INTRODUCTION.

Human behavior, in all its complexity, is partly the product of interactions between
two key physical components. The nervous system and endocrine system. These two
systems help regulate the electrical and chemical process that relay information throughout
and between the brain and body together. They are sometimes referred to as the “neuro
endocrine system”. The purpose of this is to identify the different parts of the brain and
annotate the basic functions of the nervous system.
Therefore, we must know more about the nervous system and endocrine system and
its different functions.
BODY/ TOPIC DISCUSSION
Nervous System
The nervous system is the body’s control center and communications network. In
human beings it performs two broad functions. First, it stimulates movement. Second, it
shares the maintenance of homeostasis with the endocrine system. The nervous system
sense changes within the body and in the outside environment. It then interprets changes
and may initiate actions to maintain homeostasis. It’s function is to transmits signals
between the brain and the rest of the body including internal organs. Through this the
nervous systems activity controls the ability to move, breathe, see, think and more. The
basic unit of the nervous system is a nerve cell. The human brain contains about 100 billion
neurons. A neuron has a cell body, which includes the cell nucleus, and special extensions
called axons and dendrites. Bundles of axons, called nerves, are found throughout the body.
Axons and dendrites allow neurons to communicate, even across long distance.
Different types of neurons control or perform different activities. For instance, motor
neurons transmit messages from the brain to the muscles to generate movement. Sensory
neurons detect light, sound, odor, taste, pressure, and heat and send messages about those
things to the brain. Other parts of the Nervous system control involuntary processes. These
include keeping a regular heartbeat, releasing hormones like adrenaline, opening the pupil
in response to light, and regulating the digestive system. When a neuron sends a message to
another neuron, it sends an electrical signal down the length of its axon. At the end of the
axon, the electrical signal changes to chemical signal chemical messengers called
neurotransmitters into the synapse the space between the end of an axon and the tip of a
dendrite from another neuron. The neurotransmitters move the signal through the synapse
to the neighboring dendrite, which converts the chemical signal back into an electrical
signal. The electrical signal then travels through the neuron and goes through the same
conversion processes as it moves to neighboring neurons.
The Nervous system also includes a non-neurons cells called glia. Glia perform many
important functions that keep the nervous system working properly. For example; help
support and hold neurons in place, protect neurons, create insulation called myelin, which
helps move nerve impulses, repair neurons and help restore neuron function, trim out dead
neurons and regulate neurotransmitters. The brain is made up of many networks of
communicating neurons and glia. These networks allow different part of the brain to “talk”
to each other and work together to control body functions, emotions, thinking behavior and
other activities
The nervous system, in turn, has two parts: the central nervous system, which
includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system.
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Together,
they form, as the name suggests, the literal center of the body’s communication system. The
CNS processes every sensation and thought that you experience. Receptors throughout the
body gather sensory information and pass it on the CNS. The CNS also sends messages to
the rest of the body to control movement, actions, and responses to the environment.
The brain
The brain controls many of the body’s functions including sensation, thought,
movement, awareness, and memory. The surface of the brain is known as cerebral cortex.
The surface of the cortex appears bumpy thanks to the grooves and folds of the tissue.
The brain is composed of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
Cerebrum: is the largest part of the brain and is composed of right and left side of the
hemispheres. It performs functions like interpreting touch, vision, and hearing, as well as
speech, reasoning, emotions, learning, and fine control of movement. Both sides of the
brain work together to produce various functions.
Cerebellum: is located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements,
maintain posture, and balance.
Brainstem: acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal
cord. It performs many automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature,
wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.
Peripheral Nervous System
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of nerves that extend beyond the
central nervous system. The neural networks that make up the PNS are bundles of axons
from neuron cells. The nerve bundles range from neuron cells. The nerve bundles range
from relatively small to large enough for the human eye to see. The PNS is further divided
into two different systems: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
Somatic Nervous System- Transmits sensory communication and is responsible for voluntary
movement and action. It is composed of sensory (afferent) neurons and motor (efferent)
neurons.
Autonomic Nervous System- is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates
involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion,
and sexual arousal.

Endocrine System
The hormones created and released by the glands in your body’s endocrine system
control nearly all the processes in your body. These chemicals help coordinate your body’s
function from metabolism to growth and development, emotions, mood, sexual function
and even sleep.