Functions and Components of the Nervous System

Nervous System

Functions:

• Controls and coordinates body functions
• Interprets and responds to sensory information
• Facilitates communication between different parts of the body
• Regulates body functions, such as movement, sensation, and emotions

Components:

• Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord
  • Interprets and integrates information
  • Controls voluntary actions
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): nerves outside the CNS
  • Transmits information to and from the CNS
  • Divided into sensory (receives information) and motor (transmits information) nerves
• Neurons: specialized cells that transmit and process information
  • Dendrites: receive signals
  • Cell Body: contains nucleus and organelles
  • Axon: transmits signals
  • Terminal Buttons: release neurotransmitters

Endocrine System

Functions:

• Produces and regulates hormones that control various body functions
• Maintains homeostasis and regulates growth and development
• Interacts with the nervous system to control body functions

Components:

• Endocrine Glands: produce and secrete hormones directly into bloodstream
  • Pituitary Gland: master gland that regulates other endocrine glands
  • Thyroid Gland: regulates metabolism
  • Adrenal Glands: regulates stress response and electrolyte balance
  • Pancreas: regulates blood sugar levels
  • Ovaries and Testes: produce sex hormones
• Hormones: chemical messengers that regulate body functions
  • Steroid Hormones: derived from cholesterol
  • Peptide Hormones: derived from amino acids

Interaction between Nervous and Endocrine Systems

• The nervous system regulates the release of hormones from endocrine glands
• Hormones can affect the nervous system by binding to receptors on neurons
• Both systems work together to maintain homeostasis and regulate body functions

Nervous System

Functions

• Coordinates and controls body functions, such as movement, sensation, and emotions
• Interprets and responds to sensory information from the environment
• Facilitates communication between different parts of the body

Components

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• Consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Interprets and integrates information
• Controls voluntary actions

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• Comprises nerves outside the CNS
• Transmits information to and from the CNS
• Divided into sensory nerves (receive information) and motor nerves (transmit information)

Neurons

• Specialized cells that transmit and process information
• Have three main parts: dendrites, cell body, axon, and terminal buttons
• Dendrites receive signals
• Cell body contains nucleus and organelles
• Axon transmits signals
• Terminal buttons release neurotransmitters

Endocrine System

Functions

• Produces and regulates hormones that control various body functions
• Maintains homeostasis and regulates growth and development
• Interacts with the nervous system to control body functions

Components

Endocrine Glands

• Produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
• Include pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes
• Pituitary gland is the master gland that regulates other endocrine glands

Hormones

• Chemical messengers that regulate body functions
• Can be steroid hormones (derived from cholesterol) or peptide hormones (derived from amino acids)

Interaction between Nervous and Endocrine Systems

• Nervous system regulates the release of hormones from endocrine glands
• Hormones can affect the nervous system by binding to receptors on neurons
• Both systems work together to maintain homeostasis and regulate body functions

Learn about the functions and components of the nervous system, including the central and peripheral nervous systems.