HOMEOSTASIS
AND THE
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
Homeostasis
• The body is designed in such a way that all the organs
and organ systems work together in order to maintain
homeostasis, or maintaining the internal environment
in equilibrium. All the organ systems are controlled by
the nervous system, while the endocrine system
secretes hormones that regulate all the body’s
activities.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The nervous system coordinates and regulates the
body’s feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis.
It is a highly organized and complex collection of nerves
(a collection of neurons) and neurons, specialized cells
that transmit messages to and from the brain and spinal
cord to other parts of the body.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Neurons that receive messages from the senses
and send them to the central nervous system are
called afferent neurons. Efferent neurons on the
other hand send messages from the central
nervous system to the different parts of the body.
PARTS OF NEURON
Dendrites receive signals
from other neurons or
from the body, and pass
those messages along to
the cell body.
The cell body is the support center of the
neuron. If an outgoing message is to be sent
away, it passes from the cell body to the
axon, which passes those messages away
from the cell body to the axon terminal and
onto other neurons or other body parts. The
myelin sheath is a protective layer around
some axons and helps speed up the signal
messages.
These signal messages travel as electrical
signals, and as they reach the end of a
neuron, chemicals called neurotransmitters
are stimulated. These chemicals travel
through the space in between
neurons/other body cells called synapses.
It is through neurotransmitters that the
nervous system can regulate the body’s
activities.
THE CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM
• Part of the Brain
Cerebrum
The major outer part of the brain. It is
divided into two hemispheres: the left
and right. The left hemisphere controls
the right side of the body, and vice
versa. These two hemispheres are
connected by the corpus callosum.
Each hemisphere is further divided into
sections called lobes.
• Part of the Brain
Cerebellum
At the back part of the
brain. It controls
balance and fine
muscle movement.
• Part of the Brain
Brain of
At the bottom Sterm
the brain.
This connects the cerebrum
to the spinal cord. It is
divided into three parts: the
midbrain, the pons, and the
medulla. The brain stem
controls bodily functions like
breathing, circulation, and
• Part of the Brain
Limbic System
Under the cerebrum and inside the temporal lobe, it is composed of several
structures: the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. (The
first two not shown in picture). These structures are responsible for basic
biological needs like hunger, thirst, and temperature control; higher mental
functions like memories; and emotional responses.
4 LOBES:
Frontal Lobe
Responsible for
cognitive functions and
movement.
4 LOBES:
Parietal Lobe
Responsible for
processing touch, pain,
temperature, and
movement.
4 LOBES:
Occipital Lobe
Responsible for
vision.
4 LOBES:
Temporal Lobe
Responsible for speech,
hearing, and memory.
The skull is like a bony
helmet, while the
meaninges are layers
of tissue. Carebrospinal
fluid is watery fluid
that flows in and
around the brain and
the spinal cord that
THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM
The peripheral nervous system is further subdivided into
the: somatic nervous system, which is in charge of
voluntary body movements and transmits sensory
message to the central nervous system; and autonomic
nervous system, which is in charge of involuntary body
functions like breathing and heartbeat.
THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM
The autonomic nervous system is further subdivided to
the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic division is responsible for the “fight or
flight” response, stimulating the body to use energy,
while the parasympathetic division tries to conserve
energy, doing “rest or digest.”
THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM
The somatic nervous system also controls involuntary
movements called reflexes. A reflex is an involuntary
muscle response to a stimulus (something that causes an
action) without input from the brain. The pathway a
reflex takes is called a reflex arc. This means the reflex
arc just connects to the spinal cord, bypassing the brain
so that the reflex arc is not delayed. The pathway of the
reflex arc is: stimulus -> sensory neuron -> motor neuron
-> reflex muscle movement.
Examples of reflexes
include:
- Pulling your hand back when you touch something
hot.
- Jumping when you hear a loud sound.
- The knee-jerk reflex
Reflex arcs that affects inner organs are called
autonomic reflex arcs, while those that sffect
muscles are called somatic reflex arcs.
Thank you for listening!!
