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The Nervous System

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The nervous system is a complex network that regulates everything from voluntary movements to involuntary processes like heart rate and digestion. It consists of the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which connects the CNS to the body's limbs and organs. Neurons, neurotransmitters, and the integrated functioning of the CNS and PNS are crucial for our sensory and motor capabilities, as well as for maintaining homeostasis. Disorders of the nervous system can have significant impacts on health and function, affecting cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities.

Exploring the Complexities of the Nervous System

The nervous system is a sophisticated network composed of neurons, which are the basic units of neural communication. It orchestrates a myriad of functions, from voluntary movement to the regulation of vital involuntary processes such as heart rate and digestion. The system is bifurcated into the central nervous system (CNS), encompassing the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all neural pathways outside the CNS. Neurons are categorized by function: sensory neurons gather information from the environment, motor neurons initiate action, and interneurons connect neurons within the CNS.
Detailed illustration of the human brain in lateral view with cerebellum, spinal cord, vertebrae and spinal nerves.

The Central Nervous System: The Body's Control Center

The CNS serves as the control hub for the nervous system, with the brain processing sensory data and formulating responses, and the spinal cord acting as a conduit for neural signals. Sensory neurons relay information from the body to the CNS, which is then interpreted by the brain. The brain dispatches motor commands through the spinal cord to muscles and glands, which act as effectors. The spinal cord also mediates reflexes, providing rapid, automatic responses to certain stimuli, bypassing the brain for quicker reaction times.

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00

Basic units of neural communication

Neurons - cells that transmit nerve signals throughout the nervous system.

01

Three types of neurons by function

Sensory neurons - detect environmental changes; Motor neurons - control muscle movement; Interneurons - connect neurons within CNS.

02

Involuntary processes regulated by the nervous system

Heart rate and digestion - managed by autonomic nervous system, a part of PNS.

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