Human Nervous System

Suppose you are late for school one day. You see the school bus at a distance and start running towards it. Or if you are cold, would you ask your Mum for a jacket? Did you know that it is the nervous system that tells you to run or ask for that jacket?

The Human Nervous System is a complex system that coordinates all activities of the body and enables the body to respond and adapt to changes that occur both inside and outside of it. The components of the nervous system include a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit nerve impulses between parts of the body. Nervous systems are found in most multicellular animals but vary in their complexity.

The neurons receive signals via their dendrites and send out signals down the axon. Mostly, signals cross over from the axon of one neuron to a dendrite of the next neuron. The myelin sheath is an insulating layer that aids in quick transfer of electrical impulses.                                                                                  

GLIAL CELLS OR GLIA are the non-neuronal cells in the Nervous System that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection to neurons.

Types of Neurons

There are three major types of neurons. All of them are crucial for the brain to function effectively. They are as follows:

1. Sensory Neurons (Afferent neurons) – They carry external stimuli from the organism’s environment towards the central nervous system.
2. Motor Neurons (Efferent neurons) – They carry impulses from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or a gland.
3. Relay Neurons (Interneurons) – They are found between the sensory and motor neurons and allow them to communicate.

Functions of the Nervous System

Sensation: The nervous system receives information about the environment around us via a specialized group of cells known as RECEPTORS. Receptors present in our sense organs detect stimuli, like change in temperature, pressure, light, etc. and transmit a signal to a sensory nerve or an afferent nerve.

Integration: The sensory or afferent nerve carries the impulse towards the CNS, where the information is processed to determine an appropriate response.

Response: The brain combines sensory perceptions and higher cognitive functions like memory, learning, and emotion to generate a response. Finally, it sends out the response signal via motor nerves or efferent nerves to muscles, organs, or glands to bring about the requisite action.

These functions are divided between two main parts of our Nervous System:

1. The Central Nervous System (CNS)
2. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The Central Nervous System

The CNS is a part of the Nervous System that consists of the Brain and the Spinal Cord.

• BRAIN: It integrates sensory information and coordinates body functions, both consciously and unconsciously. Complex functions like homeostasis, emotions, thinking and memory also are attributed to the brain. It also controls basic life functions like breathing and heart rate. The brain is largely divided into cerebrum (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes), the brainstem, and the cerebellum. Their functions can be divided as follows:

• SPINAL CORD: It serves as a conduit for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It acts as a highway between the body and the brain. It is protected by the vertebrae and consists of nerves that carry incoming and outgoing messages. It also controls reflex actions during emergencies without inputs from the brain.

Reflex Action: It is an involuntary, automatic, and quick response to a stimulus that does not need conscious thought. The response is generated by the spinal cord without the impulse reaching the brain.

The Peripheral Nervous System

The PNS consists of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. Its primary role is to connect the CNS to the body organs, limbs, and skin in order to allow movements and responses to environmental stimuli. It serves as a relay between the brain-spinal cord and the rest of the body. The PNS mainly consists of nerves, which are enclosed bundles of the long fibers or axons that connect the CNS to every part of the body.

The PNS is divided into two parts:

1. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: It controls the voluntary movements of the body with the help of skeletal muscles. It carries nerve impulses back and forth between the CNS and the skeletal muscles, skin, and sensory organs.

2. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: It largely acts unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, urination etc. It also controls reflex actions such as sneezing, coughing, swallowing, vomiting among others. Autonomic nervous system has two parts:

Here’s an outline to understand it better:

Now you know that our nervous system constantly works to control and coordinate all our activities inside and outside of our body. So, the next time you see or hear something lovely, remember that the receptors in your eyes or ears are sending impulses to the brain, the brain processes it, and in turn, sends a signal with the help of nerves to the muscles near your lips to bring a smile to your face! Incredible, isn’t it?

Check Point

i.Fill in the blanks:

1. The Human Nervous System is divided into __________________ and __________________.
2. The nerve cells or nerve fibers are also known as ________________.
3. The CNS comprises of ___________________ and ___________________.
4. The three types of neurons are ___________, ___________ and ___________.
5. The reflex action is a quick reaction to a stimulus that is generated by the ____________.
6. In the PNS, the involuntary actions are brought about by Autonomic nervous system and the

voluntary actions are prepared by ______________________.

ii. Label the following:

credit:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuron

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