CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 7 Control and Coordination

CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 7 Control and Coordination: Control and coordination are fundamental processes that enable living organisms to regulate their bodily functions and respond to environmental changes. These comprehensive control and coordination class 10 notes cover everything you need to know for your CBSE examination.
In this section of class 10 biology chapter , we'll examine how the nervous system functions and builds a foundation for understanding human biology and plant physiology. With these notes, you'll find the concepts easier to grasp and revise, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your exams.
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CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 7 Control and Coordination
Understanding the Nervou System (Class 10 Science Chapter 7 Notes)is details about Human and Plat coordination.
What is Control and Coordination?
Control and coordination are the processes that help living organisms control their body activities and respond to changes around them. These processes are crucial for survival, growth, and maintaining balance in their internal environment.
Human Nervous System
The nervous system serves as the body's command center, orchestrating both voluntary and involuntary actions. In control and coordination class 10 notes, we learn that this complex system relies on specialized cells called neurons to transmit signals throughout the body.
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Main Parts of the Nervous System:
The Nervous System
The nervous system collaborates with various organs to transmit electrical signals from the brain to different body parts. Neurons within the nervous system act as a working and structural component of the system.
Neuron
Neurons have three main parts: dendrites, Cyton, and Axon. Dendrites receive impulses from other neurons. Cyton processes the impulses received by dendrites. After Cyton processes the impulse, Axon transfers it to another neuron, muscle, or glands, depending on what is needed.
Axon comes in two types: myelinated and unmyelinated. In myelinated neurons, the transfer of impulses is faster..
Different Types of Nervous System
In Class 10 Chapter 7 science, we learn about three different types of nervous systems, and all of them are explained in detail in this section.
Central Nervous Systems (CNS)
The notes of Chapter 7 Science Class 10 from Vednatu adequately describe how the CNS, the part of our human body, is made from the spinal cord and brain.
The CNS is protected by 3 main layers:
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The bony skull (cranium)
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The cerebrospinal fluid
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The meninges (Dura mater, Arachnoid and Pia mater)
Peripheral Nervous System
These are the nerves released by the brain and spinal cord for the human peripherals to function and communicate with the brain. This nervous system includes 12 cranial nerves and 31 spinal nerves.
Somatic Nervous System
The somatic nervous system is located in certain areas of the peripheral nervous system. It consists of nerves that manage all the actions we choose to do on our own.
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Autonomic Nervous System
The final part in the notes about control and coordination in Class 10 is the ANS, or autonomic nervous system. This system brings together all the nerves in charge of actions the body does automatically. The ANS is split into two sections: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic side readies the body for strenuous activity and is the one that decides whether to fight or flee.
Synapse
A synapse is a connection point for neurons, where they share information using electric signals. It acts like a link between a neuron and a gland or muscle in the human body. If synapses are not present in neurons and muscles, the transfer and receipt of electric signals won’t happen. This leads to a lack of muscle movement, causing it to stay unchanged indefinitely.
Parts of a Neuron:
Different Parts of the Brain and their Importance
The command center of the body. As outlined in our class 10 science ch 7 notes, the brain consists of three major regions:
Forebrain:
The forebrain is a bigger part of the brain. It helps in major work in our body. It includes:
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Cerebrum
The thinking center of your brain and divided into left and right sides (hemispheres). It controls:
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Memory (remembering your lessons and friends' names)
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Problem-solving (solving math problems)
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Decision making (choosing what to wear)
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Emotions (feeling happy, sad, or excited)
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Voluntary movements (dancing, writing, playing sports)
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Hypothalamus
The second part is to act as your body's control room. It manages:
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Body temperature (feeling hot or cold)
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Hunger and thirst
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Sleep and wake cycles
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Mood changes
Midbrain:
The midbrain sits in the middle of our head, connecting the top and bottom parts of the brain. It helps in quick responses. Think of it as a busy traffic circle that:
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Helps our eyes follow moving objects
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Makes us turn our heads when we hear a loud noise
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Helps us stay balanced when we walk
Hindbrain:
The hindbrain sits at the base of our brain, near our neck. Manages balance, posture, and essential functions like heart rate and breathing. It has three parts that work together:
The cerebellum looks like a small, wrinkled ball. It:
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Keeps us balanced when we walk or run
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Makes our movements smooth and graceful
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HelpsThe pons acts like a bridge in our brain. It:
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Pons:
The pons is a rounded bulge on the brainstem, located above the medulla and below the midbrain. Its name comes from the Latin word for "bridge," as it connects different parts of the brain. It appears as a broad band of nerve fibers running across the brainstem.
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Makes sure we breathe the right way
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Helps us sleep peacefully
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Controls our facial expressions
Medulla
The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem, connecting the brain to the spinal cord. It has a cone-like shape and contains vital control centers for basic life functions. The medulla is like our body's automatic pilot. It:
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Keeps our hearts beating
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Makes sure we keep breathing
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Helps us swallow our food us learn physical skills like riding a bicycle
Spinal Cord:
Class 10 science ch 7 notes also include the spinal cord. It extends from the brain stem to the lower back, protected by the vertebral column. As class 10 science chapter 7 notes explain, it serves as the main communication pathway between the brain and body. This remarkable structure not only transmits signals but also manages reflex actions, providing quick responses to protect us from harm.
Structure and Organization:
The spinal cord is a long, cylindrical bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem to the lower back. It's protected by the vertebral column (backbone) and three layers of protective membranes called meninges. Picture it as a thick cable carrying countless wires of information up and down our body.
Functions of the Nervous System:
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Collects information from sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin, etc.).
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Processes and interprets sensory data.
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Directs responses by activating muscles or glands.
Reflex Action and Reflex Arc
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Reflex Action: A reflex is an automatic, quick response to a stimulus. For example, pulling your hand back from a hot surface is a reflex action.
As per the notes in Chapter 7 of Class 10 science, a reflex action is a sudden action the body does in response to stimuli. The pathway used for the electrical impulse to carry out the reflex action is called a reflex arc.
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Reflex Arc: This is the path the signal takes during a reflex action. For example, let's think about what happens when you accidentally step on a thumbtack. Your body follows a special path called a reflex arc. It's like a super-fast message system in your body. Here's how it works:
It involves:
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A receptor (detects the stimulus):
First, the skin on your foot feels the sharp thumbtack. These feeling spots in your skin are called receptors. They're like tiny alarm buttons that get pressed when something happens.
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Sensory neurons (carry the message to the spinal cord):
When the receptor feels the sharp point, it sends a message through special nerve cells. These nerve cells are like telephone wires carrying the message "Ouch! Something sharp!" to your spinal cord.
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Interneurons (process the signal):
The message reaches your spinal cord, which is like a command center for quick reactions. Here, special connector cells (called interneurons) receive the message and quickly decide what to do.
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Motor neurons (send commands to muscles):
The spinal cord then sends a new message through different nerve cells. This message says "Quick! Move the foot!"
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An effector (the muscle or organ that acts):
Finally, the message reaches the muscles in your foot. These muscles are called effectors because they make the action happen. They quickly pull your foot away from the thumbtack.
Moving forward in our control and coordination notes, let's understand how the endocrine system works.
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Endocrine System
From your control and coordination class 10 notes the endocrine system uses hormones and chemical messengers to regulate various body functions. These hormones are produced by glands and released into the bloodstream to reach target organs.
Adrenal Glands:
Adrenal glands are found above the kidneys. The adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla are two parts of the adrenal gland.
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The adrenal cortex releases cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens. Meanwhile, the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline. Adrenaline is also called the “fight or flight” hormone or the “emergency hormone.” It readies the body for handling physical stress during urgent moments, like danger, anger, or excitement.
Thyroid Gland:
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The thyroid gland is a big hormone-producing gland in the body, located in the neck, below the voice box. It makes two important hormones: triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Thyroxine manages how the body uses glucose, protein, and fat.
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Iodine is needed to create thyroxine. If there’s not enough iodine in the diet, it can lead to a condition called goitre, which shows up as a swollen neck.
Pituitary Gland:
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The pituitary gland is like the boss gland that produces different hormones to control organs and other glands. It sits near the bottom of the brain. This gland releases hormones such as growth hormone, TSH, FSH, LH, ACTH, MSH, Vasopressin, and Oxytocin.
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The growth hormone manages the body’s growth and development. If there’s not enough of it during childhood, it can lead to dwarfism. On the other hand, too much of this hormone can cause gigantism.
Gonads:
Female gonads and male gonads are the two types of gonads found in humans.
Female Gonads:
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Oestrogen and progesterone are hormones made by the ovaries. Oestrogen controls changes linked to puberty, like a woman’s voice, smooth skin, and the growth of mammary glands.
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Progesterone manages changes in the uterus during the menstrual cycle and helps sustain pregnancy.
Male Gonads:
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In males, a pair of testes constitutes the gonads.
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These testes are the male sex organs located outside the belly in the scrotum.
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The hormone testosterone is made by the testes.
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Testosterone controls the changes that happen during puberty, like a deeper voice, the growth of the penis, and the increase of facial and body hair.
The Pancreas:
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The pancreas is located below the stomach, in the curve of the duodenum. It has two jobs: one is to release substances outside the body (exocrine), and the other is to release substances inside the body (endocrine). The pancreas makes hormones like insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
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Insulin is important because it manages the sugar levels in our blood. If there’s not enough insulin, it can lead to high blood sugar and cause diabetes mell
The Pineal Gland:
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The pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone found near the middle of the brain, above the diencephalon.
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Melatonin affects things like reproductive growth, sleep-wake cycles, and seasonal activities.
The Hypothalamus:
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The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that links the nervous and hormonal systems through the pituitary gland. This gland releases hormones such as Somatostatin and Dopamine.
Parathyroid Glands:
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There are two sets of tiny oval-shaped glands found on the back of the thyroid gland in the neck, and they are called parathyroid glands.
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These glands produce a hormone known as parathormone, which helps manage calcium and phosphate ions in both the bones and blood.
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When there is too little secretion, it can lead to tetany, and when there is too much secretion, it can result in osteoporosis.
The Thymus Gland:
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The thymus gland can be found in the upper part of the breastbone, in front of the heart. It makes a hormone called thymosin and helps T-lymphocytes grow up.
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The testes make the hormone testosterone.
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Systems for feedback manage how many hormones are released and when. For instance, if blood sugar levels go up, cells in the pancreas notice and make more insulin. When blood sugar levels drop, insulin release goes down.
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Coordination in Plants
In this section of class 10 science control and coordination notes, we explore how plants respond to their environment without a nervous system. Plants are living organisms that must respond to their environment, just like animals. However, their way of responding is quite different since they don't have a nervous system.we will discuss class 10 biology chapter control and coordination notes how plants manage this remarkable feat.
. Instead, they coordinate their activities using hormones and movement responses.
Light Detection and Response
Plants possess great abilities to sense light through specialized cells in their leaves. These cells work like tiny light detectors, gathering information about light direction, intensity, and even day length. This sophisticated light-sensing system helps plants optimize their growth patterns for efficient photosynthesis and survival.
Underground Intelligence: Root Systems
The root system serves as the plant's underground monitoring network. Root cells continuously assess soil conditions, acting as environmental scouts that detect moisture levels and water gradients. This ability helps plants respond effectively to drought conditions by directing root growth toward water sources.
Gravity Perception
Through specialized cellular structures, plants maintain an innate awareness of gravity. These structures function like microscopic gravity sensors, enabling both roots and stems to determine spatial orientation. This explains why roots consistently grow downward while stems reach upward, regardless of seed orientation during planting.
Plant Movements:
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Phototropism: Growth toward light (e.g., sunflowers turning to face the sun).
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Geotropism: Growth in response to gravity (e.g., roots growing downward).
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Hydrotropism: Growth toward water (e.g., roots seeking moisture).
Plant Hormones:
Plants coordinate their responses through chemical messengers called phytohormones, each with specific roles in managing growth and development.
Auxins: The Growth Directors
These hormones control directional growth, helping stems grow toward light and roots develop properly. When light hits a plant stem unevenly, auxins accumulate on the shaded side, causing asymmetric growth that results in the stem bending toward light.
Gibberellins: Growth Accelerators
Acting as natural growth boosters, gibberellins promote stem elongation and seed germination. They play crucial roles in helping plants compete for light and breaking seed dormancy during spring.
Cytokinins: Youth Preservers
These hormones maintain plant vitality by promoting cell division and preventing premature aging. They keep leaves green and healthy while supporting the development of side branches.
Abscisic Acid: The Stress Manager
This hormone helps plants cope with environmental stress, particularly drought conditions. It triggers water conservation responses and maintains seed dormancy until conditions become favorable for growth.
Class 10 Science Chapter 7 Notes for Quick Revision
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Nervous System: Includes neurons, the brain, and spinal cord, responsible for controlling voluntary and involuntary actions.
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Reflex Action: A fast response to stimuli, carried out via a reflex arc.
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Endocrine System: Uses hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, and other functions.
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Coordination in Plants: Achieved through hormones and directional movements like phototropism and geotropism.
Review these key points from your class 10 biology chapter control and coordination notes for better retention
Read More: CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 13 Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
Control and Coordination FAQs
1. What's the relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary?
The hypothalamus:
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Controls pituitary function
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Links nervous and endocrine systems
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Regulates hormone release
2. What are the most important topics for examination?
You should focus majorly on:
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Neuron structure and function
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Reflex action mechanism
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Major endocrine glands and their hormones
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Plant movements and hormones
3. Why is the pituitary called the 'master gland'?
The pituitary controls many other endocrine glands through its hormones that are why we call it the master gland.
4. What is the difference between the nervous system and endocrine system?
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Nervous System: Uses electrical impulses for rapid, short-term responses
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Endocrine System: Uses hormones for slower, longer-lasting effects


