1064CH07 CHAPTER 6 Control and Coordination

Purpose of the Nervous System in Animals

• Coordinates voluntary and involuntary actions within the body
• Processes sensory information and allows for swift responses to stimuli
• Facilitates communication between different parts of the body

Importance of Controlled Movement

• Essential for survival, aiding in finding food, avoiding predators, and reproduction
• Helps organisms adapt to their environment and manage resources effectively

Specialized Tissues in Multicellular Organisms

• Allowed for efficient control and coordination of bodily functions
• Different tissues, such as nervous and muscular tissues, work together to execute complex movements

Triggering Appropriate Movement Responses

• Responses are initiated through sensory receptors detecting environmental changes
• The nervous system interprets these signals and determines suitable reactions

Relationship between Nervous and Muscular Tissues

• Nervous tissue sends signals to muscles, prompting movements
• Muscles respond to neural impulses by contracting or relaxing, enabling mobility

Visible Movements and Life Association

• Movements serve as an indicator of life, illustrating an organism's capability to interact with its environment
• Many essential processes, like nutrient intake and predator evasion, involve visible movements

Not All Movements Related to Growth

• Activities such as searching for food or responding to danger do not directly contribute to growth but are crucial for survival
• Movements can serve functional purposes beyond growth enhancement

Purpose of Chewing Cud

• Chewing cud aids digestive efficiency, allowing animals to better break down tough plant materials
• It maximizes nutrient absorption and assists in digestion after initial ingestion

Factors Driving a Cat to Run

• Instinctual responses, such as hunting or fleeing from threats, often motivate running behavior in cats
• Predatory instincts and environmental stimuli catalyze swift movements

Non-Growth Related Movements in Animals and Plants

• Both animals and plants may exhibit movements like responding to light (phototropism) or gravity (gravitropism)
• Movements facilitate interactions with the environment that fulfill survival needs, independent of growth processes

Explore concepts related to control and coordination in living organisms as discussed in Chapter 6. Learn about the maintenance functions, growth movements, and stopping growth in organisms.