The nervous system and endocrine system are the two coordination systems in animals that allow them to respond to stimuli in the environment. The nervous system uses nerve impulses transmitted through neurons to enable rapid responses, while the endocrine system uses chemical messengers called hormones transported through the bloodstream to enable slower but longer-lasting responses. Plants also respond to stimuli but do not have nervous or endocrine systems and instead rely on plant hormones to coordinate slow, predetermined responses.

1. COORDINATION
Nervous System and Endocrine System

2. Review: Detecting Stimuli
• The five senses detect stimuli in the environment
Sight Smell Hearing
Response Skin Ears Tongue
organ
Stimuli Light Pressure, Chemical Chemical
temperature, substances substances
pain

3. The Coordination System
Coordination systems work together to process
information received from stimuli and to produce
appropriate responses.
Animals have two coordination systems:
• the nervous system and
• the endocrine system.

4. The Nervous System
• The nervous system regulates the body‟s activities and
responses. It works by means of specialized cells called
neurons which transmit information in the form of nerve
impulses.

5. Nervous System Responses

6. The Endocrine System
• The endocrine system regulates and coordinates the
body functions by means of chemical substances called
hormones. The endocrine system regulates functions
which require maintained responses. These include
changes during the metamorphosis of some animals,
growth, and the production of milk in mammals.

7. Endocrine System Responses

8. Summary
• The coordination system tells the body how to respond
to a stimulus. The body can coordinate a response quickly
with a nerve impulse or over time as chemicals build up
and break down in the blood stream.

9. Fill in the Blank
Nervous System Endocrine System
Type of messenger Nerve impulses
Transmission by Blood
Speed of response Rapid
Duration of response Brief
Regulation and Functions which require Functions which require
coordination of rapid responses, such as _______ responses,
functions locomotion such as growth,
development, and
metabolism

10. Review
• How do messages travel in the nervous system?
• How do messages travel in the endocrine system?
• Which system controls how tall you will grow?
• Which system controls how fast your heart beats?

11. COORDINATION
Responding to Stimuli

12. Responsive Organs
There are two types of responses to stimuli:
• Motor responses: the response is movement
• Endocrine responses: the response is the release of
hormones
The responsive organs, or effectors, control motor and
endocrine responses.
The motor and endocrine systems need to receive an
instruction from the nervous system in order to respond.

13. Motor Responses in Vertebrates
Motor responses are controlled by organs in the motor system,
which consist of:
• Skeletal system: bones support the body and act as levers during
movement. The skeleton is internal.
• Muscular system: muscles are contractile organs attached to the
bones by tendons.

14. Motor Responses in Invertebrates
Many invertebrates possess an exoskeleton, or hard outer
shell, which protects them.

15. Motor Responses in Invertebrates
Insects need a more flexible, articulated exoskeleton
because they make rapid movements. When insects grow,
they shed their exoskeleton and grow a bigger one. This
process is called „moulting.‟

16. Motor Responses in Invertebrates
Animals which live fixed to a surface (coral) and slow
moving animals (sea urchins, starfish) are covered with
hard, protective shells.

17. Summary: Motor Responses
Some motor responses allow an animal to move toward or
escape a stimulus. Muscles expand and contract and pull
on the skeleton. The skeleton acts as a lever and moves
the limbs. This is the same for vertebrates and fast-moving
invertebrates with an exoskeleton.
Some animals can‟t move quickly. Their motor response is
to hide in their protective exoskeleton or to emerge when
the environment is safe.

18. Review: Stimulus to Motor Response

19. Endocrine Responses
The endocrine response is a release of hormones.
Endocrine responses are controlled by glands in the
endocrine system. These glands produce hormones
which:
• Are released into the blood
• Control and coordinate activities throughout the body.
Both vertebrates and invertebrates have endocrine
systems.

20. Glands control hormone secretion:

21. Hormones travel in the bloodstream:

22. Review: Path of a Hormone Response

23. Review: Which system is working?
Stimulus Coordination Response Time Response
System
Feeling a fire is
hot
Eating a big meal
Being tickled
Hearing a loud
noise
Forming a scar
Increasing the
amount of sugar
in the blood
Coughing
Running away

24. True or False?
• Only vertebrates possess an endocrine system.
• Hormones are transported in the blood.
• The pancreas is part of the motor system.
• Responses from the endocrine system are immediate and
rapid.

25. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

26. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

27. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

28. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

29. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

30. Nervous System or Endocrine System?

31. Review
When temperatures are
cold, bears tend to
hibernate and paralyze
all activity to minimize
energy use.
• Stimulus
• Response

32. Review
Earthworms flee from
light and seek humidity,
hiding under damp
earth.
• Stimulus
• Response

33. Review
When a jellyfish comes
into contact with
another animal, it fires a
filament and injects a
stinging substance into
the other animal.
• Stimulus
• Response

34. Review
When in the presence
of a predator, a
chameleon
camouflages itself,
taking on the same
shade of the place
where it is located.
• Stimulus
• Response

35. Review
When food smells good,
it is often said to “make
your mouth water.”
• Stimulus
• Response

36. Review
What are the names of the two coordination systems in
animals? Could an animal exist without these two systems?
Explain.

37. Review
In vertebrates, which organ in the body receives the
information collected by the sense organs? What does this
organ do with the information?

38. COORDINATION
Responding to a Stimulus: Plants

39. Coordination in Plants
Plants do not have a nervous system or an endocrine
system. Responses to stimuli in plants are coordinated by
hormones.
Hormones act as chemical messengers which enable
plants to respond to many factors, such as light, gravity,
water, and temperature.
Cells inside the plant detect stimuli, which are processed
and analyzed slowly. Movement is limited and based on
predetermined, automatic systems.

40. Movement in Plants
Plants can respond to stimuli on a permanent or temporary
basis.
• Tropism
• Nastic movements

41. Tropism
Tropism is a type of response in plants which
permanently changes the direction of a plant‟s growth.
There are two types of tropism:
• Positive tropism is when the plant grows in the direction
of the stimulus.
• Negative tropism is when the plant grows away from the
stimulus.

42. Tropism
Tropism is classified according to the source of the stimuli:
Geotropism Phototropism Hydrotropism Thigmotropism
Response to: Gravity Light Water Contact
Stem Runners make
Root contact with an
object and ____
themselves
around it

43. Nastic Movements
Temporary responses in plants, such as opening and
closing, are called nastic movements. The plant later
returns to its original position.
An example: carnivorous plants close their leaves when an
insect lands on them.

44. Summary
Plants coordinate responses with hormones, which means
they respond slowly to stimuli.
Tropism is a type of permanent response.
Nastic movement is a type of temporary response.

45. Review
• What coordinates responses to stimuli in plants?
• Name three stimuli to which plants respond.
• What is the main difference between tropism and nastic
movement?

46. Review
Why does jasmine open
at night and close
during the day?
• Stimulus
• Response
• Duration of change

47. Review
Why do vine tendrils
(runners) wrap around
other stems and nearby
objects?
• Stimulus
• Response
• Duration of change

48. Review
Why do potatoes grow
stems when left on the
windowsill?
• Stimulus
• Response
• Duration of change