COORDINATION OF NERVOUS

SYSTEM AND ENDOCRINE

SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE
HOMEOSTASIS
MELC: Describe how the nervous system coordinates and regulates
these feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis.
The Nervous
System
The Nervous
System controls
and coordinates
the activities of
all your body
parts.
Neuron
• The basic functional unit of the
nervous system is a neuron or a
nerve cell.
• This a specialized cell which
consists of a cell body and
several nerve fibers.
• These nerve fibers are called
dendrites (carry impulses
towards the cell body) and axon
(carries impulses away from the
cell body).
Three Types of Neurons
 Nerve
• Your nervous system is made up of hundreds of billions of neurons. A
group of neurons working together is called a nerve.
• Nerves are also classified according to their function:
A. Autonomic nerves are nerves that control the involuntary functions of our
body like breathing and our heartbeat.
B. Motor nerves are the ones that control our voluntary functions like our
movement.
C. Sensory nerves are nerves that receive stimulus or information from our
sense organs.
 Synapse https://youtu.be/L41TYxYUqqs
• The term “synapse” designates the point where the axon of one
neuron connects to a dendrite of another. This word comes from the
Greek syn (together) and haptein (join).
• Neurons can be connected to each other in two very different ways:
A. by an electrical synapse, in which the two cells touch and are connected by
tiny holes, which lets the nerve impulse pass directly from one neuron to
the other; or
B. by a chemical synapse, where the two cells do not touch and the nerve
impulse needs particular molecules to bridge the gap between them.
• Chemical synapses are slower than electrical ones but are also far
more flexible. This valuable flexibility is the foundation of all learning.
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS
• Neurotransmitters are chemical molecules that “ferry” nerve impulses
across the synapse from one neuron to the next.
• Each type of neurotransmitter has a molecular form that lets it bind to
the right site on the second neuron to produce its particular effect.
• Neurotransmitters are divided into two categories according to the
effect that they have on the second neuron once they are released into
the synaptic gap.
A. Neurotransmitters that help this neuron to propagate the nerve impulse are
classified as excitatory neurotransmitters.
B. Neurotransmitters that reduce the likelihood of this neuron’s propagating the
impulse are called inhibitory neurotransmitters.
 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The central nervous system
consists of the brain and its
natural extension, the spinal
cord, which runs through the
center of the spinal column. The
spinal column, together with the
skull, provides a veritable suit of
armor for the precious central
nervous system.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The peripheral nervous system
consists of the nerves, some of
which gather information while
others transmit orders. The
facial nerves enter and leave
the brain directly through the
skull. Other nerves reach the
brain via the spinal cord. The
nerves in the peripheral
nervous system are in turn
divided into two categories.
 The Brain
• The brain has the size and
appearance of a small cauliflower.
But thanks to its 86 billion nerve
cells (and as many glial cells), we can
think, plan, talk, imagine, and so
much more.
• The brain has two cerebral
hemispheres. Each takes care of one
side of the body, but the controls are
crossed: the right hemisphere takes
care of the left side, and vice versa.
 The Peripheral Nervous System
THE SOMATIC NS
• These nerves participate in
the organism’s relationship
with its external
environment. They send
information to the brain
from the body’s various
sensory detectors. These
nerves also enable us to
respond to these stimuli by
moving through our
environment.
THE AUTONOMIC NS
• These nerves are more
involved in regulating vital
internal functions. They help
to maintain internal
equilibrium by coordinating
such activities as digestion,
respiration, blood circulation,
excretion, and the secretion
of hormones. The autonomic
nervous system in turn is
divided into two categories.
The autonomic nervous system is controlled mainly by the hypothalamus and is in turn divided
into two sets of nerves: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Each of these two
systems has a distinct anatomical location and communicates with its target organs through
other neurons located in ganglia.

SYMPATHETIC NS
• The sympathetic nervous system goes
into action to prepare the organism for
physical or mental activity. When the
organism faces a major stressor, it is
the sympathetic nervous system that
orchestrates the fight-or-flight
response. It dilates the bronchi and
the pupils, accelerates heart rate and
respiration, and increases perspiration
and arterial blood pressure, but
reduces digestive activity. Two
neurotransmitters are primarily
associated with this system:
epinephrine and norepinephrine.
PARASYMPATHETIC NS
• The activation of the parasympathetic
nervous system causes a general
slowdown in the body’s functions in
order to conserve energy. Whatever
was dilated, accelerated, or increased
by the sympathetic nervous system is
contracted, decelerated, or decreased
by the parasympathetic nervous
system. The only things that the
parasympathetic nervous system
augments are digestive functions and
sexual appetite. One neurotransmitter
is primarily associated with this
system: acetylcholine.
• The endocrine system is a way for the body to send signals, much like
the nervous system. Yet, unlike the nervous system which can relay
“messages” quickly, the endocrine system moves much slower. The
system of glands which secrete hormones help regulate the body and
makes up the endocrine system. These hormones regulate many
functions in an organism including mood, growth and development,
tissue function and metabolism
 Homeostasis
• Homeostasis is the maintenance of internal balance in an organism
despite changes in the environment.
• This mechanism is responsible for regulation and maintenance of the
internal environment of our body.
• Since the Nervous System and Endocrine System respond
immediately to changes from different conditions or internal
environment.
• Through nerve impulse and hormones, they dictate to the target cell
or organs in the body how to respond with internal and external
changes
 Feedback Mechanisms
• Feedback mechanisms help keep these things balanced
(homeostasis).
• These are negative feedback and positive feedback loops.
• Negative Feedback is a control system that reduces or even stops the
body from producing change when favorable or stable conditions are
met.
• Positive Feedback is a control system that causes the end products of
an action to produce more of that action to occur in the feedback
loop.
 PARTS OF THE FEEDBACK LOOP
1. Stimulus – something that disrupts the body’s homeostasis.
2. Sensor – detects the change in homeostasis.
3. Control Center – part of the body that responds to the change and
takes
action. The pituitary gland in the brain is the control center.
4. Effector – any organ or cell that ultimately responds to the stimulus.
5. Response – a response from the effector balances out the original
stimulus
to maintain homeostasis
 Direction: Fill
the shapes below
with words from
the box to
complete the
feedback loops.