The Nervous System
The human nervous system is composed of many different parts and performs many different functions. It is said to be the “body’s electrical wiring.” (Zimmerman) The nervous system itself is capable of collecting information, processing it, and then responding to the collected information where it then sends it to the appropriate part of the body to perform bodily functions. (Miller and Levine) The nervous system, as hinted in the name, is composed of many different nerves which are cylindrical bundles of fibers. These nerves start at the brain and proceed to branch down throughout the body. (Zimmerman) The human nervous system is made up of two main zones; The Central ...view middle of the document...
(Robinson and Smith) The main control point for this part of the nervous system is the brain. The brain contains several major areas. (Chudler) These areas are, but are not limited to; The Cerebrum, the Limbic System, The Thalamus, the Cerebellum, and The Brain Stem. Most of the neurons that enter the brain do so in clusters. These clusters are also known as the brain stem. The brain stem is the main communication of the Central Nervous System. There are thirty-one different nerves that connect the spinal cord to other parts of the body. These nerves make it possible for impulses to reach and communicate with the brain. The brain has four main lobes; the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe. These lobes are responsible for many different things that make it possible for you to have a window in the world. (Miller and Levine) The frontal lobe is used for reasoning, judgment, problem solving and planning. The parietal lobe is used in perception and recognition, the auditory system, memory and speech. The temporal lobe is responsible for hearing and smell. And lastly, the occipital lobe is mainly for visual processing. (Kinser)
The Peripheral Nervous System is classified as all the nerves that are not part of the spinal cord and the brain. There are two main parts to this specific section of the nervous system; The Somatic Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System. (Zimmerman) The Somatic Nervous System controls and regulates the skeletal muscle movement. Motor neurons send the signal to muscles to tell them to move, as stated earlier. The signal comes from the brain and then through the motor neurons, therefor making the muscles move. Some actions in the somatic nervous system happen automatically. For example, reflexes. “A reflex is caused by impulses that travel a pathway known as a reflex arc.” When you come across something that is painful, reflexes are what makes you pull away. For example: when you touch a hot stove,...