Control and Coordination: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Electricity jumps straight across the gap.”

Ask together

What crosses the enlarged gap before the next electrical impulse starts?

What’s true

At a chemical synapse, released chemicals trigger the next cell’s electrical impulse.

If your child says… “Pulling away uses neither my brain nor my spinal cord.”

Ask together

Where can incoming sensory signals connect with outgoing muscle commands?

What’s true

This reflex uses the spinal cord, which belongs to the central nervous system alongside the brain.

If your child says… “My cerebellum does the thinking.”

Ask together

Which job needs the cerebellum here: choosing your destination or keeping movement steady?

What’s true

Coordinating movement and thinking are different jobs within the brain.

If your child says… “The leaf grows closed when touched.”

Ask together

Could changing existing cells explain the folding without growing new tissue?

What’s true

This folding needs no growth and does not follow the touch’s direction.

If your child says… “Auxin gathers on the bright side and slows it down.”

Ask together

Which side must become longer for the shoot to bend left?

What’s true

In this shoot, auxin gathers on the shaded right side and promotes lengthening.

If your child says… “Every cell responds to every hormone.”

Ask together

Which inset cell has a receptor that adrenaline can bind to?

What’s true

Only cells with matching receptors respond directly to a circulating hormone.

If your child says… “Iodine is already the hormone.”

Ask together

If iodine were already thyroxine, what would the thyroid need to make?

What’s true

Iodine is an ingredient used by the thyroid, rather than thyroxine itself.

If your child says… “Insulin raises my blood sugar.”

Ask together

If glucose leaves the blood for uptake and storage, what happens to its blood level?

What’s true

Insulin lowers raised blood sugar by helping cells take in and store glucose.