Identify and describe the specific functions of the sensory andmotor nervous systems.
Identify and describe the specific functions of the sensory and
motor nervous systems.
The nervous system is the group of nerves and fibers that has functions like carrying the impulse between the body. It is divided into two branches called the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is made of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is made of the spinal cord's nerves; it is further branched into the somatic and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system functions to control voluntary, sensory, and motor action.
The nervous system works in coordination with the other system of the body such as with the endocrine system, the nervous system can be involved in homeostatic mechanisms and through receptors can keep the body-conscious about the environment.
The activities performed by the nervous system involve three main overlapping functions which are:
- Sensory input: the sensory receptors present in the bodies can detect small changes in the external environment such as temperature, sound, light, etc. These sensory receptors can convert these stimuli signals into electrical signals which can be sent easily through the neurons to the central nervous system i.e. brain and spinal cord. The signals are known as the sensory inputs which are sent to the central nervous system.
- Motor output: The signals produced in response to the sensory input in the central nervous system are to be sent to the target site through motor neurons. This process of generation and producing output through the nervous system is known as the motor function.
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