Functions of nervous system
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The nervous system has four major functions: 1. Somatic function allows for voluntary movement through electrical signals that cause muscle contraction. 2. Sensory function involves sense organs picking up external and internal stimuli which the brain interprets. 3. Autonomic function involuntarily controls internal organs like the heart and lungs without conscious thought. 4. Cognitive function enables problem-solving and learning through mental processing, distinguishing humans from animals. The document provides examples of how these functions interact in the nervous system to allow Jose to avoid an oncoming car through sensory perception, involuntary heart rate increase, cognitive processing, and voluntary movement.
Functions of nervous system
- 1. FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM MODULE 16
- 3. FOUR MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Somatic or voluntary function Sensory function Autonomic or involuntary function Cognitive function
- 4. 1. SOMATIC OR VOLUNTARY FUNCTION (The nervous system makes your body move) Electrical impulses from the nervous system make muscles contract. This is called the somatic or voluntary motor function of the nervous system. Example: (When you run, your nervous system commands your leg muscles to contract and move) Your nervous system also helps you choose the speed at which to run.
- 5. 2. SENSORY FUNCTION (The nervous system picks up stimuli) Stimuli are signals from the environment or within your body that you respond to. Sense organs like the eyes pick up stimuli from the environment and the brain gives meaning and reacts to these information External Stimuli- signals from the outside of the body. Internal Stimuli- signals from the inside of the body.
- 7. 3. AUTONOMIC OR INVOLUNTARY FUNCTION (COMMANDS OTHER ORGANS LIKE THE LUNGS TO FUNCTION WITHOUT YOUR BEING AWARE OF IT) The nervous system helps keep the heart beating by constantly transmitting signals to it. When you are angry, your heart automatically pumps faster because of the signal sent by the nervous system. You breathe without being aware of it.
- 8. 4. COGNITIVE FUNCTION (NERVOUS SYSTEM ENABLES US TO ADAPT TO OUR ENVIRONMENT) Cognitive functioning refers to a person's ability to process thoughts. It is defined as "the ability of an individual to perform the various mental activities most closely associated with learning and problem solving. This special ability makes us different from animals.
- 9. HOW NERVOUS SYSTEM INTERACTS Jose is crossing the street when he sees a car approaching very fast (sensory function). His heart starts pounding fast (autonomic function).Seeing the car tells him that danger is coming (cognitive function). His nervous system then directs the rest of his body to move for him to avoid the car (somatic function).
- 11. Brain Balance Two Peripheral Covering Spinal Cord Cerebral cortex Medulla Gyri Convolutions Two Brain Spinal Cord Peripheral Brain Cerebral cortex Covering Gyri Convolutions Brain Balance medulla
- 12. Voluntary body activity TYPES OF BODILY ACTIVITIES Voluntary action is an action that is thought of and consciously performed by the person. walking talking picking up things Running Jumping Eating Bathing Involuntary body activity Involuntary movements cannot be controlled by organism will. Heartbeat Digestion Peristalsis (wavelike movement of the GI tract that serves to propel the food mass ) Secretion of hormones Defecation ( removal of metabolic waste product via anus) Urination Respiration