Enhanced Science 10

BODY CONTROL AND RESPONSE

Content Standard
The learners demonstrate an understanding of organisms as having feedback mechanisms, which are coordinated
by the nervous and endocrine systems and how these feedback mechanisms help the organism maintain
homeostasis to reproduce and survive.

Learning Competencies
Explain how the nervous system coordinates and regulates these feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis.

At the end of the lesson, the learners the students are expected to:

1. Explain how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to regulate body functions and maintain
homeostasis;
2. Create a diagram or concept map showing the interaction between the endocrine and nervous systems;
and
3. Appreciate the role of the endocrine and nervous systems in overall health and well-being, promoting
healthy lifestyle choices that support their functions.

Module Overview
The human body relies on two main regulatory systems: the nervous system and the endocrine system.
This module explores how these systems function, how they interact, and their importance in maintaining
homeostasis. Students will learn about the structure, function, and coordination of these systems to ensure proper
body function.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Body Regulation

Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment despite external
changes. It ensures that vital conditions, such as body temperature, blood pressure, pH levels, and glucose levels,
remain within a narrow range to support normal cellular functions. The nervous system and endocrine system
work together to regulate homeostasis by sending signals throughout the body.
Two Main Control Systems

1. Nervous System - This system uses electrical signals to send rapid messages throughout the body. It
allows for quick responses, such as reflexes or immediate changes in heart rate during exercise. The
brain and spinal cord process information and send signals to muscles and glands to maintain balance.
2. Endocrine System - This system regulates body functions more slowly by releasing hormones into
the bloodstream. These hormones help control growth, metabolism, reproduction, and long-term stress
responses. The endocrine system ensures stability by adjusting body processes over time, such as blood
sugar regulation and maintaining energy levels.

Differences Between the Nervous and Endocrine Systems

Nervous System Endocrine System

Feature
Speed of Response Fast (milliseconds) Slow (minutes to days)
Type of Signal Electrical impulses Chemical hormones
Duration of Effect Short-term Long-lasting
Target Specific muscles/glands Widespread effects

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Lesson 2: The Nervous System
The nervous system is composed of neurons (nerve cells), which help the body detect stimuli and respond
to its environment. It is divided into two major parts:

1. Central Nervous System (CNS): Includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and
interpreting information.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Consists of all the nerves outside the CNS, which connect the brain
and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Our body is equipped with numerous nerve cells. The organization of these nerve cells makes up the
whole nervous system. It is through the nervous system that the body can interact with the various stimulus in the
environment and facilitate biological processes inside the body essential to life. The different senses provide
information to be interpreted by the brain which will then trigger a corresponding reaction to the stimulus present.

Nerve cells are commonly known as neurons. The brain has approximately 100 billion neurons each with
a cell body and multiple extensions. The shorter extensions (called dendrites) act like antennae: they receive
signals from, for example, other neurons and pass them on to the cell body. The signals are then passed on via a
long extension (the axon), which can be up to a meter long.

Basic Cells of the Nervous System

A. Neuron
➢ Basic functional cell of nervous
system
➢ Transmits impulses (up to 250 mph)

Parts of a Neuron

• Dendrite – receive stimulus and carries

it impulses toward the cell body
• Cell Body with nucleus – nucleus &
most of cytoplasm
• Axon – fiber which carries impulses
away from cell body
• Schwann Cells- cells which produce
myelin or fat layers in the Peripheral
Nervous System
• Myelin sheath – dense lipid layer which insulates the axon – makes the axon look gray
• Node of Ranvier – gaps or nodes in the myelin sheath
• Impulses travel from dendrite to cell body to axon

Three types of Neurons

• Sensory neurons – bring messages to

CNS
• Motor neurons - carry messages from
CNS
• Interneurons – between sensory & motor
neurons in the CNS
Impulses

• A stimulus is a change in the environment

with sufficient strength to initiate a response.
• Excitability is the ability of a neuron to respond to the stimulus and convert it into a nerve impulse
• All of Nothing Rule – The stimulus is either strong enough to start and impulse or nothing happens

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 • Impulses are always the same strength along a given neuron, and they are self-
propagation – once it starts it continues to the end of the neuron in only one direction-
from dendrite to cell body to axon
• The nerve impulse causes a movement of ions across the cell membrane of the nerve cell.

Synapse

• Synapse - small gap or space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another – the neurons
do not actually tough at the synapse
• It is a junction between neurons which use
neurotransmitters to start the impulse in the
second neuron or an effector (muscle or gland)
• The synapse insures one-way transmission of
impulses

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters – Chemicals in the junction which

allow impulses to be started in the second neuron

The nervous system is primarily divided into two major parts; called the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord. It is safely
contained within the skull and vertebral canal of the spine. All the other nerves in the body are part of the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Every day the body undergoes different responses to various stimulus. There are times when the body
reacts involuntarily and nearly instantaneously to stimulus. We describe it as reflexes. For example, you are
walking on the street and suddenly a horn blare on your back. You immediately walk towards the sidewalk to
avoid the vehicle behind. During bedtime you notice that there is something moving in your bed and your heart
starts to beat fast. Upon walking towards your house, you smell that a chicken is being fried by your mother, and
you walk fast and go immediately to the kitchen. These are all common examples on how the nervous system
functions to coordinate and regulate feedback mechanisms (either positive or negative) to maintain homeostasis.

The four major functions of the nervous system are as follows:

1. Somatic or voluntary function- is when the nervous system enables the body to move.
2. Sensory function- it is when the nervous system helps us detect stimuli from our internal and external
environment.
3. Autonomic or involuntary function- it is when the nervous system enables the important body
functions to be maintained without being aware of it; and,
4. Cognitive function- it is when the nervous systems enable us to think and to remember.

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Central Nervous System

➢ Brain
o Brain stem – medulla, pons, midbrain
o Diencephalon – thalamus & hypothalamus
o Cerebellum
o Cerebrum
➢ Spine
o Spinal cord

Meninges

Meninges are the three coverings around the brain &

spine and help cushion, protect,

and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

• dura mater is the most outer layer, very tough

• arachnoid mater is the middle layer and
adheres to the dura mater and has weblike
attachments to the innermost layer, the pia mater
• pia mater is very thin, transparent, but tough,
and covers the entire brain, following it into all
its crevices (sulci) and spinal cord
• cerebrospinal fluid, which buffers, nourishes, and detoxifies the brain and spinal cord, flows through the
subarachnoid space, between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater

Regions of the Brain

Cerebellum – coordination of movement and aspects of

motor learning

Cerebrum – conscious activity including perception,

emotion, thought, and planning

Thalamus – Brain’s switchboard – filters and then relays

information to various brain regions

Medulla – vital reflexes as heartbeat and respiration

Brainstem – medulla, pons, and midbrain (involuntary

responses) and relays information from spine to upper brain

Hypothalamus – involved in regulating activities internal organs, monitoring information from the autonomic
nervous system, controlling the pituitary gland and its hormones, and regulating sleep and appetite

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Peripheral Nervous System

➢ Cranial nerves
• 12 pair
• Attached to the undersurface of brain
➢ Spinal nerves
• 31 pair
• Attached to spinal cord

Somatic Nervous System (voluntary)

• Relays information from skin, sense organs & skeletal

muscles to CNS

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 • Brings responses back to skeletal muscles for voluntary responses

Autonomic Nervous System (involuntary)

• Regulates bodies involuntary responses

• Relays information to internal organs

Two divisions

➢ Sympathetic nervous system – in times of stress

• Emergency response
• Fight or flight

➢ Parasympathetic nervous system – when body is at rest or with normal functions

• Normal everyday conditions

Major Sense Organs - Sensation and perception

•
• Vision – Eye
• Hearing – Ear
• Taste – Taste receptors (new)
• Smell – Olfactory system
• Skin – Hot, cold, pressure, pain

Lesson 3: The Endocrine System

The endocrine system, which is composed of a group of glands placed throughout the body, releases
chemicals (hormones) that must travel through the circulatory system to reach a target tissue or organ causing that
tissue or organ to effect a regulatory change. This is a much slower process, but the effect is longer-term.

Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through
your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to
do it. Hormones are essential for life and your health.

Main Functions
A. Growth, metabolism, and maturation of many tissues and organs
B. Ionic Regulation – regulates ion concentrations in the blood (blood chemistry)
C. Water Balance – regulates water balance by controlling solute concentrations
D. Heart rate & Blood Pressure Regulation
E. Blood Glucose Regulation F. Immune System Regulation
F. Reproductive Function Control
G. Uterine Contractions & Milk Release

Endocrine Glands & Their Hormones

1. Hypothalamus (The Master Regulator)

Location: Brain, above the pituitary gland
Function: Connects the nervous system to the endocrine system and controls the pituitary gland.

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 Hormones Released:
➢ Releasing Hormones (RHs) – Stimulate the pituitary gland to release hormones.
• Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) → Stimulates thyroid hormone release.
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) → Stimulates cortisol production.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) → Stimulates reproductive hormones.
• Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) → Stimulates growth hormone.

➢ Inhibiting Hormones (IHs) – Prevent the release of certain hormones.

• Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH, or somatostatin) → Stops growth hormone
release.
• Dopamine (Prolactin-inhibiting hormone, PIH) → Prevents prolactin secretion.

➢ Oxytocin – Controls labor contractions and bonding (stored in the posterior pituitary).
➢ Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH, Vasopressin) – Regulates water balance in the body (stored in the
posterior pituitary).

2. Pituitary Gland (The Master Gland)

Location: Below the hypothalamus in the brain
Function: Controls other endocrine glands and regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Hormones Released:
A. Anterior Pituitary (Produces and Releases Hormones)
• Growth Hormone (GH) – Stimulates body growth and metabolism.
• Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – Signals the thyroid to release thyroid hormones.
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) – Stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – Regulates egg production in females and sperm
production in males.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – Triggers ovulation in females and testosterone production in
males.
• Prolactin (PRL) – Stimulates breast milk production.
3. Posterior Pituitary (Stores and Releases Hormones from the Hypothalamus)
• Oxytocin – Controls uterine contractions during childbirth and promotes bonding.
• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH, Vasopressin) – Helps retain water and regulate blood pressure.
4. Pineal Gland (The Sleep Regulator)
Location: Deep in the brain, between the two hemispheres
Function: Regulates sleep-wake cycles and biological rhythms.
Hormone Released:
• Melatonin – Regulates sleep patterns based on light exposure.

5. Thyroid Gland (The Metabolism Controller)

Location: Front of the neck, wrapped around the trachea
Function: Controls metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature.
Hormones Released:
• Thyroxine (T4) & Triiodothyronine (T3) – Regulate metabolism, heart rate, and digestion.

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 • Calcitonin – Lowers calcium levels in the blood by promoting calcium storage in bones.
6. Parathyroid Glands (The Calcium Regulators)
Location: Four small glands behind the thyroid gland
Function: Controls calcium levels in the blood.
Hormone Released:
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) – Increases calcium levels by releasing calcium from bones and
enhancing calcium absorption in the intestines.
7. Thymus Gland (The Immune System Booster)
Location: Upper chest, behind the sternum
Function: Helps develop the immune system, especially during childhood.
Hormone Released:
• Thymosin – Stimulates the development of T-cells (immune system cells).
8. Adrenal Glands (The Stress Regulators)
Location: On top of each kidney
Function: Controls the body's response to stress, metabolism, and blood pressure.
Hormones Released:
➢ Adrenal Medulla (Inner Layer) – Short-Term Stress Response
• Epinephrine (Adrenaline) – Increases heart rate and energy during stress (fight-or-flight
response).
• Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) – Helps control blood pressure and alertness.
➢ Adrenal Cortex (Outer Layer) – Long-Term Stress Response
• Cortisol – Regulates metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation.
• Aldosterone – Maintains blood pressure by controlling salt and water balance.
• Androgens – Precursor to sex hormones, affecting development in both sexes.
9. Pancreas (The Blood Sugar Regulator)
Location: Behind the stomach
Function: Regulates blood sugar levels to provide energy for cells.
Hormones Released:
• Insulin – Lowers blood sugar by helping cells absorb glucose.
• Glucagon – Raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose from the liver.
• Somatostatin – Regulates insulin and glucagon levels.
10. Gonads (Ovaries & Testes) – The Reproductive Glands
➢ Ovaries (Females)
Location: Lower abdomen
Function: Controls female development, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.
Hormones Released:
• Estrogen – Regulates menstrual cycles, female development, and pregnancy.
• Progesterone – Prepares the uterus for pregnancy and regulates the menstrual cycle.
➢ Testes (Males)
Location: Scrotum, outside the body
Function: Controls male development, sperm production, and libido.
Hormone Released:

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 • Testosterone – Develops male secondary sex characteristics (deeper voice, muscle growth) and
supports sperm production.
11. Kidneys as an Endocrine Gland
Location: Lower back, on either side of the spine
Function: Filter waste from the blood, regulate water and electrolyte balance, and produce hormones that
influence blood pressure, red blood cell production, and calcium balance.
Hormones Released:
• Erythropoietin (EPO) – Stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow, increasing
oxygen supply.
• Renin – Helps regulate blood pressure by controlling blood vessel constriction and sodium
balance (part of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)).
• Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D3) – Helps absorb calcium from the intestines, maintaining bone
health.
• Prostaglandins – Involved in controlling blood flow and inflammation in the kidneys.

Lesson 4: Interaction Between the Nervous and Endocrine Systems

The nervous system and endocrine system constantly communicate to regulate the body’s responses to
different situations. The nervous system detects changes in the environment, processes this information, and
signals the endocrine system to release hormones that create a lasting effect. This interaction is essential in
maintaining balance within the body and ensuring survival.

Examples of how the nervous system and endocrine system interact in different bodily processes:

1. Stress Response (Fight-or-Flight)

Situation: You see a dog suddenly running toward you, barking aggressively.
Nervous System Response:
• The sensory neurons detect danger and send signals to the brain.
• The sympathetic nervous system activates the adrenal glands (above the kidneys).
Endocrine System Response:
• The adrenal glands release adrenaline (epinephrine) into the bloodstream.
• Effects: Increased heart rate, breathing rate, muscle strength, and alertness, preparing you
to run or fight.
2. Blood Sugar Regulation
Situation: You eat a meal, causing a rise in blood sugar levels.
Nervous System Response:
• The brain detects high blood sugar and signals the pancreas to take action.
Endocrine System Response:
• The pancreas releases insulin, which helps body cells absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar
levels.
• If blood sugar drops too low, the pancreas releases glucagon, which signals the liver to
release stored glucose.

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 3. Growth and Development (Puberty)
Situation: A child enters puberty and begins developing secondary sex characteristics (e.g., body hair,
voice changes, breast development).
Nervous System Response:
• The hypothalamus (part of the brain) releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Endocrine System Response:

• The pituitary gland responds by releasing Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and

Luteinizing hormone (LH) → These stimulate the gonads (testes in males, ovaries in
females).
• The gonads release sex hormones (testosterone in males, estrogen & progesterone in
females), leading to physical changes.
4. Temperature Regulation
Situation: It’s a cold day, and your body needs to stay warm.
Nervous System Response:
• The hypothalamus detects cold temperatures through nerve signals.
• It signals the thyroid gland produce more heat-generating hormones.
Endocrine System Response:
• The thyroid releases thyroxine (T4), which increases metabolism, generating heat.
• If needed, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, boosting metabolism and making muscles
shiver for extra heat.
5. Sleep Regulation
Situation: It’s nighttime, and your body prepares to sleep.
Nervous System Response:
• The eyes detect darkness and send signals to the brain (hypothalamus).
Endocrine System Response:
• The pineal gland releases melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy.
• The nervous system reduces body activity (slows heart rate, lowers body temperature).

The nervous system and endocrine system work closely together to regulate and maintain the body's
internal balance, or homeostasis. The nervous system responds rapidly to external and internal stimuli through
electrical signals, allowing immediate actions like reflexes, temperature adjustments, and sensory processing.
Meanwhile, the endocrine system ensures long-term regulation by releasing hormones that control metabolism,
growth, reproduction, and stress responses. The hypothalamus acts as the link between these two systems,
signaling the pituitary gland to regulate other endocrine organs. Through real-life scenarios such as the fight-or-
flight response, blood sugar regulation, temperature control, and childbirth, we see how the nervous system
detects changes and triggers hormone release to maintain stability. This intricate coordination allows the body to
function efficiently, adapting to different situations to ensure survival and well-being.

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BureauofAlternativeLearning System,D.o.(2008). TheNervous System.PasigCity:BureauofAlternative

LearningSystem, Department of Education.

Marieb,E.N.(2015). Essentialsof HumanAnatomy&Physiology. Glenview:PearsonEducation, Inc.

Pavico,J. M., Ramos, A. C., Bayquen, A.V., Silverio,A.A., & Ramos, J.D. (2015). Exploring Life

ThroughScienceSeries10.Quezon City:PhoenixPublishingHouse,Inc.

https://tampabaymespa.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/neuroanatomy-review-for-the-slp-
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/nervous-system-map-anatomy-and-diagram--77194581102839051/

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