What is the primary role of the nervous system?
A. Pump blood
B. Send and receive signals
C. Filter blood
D. Break down food
Answer (1)
The nervous system is the body’s communication network. Its primary role is to receive stimuli from the environment, process the information, and send appropriate signals to respond. This allows humans to move, think, react, and maintain internal balance (homeostasis).The nervous system is composed of:Central Nervous System (CNS) – consists of the brain and spinal cord. It interprets incoming sensory information and sends out commands.Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – made up of nerves that branch from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.Neurons, or nerve cells, are the basic units of the nervous system. They transmit electrical impulses and are supported by glial cells.The nervous system is responsible for:Voluntary actions (like walking or writing)Involuntary actions (like heartbeat, digestion, and reflexes)Processing sensory input (touch, taste, hearing, smell, sight)Memory, emotion, and cognitionFor example, if you touch something hot, sensory neurons send signals to the spinal cord and brain, which process the information and send a message back via motor neurons to move your hand — all in milliseconds.Damage to the nervous system (e.g., from a stroke or injury) can impair movement, communication, and survival. That’s why understanding how it functions is vital.The brain acts as the command center, the spinal cord as the highway, and the nerves as messengers. This complex system allows you to think, feel, and interact with the world around you.
