Nervous System Function

The nervous system plays an important role in the smooth functioning of the body. Given the complicated structure of the nervous system, all the functions have not been understood yet. The basic functions of the nervous system are explained below, and the different functions of the nervous system are dealt with through this article.

Basics of the Nervous System
The nervous system is a complex network of cells which are specialized in function. These cells communicate with each other by means of electrochemical waves. The neurons and glial cells are the important components of the nervous system. The two parts in which the nervous system is divided are the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The spinal cord and brain form the central nervous system. Neural tissues lying to the exterior of the central nervous system compose the peripheral nervous system.

Nervous System Functions
The main function of the nervous system is to keep a control over the systems of the body. Let us have a look at the various functions of the nervous system in the following list.

• Sensory receptors of the nervous system are useful for the extraction of information from the environment and sending it to the central nervous system. The sensory neurons carry the information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
• The central nervous system collects information from the sensory receptors and carries out the processing. The task of transferring and interpreting the information is carried out by the interneurons.
• The peripheral nervous system sends information processed in the central nervous system to the glands and muscles of the body. An appropriate response is then activated by these glands or muscles. The motor neurons carry out the function of sending instructions to muscles or glands.
• The autonomous nervous system responds involuntarily, i.e. it may not have to depend on the brain to activate the responses. The involuntary processes of the body such as breathing, digestion, body temperature regulation, etc., are carried out by the autonomous nervous system.
• The autonomous nervous system is sub-divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The former helps increase the activity of the autonomous nervous system while the later acts in a reverse manner.
• Coordination of body movements and homeostasis is carried out by the hind brain. Hind brain consists of different parts such as medulla, cerebellum and pons.
• The receptors are classified as exteroceptors, interoceptors and proprioceptors. The exteroceptors are used by the nervous system in smelling, listening, looking, touching, tasting and feeling. The signals associated with blood pressure, alimentary canal, bladder and osmotic pressure of blood plasma are received by the interoceptors. The movement and position of body parts is tracked by the proprioceptors.
• The kind of stimulus received by receptors in also one of the mode of classifying the receptors. Chemical receptors, mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors are different types of receptors classified on the basis of the above-mentioned criteria. Thermoreceptors which consist of 'warmth' and 'cold' fibers are excited by rising and falling temperatures respectively. The mechanoreceptors carry information about the mechanical stimulation to the central nervous system. The chemical receptors are sub-divided into olfactory, gustatory and glucose detectors, which are responsible for detecting smell, taste and glucose respectively. The glucose detectors are also responsible for providing information about the acid-base balance in the body.

The functions of nervous system enlisted in the article above helps in understanding the role of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and autonomous nervous system in the functioning of the body.