Nervous System:

A complex network of specialized cells, tissues, and organs that coordinate and regulate the actions and responses of an organism.

Functions of the Nervous System:

Sensory input: The nervous system receives information from sensory receptors, such as touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell.

Integration: It processes and interprets the sensory input received, combining it with stored information to make decisions or trigger appropriate responses.

Motor output: The nervous system initiates and controls muscular contractions and glandular secretions to produce responses to stimuli.

Components of the Nervous System:

Central Nervous System (CNS): It consists of the brain and spinal cord, serving as the control center for the entire nervous system. It receives and processes sensory information, initiates motor responses, and carries out complex cognitive functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Comprising the nerves that connect the CNS to other parts of the body, the PNS carries sensory information to the CNS and transmits motor commands from the CNS to various organs, muscles, and glands.

Subdivisions of the Nervous System:

Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information to the CNS from sensory receptors.

Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heartbeat, digestion, and respiration.

– Sympathetic Division: Activates the body’s fight-or-flight response in times of stress or danger.

– Parasympathetic Division: Responsible for the body’s rest and digest functions, promoting relaxation and conserving energy.

Diseases and Disorders:

The nervous system can be affected by various diseases and disorders, such as:

Neurological Disorders: Including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and stroke.

Mental Health Disorders: Such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Peripheral Nervous System Disorders: Like peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.