Transportation in Organisms

Study Notes

Transportation in Organisms

Transportation refers to the movement of substances synthesized or observed in one part of the body to another.
Plants require inorganic substances such as nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and sodium, primarily sourced from soil.

Plant Structure and Function

Water is conducted through xylem, while food is transported by phloem.
Guard cells surround stomata, regulating their opening and closing.
Excess food, excluding amino acids, is stored in roots, fruits, and seeds through a process called translocation.

Excretion in Living Organisms

Waste substances like urea, uric acid, and ammonia accumulate in organisms and must be removed.
Excretion is the process of eliminating waste and harmful substances from the body.
In plants, waste is primarily stored in vacuoles of leaf cells, flowers, fruits, and bark.
Some waste materials, such as calcium oxalate crystals (raphides), can be found in plants.

Human Excretory System

The human excretory system comprises two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder, and a urethra.
The nephron is the kidney's functional unit responsible for filtration, consisting of the Bowman's capsule and a glomerulus.
Each kidney has approximately 1 million nephrons, and the urinary bladder is a muscular organ controlled by nerves.

Dialysis and Coordination

Dialysis is the process of filtering nitrogenous waste from blood artificially.
Proper coordination of bodily functions is crucial and is influenced by factors like body temperature, water level, and enzyme levels.

Homeostasis

Coordination between various systems maintains homeostasis, an equilibrium state within organisms.

Plant Movement Responses

Phototropic movement is the response of plants toward light sources.
Gravitropic and hydrotropic movements refer to root systems responding to gravity and water, respectively.
Chemotropic movement in plants is a response to specific chemicals.

Types of Plant Movement

Growth-relevant movements contribute to plant growth.
Growth-irrelevant movements are not directly tied to growth processes.

Nervous System Control and Coordination

Control and coordination in organisms are facilitated by nerve cells (neurons) and supporting cells (neuroglia).
Neurons transmit impulses across synapses, which are minute spaces between cells.

Types of Neurons

Sensory neurons: transmit signals from sensory organs to the brain and spinal cord.
Motor neurons: convey impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles or glands.
Association neurons: integrate functions within the nervous system.

Structure of the Human Nervous System

The human nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system.
The meninges are protective layers surrounding the central nervous system, while ventricles are cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
The adult human brain weighs approximately 1300-1400 grams and contains around 100 billion neurons.

Description

Explore the vital processes of transportation in organisms, focusing on the movement of substances in plants. Understand how water and nutrients are transported through xylem and phloem. Discover the role of guard cells in regulating gas exchange.