C3.1 Integration of body systems

What is system integration?

The process by which different physiological systems in the body coordinate and work together to maintain homeostasis and/or perform a function

How does communication occur for system integration?

Hormonal and nervous signaling

What is an emergent property?

A characteristic that becomes apparent only when the parts interact in a wider whole (together)

Example: a cheetah becomes an effective predator by integration of all its body systems

Compare and contrast the endocrine (hormonal) system and the nervous system

1. Endocrine involves glands (thyroid, adrenal, pineal, pancreas, pituitary, ovaries and testes) while nervous involves brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves (CNS & PNS)

2. Chemical signals travel through bloodstream while electrical signals sent via neurons

3. Endocrine involuntary only while nervous is both voluntary and involuntary

4. Endocrine signal slow, nervous signal very fast

5. Endocrine signal long-lasting, nervous short-lasting