About the Nervous System
The nervous system is one of the information control system of the body. This system is a complex processing network that receives, interprets and responds to data from the external and internal environment. Different species have significant differences in their nervous systems; therefore, this discussion will be limited to the human nervous system.
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Function
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The nervous system receives information about the world from a host of specialized receptors throughout the body. These sensors receive data in the form of sound, temperature, pressure, taste, smell, visual stimuli, light and more. This data is then transmitted to the central nervous system where it is quickly interpreted, an appropriate response to the stimuli is determined and a response to the stimuli is sent back out to the peripheral nervous system. For example, if excessive heat is detected the nervous system sensors receive this information, send it to the brain which quickly tells the within the body and assists in controlling the body's pH and oxygen concentration among other things.
Features
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The human nervous system is divided into two parts--the central nervous system (CNS), made of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which is any nervous tissue outside of the CNS including sensory neurons and nerves. The PNS is further classified by function into the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system.
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Considerations
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The somatic nervous system consists of the nerves and sensors responsible for all voluntary actions in the body such as the movement of muscles. The autonomic nervous system maintains balance in the body by controlling a number of functions such as respiration, heart rate, temperature and digestion. The autonomic nervous system consists of sensory and motor sensors that work closely with the endocrine system to maintain balance in a constantly changing environment. The autonomic system is also responsible for what is known as the bodies "fight or flight" response to danger.
Significance
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The human nervous system is extremely complicated and modern science has just begun to understand some of its intricacies. The brain, for example, has far more functions than simply receiving and processing data. It is the center of human behavior, thought, memory, learning, dreams and emotions. Everything we know about the world and all the ways we react to it are at one point processed through some portion of the human nervous system.
Misconceptions
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There are many misconceptions about the nervous system, particularly the brain. One popular misconception is that humans only use 10% of their brain. In reality, we use our entire brain, and there is no area of the brain that does not have a function. These facts have been demonstrated in a variety of ways including detailed imaging and functional research on the brain.
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Resources
- Photo Credit stock_xchng network neurons 1 (stock photo by gerard79) [id 1043922]
