Page 1: Nervous System and Homeostasis
The nervous system coordinates body functions through an intricate network of neurons and regulatory mechanisms. The central nervous system CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system PNS comprises cranial nerves that transmit signals throughout the body.
Definition: Homeostasis is the maintenance of stable internal body conditions through various regulatory mechanisms.
Example: The reflex arc demonstrates how signals bypass the brain, traveling directly from receptor through the spinal cord to an effector.
Vocabulary: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons across synapses.
Highlight: The brain exhibits contralateral control, meaning the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
The endocrine system works through glands producing hormones that regulate bodily functions. The pituitary gland acts as the master gland, controlling other endocrine glands including the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.