Cordination System:

The Brain, Sense Organs and

Hormones

Oleh:
Fenny Aulia
Sugiana
(3415096589)

The Brain
The avian brain is similar in overall structure to that
found in other vertebrates, but differs in several
important aspects
The olfactory lobes are small, in correlation with the
poorly developed sense of smell in birds; the optic
lobes are large, in keeping with the visual acuity of
the avian eye; the expansive cerebrum, trough
showing cinsiderable advances over lower
vertebrates, is relatively smooth and lacks the deep
fissure; the celebrum , which is responsible for
precise control over movements , is well developed.

The avian brain reaches its highest development in

the corvids, a group displaying unnusual adaptive
resourcefulness, but also exceptionally large in the
parrot, owls, and woodpeckers.
The importance of the pituitary; a grandular
structure suspended from the floor of the brain,
is discussed under endocrine glands
The pineal body or epiphysis, a slender stalk
protruding from the roof of the diencephalon
(between brain) but largely concealed by the large
cerebrum

Bird brain

The Sense Organs

Tactile Organ
Tactile organ are not well developed in birds, largely
because of the nearly complete investment of the body
with feathers, although the skin does have some
sensory receptors
Smell
The sense of smell is apparently of minor importance
to most birds. The external nares in most birds open
into a horny beak and lackthe sensitive muzzle so
useful for deer for example in testing the wind or for a
carnivore in following a trail.

Taste
We have seen from the scarcity of taste buds in the
mouth that the structural basis for tasting is
relatively poor and we know from general
observation that most bird bolt down hurriedly the
food they are accustomed to eat.
Vision
The eye of bird is remarkable structure with great
visual acuity which is vital for creatures so
dependent on keen sight for existence.
Most birds, obviously, depend mainly on
monocular vision that is each eye used
independently for lateral views. Owls, have their
eyes directed forward and are believed to used
binocular vision only. The great most birds are
capable of both monocular and binocular vision.

Hearing
Basically, the ear of a bird is quite comparable to
the hearing organ in other vertebrates. There is no
external pinna. The external ear opening is
covered over by special group of feathers, the
auriculars, which are delicately and loosely
constructed.
Sometimes, a bird can be observed to raise its ear
coverts as if listening intently. Owls have long been
credited with a sensitive ear that aids them in
hunting and recent information indicates that this
ability may be even more fantastic than formerly
supposed.

Endocrine Glands
The more important endocrine glands in birds together
with the hormones they produce and some of their
function are as follow.
Pituitary (master gland) control and regulates
secretion of other glands.
Anterior lobe secretes following hormones.
Thyrotropin (TSH) stimulates and influences
secretions of the tyroid.
Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) acts on the cortical tissue
of the adrenal glands.
Gonadotropin control growth of gonads and their
secretions.
Prolactin stimulates production of pigeons milk,

Posterior lobe produces several hormones

related to physiologicalactivities (blood
pressure, urine flow, egg expulsion)
Thyroid produces thyroxin, for feather
development, pigmentation, molting.
Parathyroid produce parathormone, for
calcium ,and phosphorus .
Adrenals produce (1) adrenalin from
medulla, for blood pressure, digestive
processes (2) cortin from cortex, for
carbohydrate metabolism.
Gonads produce (1) androgens
(testosterone) from testes, secondary sexual
characters (2) esterogen (estradiol) from
ovaries, female functions.