Functions of the Nervous System

Master Control and Communication System of the Body

The nervous system serves as the primary master controlling and communicating system within the body. Cells within the nervous system communicate via electrical and chemical signals. This signaling system utilizes a rapid and specific pathway, allowing it to govern physiological processes with immense precision. Due to the high speed of these electrical and chemical communication channels, the pathways usually cause almost immediate responses throughout the body.

Primary Overlapping Functions of the Nervous System

The fundamental operations of the nervous system are categorized into three overlapping functions: sensory input, integration, and motor output.

Sensory input constitutes the first phase of nervous system function. Sensory receptors monitor changes occurring both inside and outside the body. The information gathered by these sensory receptors regarding these internal and external environmental changes is defined as sensory input.

Integration is the second functional phase, involving the processing and interpretation of the gathered sensory input. During integration, the nervous system analyzes the incoming sensory information to decide what action, if any, should be taken in response.

Motor output is the third functional phase, which executes the appropriate response determined during integration. The nervous system triggers motor output by activating effector organs, specifically muscles and glands. The activation of these effector organs produces a specific physiological response.