Hey there! Did you know that the nervous system is a fascinating and incredibly complex network of specialized cells and tissues that work together to coordinate and control all of our voluntary and involuntary actions?
That makes someone getting on your nerves seem a little harder to do, doesn’t it?
The purpose of this article and all the others in this series is to give you a frame of general knowledge as to what our bodies do for us on a daily basis, and what parts we’re made up of that we might not have been aware of before.
In no way will this article or the others like it be in-depth essays into any particular topic. Their designs are to give everyone a run-down of things they might never have been taught – or might have simply not been paying attention in grade school health class but are interested in now!
So, without further ado, let us begin:
Introducing Our Topic
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The nervous system might have so many moving parts to it, but there are two main components if we’re talking “general”.
The two main parts are:
- the central nervous system (CNS).
- the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the PNS includes all the nerves that extend from the CNS to the rest of the body.
There, that was easy, wasn’t it? But let’s dig a little deeper:
The Functions Of The Nervous System
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One of the critical functions of the nervous system is to enable us to move, sense, think, and feel emotions.
That’s wild to me.
We do all of this through the transmission of information by specialized cells called neurons, which transmit information through electrical and chemical signals, allowing the nervous system to communicate messages quickly and efficiently throughout the body.
In addition to neurons, glial cells also play a crucial role in the nervous system by providing support and protection to neurons, helping to maintain the structure and function of the nervous system.
The Functionality Of Neurons
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At the core pf the nervous system we find specialized cells called neurons, which transmit information through electrochemical signals (say that five times fast), allowing the nervous system to communicate messages throughout the body quickly and efficiently.
The ability of neurons to transmit information is what makes the nervous system so remarkable. When a neuron is stimulated, it generates an electrical signal that travels along its length. When the signal reaches the end of the neuron, it triggers the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters, which then travel across a small gap and bind to receptors on another neuron or muscle cell, causing it to either fire an electrical signal or contract.
You still following me? I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve gotten lost.
Through the somewhat confusing process above, the system can control everything from our movements to our thoughts and emotions. It is truly an amazing system that plays a critical role in our daily lives.
Okay… But What Is This System Made Up Of?
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Okay, so you know how earlier we discussed CNS and PNS?
We’re going to revisit that now:
The spine is really the unsung hero of the human body. We always discuss how important it is for… you know… standing up straight – but really its importance is much more than that.
The spine works to send messages to and from the brain and out to the nerves that run throughout the rest of the body. Almost everything runs through the spine. If the brain is the control center of the human body, the spine is the orchestra conductor that plays the music that the brain writes.
Ask yourself:
“What is my favorite thing that my body does?” Chances are, the nerves are the MVP’s of that function.
Nerves do it all:
- They relay sensory information to our brains. So touch, temperature, awareness of body position, pain – all of that is thanks to nerves.
- They’re the engines to our movement, telling the brain how we need to move and when and how.
- Our reflexes are also thanks to them – so the next time you touch a hot stove top and jump back reflexively, you can thank your nerves for doing their best to protect you!
- They keep us balanced, noticing when we are in danger of falling and correcting that mistake.
- They send constant signals to each other, so that the whole body knows what the rest of the body is up to. Truly fascinating stuff!
- Lastly our automatic responses: breathing, heartbeat – are from our nerves as well.
The brain must take the cake for the star of this show.
For the purposes of giving the brain its fair spotlight, I’ve attributed the next section entirely to it:
The Brain’s Role In All Of This
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Introducing: the human brain!
The brain is a fascinating and incredibly complex organ that serves as the control center of the nervous system. It’s the top dog in the central nervous system (CNS).
It is responsible for processing and interpreting all sensory input, coordinating all motor functions, regulating autonomic function, and controlling our emotions, thoughts, and behavior! Truly what would we do without the brain?
To achieve this grand feat, the brain is divided into different regions, each with a specific role to play.
- The frontal lobe is responsible for decision-making and planning
- The parietal lobe processes sensory information
- The temporal lobe processes auditory information.
The intricate network of neurons and synapses in the brain allows for the efficient and rapid transmission of information, enabling us to respond to our environment and carry out complex behaviors. Without the brain, we couldn’t experience the world around us, interact with others, or even breathe and maintain a heartbeat.
I hope this article makes it so that you never underestimate the existence of the human body’s nervous system. You were beautifully and wonderfully made, our own bodies attest to that!
I hope you have a wonderful day! Don’t be afraid to leave a comment!