Control and Coordination: Nervous System

Control and Coordination

Nervous System

• The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating the body's functions
• Consists of:
  • Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): nerves that connect CNS to the rest of the body
• Functions:
  • Receives and interprets sensory information
  • Integrates and processes information
  • Transmits signals to effectors (muscles and glands)

Voluntary Movement

• Controlled by the nervous system
• Involves conscious thought and decision-making
• Examples:
  • Walking, running, and other physical activities
  • Speaking, writing, and other cognitive functions
• Process:
  • Sensory receptors detect stimuli
  • Information is transmitted to the CNS
  • CNS interprets and processes information
  • CNS sends signals to muscles and glands to respond

Homeostasis

• The ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment
• Regulated by the nervous system and endocrine system
• Examples:
  • Body temperature regulation
  • Blood sugar level regulation
  • Blood pressure regulation
• Process:
  • Sensors detect changes in the internal environment
  • Information is transmitted to the CNS
  • CNS sends signals to effectors to make adjustments
  • Feedback loop: sensors monitor changes and adjust accordingly

Reflexes

• Automatic responses to stimuli
• Do not involve conscious thought or decision-making
• Examples:
  • Withdrawal reflex (e.g., pulling hand away from hot surface)
  • Blinking reflex (e.g., responding to sudden light)
• Process:
  • Sensory receptors detect stimuli
  • Information is transmitted directly to the spinal cord
  • Spinal cord sends signals to effectors to respond
  • No conscious thought or processing involved

Involuntary Movement

• Controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Examples:
  • Heartbeat
  • Breathing
  • Digestion
• Functions:
  • Regulates involuntary functions
  • Maintains homeostasis
  • Responds to stress and other stimuli
• Process:
  • ANS detects changes in the internal environment
  • ANS sends signals to effectors to respond
  • No conscious thought or processing involved

Control and Coordination

Nervous System

• The nervous system comprises the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while PNS consists of nerves connecting CNS to the rest of the body
• Functions of the nervous system include receiving and interpreting sensory information, integrating and processing information, and transmitting signals to effectors (muscles and glands)

Voluntary Movement

• Controlled by the nervous system, involving conscious thought and decision-making
• Examples include walking, running, speaking, and writing
• Process of voluntary movement: sensory receptors detect stimuli, information is transmitted to the CNS, CNS interprets and processes information, and CNS sends signals to muscles and glands to respond

Homeostasis

• Ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment, regulated by the nervous system and endocrine system
• Examples include body temperature regulation, blood sugar level regulation, and blood pressure regulation
• Process of homeostasis: sensors detect changes in the internal environment, information is transmitted to the CNS, CNS sends signals to effectors to make adjustments, and feedback loop monitors changes and adjusts accordingly

Reflexes

• Automatic responses to stimuli, not involving conscious thought or decision-making
• Examples include withdrawal reflex (e.g., pulling hand away from hot surface) and blinking reflex (e.g., responding to sudden light)
• Process of reflexes: sensory receptors detect stimuli, information is transmitted directly to the spinal cord, spinal cord sends signals to effectors to respond, and no conscious thought or processing is involved

Involuntary Movement

• Controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary functions, maintains homeostasis, and responds to stress and other stimuli
• Examples include heartbeat, breathing, and digestion
• Process of involuntary movement: ANS detects changes in the internal environment, ANS sends signals to effectors to respond, and no conscious thought or processing is involved