Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

Nervous vs. Hormonal Coordination in Animals

| Feature | Nervous Coordination | Hormonal Coordination |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very fast (electrical impulses) | Slow (chemicals travel via blood) |
| Reach | Limited — specific nerve pathways to targeted tissues/muscles | Wide — hormones reach all cells of the body through bloodstream |
| Duration | Short-lived; effect stops when impulse stops | Long-lasting; effect continues until hormone is broken down |

Mechanism: The nervous system uses electrical impulses transmitted through neurons, acting through muscles. Hormones are chemicals secreted by endocrine glands, transported in blood, and regulated by feedback mechanisms.

Example — Nervous system better suited: A reflex action, such as withdrawing a hand from a hot object, requires an immediate, precise response. The nervous system achieves this within milliseconds.

Example — Hormonal system better suited: When a squirrel faces danger, adrenaline is secreted into the blood, reaching all body tissues to prepare for fight or flight — a wide-ranging response that nerve impulses alone cannot achieve.

Source: Chapter 6, Sections 6.1 and 6.3

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• Examiners expect the three comparison points (speed, reach, duration) — ideally in a table or clearly labelled points.
• One specific example for each system is explicitly asked; use the adrenaline/squirrel example from the textbook for hormonal, and reflex action for nervous — these are directly from the source.
• Avoid vague language; say "electrical impulses" for nervous and "blood-borne chemicals" for hormonal.
• The feedback mechanism is a bonus point that shows depth but keep it brief.
• Do not exceed ~125 words in the body — examiners penalise padding in 5-mark answers.