ZI

CHAPTER-7
CONTROL AND COORDINATION

ANIMAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. What is the need for a system of control and coordination in an organism?

Sol. The maintenance of the body functions in response to changes in the body by working together of various
integrated body systems is known as coordination. All the movements that occur in response to stimuli are
carefully coordinated and controlled. In animals, the control and coordination movements are provided by
nervous and muscular systems. The nervous system sends messages to and away from the brain. The spinal
cord plays an important role in the relay of messages. In the absence of this system of control and
coordination, our body will not be able to function properly. For example, when we accidentally touch a hot
utensil, we immediately withdraw our hand. In the absence of nerve transmission, we will not withdraw our
hand and may get burnt.

2. What is the function of receptors in our body? Think of situations where receptors do not work
properly. What problems are likely to arise?
Sol. Receptors are sensory structures (organs/tissues or cells) present all over the body. The receptors are either
grouped in case of eye or ear, or scattered in case of skin.
Functions of receptors:  They sense the external stimuli such as heat or pain.  They also trigger an impulse
in the sensory neuron which sends message to the spinal cord.
When the receptors are damaged, the external stimuli transferring signals to the brain are not felt. For
example, in the case of damaged receptors, if we accidentally touch any hot object, then our hands might get
burnt as damaged receptors cannot perceive the external stimuli of heat and pain.

3. Draw the structure of a neuron and explain its function.

Sol. Neurons are the functional units of the nervous system. The three main parts of a neuron are axon, dendrite
and cell body.

Functions of the three parts of a neuron: Axon: It conducts messages away from the cell body. Dendrite:
It receives information from axon of another cell and conducts the messages towards the cell body. Cell
body: It contains nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles. It is mainly concerned with the maintenance
and growth.

4. What is synapse? In a neuron cell how is an electrical impulse created and what is the role of
synapse in this context?

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Sol. A synapse is the gap between the two neurons. Here the axon terminal of one neuron is in close proximity to
the dendrite of the second neuron. When a nerve impulse reaches the knob like nerve ending of an axon, a
tiny amount of a chemical substance is released in the synapse. This chemical substance is called as the
neurotransmitter. At synapse the electrical signals converted into chemicals, that can easily cross over the gap
and pass on to the next neurons where it again converted into electrical signals.

5. What happens at the synapse between two neurons?

Sol. A very small gap that occurs between the last portion of axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the other
neuron is known as a synapse. It acts as a one way valve to transmit impulses in one direction only.

This one-directional transfer of impulses occurs as the chemicals are produced in only one side of the neuron
i.e., the axon’s side. From axon, the impulses travel across the synapse to the dendrite of the other neuron.

REFLEX ACTION AND REFLEX ARC

6. Define reflex arc.

Sol. Reflex arc is defined as the pathway or route taken by nerve impulses in a reflex action.

7. What is the difference between a reflex action and walking?

Sol.  A reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus. It does not involve any
thinking. For example, we close our eyes immediately when the bright light is focused.
 Walking, on the other hand, is a voluntary action. It is under our conscious control

8. What is the role of the brain in reflex action?

Sol. Reflex actions are sudden responses, which do not involve any thinking. For example, when we touch a hot
object, we withdraw our hand immediately without thinking as thinking may take time which would be enough
to get us burnt. The sensory nerves that detect the heat are connected to the nerves that move the muscles
of the hand. Such a connection of detecting the signal from the nerves (input) and responding to it quickly
(output) is called a reflex arc. The reflex arcs –connections present between the input and output nerves −
meet in a bundle in the spinal cord.

9. “Reflex arcs continue to be more efficient for quick responses”. Justify this statement giving
reason. (Board Term I, 2017)
Sol. Reflex action is an automatic and spontaneous response to a stimulus. The pathway taken by nerve impulses
and responses in a reflex action is called a reflex arc. It consists of receptor, sensory nerve (afferent), spinal
cord, motor nerve (efferent) and effector (muscles or glands). Reflex arc is evolved in animals because the
thinking process of the brain is not fast enough. Reflex arc enables the body to give quick responses to harmful
stimuli so that chances of damage to body are decreased. It also prevents overloading of brain, so prevents its
fatigue. Many animals have very little or none of the complex neuron network needed for thinking. So, it is
likely that reflex arc has evolved as an efficient way of functioning in the absence of true thought processes.
However, even after complex neuron networks have came into existence, reflex arcs continue to be more
efficient for quick responses.

10. Which signals will get disrupted in case of a spinal cord injury?
Sol. The reflex arc connections between the input and output nerves meet in a bundle in the spinal cord. In fact,
nerves from all over the body meet in a bundle in the spinal cord on their way to the brain. In case of any injury
to the spinal cord, the signals coming from the nerves as well as the signals coming to the receptors will be
disrupted.
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 BRAIN

11. How are involuntary actions and reflex actions different from each other?
Sol. Involuntary actions cannot be consciously controlled. For example, we cannot consciously control the
movement of food in the alimentary canal or pumping of blood through heart. These actions are however
directly under the control of the brain. On the other hand, the reflex actions such as closing of eyes
immediately when bright light is focused show sudden response and do not involve any thinking. This means
that unlike involuntary actions, the reflex actions are not under the control of brain.

12. Mention three major regions of brain. Write one function of each. (Board Term I, 2014)
Sol. Brain is divided into three main regions forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
(i) Forebrain consists of cerebrum, olfactory lobes and diencephalon. Its main function is thinking and
controlling various activities such as touch, smell, hearing, speech and sight.
(ii) Midbrain controls reflex movements of the head, neck and trunk in response to visual and auditory stimuli.
(iii) Hindbrain has three centers called pons, cerebellum and medulla. This part is responsible for regulating
respiration, maintaining posture and balance of body and controlling involuntary actions such as
heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, etc.

13. Which part of the brain maintains posture and equilibrium of the body?
Sol. Cerebellum, a part of hindbrain is responsible for maintaining posture and equilibrium of the body.

14. How do we detect the smell of an agarbatti (incense stick)?

Sol. The thinking part of our brain is the forebrain. It has separate areas that are specialized for hearing, smelling,
sight, taste, touch, etc. The forebrain also has regions that collect information or impulses from the various
receptors. When the smell of an incense stick reaches us, our forebrain detects it. Then, the forebrain
interprets it by putting it together with the information received from other receptors and also with the
information already stored in the brain.

CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN PLANTS

15. What is meant by tropic movements? (Board Term I, 2013)

Sol. Directional movements or orientations of specific part of a plant in response to external stimuli are called
tropisms or tropic movements.

16. State the two types of movements seen in plants. Give one example of each type.
(Board Term I, 2016)
Sol. Two types of movements seen in plants are:
(i) Nastic movements are movements independent of growth that are non-directional and occur due to
turgor changes, e.g., closing of leaves in response to touch stimulus in ‘touch me not’ plant.
(ii) Tropic movements or tropism are movements due to growth, that are directional and very slow, e.g.,
movement of a part of the plant in response to light.

17. Define phototropism. Name the plant hormone which is responsible for phototropism.
(Board Term I, 2016)
Sol. Phototropism is the movement of a part of the plant in response to light. Shoots generally grow towards light
and are said to be positively phototropic, while roots grow away from light and are said to be negatively
phototropic.
The growth movement of the plant part (stem) is caused by the action of auxin hormone. Auxin causes cell
elongation. Thus, causing growth of stem towards the light stimulus.

18. How does phototropism occur in plants?

Sol. The movement of plant in response to light is called phototropism. Stem shows positive phototropism as
follows: When growing plants detect light, a hormone called auxin, synthesized at the shoot tip, helps the cells
to grow longer. When light is coming from one side of the plant, auxin diffuses towards the shady side of the
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 shoot. This concentration of auxin stimulates the cells to grow longer on the side of the shoot which is away
from light. Thus, the plant appears to bend towards light.

19. Define geotropism. Draw a labelled diagram of a plant showing geotropic movement of its
parts. (2020)
Sol. Geotropism refers to the upward and downward growth of shoots and roots respectively in response to the
pull of earth or gravity. If the plant part moves in the direction of gravity, it is called positive geotropism.
Likewise, if the plant part moves against the direction of gravity, it is termed as negative geotropism. Shoots
are usually negatively geotropic and roots are usually positively geotropic. A well labelled diagram of plant
showing geotropism is:

20. How is the movement of leaves of the sensitive plant different from the movement of a shoot
towards light?
Sol. The movement of leaves of the sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica or “touch me not”, occurs in response to touch
or contact stimuli. This is done by plant cells by changing the amount of water in leaves. This movement is
independent of growth.  The movement of shoot towards light is known as phototropism. This type of
movement is directional and is growth dependent.

21. What are plant hormones?

Sol. Phytohormones are chemical substances produced naturally in plants and are capable of translocation and
regulating one or more physiological processes when present in low concentration. Plant hormones help to
coordinate growth, development and responses to the environment. Plant hormones are also known as plant
growth substances or plant growth regulators.
The five major types of phytohormones are auxins, gibberellins, cytokinin, abscisic acid and ethylene. 
Gibberellins help in the growth of the stem.  Auxins help in the growth of the stem. Cytokinins promote
cell division.  Abscisic acid is one example of a hormone which inhibits growth.

22. Give an example of a plant hormone that promotes growth.

Sol. Examples of plants growth hormones:  Gibberellins help in the growth of the stem.  Auxins help in the
growth of the stem. Cytokinins promote cell division.

23. How do auxins promote the growth of a tendril around a support?

Sol. These tendrils are sensitive to touch. When they come in contact with any support, auxin (a growth hormone)
diffuses from the part of the tendril in contact with the object to other side, which is not in the contact.
Therefore, the part of the tendril in the contact with the object does not grow as rapidly as the part of the
tendril away from the object. This causes the tendril to circle around the object and thus cling to it.

24. Design an experiment to demonstrate hydrotropism.

Sol. Take two small beakers and label them as A and B. Fill beaker A with water. Now make a cylindrical-shaped
roll from a filter paper and keep it as a bridge between beaker A and beaker B, as shown in the figure. Attach
few germinating seeds in the middle of the filter paper bridge. Now, cover the entire set-up with a transparent
plastic container so that the moisture is retained.

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 Observation : The roots of the germinating seeds will grow towards beaker A.

25. How does phototropism occur in plants?

Sol. The movement of plant in response to light is called phototropism. Stem shows positive phototropism as
follows: When growing plants detect light, a hormone called auxin, synthesised at the shoot tip, helps the cells
to grow longer. When light is coming from one side of the plant, auxin diffuses towards the shady side of the
shoot. This concentration of auxin stimulates the cells to grow longer on the side of the shoot which is away
from light. Thus, the plant appears to bend towards light.

26. How does chemical coordination occur in plants?

Sol. Animals have a nervous system for controlling and coordinating the activities of the body. But plants have
neither a nervous system nor muscles. Plants respond to stimuli by showing movements. The growth,
development, and responses to the environment in plants is controlled and coordinated by a special class of
chemical substances known as hormones. These hormones are produced in one part of the plant body and
are translocated to other needy parts. For example, a hormone produced in roots is translocated to other
parts when required. The five major types of phytohormone are auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid,
and ethylene. These phytohormones are either growth promoters (such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and
ethylene) or growth inhibitors such as abscisic acid.

27. What is the difference between the manner in which movement takes place in a sensitive plant
and the movement in our legs?

Sol.

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 CHEMICAL COORDINATION IN ANIMALS

28. How does chemical coordination take place in animals?

Sol. Chemical coordination takes place in animals with the help of hormones. Hormone is the chemical messenger
that regulates the physiological processes in living organisms. It is secreted by glands. The regulation of
physiological processes and control and coordination by hormones comes under the endocrine system. The
nervous system along with the endocrine system in our body controls and coordinates the physiological
processes.

29. List three characteristics of animal hormones. (Board Term I, 2015)

Sol. Three characteristics of animal hormones are:
(i) Hormones are synthesized by endocrine glands and secreted directly into the blood stream.
(ii) They are produced at a place other than the site of action. They travel through blood and have specific
action on a specific target organ.
(iii) Chemically the hormones may be peptides, proteins, amines or steroids.

30. A squirrel is in a scary situation. Its body has to prepare for either fighting or running away.
State the immediate changes that take place in its body so that the squirrel is able to either fight or run.
(2020)
Sol. When squirrel is in a scary situation then its nervous system stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete more
adrenaline hormone into blood. This adrenaline hormone increases heartbeat, breathing rate, blood flow into
muscles and causes liver to put more stored glucose into its blood. All these actions of adrenaline hormone
produces a lot of energy in squirrel’s body. In this way, squirrel prepares itself for fighting or running away
action.

31. Why is the use of iodized salt advisable?

Sol. Iodine stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin hormone. It regulates carbohydrate, fat, and protein
metabolism in our body. Deficiency of this hormone results in the enlargement of the thyroid gland. This can
lead to goitre, a disease characterized by swollen neck. Therefore, iodised salt is advised for normal functioning
of the thyroid gland.

32. How does our body respond when adrenaline is secreted into the blood?
Sol. Adrenalin is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in case of any danger or emergency or any kinds of
stress. It is secreted directly into the blood and is transported to different parts of the body. When secreted
in large amounts, it speeds up the heartbeat and hence supplies more oxygen to the muscles. The breathing
rate also increases due to contractions of diaphragm and rib muscles. It also increases the blood pressure. All
these responses enable the body to deal with any stress or emergency.

33. Why are some patients of diabetes treated by giving injections of insulin?
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Sol. Diabetes is a disease in which the level of sugar in the blood is too high. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the
pancreas, helps in regulating the blood sugar levels. This is the reason why diabetic patients are treated by
giving injections of insulin.

34. Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for control and coordination in
animals.
Sol.

JUST BEFORE EXAM CHECK THAT YOU :

1. Understand the structure and function of the nervous system.

2. Grasp the concept of neurons, nerve impulses, and synapses.
3. Study the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
4. Learn about reflex actions and their significance.
5. Understand the role of different parts of the brain in controlling various activities.
6. Familiarize yourself with the endocrine system and hormone functions.
7. Study the major endocrine glands and the hormones they produce.
8. Understand the coordination between the nervous and endocrine systems.
9. Review the disorders related to the nervous and endocrine systems.
10. TROPIC MOVEMENTS AND THEIR TYPE
11. AUXIN, GIBBERILIN, CYTOKININ, ABA, ETHYLENE

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 CHAPTER-8
HEREDITY
MONOHYBRID CROSS

1. With the help of an example justify the following statement: “A trait may be inherited, but may
not be expressed.” (AI 2016)
Sol. A trait may be inherited but may not be expressed, this could be explained by the given example. When a tall
pea plant was crossed with a dwarf pea plant, then F1 generation plants were all tall. When F1 plants were
selfed, then F2 generation plants were both tall and dwarf. This shows that the F 1 plants had inherited both
the parental traits but did not express dwarfness or recessive trait in the presence of the trait for tallness or
dominant trait. This could be explained by the given cross :

2. How do Mendel’s experiments show that traits may be dominant or recessive?

Sol. Mendel selected true breeding tall (TT) and dwarf (tt) pea plants. Then, he crossed these two plants. The seeds
formed after fertilization were grown and these plants that were formed represent the first filial or F1
generation. All the F1 plants obtained were tall.

Then, Mendel self-pollinated the F1 plants and observed that all plants obtained in the F2 generation were
not tall. Instead, one-fourth of the F2 plants were short.

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 From this experiment, Mendel concluded that the F1 tall plants were not true breeding. They were carrying
traits of both short height and tall height. They appeared tall only because the tall trait is dominant over the
dwarf trait.

3. A Mendelian experiment consisted of breeding pea plants bearing violet flowers with pea
plants bearing white flowers. What will be the result in F1 progeny? (2018)
Sol. According to the Mendelian experiment, violet coloqr (VV) is a dominant trait while white
colour (ww) is a recessive trait. Hence, the colour of the flower in F 1 progeny will be violet (Vw).

DIHYBRID CROSS

4. How do Mendel’s experiments show that traits are inherited independently?

Sol. Mendel crossed pea plants having round green seeds (RRyy) with pea plants havingwrinkled yellow seeds
(rrYY).

Since the F1 plants are formed after crossing pea plants having green round seeds and pea plants having yellow
wrinkled seeds, F1 generation will have both these characters in them. However, as we know that yellow seed
colour and round seeds are dominant characters, therefore, the F1 plants will have yellow round seeds. Then
this F1 progeny was self-pollinated and the F2 progeny was found to have yellow round seeds, green round
seeds, yellow wrinkled seeds, and green wrinkled seeds in the ratio of 9:3:3:1.

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 In the above cross, more than two factors are involved, and these are independently inherited

5. Give reasons for the appearance of new combinations of characters in the F2 progeny.
Sol. An organism can inherit each character independently. So, in the F2 progeny new
combination of character appears. Tall/ Short and Round/Wrinkled seed trait are independently inherited.

BLOOD GROUPING

6. A man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group O and their daughter has blood
group O. Is this information enough to tell you which of the traits − blood group A or O − is dominant? Why
or why not?
Sol. No. This information is not sufficient to determine which of the traits − blood group A or O − is dominant. This
is because we do not know about the blood group of all the progeny. Blood group A can be genotypically AA
or AO. Hence, the information is incomplete to draw any such conclusion.

SEX DETERMINATION

7. How is the sex of the child determined in human beings?

Sol. In human beings, the females have two X chromosomes and the males have one X and one Y chromosome.
Therefore, the females are XX and the males are XY. The gametes, as we know, receive half of the
chromosomes. The male gametes have 22 autosomes and either X or Y sex chromosome. Type of male
gametes: 22+X OR 22+ Y. However, since the females have XX sex chromosomes, their gametes can only have
X sex chromosome. Type of female gamete : 22+X

Thus, the mother provides only X chromosomes. The sex of the baby is determined by the type of male gamete
(X or Y) that fuses with the X chromosome of the female.
8. How is the equal genetic contribution of male and female parents ensured in the progeny?
Sol. In human beings, every somatic cell of the body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. Out of these 23 pairs, the
first 22 pairs are known as autosomes and the remaining one pair is known as sex chromosomes represented
as X and Y. Females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome. The gamete

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 receives half of the chromosomes. Therefore, the male gametes have 22 autosomes and either X or Y
chromosome. The female gamete, on the other hand, has 22 autosomes and X chromosome. During
reproduction, the male and female gametes fuse and thus the progeny receives 22 autosomes and one X or Y
chromosome from male parent and 22 autosomes and one X chromosome from the female parent.

9. A woman has only daughters. Analyze the situation genetically and provide a suitable
explanation.
Sol. The women produce ova with ‘X’ chromosome and man produces sperms with X and Y
chromosome.
If the husband of the woman transfers X chromosome, then child will be a girl. On the other hand, if the
husband transfer Y chromosome, the child will be a boy. In the case, the husband is always transferring X
chromosome and hence, all the children are girl.

ACQUIRED AND INHERITED TRAIT

10. Why are traits acquired during the life-time of an individual not inherited?
Sol. This happens because an acquired trait involves change in non-reproductive tissues (somatic cells) which
cannot be passed on to germ cells or the p

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