Section 10 — Coordination and Response 87

Ctrl + Shift
TheSelect to bring
Nervous Systemonto page
The nervous system allows humans to react to their surroundings, coordinate their behaviour and
regulate body functions. This page is all about how it works.

There are Two Parts to the Nervous System

1) The nervous system contains neurones (nerve cells) which go to all parts of the body.
2) The nervous system is split into the central and peripheral nervous systems:

• The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
• The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the neurones outside of the CNS.

The CNS Coordinates a Response Direction of Impulse

1) The body has lots of sensory receptors — groups of cells that can
detect a change in your environment (a stimulus). receptor cells
2) When a stimulus is detected by receptors, the information
is converted to a nerve impulse (an electrical signal) and
sent to the CNS along SENSORY NEURONES.
3) The CNS coordinates the response (in other words, it decides what
to do about the stimulus and tells something to do it). Impulses
travel through the CNS along RELAY (CONNECTOR) NEURONES.
fatty sheath
4) The CNS sends information along a MOTOR (EFFECTOR) NEURONE
to an effector (muscle or gland). The effector then responds
accordingly — e.g. a muscle may contract or a gland may effector cells
secrete a hormone (see p.92). || | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|| | ||

Sensory neurones can also have a fatty sheath.

|| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Neurones are Connected by Synapses

KEY
TERM
A synapse is a junction between two neurones.

1) A synapse consists of the ends of two neurones, separated by a synaptic cleft (a gap).
2) The end of the neurone before the cleft holds vesicles (p.11) filled with neurotransmitters (chemicals).
3) The end of the neurone after the cleft has neurotransmitter receptor molecules in its membrane.
4) This is how a nerve impulse is passed across a synapse:

• The nerve impulse reaches the end of the neurotransmitter

receptor molecules
neurone before the synaptic cleft and triggers vesicle filled with
the release of neurotransmitters from the vesicles
Supplement

Supplement

neurotransmitters
into the synaptic cleft.
• The neurotransmitters diffuse (see p.19)
nerve impulse
across the synaptic cleft to bind with receptor
molecules in the membrane on the next neurone.
synaptic
• This causes the electrical impulse
cleft
to continue in the next neurone.

5) Because the receptors are only on one side of the synaptic cleft,
synapses make sure that impulses can only travel in one direction.
6) Many drugs, such as heroin, act upon synapses (see p.102).

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

 Sense organs

The reflex arc relay neurone ganglion

pain receptors
A reflex arc describes the pathway of spinal cord
an electrical impulse in response to a
stimulus. Figure 14.4 shows a typical direction
reflex arc. The stimulus is a drawing of
pin sticking in the finger. The response impulse
is the withdrawal of the arm caused by
contraction of the biceps. Relay neurones sensory neurone
are found in the spinal cord, connecting motor neurone
sensory neurones to motor neurones.
The sequence of events is as follows:

Stimulus (sharp pin in finger) effector

(biceps
↓ muscle)
Receptor (pain receptor in skin)
↓
Coordinator (spinal cord)
↓
 Figure 14.4 A typical reflex arc
Effector (biceps muscle)
↓
Response (biceps muscle contracts,
hand is withdrawn from pin)

Sense organs
Table 14.2 gives examples of sense organs and their stimuli.
q Table 14.2 Sense organs and their stimuli

Sense organ Stimulus

Ear Sound, body movement (balance)
Eye Light
Nose Chemicals (smell)
Tongue Chemicals (taste)
Skin Temperature, pressure, touch, pain

The eye upper

eyelid
eyebrow

You need to be able to label parts of the eye on diagrams.

Figure 14.5 shows the front view of the left eye and Figure 14.6
shows a section through the eye.
The eyebrow stops sweat running down into the eye. Eyelashes help
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to stop dust blowing onto the eye. Eyelids can close automatically
eyelashes
(blinking is a reflex) to prevent dust and other particles getting
onto the surface of the cornea. Blinking also helps to keep the iris pupil sclera
surface moist by moving liquid secretions (tears) over the exposed  Figure 14.5 Front view of the left eye
surface. Tears also contain enzymes that have an antibacterial
function.

86 Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition

 14 Coordination and response

lens
Revision activity
Trace or copy Figures
retina 14.5 and 14.6 and practise
labelling them from
iris memory.
fovea cornea
optic nerve pupil

suspensory ligament

ciliary body
blind spot

 Figure 14.6 Section through the eye

Note that the positions of the fovea, ciliary body and suspensory
ligament are only needed for the extended syllabus.

Table 14.3 gives the functions of parts of the eye needed for the core paper.
q Table 14.3 Functions of parts of the eye

Part Function
Cornea A transparent layer at the front of the eye that refracts the light entering the eye to help focus it
Iris A coloured ring of circular and radial muscle that controls how much light enters the pupil
Lens A transparent, convex, flexible, jelly-like structure that focuses light onto the retina
Retina A light-sensitive layer containing light receptors, some of which are sensitive to light of different
colours
Optic nerve Carries electrical impulses from the retina to the brain

Pupil reflex
This reflex changes the size of the pupil to control the amount of light
entering the eye. In bright light, pupil diameter is reduced, as too much
light falling on the retina could damage it. In dim light, pupil diameter is
increased to allow as much light as possible to enter the eye.

You need to be able to explain the pupil reflex in terms of light

intensity and the antagonistic action of the circular and radial muscles
in the iris. Antagonistic muscles are those that work in pairs and
oppose each other in their actions.
Figure 14.7 shows the effect of light intensity on the iris and pupil.
bright light dim light
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circular muscles circular muscles

(contracted) (relaxed)

radial muscles
radial muscles
(contracted)
(relaxed)

pupil (constricted) pupil (dilated)

 Figure 14.7 The effect of light intensity on the eye

The amount of light entering the eye is controlled by altering the size
of the pupil. The retina detects the brightness of light entering the eye.

© Dave Hayward 2022 87

 Sense organs

An impulse passes to the brain along sensory neurones and travels back
to the muscles of the iris along motor neurones, triggering a response.
The change in the size of the pupil is caused by contraction of the
radial or circular muscles.
l High light intensity causes a contraction in a ring of circular
muscle in the iris, while radial muscles relax. This reduces the size
of the pupil and reduces the intensity of light entering the eye.
High-intensity light can damage the retina, so this reaction has a
protective function.
l Low light intensity causes the circular muscle of the iris to relax
and radial muscle fibres to contract. This makes the pupil enlarge
and allows more light to enter.

Accommodation (focusing)
The amount of focusing needed by the lens depends on distant vision near vision

the distance of the object being viewed – light from ciliary muscles
(relaxed) ciliary muscles
near objects requires a more convex lens than light
suspensory (contracted)
from a distant object. The shape of the lens needed ligaments suspensory
to accommodate the image is controlled by the ciliary (tense) ligaments
body – this contains a ring of muscle around the lens. (slack)
lens
Do not confuse ciliary muscles and circular muscles. (thin)
lens
(thick)
Ciliary muscles affect the shape of the lens; circular
muscles affect the size of the pupil.
Distant objects
The ciliary muscles relax, giving them a larger diameter.  Figure 14.8 Focusing on distant and near objects
This pulls on the suspensory ligaments, which, in turn,
pull on the lens. This makes the lens thinner (less
convex). As the ciliary muscles are relaxed, there is no strain on the eye
(Figure 14.8, left-hand side).
Near objects
The ciliary muscles contract, giving them a smaller diameter. This Revision activity
removes the tension on the suspensory ligaments which, in turn, stop Create mnemonics to
pulling on the lens. The lens becomes thicker (more convex) (Figure help you remember
14.8, right-hand side). A thicker lens refracts the light more than a facts about the eye
thin lens. As the ciliary muscles are contracted, there is strain on the reflex – for example,
eye, which can cause a headache if a near object (book, microscope, CCC (Ciliary muscle
computer screen etc.) is viewed for too long. Contracts for Close
vision).
Retina
Rods and cones are light-sensitive cells in the retina. When stimulated,
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they generate electrical impulses, which pass to the brain along the
optic nerve. Cones are most concentrated in the fovea. This is the point
on the retina where the light is usually focused. Figure 14.6 shows the
position of the fovea.

88 Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition

92

Hormones
On page 87 you learnt how information is passed around the body via neurones.
The body also uses hormones as a way to communicate, which is what this page is all about.

Hormones Are Chemical Messengers Sent in the Blood

KEY Hormones are chemical substances, produced by glands and carried by

TERM
the blood, which alter the activity of one or more specific target organs.

1) Hormones control things in organs and cells that need constant adjustment.
2) The glands that produce and secrete hormones are called endocrine glands.
These glands make up your endocrine system.

Endocrine Glands Are Found in Different Places in the Body

You need to know about four endocrine glands, and which hormones they secrete:

Adrenal glands —
produce adrenaline.
Ovaries (females only)
— produce oestrogen.

Testes (males only) — Pancreas —

produce testosterone. produces insulin.

These Hormones Have Different Functions || | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | ||

|| | | | | | |

The function of adrenaline

is on the next page.
1) Insulin helps to regulate the blood glucose level (see page 95) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||

by stimulating the liver to turn glucose into glycogen for storage.

2) Oestrogen is the main female sex hormone. It is involved in the

menstrual cycle (see pages 116-117) and promotes the development
of secondary sexual characteristics, e.g. breast development.

3) Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. It controls sperm production and promotes
the development of secondary sexual characteristics, e.g. growth of hair on the chest.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

 93

Hormones
Adrenaline Prepares You for ‘Fight or Flight’
1) Adrenaline is a hormone released by the adrenal glands (see previous page).
2) Adrenaline prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ — in other words, standing your ground in
the face of a threat (e.g. a predator) or running away.
3) When your brain detects a stressful, dangerous or exciting situation, it sends nerve impulses
(see p.87) to the adrenal glands, which secrete adrenaline. This gets the body ready for action.

Examples of situations when adrenaline is released include extreme sports (such as

skydiving or bungee jumping), at the start of a race or test, or during an emergency.

4) Adrenaline causes an increase in breathing and pulse rate. It also causes

the pupils to widen, heightens sensitivity and makes a person more alert.
5) Increasing the breathing and pulse rate increases the supply of oxygen
and glucose to cells, which increases metabolic activity. Here’s how:

• Adrenaline causes the heart muscle to contract more frequently

and with more force, so heart rate and pulse rate increase.
• This increases blood flow to the muscles, so the cells receive
more oxygen and glucose for increased respiration.
• Adrenaline also causes the liver to break down its
glycogen stores (see p.95) to release glucose.
• This increases the blood glucose level, so there’s more
glucose in the blood to be transported to the cells.

Hormones and Nerve Impulses Work Differently

Hormones and nerve impulses do similar jobs — they both carry information and instructions around
the body. But there are some important differences between them that you need to know too:
Supplement

Supplement
Nerve Impulses Hormones

1) Very fast message. 1) Slower message.

2) Act for a very short time. 2) Act for a long time.

If you’re not sure whether a response is nervous or hormonal,

have a think about the speed of the reaction and how long it lasts:

1) If the Response is Really Quick, It’s Probably Nervous

1) Some information needs to be passed to effectors really quickly

(e.g. pain signals, or the pupil reflex).
2) It’s no good using hormones to carry the message — they’re too slow.

2) But if a Response Lasts For a Long Time, It’s Probably Hormonal

For example, when you eat food, insulin is released in response to increased blood glucose
levels (see page 95). This lasts until the blood glucose concentration has returned to normal.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

94

Homeostasis
Homeostasis involves balancing body functions to keep everything at the level it is supposed to be at.

Homeostasis — it’s all about Balance

1) Conditions in your body need to be kept steady so that cells can function properly.
This involves balancing inputs (stuff going into your body) with outputs (stuff leaving). For example...

Body temperature — you need to get rid of excess body heat

when you’re hot, but keep heat in when the environment is cold.

2) Homeostasis is what keeps conditions balanced. Here’s the definition:

KEY
TERM
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment.

3) Homeostasis controls the internal environment within set limits, so conditions stay roughly constant.
Supplement

Set limits are ranges that are best for the body, e.g. body temperature stays between 36.1 and 37.2 °C.
4) Conditions are kept steady using negative feedback systems. This means that when the body’s
receptors detect that a condition has gone above or below its normal level, they trigger a response to
bring the level back to normal again.

Internal Body Temperature Must Be Kept Constant

1) It’s important to maintain the right core body temperature.
2) Body temperature is monitored by blood temperature receptors and skin temperature
receptors. The brain coordinates a response (see p.87) based on signals from these
receptors and activates the necessary effectors to keep the body temperature just right.
3) There are different mechanisms that are used to change body temperature:

Mechanisms to REDUCE body temperature: Mechanisms to INCREASE body temperature:

Hairs lie flat — a layer of hair provides insulation Hairs stand up — erector muscles contract
by trapping air. When it’s hot, erector muscles relax when it’s cold, which makes the hairs stand up.
so the hairs lie flat. Less air is trapped, so the skin This traps an insulating layer of air near the
is less insulated and heat can be lost more easily. surface of the skin and so prevents heat loss.

Sweating — more sweat Much less sweat — less sweat

receptors hair
is secreted from sweat is secreted from sweat glands
glands when the body’s when it’s cold, reducing the
too hot. The water in amount of heat loss.
sweat evaporates from sweat hair erector
gland
the surface of the skin muscles
Shivering — when it’s cold, muscles
and takes heat from arteriole
contract in spasms. This makes
the body. The skin sensory the body shiver and more heat is
capillary
is cooled. neurones FATTY TISSUE
produced from increased respiration.

Vasodilation — when it’s hot, arterioles (p.62) Vasoconstriction — when it’s cold, arterioles
near the surface of the skin dilate (this is called
Supplement
Supplement

near the surface of the skin constrict (this is

vasodilation). More blood flows through the called vasoconstriction) so less blood flows
capillaries (p.62) in the surface of the skin. through the capillaries in the surface layers
This means more heat is lost from the skin of the skin. This reduces heat loss.
and the temperature is lowered.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

 95

Ctrl +Controlling
Shift SelectBlood
to bring onto page
Glucose
Insulin and glucagon are hormones that control how much glucose there is in your blood.

Insulin and Glucagon Control Blood Glucose Concentration

1) Eating foods containing carbohydrates puts glucose into the blood from the small intestine.
2) The normal metabolism of cells removes glucose from the blood.
3) Excess glucose can be stored as glycogen in the liver and in the muscles.
4) Changes in blood glucose concentration are monitored and controlled by the pancreas,
using the hormones insulin and glucagon, as shown:

Blood glucose concentration too HIGH — Blood glucose concentration too LOW —
INSULIN is secreted by the pancreas: GLUCAGON is secreted by the pancreas:

Blood Insulin makes Blood with Glucagon makes Blood with

Blood liver turn
glucose liver turn too much glucose too little
reduced glucose into glucose glycogen into glucose
increased glucose
glycogen
Glucose
moves from Glucose
blood into released
liver and into blood
muscle cells by liver
Supplement

Supplement
Insulin Glucagon
Glucagon
Insulin secreted by
Too much secreted by Too little
glucose pancreas
pancreas glucose

but insulin as well but glucagon as well

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |

Type 1 Diabetes — Caused by a Lack of Insulin Remember, insulin

||
| | | | | | ||

| | | | | | |
reduces blood
glucose level.
|

1) Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. ||

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||

2) Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, and weight loss.
If untreated, a person’s blood glucose can rise to a level that can kill them.
3) A person with Type 1 diabetes will need to be treated with insulin therapy — this usually involves
injecting insulin under the skin, from where it will enter the bloodstream.
4) Injections are often done at mealtimes to make sure that glucose is removed from the blood quickly
once the food has been digested. This stops the level of glucose in the blood from getting too high.
5) As well as insulin therapy, people with Type 1 diabetes also need to think about:
• Not eating too many simple carbohydrates, i.e. sugars
(which cause the blood glucose level to rise rapidly).
• Taking regular exercise — this helps to remove excess glucose from the blood.

ION
And people used to think the pancreas was just a cushion...
RE V I S
TIP This stuff can seem a bit confusing at first, but you could have a go at remembering it like this:
if blood glucose is increasing, insulin’s added. If blood glucose is almost gone, glucagon’s added.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

 97

Tropic Responses
Plants don’t just grow randomly. They grow in response to the things going on around them.

A Tropism is a Response to a Stimulus

There are two types of tropism that you need to know about:

KEY Phototropism is a response in which parts of a plant grow

TERM
towards or away from the direction from which light is coming.

| || | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shoots grow towards light and upwards

| | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |
Gravitropism is a response in which parts of

|
KEY against gravity, and roots grow away
TERM
a plant grow towards or away from gravity. from light and downwards with gravity.

|
|| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||

You Need to Know How This Works in Shoots auxin

1) Auxin is a plant hormone that chemically controls growth near the tips of shoots.
2) It is produced in the tips and spreads through the plant from there.
The distribution (spread) of auxin is unequal, in response to light and gravity.
3) Auxin stimulates cell elongation in the cells just behind the tips.
4) If the shoot tip is removed, no auxin is available and the shoot may stop growing.
5) Phototropism and gravitropism are both examples of the chemical control of plant growth.

Shoots Grow Towards Light (Positive Phototropism)

1) When a shoot tip is exposed to light, more auxin

accumulates (builds up) on the side that’s in the
shade than the side that’s in the light.
Supplement

Supplement
2) This stimulates the cells to elongate faster on the
shaded side, so the shoot bends towards the light.

Shoots Grow Away From Gravity (Negative Gravitropism)

1) When a shoot grows sideways, gravity produces an unequal

distribution of auxin, with more on the lower side of the tip.
2) This stimulates the cells of the lower side to elongate faster,
gravity gravity
bending the shoot upwards.

Synthetic Plant Hormones can be Used as Weedkillers

1) Selective weedkillers have been developed from auxins. They disrupt the normal growth patterns
of certain plants (e.g. weeds), which kills them. They leave grasses and crops untouched.
2) 2,4-D is a synthetic plant hormone that is an example of a selective weedkiller.

Tropisms allow plants to react to their surroundings

By responding to stimuli in their environment, plants increase their chances of survival. For example,
by growing towards the light, plants increase the amount of light they receive for photosynthesis.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

98

Investigating
Ctrl + Shift Select
Plant to
Growth
bring Responses
onto page
Here are two investigations you need to know about that demonstrate plant growth responses.

You can Investigate Plant Growth Responses

You can investigate phototropism in the growth of shoots like this...

1) Put 10 seeds into three different Petri dishes, each lined with moist filter paper.
(Remember to label your dishes, e.g. A, B, C.) ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||

|| |
It needs to be dark to make sure

| | | ||
2) Put the dishes in a dark place and shine a lamp onto one of the

| | | | | |
that the light on each dish is
dishes from above and two of the dishes from different directions. only coming from one direction.

|| |
|
||

3) Leave your seeds alone for one week until you can
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

observe their responses — you’ll find the seedlings grow towards the light.

You can also investigate gravitropism in plant growth...

1) Place four seedlings on damp cotton wool in separate Petri dishes.

2) Store each Petri dish vertically in a dark place, each with
their shoots and roots pointing in different directions.
3) Leave your seeds alone for one week and you should find that the shoots of each
seedling grow upwards and that the roots of each seedling grow downwards.

seed
root shoot
Before

After

Record your results using scientific drawings

ICAL
PRACT Labelled diagrams are a really good way to show the results of experiments like this. There’s
TIP
more about scientific drawings on page 187. Make sure your drawings are neat and useful —
don’t do any sketching or shading and label your drawing using straight, uncrossed lines.

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

96

CtrlWarm-Up & Exam

+ Shift Select Questions
to bring onto page
Here are some more questions — they make for great practice.

Warm-Up Questions
1) What is a hormone?
2) State the sources of the following hormones: (a) oestrogen, (b) testosterone, (c) adrenaline.
3) What is homeostasis?

Exam Questions

1 Changes in the skin are an important part of

temperature regulation. The diagram shows a hairs
cross-section through the skin of a person who is cold.

(a) Explain the response of the hairs when a person

is cold.
[2]
(b) Explain the response of sweat glands when a
person is cold.
sweat
[2] gland
[Total 4 marks] blood vessels

2 Responses to stimuli can be either nervous or hormonal. Describe the differences between
responses brought about by hormones and those brought about by the nervous system.

[Total 2 marks]

3 The diagram shows how the blood glucose concentration is regulated in humans.

Organ B blood glucose falls

stores
glucose

Organ A Organ A
secretes secretes
Supplement

Supplement

insulin glucagon

Organ B
releases
blood glucose rises glucose

(a) Identify organs A and B in the diagram.

[2]
(b) With reference to the diagram, explain what goes wrong with
the regulation of blood glucose level in people with Type 1 diabetes.
[3]
(c) Describe what the hormone glucagon does.
[1]
[Total 6 marks]

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

86

CtrlWarm-Up & Exam

+ Shift Select Questions
to bring onto page
Think you know everything there is to know about excretion in humans? Time to put it to the test...

Warm-Up Questions
1) Where is urea produced?
2) Through which organ is the waste product carbon dioxide excreted?
3) What is deamination?
4) What is the glomerulus?
S

5) Why is excretion of carbon dioxide necessary?

Exam Questions

1 A runner went for a 10 mile run on a warm day. When she got home she noticed that her urine was
darker in colour than normal. Explain why the runner produced darker coloured urine.
[Total 4 marks]

2 The substances below are all present in the blood before it passes through a glomerulus.
Which of these substances are present in the fluid at the start of a kidney tubule?
1. glucose
2. urea
3. proteins
4. water

A 1 and 2 B 1, 2 and 3

C 1, 2 and 4 D 1, 2, 3 and 4
[Total 1 mark]
Supplement

Supplement

3 A hospital patient has kidney failure. She has dialysis three times a week.

(a) Explain how the dialysis machine removes urea from the patient’s blood.
[2]
(b) Explain why the patient does not lose glucose from her blood during dialysis.
[2]
The patient is on the waiting list to receive a kidney transplant.

(c) Suggest one reason why this form of treatment may be preferable to dialysis.
[1]
(d) Give one disadvantage of kidney transplants.
[1]
[Total 6 marks]

Section 9 — Excretion in Humans

 99

CtrlWarm-Up & Exam

+ Shift Select Questions
to bring onto page
You could skim through this page in a few minutes, but there’s no point unless you check over any
bits you don’t know and make sure you understand everything. It’s not quick, but it’s the only way.

Warm-Up Questions
1) What is phototropism?
2) Name the plant hormone responsible for both phototropism and gravitropism.
3) Where is this plant hormone made?
S

4) Explain what causes plant shoots to grow towards the light.

Exam Questions

1 A gardener frequently uses products containing synthetic plant hormones in her garden.

(a) The gardener has a problem with weeds in her lawn.

Supplement

Supplement
She uses a selective weedkiller that targets the weeds without affecting the growth of the lawn.
Explain how selective weedkillers work.
[1]
(b) Name the synthetic plant hormone likely to be present in the weedkiller.
[1]
[Total 2 marks]

2 A student placed some germinating beans on the surface of some

damp soil and left them in the dark for five days. The appearance of
the beans before and after the five day period is shown in the diagram.

bean bean
shoot
shoot root root

Start After 5 days

Both the shoot and the root have undergone a gravitropic response after 5 days.

(a) Describe the gravitropic response of the shoot.

[1]
(b) Explain the mechanism behind this response.
[2]
(c) The student wants to compare his findings with beans grown in the light.
S

He puts some new germinating beans on damp soil and shines a light on them.
Describe what the student would expect to see happen to the shoots.
Explain why this would happen.
[3]
[Total 6 marks]

Section 10 — Coordination and Response

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13 Coordination and response

+ sense organs groups of receptor cells that respond to specific stimuli: light, sound, touch, temperature and
chemicals

0+ synapse a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of
a neurotransmitter

+ hormone a chemical substance, produced by a gland, carried by the blood, which alters the activity of one or more
specific target organs

+ gravitropism a response in which a plant grows towards or away from gravity

+ phototropism a response in which a plant grows towards or away from the direction from which light is coming

Exercise 13.1 Caffeine and reaction time

You should be getting quite confident at planning experiments by now, so there are no reminders here about
all the different things you need to include (A03.2).You'll find it quite tricky to control variables in this one.
You may be able to try out your experiment when you've planned it.

Reaction time is the time between receiving a stimulus and responding to it.
Plan an experiment to test this hypothesis:

Consuming drinks containing caffeine decreases reaction time.

IGCSE Biology
13 Coordination and response
0 Exercise 13.2 Accommodation in the eye
Doing this exercise - preferably without looking anything up - will be a good test of how well you understand
how the eye changes in order to focus on objects at different distances, which is called accommodation. Use a
ruler to draw the light rays on your diagram, and take great care to show clearly where they change direction
and where they are brought to a focus.

The diagram shows an eye focused on a distant object.

light focused
on the retina
light rays diverging only slightly

light rays.

a Complete the diagram below to show the eye when it is focused on a nearby object. Add labels to match those on
the first diagram.

IGCSE Biology
0 b Describe how the changes that you have shown are brought about. Use these words in your description:
ciliary muscles lens suspensory ligaments

C Accommodation in the eye is a reflex action.

i Explain what is meant by a reflex action.

ii Suggest what could be the stimulus that brings about this reflex action.

d As people get older, their lenses become less able to change shape. Suggest how this may affect their vision.

13 Coordination and response

0 Exercise 13.3 Auxin and tropism
For the line graphs in this exercise, you are asked to draw best-fit lines. Your lines should be smooth, and
should have roughly the same number of points above them as below them. Start both lines exactly at 0,0,
but they do not necessarily have to go exactly through the final point.

A plant growing in a pot was placed on its side, in conditions of uniform light. The diagram shows the appearance of
the plant after three days.

a This response is known as negative gravitropism. Explain what is meant by the term negative gravitropism.

b A scientist measured the concentration of auxin in the upper and lower surfaces of the plant shoot. She also
measured the percentage increase in length of the upper and lower surface of the plant shoot over a period of
one hour.
The tables show her results.

Upper Lower Percentage increase in length

surface surface Time I minutes
Upper surface Lower surface
Concentration of auxin
1.0 1.4 10 0.9 1.1
I arbitrary units
20 1.1 2.2
30 1.6 3.8
40 2.0 5.3
50 2.3 6.6
60 2.8 7.6

IGCSE Biology
 On the grid, draw line graphs to show the results in the second table (the one showing percentage increase in
length). Draw both lines on the same set of axes. Draw best-fit lines for each set of results.

ii Use the results in both tables to explain what made the plant shoot grow upwards after the pot was turned
onto its side.

13 Coordination and response

14 Homeostasis
+ homeostasis the maintenance of a constant internal environment

Exercise 14.1 Endotherms and ectotherms

In this exercise, you are asked to use your knowledge of temperature regulation in humans, and some new
data, to work out answers to questions (A02).

Humans are endotherms - we are able to regulate our body temperatures, keeping the core body temperature
roughly constant no matter what the temperature of our environment. Many animals, however, are ectotherms. Their
core temperature varies according to the temperature of their environment.
The graph on the next page shows the core temperatures of six animals in different environmental temperatures.
a Write the name of each animal in the correct column of the table.

Endothermic animals Ectothermic animals

IGCSE Biology
 50

rabbit

cat
.........
40
- - -- --- ......·······
......................................................
burrowing bettong

30

Core body temperature I ·c

20

cyclodus lizard

10

0 ,_---------,----------.----------,----------.
0 10 20 30 40
Temperature of the environment I ·c

b Cyclodus lizards, gopher snakes and alligators need to eat much less food than cats, rabbits or bettongs. Use the
information in the graph to explain why.

C Use the graph to compare the probable activity of a cat and a cyclodus lizard when the environmental temperature
is 5 oc.

14 Homeostasis
 d Cats are predators. Rabbits are herbivores, preyed on by cats and other mammals. Explain the advantages to cats
and rabbits of being endothermic.

0 Exercise 14.2 Diabetes

This exercise is about interpreting data shown in a graph, and relating this to your knowledge of the
regulation of blood glucose (A02).

In some people, the control of blood glucose concentration does not work correctly.
In type I diabetes, the pancreas does not secrete insulin when it should.
a In what circumstances does the pancreas normally secrete insulin?

The graph shows the concentration of glucose in the blood of two people, after they had eaten a meal containing
starch at time 0. One person had type I diabetes, and the other did not.

3
I/ ',' r
...
f A '
/
I
I '
I '
I '

L I
I '
'" ,
r ',
I
I
I
I
2 I
I

/1
Blood glucose concentration / ,..._._
I arbitrary units

0 2 3 4 5

t
meal
Time / hours

IGCSE Biology
0 b Explain why the concentration of glucose in the blood increases when a person has eaten a meal containing
starch.

C Suggest which person, A or B, has type I diabetes. Explain your answer fully.

d Explain why it is important to keep the concentration of glucose in the blood neither too high nor too low.

14 Homeostasis
 14 Coordination and response
Core
1 a Distinguish between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Make four
key points in your answer.

b i Define the term sense organ.

ii Complete the table by giving examples of sense organs and the stimuli they detect.
Sense organ Stimulus detected
1 ear
2 light
3 nose
4 chemicals (taste)
5 temperature, pressure, touch, pain

2 State three differences between a sensory neurone and a motor neurone.

3 a Define the term hormone, making three key points.

b A man experiences a sudden loud bang. This results in the secretion of adrenaline.
Outline three effects of the adrenaline secretion on his body.

54 Photocopying prohibited Cambridge IGCSE™ Biology Workbook Third Edition

 14 Coordination and response

4 The diagram below shows a reflex arc involving a finger and arm.
.............................................. B ganglion
pain receptors
..............................................
spinal cord

A ..............................................
........................................... C
..............................................
...........................................

D ..............................................

..............................................

a On the diagram:

i identify neurones A, B and C

ii identify the effector D

iii add arrows to show the direction of the nerve impulse.

b State the effect on D of receiving the nerve impulse.

c Name the gap that links neurones A to B, and B to C.

5 a Define the term gravitropism.

b Complete the table:

i by stating which part of a plant you would expect to grow towards gravity and which
part would grow away from gravity

ii by suggesting an advantage to the growth response.

Advantage of the growth response

part growing towards gravity

part growing away from gravity

Cambridge IGCSE™ Biology Workbook Third Edition Photocopying prohibited 55

14 COORDINATION AND RESPONSE

Supplement
6 The diagram below shows an eye exposed to bright light.

D ............................................................
(relaxed/contracted)

E ............................................................
(relaxed/contracted)

F............................................................
(constricted/dilated)

On the diagram:

a identify parts D, E and F

b complete the annotation by crossing out the incorrect statements.

7 Complete the table to compare the nervous and hormonal control systems.
Feature Nervous Hormonal (endocrine)
form of transmission

transmission pathway

speed of transmission

duration of effect

8 The diagram shows a section through part of the eye.

The parts labelled A, B and C are adjusted for distant vision.
A
B
In the table, identify parts A, B and C and describe what would happen to
each part if the eye was exposed to a near object.
C

Name of part Description of action

A

56 Photocopying prohibited Cambridge IGCSE™ Biology Workbook Third Edition

 14 Coordination and response

9 a Name the chemical found in plants that controls phototropism.

b i State the effect of shining a one-sided light onto a plant shoot.

ii Explain how this effect is achieved in a shoot, making four key points.

Exam-style questions
Core
1 The diagram shows a cell.

a What type of cell is shown? Circle the letter of the correct answer.
A relay neurone C sensory neurone
B motor neurone D cone cell [1]
b On the diagram:
i label the following parts: cell body, dendrite [2]
ii place an X where a synapse could connect the neurone to another neurone. [1]
[Total: 4]

Supplement
2 With reference to glucose levels in the blood, describe the role of negative feedback in
homeostasis.

[8]

Cambridge IGCSE™ Biology Workbook Third Edition Photocopying prohibited 57

14 COORDINATION AND RESPONSE

3 An athlete runs a race in hot conditions.

a Describe the roles of blood vessels and sweat in reducing the body temperature of the
athlete to normal.

[6]

b During the race, the athlete’s muscles require more glucose to provide energy. Describe
how the body provides the extra glucose.

[4]
[Total: 10]

4 A person suffering from Type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin when it is needed. As a result,
the person needs regular injections of insulin.
a What is the role of insulin in the body?

[2]

b When are levels of glucose in the blood most likely to be high?

[1]

c In addition to having regular injections of insulin, suggest two ways a person with Type 1
diabetes can manage the disease.

[2]
[Total: 5]

58 Photocopying prohibited Cambridge IGCSE™ Biology Workbook Third Edition