulse to the Dendrites which are connected to the Axon, which in turn relays the message to a next Neuron.  Between each neurons is a gap called a Synapse.

This gap contains a chemical substance called a Neurotransmitter, present only on one side of the gap.  Synapses act and behave like a one way street, where impulse from a neuron can only be relayed in the direction the chemical substance is present.  Its in this way that impulses from millions of neurons are relayed to the Brain and Spinal Cord.

Types of Neurons

 

  • Sensory Neurons that transmit impulses from sensory cells (receptors) to the CNS (Brain and Spinal Cord)
  • Motor Neurons that transmit impulses from the CNS (Brain and Spinal Cord) towards the Effectors or muscle cells
  • Relay Neurons which exist in the Brain and Spinal Cord (CNS) and serve as a link between other Neurons

/

Control and Coordination in Animals | Class 10 Biology Notes

CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN ANIMALS

  • Control –  Response of Organs
  • Coordination – Working of Organs together
  • How they are related – Handling of Systems in a Body
  • System responsible for both to take place –  Nervous System and its function

COORDINATION

The process by which different parts of the body function together to carry out a function.  For a person to lift an object, there has to be coordination from the Brain to the arm and hands instructing them to lift the object.

CONTROL

For coordination and functions to be carried out, there has to be control over the actions and reactions




Control and Coordination – Systems

TYPES OF NERVOUS SYSTEM

Central Nervous System

The Central Nervous System includes the Brain and Spinal Cord.

The brain and spinal cord are protected by bony structures, membranes, and fluid. The brain is held in the cranial cavity of the skull and it consists of:

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and the Brain Stem. The nerves involved are Cranial nerves and Spinal nerves.

Peripheral Nervous System

The Peripheral Nervous System is made of  Nerve Fibers that spread out from the Spinal Cord and connect to all parts of the body and help carry and relay messages.

TYPES OF PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM




ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The Endocrine System comprises of glands called Endocrine Glands and Exocrine Glands. A gland is a structure that secretes a specific substance or substances for a particular activity.  Endocrine Glands produce Hormones  (Chemical Substances which are secreted in small amounts directly into the blood stream(secretion is internal) by specialized tissues in the body that coordinate the activities and growth of living organisms).  Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced in one part of the body, but act on a different part.  Exocrine Glands on the other hand produce and secrete into tubes or ducts, meaning their secretion is external.

HOW DOES COORDINATION TAKE PLACE

There are Five (5) sense organs in our Body –  Eyes, Nose, Ears, Tongue and Skin, each having a specific function.  Each organ has specialized sensory cells called Receptors.

These are sensitive and responsible to the actions around us and our surroundings.  Anything that affects our senses is a called a Stimulus (Heat, Cold, Sweet, Salty, Loud, Bright, Soft, Hard etc) and are detected by these Receptors.

The Receptors are connected by nerve fibers that transmit or conduct the message (stimuli) through nerve impulses to the Spinal Cord and Brain in the form of Electrical Impulses.

An Effector (mainly muscles and glands) is a part of the body that responds to the stimuli accordingly to the instructions sent by the Nervous System) Brain and Spinal Cord.  The Effector muscle or gland in question, then responds to the Stimulus.




Function of the nervous system

Function: To coordinate all the activities of our body.  Also known as the Control System, it is responsible for all our actions such as thinking, behavior.  Its job is to control and coordinate all the parts of our body and make them work effectively.

Any activity we do or carry out is coordinated by the Nervous System, be it thinking, breathing, eating, exercising or sleeping.  It receives messages from its surroundings and interprets them and then responds accordingly.

Think of it as a Wire conducting electricity from one point to a next.. Similarly, our body is made of Billions of strands of the wires (Neurons) that convey impulses to our Brain and Spinal Cord

Anatomy of the Nervous System

The Nervous System is made of Nerve cells or Neurons.  These are structural and functional units of the Nervous System that carry messages (impulses) in the form of Electrical Impulses.

PARTS OF A NEURON

Parts of a Neuron

The Cell Body is the roughly round part of a neuron that contains the nucleus, mitochondria, and most of the cellular organelles.

Small tree-like structures called Dendrites extend from the cell body to pick up stimuli from the environment, other neurons, or sensory receptor cells.

Long transmitting processes called Axons extend from the cell body to send signals onward to other neurons or effector cells in the body.




Function of the neuron

When a single neuron in an Effector detects a Stimulus, the Receptor sends a signal or impulse to the Dendrites which are connected to the Axon, which in turn relays the message to a next Neuron.  Between each neurons is a gap called a Synapse.

This gap contains a chemical substance called a Neurotransmitter, present only on one side of the gap.  Synapses act and behave like a one way street, where impulse from a neuron can only be relayed in the direction the chemical substance is present.  Its in this way that impulses from millions of neurons are relayed to the Brain and Spinal Cord.

Types of Neurons

 

  • Sensory Neurons that transmit impulses from sensory cells (receptors) to the CNS (Brain and Spinal Cord)
  • Motor Neurons that transmit impulses from the CNS (Brain and Spinal Cord) towards the Effectors or muscle cells
  • Relay Neurons which exist in the Brain and Spinal Cord (CNS) and serve as a link between other Neurons

ORGANS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The Brain, Spinal Cord and Nerves are the main organs of the Nervous System, whereas organs such as the eye, ear, nose, tongue, skin are other organs that help in the functioning of the Nervous System.

Brain

A soft, wrinkled organ that weighs about 3 pounds, is located inside the Cavity, where the bones of the skull surround and protect it. The approximately 100 billion neurons of the brain form the main control center of the body. The brain and spinal cord together form the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Spinal cord

A long, thin mass of bundled neurons that carries information through the vertebral cavity of the spine beginning at the medulla oblongata of the brain on its superior end and continuing inferiorly to the lumbar region of the spine.

The white matter of the spinal cord functions as the main conduit of nerve signals to the body from the brain. The grey matter of the spinal cord integrates reflexes to stimuli.

THREE TYPES OF NERVES

NERVES are of 2 types – Cranial Nerves that connect all parts in the head directly to the brain and the Spinal Nerves that connect the remaining parts of the body (Muscle, Skin).  The third type called the Visceral Nerves, connect all organs to the Spinal Cord.  So any action performed by an Organ, its impulse will be relayed to the Brain via the Spinal Cord.




All 3 Nerves (Cranial, Spinal and Visceral) are of 2 types:

Sensory Nerves:  These carry impulses from the body parts to the Spinal Cord and Brain.

Motor Nerves:  These carry impulses from the Brain and spinal Cord to the  parts of the body that require action.

Example of how a reflex  action takes place

What will your reaction be if you were to touch a surface without realizing it was Hot.

When you touched the Hot surface, you Immediately withdrew your hand as if something burnt you or stung you.

What took place was that your hand, which has sensory cells called Receptors (cells responsible for picking up any stimuli), touched the hot surface Stimulus (anything that affects our senses or any part of our body). Nerves called, Dendrites, which are attached to the Receptors receive this impulse. An Impulse was sent via the Axon (nerve fibers along which the message is relayed). This is relayed to the Dendrite of another Neuron through a space called a Synapse (gap that separates Two (2) neurons).  This process of sending electrical impulses continues from the dendrite of one neuron to the next, till they reached the nerve endings attached to the Spinal Cord and were relayed to the Brain, which interpreted the Stimulus to be a hot object.  As a result the Brain relayed the message back to the hand, and your Response or was to withdraw your hand. This is called an Reflex Action (an automatic response to a stimuli).

THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

HOW THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS) WORKS

For all actions to take place by the Human Body, it needs to be Controlled and Coordinated  by nerves that branch out from the Central Nervous System and are responsible for sending and receiving Electrical signals (impulses).




The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is responsible for the Coordination and Control of these impulses.  So when a part of the body detects a stimulus, reaction is to respond to the stimulus accordingly.  This called the Reflex Action.  The impulse or the pathway taken by the nerve in a Reflex Action  is called the Reflex Arc

REFLEXES AND TYPES

Organs that are under the control of the Brain are called Cerebral Organs.  When there is an impulse sent or received by the Brain, the Cranial Nerves are responsible for transmitting these impulses in order for the organ to respond.  This is known as a Cerebral Reflex, and only takes place with the organs connected or under control of the Brain,

Organs that are under the control of the Spinal Cord  are called Spinal Organs.  When there is an impulse sent or received by the Spinal Cord, the Spinal Nerves are responsible for transmitting these impulses in order for the organ to respond.  This is known as a Spinal Reflex, and only takes place with the organs connected or under control of the Spinal Cord,

Peripheral Nervous System

ALL NERVES OF THE BODY MAKE UP THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS), AND THEY ALL ENTER OR LEAVE THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IS OF 2 TYPES.

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

This system is responsible for controlling all the organs and activities within or inside our body without any voluntary action.  This means that this type of a system is Automatic.  Breathing, Heartbeat, Sneezing are examples and actions that are not forced.

All the nerves are connected to the organs in our body, and by means of coordination and control, automatic responses take place within the body.

Central nervous system

This is made up of the Brain and Spinal Cord and is responsible for the overall Control and Coordination within and outside the body.




Central nervous system

BRAIN

This is the largest Coordinating

center

in the body and is responsible for the day to day activities within our body and its surroundings.  It carries out all the processes in relation to Control and Response.

The brain is protected by the skull called the Cranium and is surrounded by 3 membranes called the Meninges.  The space between these meninges is filled with a fluid

celled

the Cerebro Spinal Fluid

that  helps

to protect it by cushioning it and protecting it from Mechanical shocks.

The Brian is divided into 3 parts, namely – Fore Brain (Cerebrum), Mid Brain and Hind Brain (made of 3

centers

called (Pons, Cerebellum and Medulla).

FORE BRAIN (Cerebrum) is the main thinking part of the Brain and is responsible for carrying out activities like Learning, Reasoning, Personality, Memory, Intelligence etc.  It also carries out processes like thoughts, sensations, actions and movements.




The Cerebrum has different areas for controlling different functions, such as an area for Thinking and Memory, an area for Storage of information received from organs, an area for Sensing or Feeling.

The Cerebrum also has Motor areas responsible for receiving impulses and then coordinating them.  It is responsible for Interpreting the impulses and making decisions so that the body can respond accordingly.

MID BRAIN is responsible for controlling Reflex Movements of the Head, Neck and Back Bone.  This movement is brought about Visually (Seeing or Sight) and Auditorily (Hearing) according to the nature of the stimuli and then responding to it.  When we see near or distant objects or hear different types of sounds.

HIND BRAIN This is divided into 3 parts – Pons, Cerebellum and Medulla.

a.Pons is responsible for the regulation of Respiration, be it Aerobic or Anaerobic

b.Cerebellum helps in maintaining Posture and Balance.  How we stand, walk, pose, lift an object, run, move an object, etc

c.Medulla controls all internal actions that are not Voluntary.  Breathing, Sweating, Digestion, Circulation, Control of Heart Beat etc are some actions that are done automatically.  It also controls reflexes like sneezing, coughing, vomiting etc.

SPINAL CORD

This is a Cylindrical structure that begins from the base of the Medulla and extends downwards.  It is enclosed by tiny bone structures called Vertebrae and is also surrounded by membranes called the Meninges .

The function of the Spinal Cord is to coordinate Spinal Reflexes and conduction of nerve impulses to and from the Brain.

When any stimuli is detected by a Receptor, the impulse is sent via the Spinal Cord to the Brain, which then interprets and relays he message back to the Spinal Cord for the necessary action to take place.

Endocrine System

This System works in Coordination with the Central Nervous System and is responsible for the functioning of Organs within our body. They do so by releasing Chemicals called Hormones.

HORMONES:

These are Chemicals secreted by hormonal glands into the blood stream upon directions of the Brain.

Each Hormone has a particular role to play, according to the nature of the stimulus in our surrounding.  Hormones are involved in the regulation of several functions within the Human Body like Growth, Reproduction and Metabolic activities.




HORMONAL GLANDS

We know that Hormones are secreted by Glands within our body.  Each gland secretes a particular hormone for a particular purpose.

Some of the Glands responsible for the functioning and well being  of the human body and the Hormones secreted by them are:

Endocrine System

HYPOTHALAMUS

Present in the Brain and is responsible for controlling the Pituitary Hormones and regulating the secretion of Hormones from the Pituitary Gland

PITUITARY

Present below the Brain and secretes a number of Hormones like the Growth Hormone, responsible for the growth of the human body.  Too much release of this hormone results in the individual being a Giant, too less, the individual becomes a Dwarf.

THYROID

Attached to the wind pipe and produces a hormone called Thyroxine, which contains the Chemical Iodine.  Deficiency  of Iodine results in a disease called Goiter (swelling of the Neck).




PARATHYROID

These a 4 small glands embedded in the Thyroid Gland and produce a hormone called Parathormone Hormone that regulates the level of Calcium and Phosphorus levels in the blood

THYMUS

Lie in the lower part of the Neck and upper part of the Chest. They secrete the Thymus Hormone that helps in the development of the Immune System.  This gland is large in children but shrinks during sexual maturity.

PANCREAS

They secrete Insulin which lowers the level of blood sugar or blood glucose level.  Insulin controls the Metabolism  of sugar in the body.  If the pancreas do not produce sufficient insulin then the blood sugar level rises and then results in a disease called Diabetes.  This means that there is too much sugar in the blood.  Insulin helps control this.

TESTES

These are the male organs and produce Testosterone, a hormone that controls the development of male sex organs and features such as voice, facial hair and also produce the sex gamete called sperms.

OVARIES

These are the Female organs and produce 2 hormones called  Oestrogen and Progesterone.  Oestrogen is vital for the development of the female sex organs and features like voice, skin type, mammary glands whereas Progesterone controls the changes of the Uterus in the Menstrual Cycles

The Feedback Mechanism

When there is an excess or less secretion of hormones in the blood stream can lead to a Body suffering from diseases.  Eg. Lack of Isulin can lead to Diabetes and too much can lead to a Coma.  As a result, the right amount of hormone must be secreted at the right time for the proper functioning of the body.  The amount and timing of release of hormones is called the Feedback Mechanism.