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The nervous system coordinates actions and sensory processing by transmitting signals between body parts, working in tandem with the endocrine system.
The nervous system is the highly complex biological system that coordinates an animal’s actions and processes sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different body parts. It detects changes in the environment that affect the body and works together with the endocrine system to produce appropriate responses. In vertebrates, it is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), made up mainly of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. Overall, the nervous system enables communication through specialized cells—neurons—which send electrochemical signals along axons and communicate at synapses (electrical or chemical). Neurons can be excited, inhibited, or modulated by incoming signals, and their connections form neural pathways, circuits, and larger networks that shape perception and behavior. Alongside neurons, glial cells provide structural and metabolic support, help insulate axons via myelin, and contribute to immune and homeostatic functions, supporting the nervous system’s ability to function reliably. Functionally, the nervous system supports both rapid stimulus-response behaviors (such as reflexes) and more complex processing involving the brain and spinal cord. It can also generate activity patterns internally without external triggers, using mechanisms like central pattern generators and circadian rhythm control. Malfunction can arise from genetic defects, injury, toxins, infection, or aging, and disorders are studied and treated in neurology, while neuroscience focuses on studying nervous system function and organization.
The nervous system coordinates actions and sensory processing by transmitting signals between body parts, working in tandem with the endocrine system.
In vertebrates, it is divided into the CNS (brain and spinal cord) and PNS (nerves connecting the CNS to the body).
Neurons drive communication through electrochemical impulses and synapses, while glial cells provide essential support, insulation (myelin), and homeostasis.
Its overall function includes both stimulus-response processing (e.g., reflex arcs) and internally generated rhythmic activity (e.g., central pattern generation and circadian control).
The biological system that coordinates an animal’s actions and sensory information by transmitting signals between different parts of the body.
The main division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
The division of the nervous system made up mainly of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
A specialized cell that communicates with other cells via synapses, sending signals as electrochemical impulses along axons.
A membrane-to-membrane junction where neurons transmit signals, either electrically or through neurotransmitter release.
Non-neuronal cells that support neurons by providing nutrition, insulation (myelin), homeostasis, and additional roles such as immune defense.
A basic stimulus-response neural circuit that begins with sensory input and ends with motor output through a sequence of connected neurons.
A neural network that produces temporally structured output rhythms without requiring a corresponding temporally structured external stimulus.
A roughly 24-hour rhythmic pattern of neural activity that helps control daily behavioral cycles such as sleep-wake timing.
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