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The Nervous System

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The Nervous System
he nervous system is the communication network of the body. It consists of a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells, called neurons, that transmit messages across the different parts of the body in order for it to function and react correctly. They are known as the building blocks of the nervous system. Structurally they have long extensions that extend out from the cell body. There are two types of these extensions; dendrites, which are extensions of the neurons that receive signals and then send them to the cell body; and axons which are extensions of neurons that send signals away from the cell body to other cells. both dendrites and axons can extend far away from the cell body to be as long as three feet. As well as sending …show more content…
The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral system (PNS). The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord as well as a complex network of neurons, and is the processing center for the nervous system. It receives and sends information to and from the peripheral nervous system. The brain processes and interprets the sensory information sent from the spinal …show more content…
Its primary role is to connect the central nervous system to the limbs, organs, and skin to allow for movement of the body. It is made up of different kinds of neurons, which communicate with each other through electric signaling and neurotransmitters. There are two categories within the peripheral nervous system, known as the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary activity of the heart, intestines, glands, digestion, respiration, perspiration, metabolism, and blood-pressure. This is then divided into another two systems known as the parasympathetic system and the sympathetic system. The parasympathetic system has the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and is responsible for slowing the heart rate and relaxing the muscles. This is also known as the cholinergic system. Whilst the sympathetic system with the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, is responsible for the fight or flight response which raises blood pressure and the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and dilates the pupils in stressful

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