Question 11
Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for control and coordination in animals.
Nervous and hormonal mechanisms are two primary systems that animals use for control and coordination of physiological processes. Both these systems often work together, with the nervous system triggering the release of hormones in certain situations. Both systems allow animals to adapt and respond to changes in their internal and external environments.
The differences between nervous and hormonal mechanisms are summarised below:
| Nervous mechanism | Hormonal mechanism |
|---|---|
| Brain, Spinal cord and Neurons are involved. | Endocrine glands are involved. |
| The signal is transmitted electro-chemically through the nerve fibres and chemically across synapses. | The signal is transmitted chemically through blood. |
| The nervous response is short-lived. | Hormonal response is long-lived. |
| It is immediate/rapid. | It is usually slow. |
Chapter 6: Control and Coordination — Quick Revision Guide
Introduction
Control and coordination in organisms is achieved through the nervous system (fast, electrical signals) and the endocrine system (slow, chemical hormones). Plants coordinate using phytohormones.
Key Points at a Glance
- Neuron: cell body + dendrites (receive) + axon (transmit) + synapse (chemical transmission between neurons)
- Reflex arc: receptor → sensory nerve → spinal cord → motor nerve → effector; involuntary, fast
- Brain: cerebrum (thinking, memory), cerebellum (balance), medulla (involuntary actions); protected by skull + CSF
- Plant tropisms: phototropism (light), geotropism (gravity), hydrotropism (water), chemotropism (chemicals), thigmotropism (touch)
- Nastic movements: non-directional; Mimosa pudica folds on touch (thigmonasty)
- Plant hormones: auxin (elongation), gibberellin (stem growth), cytokinin (cell division), abscisic acid (growth inhibitor), ethylene (ripening)
- Animal hormones: GH (growth), thyroxine (metabolism, needs iodine), adrenaline (fight-or-flight), insulin (lowers blood sugar), testosterone/estrogen (sexual characters)
- Feedback mechanism: blood sugar regulated by insulin (lowers) and glucagon (raises); homeostasis
Real-World Connections
Reflexes protect us from burns and injury; diabetes is managed with insulin injections; iodised salt prevents goitre; artificial ripening of fruits uses ethylene gas.
Quick Self-Test (5 Questions)
- What is the most important concept you learned from this chapter?
- Can you write three key equations/formulae from this chapter from memory?
- Draw a labelled diagram relevant to this chapter without looking at your notes.
- Explain one real-world application of a concept from this chapter.
- What is one common mistake students make in this chapter, and how can you avoid it?
Further Study
- NCERT Textbook Chapter 6
- NCERT Exemplar Problems
- Bright Tutorials Detailed Notes: ch06-control-coordination.html
- Bright Tutorials Practice Questions: ch06-control-coordination.html
- Previous Year CBSE Board Papers