Introduction To Support and Movement

Overview

This topic explores the structural adaptations and mechanisms that enable both plants and animals to maintain stability and facilitate movement in response to environmental stimuli. In plants, various cell types such as parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma provide support, while secondary growth and plant hormones play crucial roles in movement. In contrast, animals possess skeletal systems—hydrostatic, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons—that offer support, protection, and enable locomotion through muscle contractions. The interplay between these structures and their functions highlights the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed diverse organisms to thrive in their respective habitats.

Questions and Answers

  1. What is the primary function of support in plants?

    The primary function of support in plants is to maintain stability against gravity, allowing them to grow upright and access sunlight for photosynthesis. This support is provided by various cell types, including collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells

  2. How do plants exhibit movement if they do not move from one place to another?

    Plants exhibit movement through growth movements and nastic movements, which are controlled by plant hormones such as auxins. These movements include bending towards light (phototropism) and responses to touch (thigmotropism)

  3. What types of skeletons are found in animals?

    Animals possess three main types of skeletons: hydrostatic skeletons, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons. Each type provides support and facilitates movement in different ways

  4. What role do auxins play in plant movement?

    Auxins are plant hormones that regulate growth by causing unequal cell elongation, which results in movements such as bending towards light (phototropism) and the downward growth of roots (gravitropism)

  5. What are the main functions of the skeletal system in animals?

    The skeletal system in animals serves several functions, including providing support and shape, protecting vital organs, enabling movement through muscle attachment, maintaining mineral homeostasis, and producing blood cells in the bone marrow

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. What type of skeleton do arthropods possess?

    a) Endoskeleton
    b) Hydrostatic skeleton
    c) Exoskeleton
    d) Cartilaginous skeleton
    Answer: c) Exoskeleton

  2. Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for phototropism?

    a) Gibberellins
    b) Cytokinins
    c) Auxins
    d) Abscisic acid
    Answer: c) Auxins

  3. What type of movement is characterized by a plant growing towards light?

    a) Nastic movement
    b) Tropic movement
    c) Paratonic movement
    d) Growth movement
    Answer: b) Tropic movement

  4. Which cells provide flexible support in young plant tissues?

    a) Parenchyma
    b) Sclerenchyma
    c) Collenchyma
    d) Xylem
    Answer: c) Collenchyma

  5. What is the primary function of the skeletal system in animals?

    a) Photosynthesis
    b) Mineral storage
    c) Support and movement
    d) All of the above
    Answer: d) All of the above