Extra long-answer questions from the Chapter:6 Control and Coordination chapter of Class 10 CBSE Science, along with detailed answers.
Explain the human nervous system in detail
.
Answer:
The human nervous system controls and coordinates body functions.
It is divided into:
Central Nervous System (CNS)
– Brain and Spinal Cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
– Cranial and Spinal nerves.
Brain Parts:
Cerebrum
: Controls voluntary actions, intelligence, memory.
Cerebellum
: Maintains balance and posture.
Medulla Oblongata
: Controls involuntary actions like heartbeat, breathing.
What is reflex action? Explain with an example and draw a reflex arc.
Answer:
Reflex action is a
quick, automatic, and involuntary
response to a stimulus.
Example:
Pulling hand away after touching a hot object.
Reflex Arc Components:
Receptor
– Detects stimulus (skin).
Sensory neuron
– Sends signal to spinal cord.
Interneuron
– Processes response in spinal cord.
Motor neuron
– Sends impulse to muscle.
Effector
– Performs action (muscle withdraws hand).
Describe the structure and functions of a neuron.
Answer:
Neuron is the
structural and functional unit
of the nervous system.
Parts of a Neuron:
Dendrites
– Receive impulses.
Cell body
– Contains nucleus and cytoplasm.
Axon
– Transmits impulses away from cell body.
Axon terminals
– Pass signals to the next neuron.
Functions:
Transmits nerve impulses.
Controls body responses.
Coordinates reflex actions.
Differentiate between voluntary, involuntary, and reflex actions with examples.
Answer:
Voluntary Action
:
Under
conscious control
(e.g., writing, walking).
Controlled by the
cerebrum
.
Involuntary Action
:
Occurs
without consciousness
(e.g., digestion, heartbeat).
Controlled by the
medulla oblongata
.
Reflex Action
:
Quick automatic response
(e.g., blinking, knee jerk).
Controlled by
spinal cord
.
Explain the role of the brain in control and coordination.
Answer:
The brain is the
control
centre
of the nervous system.
Main Parts & Their Functions:
Cerebrum
: Thinking, memory, intelligence, voluntary actions.
Cerebellum
: Balance and coordination.
Medulla Oblongata
: Involuntary actions (breathing, heartbeat).
It processes information and sends
appropriate responses
to different body parts.
What is the role of the spinal cord in the human nervous system?
Answer:
It
connects the brain to the body
via nerves.
It controls
reflex actions
.
Acts as a
pathway for nerve impulses
.
Explain synapse and its role in nerve impulse transmission.
Answer:
Synapse
: The gap between two neurons where impulses are transmitted.
Role:
Electrical signal triggers
neurotransmitters
.
Neurotransmitters cross synapse, starting an impulse in the next neuron.
Describe the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Answer:
PNS consists of
cranial nerves
(from brain) and
spinal nerves
(from spinal cord).
It connects the CNS to body parts.
Differentiate between central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
Answer:
Feature |
CNS |
PNS |
---|---|---|
Components |
Brain, Spinal Cord |
Nerves |
Function |
Processes and sends signals |
Connects CNS to organs |
Voluntary/Involuntary |
Controls both |
Carries impulses |
Describe the structure and function of the human brain.
Answer:
Parts of the Brain:
Cerebrum
,
Cerebellum
,
Medulla Oblongata
.
11. How do plants respond to external stimuli? Explain different types of plant movements with examples.
Answer:
Plants respond to external stimuli through tropic movements and nastic movements:
A) Tropic Movements (Directional Growth Response)
Phototropism
– Growth towards light.
(Example: Sunflower bends towards the sun.)
Geotropism
– Growth in response to gravity.
(Example: Roots grow downward, stems grow upward.)
Thigmotropism
– Growth in response to touch.
(Example: Climbing vines like Pea plants.)
Hydrotropism
– Growth towards water.
(Example: Roots grow towards a water source.)
Chemotropism
– Growth in response to chemicals.
(Example: Pollen tube growing towards the ovule.)
B) Nastic Movements (Non-Directional Response)
Seismonastic
Movement
– Response to mechanical stimuli like touch.
(Example: Mimosa
pudica
(Touch-Me-Not) folds leaves when touched.)
Nyctinasty
– Response to light and darkness.
(Example: Flowers of Moonflower bloom at night.)
12. How does the brain coordinate different functions of the body? Explain the role of different parts of the brain.
Answer:
The brain is the control centre of the body and coordinates all voluntary and involuntary actions.
A) Main Parts of the Brain & Their Functions
Cerebrum (Largest part)
Controls
voluntary actions
, intelligence, memory, and learning.
Divided into two hemispheres.
Controls thinking, emotions, and problem-solving.
Cerebellum
Maintains
balance and posture
.
Coordinates muscle movements.
(Example: Walking, running.)
Medulla Oblongata
Controls
involuntary actions
like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure.
Hypothalamus
Regulates
body temperature, hunger, and emotions
.
Pituitary Gland
Secretes
hormones
and controls other endocrine glands.
B) How the Brain Coordinates Body Functions
It
receives and processes signals
from sense organs.
It sends commands to muscles and glands for an appropriate response.
It ensures balance, reflex actions, and voluntary control.
13. Compare and contrast the nervous system and endocrine system in humans.
Answer:
Feature |
Nervous System |
Endocrine System |
---|---|---|
Mode of Action |
Uses electrical impulses |
Uses chemical hormones |
Speed |
Fast (milliseconds) |
Slow (takes minutes to hours) |
Duration of Effect |
Short-lived |
Long-lasting |
Pathway |
Travels through neurons |
Travels through bloodstream |
Control |
Controls voluntary and reflex actions |
Regulates growth, metabolism, and hormones |
Example |
Reflex actions (pulling hand from fire) |
Insulin secretion for sugar control |
Conclusion: Both systems work together to maintain homeostasis (balance in the body). The nervous system ensures immediate responses, while the endocrine system ensures long-term regulation.
14. What is homeostasis? How do the nervous and endocrine systems work together to maintain homeostasis?
Answer:
Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment in response to external changes.
A) Role of the Nervous System in Homeostasis
Detects changes through
sensory receptors
.
Sends
signals to the brain
, which processes the information.
Sends
motor responses
to muscles or glands to correct imbalances.
(Example: If body temperature rises, sweat glands are activated to cool the body.)
B) Role of the Endocrine System in Homeostasis
Regulates hormones
to maintain balance.
Example:
Pancreas releases insulin
when blood sugar is high.
Thyroid gland secretes thyroxine
to control metabolism.
Adrenal gland secretes adrenaline
in stress situations.
C) How They Work Together
Example 1: Blood Sugar Control
Pancreas releases
insulin
when sugar is high.
Nervous system signals hunger when sugar is low.
Example 2: Body Temperature Regulation
Nervous system detects
high temperature
→ Sweat glands activated.
Endocrine system releases
thyroxine
to regulate metabolism.
Thus, both systems cooperate to maintain internal stability.
15. What are the different types of hormones in humans? Explain their functions.
Answer:
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands to regulate body functions.
A) Major Endocrine Glands & Their Hormones
Endocrine Gland |
Hormone |
Function |
---|---|---|
Pituitary Gland |
Growth Hormone (GH) |
Controls growth and development. |
Thyroid Gland |
Thyroxine |
Regulates metabolism and energy production. |
Pancreas |
Insulin |
Lowers blood sugar levels. |
Adrenal Glands |
Adrenaline |
Controls stress response ("fight or flight"). |
Ovaries (Females) |
Estrogen & Progesterone |
Regulates menstrual cycle and pregnancy. |
Testes (Males) |
Testosterone |
Regulates male reproductive functions. |
B) Importance of Hormones
Help in
growth & development
.
Maintain
blood sugar & metabolism
.
Control
mood, emotions, and stress
.
Regulate
sexual and reproductive functions
.
Conclusion:
Hormones play a vital role in the coordination of body activities, ensuring smooth functioning of all organs.
.)