Organization in the Living World- Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Give a brief account of vascular or conductive tissues in plants.
Answer.
In vascular bundle of plants, conducting or vascular tissues-xylem and phloem are present. Presence of these tissues is a peculiar feature of higher plants due to which they are able to survive in terrestrial habitat. Xylem and phloem are complex permanent tissues, made of more than one type of cells. All the cells together perform a common function.
Fig. A vascular bundle
1. Xylem-
Xylern is composed of 4 types of cells :
(i) Xylem tracheids
It is tubular in structure with thick cell wall. It helps in vertical transportation of water and minerals absorbed by roots. The cells are usually dead.
(ii) Vessels
Vessels are structurally same as tracheids. These are tube like with perforations called pits.
(iii) Xylem parenchyma
It stores food and helps in sideways conduction of water.
(iv) Xylem fibers
They are dead cells. Sometimes deposition of lignin is also seen.
They are mainly supportive in function.
2. Phloem
The conductive tissue phloem is composed of 4 types of cells- sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem fibers and phloem parenchyma,
(i) Sieve tubes
They are tubular cells with perforated walls, composed of living cells.
They lack nucleus.
Fig. Section of Phloem
(ii) Phloem parenchyma
It is composed of living cells. Function is storage.
(iii) Companion cells
They are living cells with nucleus. It helps in transport of food from leaves to other parts of the plant.
(iv) Phloem fibers
It is composed of all dead cells. It is supportive in function. Functions- Xylem helps in conduction of water and minerals from roots to the leaves and other parts. Water and minerals move in one direction in xylem. Phloem helps in conduction of food (sugar) prepared by leaves during photosynthesis. Phloem transports sugar from leaves to other parts of the plant. Materials can move in both directions in phloem.
Question 2. Explain the structure and function of neuron.
Answer.
Nervous system of animals is composed of nervous tissue. The cells of this tissue are called nerve cells or neurons. Neurons are units of nervous tissue and possess the ability to respond to stimuli. Many nerve fibers bound together by connective tissue to form a nerve. Structure- A neuron looks like a tree with branches and roots. It consists of mainly two parts-a cell body or cyton and axon. Cell body or cyton has a nucleus and cytoplasm. Cytoplasm has cell organelles like golgi body, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Axon is a long thin cytoplasmic extension that conducts nerve impulse.”
The end of axon has branching terminals called axon terminals that forms contact with other neurons. The axon is covered by a myelin sheath. Nodes of Ranvier are also present in axon.
Functions
Neurons have ability to respond to stimulus. In presence of any stimulus they get stimulated and transmits the stimulus very rapidly from one place to another inside the body. Nerve impulses allow us to move our muscles. The nervous tissue in combination with muscular tissue helps in the movement of animals. Dendrite is receptor of chemical, mechanical and visual stimulus. From here the stimulus travels along axon and through axon terminal it is passed on to the other neuron.
Question 3. What are different types of connective tissues present in animals.
Answer.
In animals group of cells form tissues that carry out different functions in different parts of the body. These cells have specialized structure which enables them to carry out a particular function. The cells of connective tissue are loosely spaced and embedded in intercellular matrix which may be jelly like, fluid, dense or rigid depending upon the function.
Different types of connective tissues present in animals are-
(1) Blood
(2) Bone
(3) Cartilage
(4) Areolar tissue
(5) Adipose tissue
Blood
Blood is the fluid connective tissue.It has fluid matrix called plasma in which three types of blood cells are present. They are
(i) Red blood cells (RBCs)
(ii) White blood cells (WBCs)
(iii) Blood Platelets,
(i) RBCs
These are red in colour due to presence of red colour pigment haemoglobin in them. Also called erythrocytes. These cells lack nucleus and mitochondria. They help in the transport of oxygen to various parts of the body.
(ii) WBCs
These are nucleated cells. Sometimes more than one nucleus are present. Their function is to kill germs entering the body.
(iii) Platelets
Platelets help in coagulation of blood during a cut.
Bone
Bone forms the framework and gives a definite shape to the body. It is strong and non flexible tissue. The cells lie embedded in a hard matrix composed of calcium and phosphorus compounds.
The bones are connected to each other by ligament which is elastic. Tendons connect
muscles to bones which is fibrous and less flexible.
Cartilage
The cells are widely spaced The solid matrix is composed of proteins and sugars. It is presents in the nose, esr: trachea and larynx.
Areolar tissue
This tissue is found between skin and muscles, around blood vessels and nerves and in bone marrow. It fills the space inside the organs, supports internal organs and helps in repair of tissues.
Adipose tissue
It is fat storing tissue found below the skin and between internal organs. The cells are filled with fat globules. Fat present below the skin acts as an insulator. This layer of fat is very thick in animals as compared to man.