Notes: Coordination And Control

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Coordination and Control TAQ 1 The nervous system detects changes and responds both inside and outside the human body, it controls many vital processes including homeostasis. It consists of the Central nervous system, brain, spinal cord and peripheral system. The Central nervous system (CNS) comprises of two main parts, 1) The spinal cord which passes signals between the brain and the rest of the body and also controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes. 2) The brain, which gathers sensory information and controls body function both consciously and unconsciously, it also controls the process of thinking, feeling as well as controlling homeostasis. The CNS works by interpreting information gathered by the Peripheral Nervous System and responds accordingly. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consists of all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Its function is to act as a messenger sending impulses from the CNS and the brain to the muscles and extremities of the body. Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by any bones such as the brain and spine which is the case in the CNS so it can be subject to mechanical injuries and disease. The somatic system is part of the PNS and is responsible for all voluntary movement of skeletal muscles and skin. It is made up of nerves that join the sensory organs to the skeletal muscle and skin through out the body. It involves the somatic senses such as pain, touch, heat and cold which are all detected through specialised sensory receptors in the skin e.g. pacinian corpuscles. Another part of the PNS is the Autonomic nervous system (ANS), this controls the automatic functions of the body and is not under our conscious control e.g. reflexes, heart rate or the secretion of hormo... ... middle of paper ... ... or the cochlear duct. They are filled with fluid and the vibrations of sound causes waves of fluid to move across and are transmitted into the cochlear duct. The vestibules are concerned with balance and have no auditory function. They provide information to the brain about the position of the head which helps us with balance and posture. Change in the position of the head causes hair cells in the vestibules to bend and stimulate receptors in the utricle. The vestibules are connected to the semi-circular canals which are located behind, beside and above it. Also part of the vestibules are the utricle, this a sack which communicates with the cochlea. In conclusion, we can see that both the eye and the ear are imperative to sustaining life. Though small, both these structures and complex and without them we would not be able to carry out the simplest of tasks.

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