Responding to change
Describe examples of how multicellular organisms respond to changes in their environment
- When it’s too hot, we sweat.
- When it’s too cold we shiver.
Define coordination as the various systems in living things working together so that they function effectively
Coordination is the various systems in living things working together so that they function effectively.
Outline the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in coordinating the body
Later
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The nervous system: sends fast electrical messages (impulses) along neurones to coordinate immediate responses.
- Examples: reflex actions (e.g. pulling your hand away) and fast control of actions like walking.
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The endocrine system: releases hormones into the bloodstream to coordinate slower, longer-lasting changes.
- Examples: growth and development (e.g. hormones from the pituitary), controlling blood sugar (insulin and glucagon), and puberty.
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How they work together: the nervous system can trigger hormone release (for example, when stress or fear activates hormone pathways), and hormones can support or adjust how the nervous system controls the body.
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Keeping homeostasis: both systems help maintain stable internal conditions (e.g. body temperature, heart rate, and energy use) so cells can function properly.
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Example—stress response: the nervous system rapidly reacts to danger, and hormones (like adrenaline and cortisol) help sustain the “fight-or-flight” response over a longer period.