THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
The nervous system is like the control centre of the body. Its function is to control voluntary movements like muscle contractions
and involuntary responses like digestion and heart beating (McKenzie). The system uses electrical impulses to send messages and
information. The nervous system is vital for a human's survival as it manages the other bodily functions and it maintains
homeostasis. Homeostasis is the ability to control and sustain a sense of balance within the body. For example, controlling blood
sugar, PH levels and especially the body's temperature. Essentially, it is maintaining the balance in one's body (Cherry).

(DerSarkissian, 2021)
FUNCTIONS REAL WORLD CONNECTIONS
The nervous system is affected by many different aspects of our
PARTS: lifestyles, genetics and even other external factors.
There are two main parts of the nervous system: the central nervous system and
the peripheral nervous system. Within the central nervous system, there are also LIFESTYLE:
two primary parts, namely, the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord's function is
In terms of lifestyle, exercise and a healthy diet contributes to a healthy and
to relay information to the brain. Thereafter, the brain examines the messages sent
functioning nervous system. Exercising regularly contributes to a healthier
through the spinal cord and decides on the correct response to the information
nervous system. This is seen specifically in children as physical activity
received(McKenzie). The nerves branching from the brain as well as the spinal cord
contributes to the growth of the nervous system to a large extent. Exercise also
make up the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The nerves function is to carry
promotes neuroplasticity, which is the capability for neurons to be able to fire and
information from the CNS out into the body to elicit the proper response. The PNS
adjust to different pathways (“Importance of Own Healthcare”).
can be further split into the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic
nervous system (SNS). GENETICS:

Genetic diseases like Neurofibromatosis affect the health of the nervous system.
PERIPHRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: Neurofibromatosis is a condition which also impacts the nervous system. Usually
The SNS manages voluntary and conscious movements in our body like sitting down or benign tumours grow wherever there are nerve cells. This is due to developments and
running while the ANS is further split into the sympathetic division and mutations within the nerve and skin cells. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic condition
parasympathetic division. The sympathetic part controls the body when there is which can be passed on or can be caused by a genetic mutation (“Nervous System
threatening stimuli the CNS feels a responsibility to answer. It engages the “fight or Diseases”).
flight” in a human. The parasympathetic division is rather the opposite. It initiates our
“rest and digest” response (Guy-Evans). ENVIRONMENT:
NEUROTRANSMISSION: Other external factors like air pollution and exposure to certain chemicals can
This happens because of neurons negatively impact the nervous system. According to Frontiers, particulate matter
in the body. As seen in the and nitrogen oxides, which is pollution within the air, have been proven to impact
diagram neurons have dendrites the nervous system. The long term effects of air pollution on the Central Nervous
and axon terminals. When a nerve System causes humans to develop diseases such as anxiety, dementia and ADHD
impulse (electrical signal) is sent more frequently when exposed to pollution within the air(Kim). In addition,
Synaptic Bulb
from the CNS it travels through chemicals can negatively impact the CNS too. For example, chemicals which harm
neurons to be able to pass the neurons or any parts of the PNS as well as speed up the degradation of these cells.
(Matt, 2018) There have been over 200 chemicals recognized for contributing in different ways
information throughout the body.
The way this occurs is each neuron has action potential. This is defined as a rapid to negatively impact the nervous system(“ChemSec”).
change in the voltage in a cell (in this case a neuron). It is how messages are relayed
through the neuron and it all relies on moving up and down chemical and electrical
("Action Potential", Lesson Explainer: The Nerve Impulse)
concentration gradients. There are five steps in signal transmission shown in the
table below. The axon terminal has a synaptic bulb at the end of each terminal. To
send information to this next neuron to relay the information on, the synapse
neurotransmitters are let go by the synapse, they then travel the synaptic cleft over
to the postsynaptic cell which then repeats the process again (“Anatomy and
Physiology I”).
(Science Hive Editors, The nervous system)

ALS:
ABOUT: CONSEQUENCES:
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a disease which heavily impacts the nervous
Consequences on individual: The consequences of this disease for the individual
system. This is because it causes the nerves in the spinal cord to gradually
depend on the different stages of ALS. In the first stage there is weakening of
degenerate. Usually, ALS starts off with something simple as a sensation of
muscles as well as muscle twitching can occur. During the middle stage, the
weakening in the muscles but then it spreads and worsens throughout the body.
weakening of muscles is becoming worse and spreading as well as breathing
The cause for ALS is widely unknown, however, for approximately 5-10% of people
problems, choking and falling more often can start occurring. In the later stages of
affected, the disease is genetic and is inherited.
ALS almost all muscles have become paralyzed and there are sufficient breathing
RISK FACTORS: difficulties. Speaking or eating may be extremely difficult or entirely impossible.
There are also many other risk factors like age and gender as well as some Most people affected by ALS usually pass due to respiratory complications as the
environmental factors such as smoking. The risk for being affected with ALS gets diaphragm is extremely weak(“Stages of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”).
higher with age and is most frequently discovered between 40 and 70. To a small

extent more females develop ALS before 65, however, this difference goes away Consequences on society: ALS does not just affect the individual but can impact
after 70. Smoking is the only proven environmental factor which effects mostly society as a whole. This is seen in medical costs and employment rates of patients
women and specifically after menopause (“Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”). with ALS. There are higher medical costs that need to be covered for a person with
TREATMENT: ALS, this affects society as a whole because this progressive disease takes up
A cure would positively impact society, however, to date there is no cure for ALS substantial amounts of time for doctors. Among people affected with ALS there is
but there are some treatments. In the USA the FDA(The Food and Drug also a very low unemployment rate and this is a consequence for society as it
Administration) have now approved two medications for both prolonging life reduces the income for families as a whole and also shows a decrease of the
expectancy by 3-6 months and maintaining daily functions for longer to increase economy’s GDP(Jennum).
life quality. Speech, breathing and physical therapy are all ways which can help
treat ALS as well but these will improve life quality and unfortunately do not
prolong life expectancy(“Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”).