Co-Ordination
The Need For Coordination
- Cells within organisms have evolved to perform specific functions, meaning these specialised cells need to be coordinated to work effectively.
- Different neurons and hormones connect the systems of the body, most unable to work in isolation, in order to keep an organism alive.
- For example, erythrocytes carry oxygen but rely on stem cells for reproduction as they have no nucleus. However, stem cells are unable to respire and produce erythrocytes without an oxygen supply.
- Homeostasis is the mechanisms by which an organism's internal environment is kept constant and stable.
- Nervous and hormonal responses are used to enable cells to communicate.
- This happens quickly, directly and on a short term basis in neurons.
- This happens slower, in all receptors, on a longer term basis with hormones.
- Plants do not have a nervous system, so rely on hormones to control processes such as phototropism in order to enable plants to respond to their environment.