BUENASHER LEARNING ACADEMY INC.

Km.39 Cityland Ave., Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

SCIENCE 10
Living Things and Their Environment

Name of Learner: ____________________________ Grade/Section: _________

Date: __________________ Quarter: _________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET/GAWAINGPAGKATUTO

In the past years, you have studied about the coordinated functions of the digestive,
respiratory, and circulatory systems. You have learned that nutrients enter the bloodstream and
combine with oxygen taken in through the respiratory system. You have also understood the
structure of genes and chromosomes, and the functions they perform in the transmission of
traits from parents to offspring. You have discovered that some species that once existed are
now extinct, and that they become extinct when they fail to adapt to changes in the
environment. You have become familiar about how plants capture energy from the sun and
store energy in sugar molecules through photosynthesis, and learned that stored energy is
used by cells during cellular respiration. You have found out that these two processes are
interrelated.

All modules in Grade 10 Unit 3 Living Things and Their Environment present mental
and hands-on activities that will enable you to apply science concepts and inquiry skills in
addressing real-world problems through scientific investigations. These instructional activities
are designed to enhance your knowledge, understanding, skills, and ability to transfer learning.
There are four modules in this quarter, namely:

Module 1: Coordinated Functions of the Nervous, Endocrine, and Reproductive

Systems

Module 2: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation Module 3:

Biodiversity and Evolution

Module 4: Ecosystems: Biodiversity

At the end of Grade 10, you should have already developed scientific, technological, and
environmental literacy that will lead you to rational choices on any issue that you will face in
life.

The Nervous System

The Structure of the Nervous System

Your nervous system connects all your body parts and transmits
signals from one part to another. It is a system of cells, tissues,
and organs that regulates the body’s responses to internal and
external stimuli. Each part of the nervous system has a
specific role as it functions as an important part of a system.
 Major Divisions and Parts of the Nervous System

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS serves as the main processing center for the entire nervous system. It consists
of two main components, namely the:

a. Brain
This is an organ located within the skull that functions as organizer and distributor of
information for the body.
It has three main parts:

Cerebrum – large, upper part of the brain that controls activity and thought.

Cerebellum – the part under the cerebrum that controls posture, balance, and
coordination.

Brain Stem – the part that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls
automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and
blood pressure.

b. Spinal Cord
This serves as a channel for signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and
controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain.

1. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs. It has two main
divisions:

a. Somatic Nervous System

This system is associated with the voluntary control of body movements and
has two main parts:

Spinal Nerves – the nerves that carry motor and sensory signals between the spinal
cord and the body.

Cranial Nerves – the nerve fibers that carry information into and out

of the brain stem

a. Autonomic Nervous System

This system is associated with the involuntary control of body movements and
has two subdivisions:

Sympathetic - it is activated when the body is in a dynamic role or stress. (e.g.,

increased heart rate and breathing, dilation of pupil, sweating, etc.)

Parasympathetic - it maintains body functions and restores the body to normal or

relaxed mode.

The Nerve Cell

The basic unit of the nervous system is the nerve cell. Nerve cells are called neurons.
Study Figure 2 and look at the different parts of the neuron. There are billions of neurons in the
body. Some exist alone. Others are joined together to form organs like the brain and spinal
cord.

There are twelve to fourteen billions of neurons in one part of the brain alone. A neuron
has a cell body containing the nucleus. Projecting out from the cell body are root-like
structures. These are the dendrites and axons. Dendrites carry impulses towards the cell body.
A cell may have as many as 200 dendrites carrying impulses toward the cell body. A single
dendrite can be over one meter long. Axons carry impulses away from the cell body. Axons
pass impulses to the dendrites of other neurons or cell body of muscle cells. Axons can be
grouped together into cable-like bundles called nerves.

Figure 2. The basic parts of a neuron

Control of Body Processes through the Nervous System

The Nerve Impulse

Neurons are cells with the special ability to carry signals or impulses. Thoughts,
emotions, learning, and many body functions are carried by nerve impulses in the neurons. A
nerve impulse is a combination of an electrical charge and a chemical reaction. A nerve
impulse is not a flow of electricity, but an electrochemical signal moving along a neuron.

Imagine that you have a board with a row of switches. Quickly click each switch in the
row on and off. This will give you an idea of how a nerve impulse travels along a neuron.

A nerve impulse cannot jump from one neuron to another. When a nerve impulse comes
to the end of an axon, it produces the chemical, called neurotransmitter, to be released. The
chemical crosses the space between neurons called synapse and stimulates the nerve impulse
to start in the next dendrite.

Figure 3. The nerve impulse is sent by neurotransmitters from one neuron to another through a gap called
synapse

The nervous system is assisted by five sense organs - the eyes, ears, nose, tongue,
and skin. These sense organs are constantly receiving information from the environment and
sending messages to the brain. These senses aid in the survival of human beings. A stimulus
(plural: stimuli) is any factor in the environment that may trigger a nerve impulse. A response is
a reaction to a stimulus. A stimulus is received by the body and a response is made. An
organism must be able to respond to a stimulus in order to survive.

Messages do not travel in both directions along the same neuron. Only the axon of the
neuron releases neurotransmitters that cross the space between neurons. Reaction time is the
length of time between application of a stimulus and detection of a response.

The next activity that you will perform will enable you to understand these concepts
better. Use your body’s senses to detect the stimuli in your environment and execute the
corresponding response.
Activity 1

Break it Downn!

Objective:
Identify the parts of the nervous system

Procedure:

Using the given graphic organizer, fill in the missing parts to complete
the entire concept showing the structure of the nervous system.

Somatic
Brain
Nervous System
 BUENASHER LEARNING ACADEMY INC.
Km.39 Cityland Ave., Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

SCIENCE 10
The Endocrine System
Function of Endocrine System

Name of Learner: ____________________________ Grade/Section: _________

Date: __________________ Quarter: _________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

The endocrine system is composed of glands that secrete different types of hormones that
affect almost every cell, organ, and function of our body. It is essential in regulating growth and
development, metabolism, as well as reproductive processes and mood.
How does your endocrine system function? Endocrine glands secrete chemicals known as
hormones into the bloodstream, which carries them throughout the body. When a hormone in the
blood reaches the target organ, it produces a notable effect. The endocrine system sends signals
all over the body, much like the nervous system, but unlike the instant responses activated by the
nervous system, the effects can take a few hours or even weeks.

Similar to the nervous system, the endocrine system controls and regulates body
processes. Generally, the endocrine system is in control of the mechanisms in the body that slowly
take place, such as cell growth. Rapid processes, such as body movement and breathing, are
controlled by the nervous system. Although these two systems are different, they work together in
a coordinate manner to enable the body to function properly. After studying about the nervous
system, now you will learn about the endocrine system, its functions, and the glands that comprise
the system.
 Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones

The endocrine system contains a group of glands that release hormones into the body.
The following table lists all the major glands in the body, with their functions, locations, and the
hormones they release.
Gland Location Hormones Released Function
Oxytocin,
Vasopressin,
Growth Hormone,
Adrenocorticotropic stimulates growth, and
at the base of the
Pituitary Hormone (ACTH), controls the functions of
brain
Prolactin, Luteinizing other glands
Hormone, Follicle
Stimulating Hormone
(FSH)
regulates body
below the voice metabolism, and causes
Thyroid Thyroxin, Calcitonin
box storage of calcium in
bones
controls the calcium
Parathyroid in the neck Parathyromone levels in your body, and
normalizes bone growth
enables the body
in front of the heart
Thymus Thymosin to produce certain
antibodies
prepares the body for
on top of the kidneys action, controls the
Adrenal Adrenaline heart rate and
breathing in times of
emergency
between the kidneys regulates blood sugar
Pancreas Insulin, Glucagon
levels

Reproductive lower abdomen Androgen, control maturation and

-Testes (Males) Testosterone male characteristics

influence female
-Ovaries (Females) lower abdomen Estrogen, traits, and support
Progesterone reproductive function
 KEY CONCEPTS:
The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones
to control various body processes. This control system usually brings about slow
changes in the body because chemical messengers move more slowly than nerve
impulses. The major glands in the body are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid,
thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.

Activity 2
Who’s in Control?

Objective:
Identify the major endocrine glands in the human body and their functions

Procedure:

Study each picture that depicts the involvement of a particular gland in the endocrine system.
Write down the name of the endocrine gland and explain its effect, according to its function.

EXAMPLE :

Athletes burn up calories A pregnant woman A boy running away

during exercise. from danger
Thyroid Gland

It regulates the metabolism of the body.

4. 5.
3.
Effects of Hormones in the Body

Several processes in the body are coordinated by hormones which regulate and balance
the working of organs, tissues, and cells. The endocrine system influences how your heart
beats, how your bones and tissues develop, and even your capacity to have a baby. It plays an
essential role in the occurrence of disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, growth
disorders, and/or sexual dysfunction.

Both men and women produce hormones in the same areas with one exception, the
reproductive glands. Additional male hormones are produced in the testes while female
hormones are produced in the ovaries.

Some hormones have short-term effects while other hormones have long-term effects
such as those that control our growth and the changes at the onset of puberty. During puberty,
there are many hormonal changes that happen in your body. One moment you laugh, and then
suddenly you feel like crying. Sudden mood swings are relatively caused by the increasing
amount of hormones in the body at this stage. It is therefore important to maintain a positive
outlook in life and remember that these changes are only temporary and will stabilize with time.

Hormones act in very small amounts. If the organ and hormones do not produce the
regulated amount of chemicals to your body, it may result in an abnormality of your body. This
condition is called hormonal imbalance. An increase or decrease in its amount may have a
significant effect in the human body.

Figure 7. Disorders due to endocrine dysfunction

Explain the effect of a particular hormone in the body if not properly regulated
KEY CONCEPTS:

Hormones affect various processes in the body as they regulate and

balance the functioning of organs, tissues, and cells. Hormones have great
impact on your growth, appearance, emotions, and reproductive functions.
These determine whether or not you develop disorders such as diabetes,
thyroid disease, growth disorders, or sexual dysfunction. Hormones act in
very small amounts. An increase or decrease in hormonal levels may result in
body disorder due to hormonal imbalance.
 Prepared By:/Inihanda ni:

Ms. Elle Cruz

Subject of Teacher

“You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” ♥

Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times.

(Please this in All Learning Activity Sheet)