Cell: the smallest part of a living structure that can

operate as an independent unit, e.g. liver cell, nerve

cell.

Tissue: a group of cells with similar structures, working

together to perform a specific function, e.g. nerve tissue.

Organ: a structure made up of a group of tissues,

working together to perform specific functions, e.g.

liver, kidney.

(Organ) System: a group of organs with related

functions, working together to perform body functions,

e.g. digestive system.

Co-ordination and response
Understand how organisms are able to respond to

changes in their environment.

Understand that a co-ordinated response requires a

stimulus, a receptor and an effector.

Stimulus: change in the environment that triggers a

response.

Receptor: a special cell adapted to detect stimuli.

Effector: A muscle, gland, or organ capable of

responding to a stimulus.
Understand that homeostasis is the maintenance of a

constant internal environment, and that body water

content and body temperature are both examples of

homeostasis.
Flowering plants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCFstSMvAMI
Understand that plants respond to stimuli.

A 'tropism' is a growth in response to a stimulus.

Describe the geotropic and phototropic responses of

roots and stems.

 Direction of
Response Part of plant Advantage
growth

More chance
Positive Towards
Root tip of finding
geotropism gravity
moisture

Negative Away from More chance

Stem tip
geotropism gravity of finding light
 Direction of
Response Part of plant Advantage
growth

To get
Positive Growth maximum
Stem tip
phototropism towards light light for
photosynthesis

Negative Growth away Less chance of

Root tip
phototropism from light drying out
Auxin is a plant hormone produced in the stem tips and

roots, which controls the direction of growth.

Understand the role of auxin in the phototropic

response of stems.
Humans
Describe how nervous and hormonal communication

control responses and understand the differences

between the two systems.

 Nervous system Endocrine system

information passes as electrical information passes as chemical

impulses along neurons messengers in the blood

effects are usually slow and longer

effects are rapid and short-lived
lasting

affects particular organs affects the whole of the body

controls growth, development,

often involves reflexes
metabolism, and reproduction
Understand that the central nervous system consists

of the brain and spinal cord and is linked to sense

organs by nerves.
The Central Nervous
System (CNS) consists of
1) brain
2) spinal cord

There are also Peripheral

Nerves System (PNS)
3) sensory nerves /
organs (e.g. pain
receptors in skin, or
photoreceptors in the
eye)
4) nerves that link brain
and sense organs
5) motor nerves
Understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense

organs sends electrical impulses along nerves into

and out of the central nervous system, resulting in

rapid responses.
Stimulation of the sense organs results in an electrical

signal (a nerve impulse) being sent along the nerve to the

brain. Nerve impulses are very quick (~120m/s), allowing

rapid responses to the stimulus.

Understand the role of neurotransmitters at

synapses.
 Objectives:
MUST – describe the structure and function of a synapse
 Sensory Spinal
Touch neuron cord
Skin
receptor

Electrical
impulse
Muscle
(effector)

Motor Relay
neuron neuron

There are THREE neurones in this diagram.

How does the nerve impulse travel from one neuron
to the next?
 Neurotransmitter stored in
tiny packages called vesicles

Presynaptic
Neurone
Receptor
molecules

Synapse Postsynaptic
20nm wide Neurone
 1. Nerve impulse arrives at
the synapse

IMPULSE

2. Chemical messenger (a
neurotransmitter) is released
into the synapse.
 3. Neurotransmitter diffuses across the
synapse

4. Neurotransmitter
binds with a
receptor on the
membrane of
the post-
synaptic neuron

IMPULSE

5. Binding of neurotransmitter
to receptor stimulates impulse
in postsynaptic neuron
Synapse worksheet
Describe the structure and functioning of a simple

reflex arc illustrated by the withdrawal of a finger

from a hot object.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5nj3ZfeYDQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLrhYzdbbpE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K68aKJoxDY
1) A stimulus is detected by a receptor.

2) The receptor initiates a nerve impulse in the

sensory nerve (afferent neuron).

3) The sensory nerve (which runs from the receptor to

the spine) passes the message/impulse onto an relay

neuron in the spine.

4) The relay neuron passes the message on a motor

nerve (efferent neuron).

5) The motor nerve passes the message onto the

effector muscle.

6) The effector muscle carries out the response (muscle

contraction).
The entire process (stimulus to response) happens in

less than a second and does not involve the brain.

The purpose of the interneuron is also to inform the

brain of what has happened.

Describe the structure and function of the eye as a

receptor.
Conjunctiva
sclera (white protective covering of the eye),

cornea (front of the sclera, the curved surface is very

important in refracting the light towards the retina),

conjunctiva (thin transparent layer continuous with the

epithelium of the eyelids),

choroid (black layer which prevents internal reflection

of light and contains blood vessels to supply the retina),

aqueous humour (clear solution of salts),

pupil (variable opening in the iris to allow light to enter

the eye),
iris (coloured part of the eye, circular and radial

muscles which control the size of the pupil),

vitreous humour (clear gelatinous substance which fills

the eyeball),

retina (contains rods and cones and nerve cells for

vision),
lens (transparent, elastic bi-convex structure which

focuses the light onto the retina),

fovea (yellow spot contains cones only, spot of most

accurate vision),
optic nerve (carries impulses to the brain),

blind spot (point where optic nerve leaves the eye, not

light sensitive).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkLnpPi3JpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbwPPcwknPU

http

://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/sig

ht/sight_animation.shtml
Understand the function of the eye in focusing on

near and distant objects, and in responding to

changes in light intensity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FywFsT0R58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spziX4P7FPk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjTCbL2wbRk
Describe the role of the skin in temperature

regulation, with references to sweating,

vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Understand the sources, roles and effects of the

following hormones: adrenaline, insulin,

testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen.

hormone source role effects

fight or flight, increases blood sugar

adrenal prepares the level, heart rate, blood
adrenaline
gland body for physical pressure, breathing
activity rate, sweat production
hormone source role effects

liver cells take up

glucose and store in
lowers blood
insulin pancreas the form of glycogen,
glucose level
decreases blood
glucose level
 hormone source role effects

it fuels a healthy
controls secondary
libido, builds muscle
testosterone testes sexual characteristics
mass, deep voice,
in males
body hair

controls menstrual
maintenance of
progesterone ovaries cycle, maintains
endometrium
pregnancy
hormone source role effects

controls secondary
stimulates ovulation,
sexual characteristics
oestrogen ovaries maintenance of
in females, controls
endometrium
menstrual cycle