Biology — The Nervous & Endocrine Systems

What are the body's two communication systems?

the nervous system and the endocrine system

How does the nervous system send signals?

with fast electrical signals through neurons

How does the endocrine system send signals?

with chemical hormones carried in the blood

What is a neuron?

the basic functional unit of the nervous system that carries electrical signals

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

the brain and spinal cord, which process and control

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

all the nerves branching out to the rest of the body

What does the peripheral nervous system do?

it carries signals to and from the central nervous system

What is the basic flow of a nervous signal?

sensory input comes in, the CNS processes it, and motor output goes to muscles or glands

What are nervous system responses like?

fast and short-lived, good for quick reactions

What is a gland?

an organ that releases hormones

What is a hormone?

a chemical messenger released by a gland into the bloodstream

How do hormones reach their targets?

the bloodstream carries them to target cells and organs

What are endocrine responses like?

slower to start but longer-lasting

What does the endocrine system control?

slow processes like growth, metabolism, and reproduction

Name some endocrine glands?

the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas

Which organ is both a digestive accessory organ and an endocrine gland?

the pancreas

What is the key difference between the nervous and endocrine systems?

the nervous system uses fast, brief electrical signals, while the endocrine system uses slower, long-lasting hormones