BIOLOGY

BIG TRAGEDY AVERTED

July15. The Neelimala road, an accident-prone area, with hair
pin curves and steep slopes, is again in the news. This time the
accident occurred when a wild cat jumped in front of a bus full
of passengers. Seeing the cat unexpectedly before him, the
driver applied the brake suddenly. The bus ran out of control
and was about to fall into a precipice when it hit against a mud-
wall. A great disaster was thus averted.

Why did the driver apply brakes when
he saw just a wild cat?, responded a
student while reading the news.
Don't you too make sudden responses to
unexpected situations? Enlist such
situations.
The sudden withdrawal of legs while
stepping on fire accidentally.
You have already learnt about conscious
responses to the changes in the
surroundings. But responses need not
always be conscious. Analyse the science
article given below and list out, in order,
the activities that take place in the body
when sudden responses are made.
Arrange the enlisted data as a flow chart
in your Science diary.

Reflexes - What? How?

Reflex actions are sudden, involuntary reactions of the body in response to stimuli. They
occur without the involvement of the conscious areas of the brain. Therefore, all reflex
actions are unconscious actions. Reflex actions occur both from the brain and spinal
cord which are the parts of the central nervous system.

central canal
dorsal root white matter

grey matter ventral root

Fig - 2.1. Spinal cord

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However, these actions are mainly formed from the spinal cord. The vertebral column
protects the spinal cord just as the skull protects the brain. Like the brain, the spinal cord
too has a covering of meninges. The central canal and the space between the layers of
meninges are filled with the cerebrospinal fluid. When sudden responses are required,
instructions are given by the spinal cord itself. Impulses reach the brain only after that.
Subsequently conscious responses are made. Reflex arc is the path of impulses in the
reflex action.

The hand is
withdrawn by the
action of the muscle Motor neuron
carries the messages
from the spinal cord to
the effector muscles.

The fingertip
unknowingly
touches a thorn.
The receptors
there become
excited. Inter neuron
connects the sensory
neuron and the motor
neuron.

Sensory neuron
carries impulses to
the spinal cord.

Fig. 2.2. Reflec arc

Reflexes formed from the brain are called cerebral reflexes. Blinking of the eye is a
cerebral reflex.
Reflexes may also be developed through constant practice and experience. The
application of sudden brakes by the driver and salivation at the thought of tasty food are
examples. Such responses are called conditioned reflexes.

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In critical situations, reflex actions serve as a defence mechanism also. In such situations,
the nervous system as a whole becomes more alert. As a result physiological activities
may also change.
Look at the following cartoon

Vow....!

Alas!

List the changes in the physiological
activities of the boy running away from
the dog.
Rate of heart beat increases
Breathing rate increases
What might be the changes in the body
after he finds relief?
.....................................................................
Do you know why such changes take place
in the body?

The Mastermind of Unconscious Activities

Our nervous system can be divided into two. The Central Nervous System (CNS) and
the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
Conscious decisions required for physiological activities are mainly formed in the brain.
However, in emergency situations immediate decisions are taken by the spinal cord.
Nerves connecting the central nervous system to the organs of the body constitute the
peripheral nervous system.
There are many activities which occur beyond our conscious area. Such activities are
controlled by the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) which is a part of the peripheral
nervous system. The autonomous nervous system is composed of the Sympathetic
System and the Parasympathetic System. The sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems supply nerve fibres to most of the internal organs.

Observe the Figure, compare the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems and prepare notes. Complete Table.2.1.

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Sympathetic system Parasympathetic system

Pupil dilates Pupil constricts

Secretion of saliva Secretion of saliva

decreases increases

Rate of heart Rate of heart beat

beat increases decreases
spinal cord
Trachea Trachea constricts
dilates
Functions of the Functions of the
Stomach slow stomach is stimulated
down Glucose is converted
Glycogen is converted into glycogen; secretion
into glucose of bile is enhanced
Hormone secretion Hormone secretion
increases decreases

Peristalsis slows Peristalsis is enhanced

down

Urinary bladder Urinary bladder

regains the original contracts
relaxed state
Sympathetic ganglia

Fig. - 2.3 Autonomous nervous system-Actions

Actions of the sympathetic system Actions of the parasympathetic

when the boy runs away from the dog system when the boy finds relief.

Table-2.1

Haven't you understood that the sympathetic system equips the body to face critical
situations? After overcoming the crisis, the parasympathetic system brings
physiological activities back to normal state.
We have learnt the role of the nervous system and the functions of its different parts in
sensing the changes taking place in the surroundings and responding to them
accordingly. But changes take place every moment not only in the external environment
but in the internal environment too. All these are internal stimuli. Some of them are
given below.

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Variation in blood pressure So far we have learned about the role of

Change in water content the nervous system in perceiving stimuli
Change in CO2 level from the surroundings and from within
the body, and making responses. How do
Receptors capable of perceiving such
the different parts of the nervous system
stimuli are present in the internal organs
act in a co-ordinated manner? Analyze the
and muscles. For example, chemoreceptors
following illustration based on the
and baroreceptors. Excitation of these
indicators, and complete the flow chart
receptors leads to the generation of
given below.
impulses which in turn will cause the
corresponding organs to act accordingly.

Cranial nerves (12 pairs)

Brain
Central Nervous

Nervous System
Peripheral
System

Organs

Spinal cord
Spinal nerves (31pairs)

Illustration-2.1

Indicators
What are the parts of the central nervous system?
What are the parts included in the peripheral nervous system?
How does the brain communicate with organs?
How does the spinal cord communicate with organs?

Nervous system

Peripheral
nervous system

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The health of the nervous system is
essential for mental and physical well-
being. The health of the nervous system
may get disrupted due to several reasons.
You know about diseases like stroke and
paralysis. But there are many other
conditions that also adversely affect the
nervous system.
Alzheimer disease
This disease is caused by a continuous
degeneration of neurons in the brain. It
happens due to the accumulation of an
insoluble protein in the form of plaque in
nervous tissues. The chief symptom of the
disease is the complete loss of memory.
Even the memory regarding the day, date
and details about oneself like where one
is, who one's family members are, etc. are
lost. As a result, the working of the mind
topples. The patient becomes unaware of
his action or his behaviour towards others.
Gradually this leads to death. Even though
this disease is more common among aged
people, it may also affect people below
60. In this condition the patient needs the
presence and attention of others. Let's
hope that medical science will soon be
able to conquer this disease which is a
threat to individual health and
community health as a whole.
Parkinson disease
This disease is caused by the
degeneration of specific ganglions in the
brain. It results from the deficiency of a
neurotransmitter called dopamine. The
symptoms of this disease include tremor
due to the irregular movement of
involuntary muscles, uncontrolled flow of
saliva and the loss of balance of the body
BIOLOGY
due to the defective co-ordination of
muscular activities. Patients develop an
aversion to life and also depression.
Though treatment using dopamine is
possible a complete cure can not be
expected.
Epilepsy
The disease is caused by the irregularity
in the electric impulse in the brain. Fits due
to frequent and uncontrolled muscular
contractions and unconsciousness are the
symptoms. During the fits that may last for
seconds or minutes, clenching of the teeth,
biting of the tongue and frothy discharge
from the mouth are common. Today,
epilepsy is treated effectively with
medicines. However, medicines are to be
taken regularly.
A complete cure through treatment is not
possible for several diseases affecting the
nervous system. Those who nurse such
patients are to be extremely careful and
considerate. They must develop an
attitude of mind that will enable them to
look after the patients patiently, taking
into account their helpless and pathetic
condition. Only then we can attain
humaneness, the noble quality that a
higher state of brain entitles.
Discuss how we should behave with
people who suffer the pangs of various
diseases. Prepare a note and record it in
the Science diary.
The mechanisms to act according to the
changes that take place every moment in
the surroundings and within the body are
seen in other animals too. Analyse the
given descriptions and form inferences
about them.
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In Unicellular Organisms
In unicellular organisms, plasma membrane and cytoplasm
Eye Spot play a major role in perceiving stimuli and emiting
responses. Chlamydomonas and euglena have specific
parts known as eyespot to detect the presence of light.
Fig - 2.4

Nervenet
Hydra is a multicellular organism having a simple structure. In
hydra nerve cells are extended all over the body like a net. It
is through this nervenet that communication between the body
and the external environment and elicitation of responses take
Fig - 2.5
place.

Eyes - how many?

The eye of insects is made up of thousands of minute eyes
called ommatidia. On the outer surface of each
ommatidium, there is a lens with six sides. Behind it is
found a transparent conical structure below which
photosensitive (light sensitive) cells are seen. The image
formed in the eyes of insects is erect. Impulses from each
Fig - 2.6 ommatidium reach the brain. The brain integrates thousands
of images and makes vision possible.

Seeing through sound too

Bats are not blind. They move during night not by seeing but
sensing the obstacles in their way. They produce sound
waves of high frequency. Since these sound waves cannot
be heard by us they are called ultrasonic sound. These waves
strike the objects ahead and bounce back. Analysing this
Fig - 2.7 echo, the bat can interpret the exact position, distance, nature
etc. of the object.

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Why hear?
Snakes do not have the power to hear. When the snake-
charmer plays the blow pipe (makudi) they dance not
because they hear the music, but to the movements of the
pipe. Snakes can sense the vibrations on the ground. They
frequently extend the tongue to sense the smell. Olfactory
particles that stick on to the tongue are received by the
receptors in a special organ called Jacobsons organ
Fig.2.8. situated in the roof of the mouth and the smell is detected.
The highly sensitive thermoreceptors in viper, python etc.,
help them to detect the presence of other animals at night.

Can't see, but ...

Even though plants cannot see things, they are able to sense
the presence of light and respond to it. In plants the green
pigment chlorophyll is synthesized in the presence of light.
This phenomenon is called photomorphogenesis. You have
learnt about the tip of the stem growing towards light. Light
influences flowering and in some plants seed germination
also. Plants are equipped for such responses by the protein
pigment called phytochrome.
Fig.2.9.

The living world is full of many such wonders. Collect information about them and
prepare a magazine on the communication systems in animals. Whatever the diversities
be, responding to changes is the chief attribute of life. This attribute is common to all
organisms. This is one of the similarities that binds organisms with one another.

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Follow up Activities
1) Analyse the following situations and answer the following questions.
Unknowingly touched fire
Experienced pain
Withdrew the hand
Applied antiseptic on burnt part
(a) Enlist the stimuli and responses
(b) Which is the conscious response?
(c) Is it after experiencing pain that the hand is withdrawn? Justify your opinion.
(d) List sequentially the parts through which impulses pass while experiencing
pain.
(e) Illustrate reflex arc.
2) "The sympathetic system and the parasympathetic system act like the accelerator
and brake of a vehicle". Evaluate whether this statement is completely true and
note down your opinion.
3) Analyse the following statements.
a) Other organisms do not have the ability to receive stimuli as man.
b) Even though nerves are absent, unicellular organisms can respond to stimuli.

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