1. The Nervous System One of the Body’s Many Functions
By: Samantha H., Tyler H., Skylar B., and Tyne L.

2. Introduction
The name of our organ system is the nervous system. It’s major functions of the nervous system are receiving information, responding to information that is received, and maintaining balance in a physical state.

3. Diagram
There are two main sections of the nervous system: The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of many nerve fibers, starting at the spinal cord and diverge off to different parts of the body, including the neck, arms, torso, legs, skeletal muscles and internal organs.
The brain receives different messages from all different parts of the body through the spinal cord. In then relays specific commands to those parts to control everything you do. Neurons also assist in this process, which transmit signals throughout the body, as well.

4. Central & Peripheral
The nervous system is comprised of two components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In the central nervous system, your spinal cord obtains information from the skin, joints, and muscles in your body. The nerves that control body movements are also in the central nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, some of the inner workings are voluntary, for example, moving your muscles and joints. It also forwards messages from your senses (smell, hearing, touch, sight, taste) back to the brain.

5. Working with systems
The nervous system works with other systems in the body to help it function properly.
Skeletal System: The skull protects the brain from harm, the vertebrae protects the spinal cord from harm, regulates bone position by controlling muscles
Respiratory System : Brain oversees respiratory volume and blood levels.
Digestive System: Digestive process gives foundation for neurotransmitters, automatic nervous system assists digestive tract, brain controls food and liquids entering the body.
Muscular System: Brain controls skeletal muscle contraction, muscle receptors provide brain information about body position.
Endocrine System: Hormones provide brain information, hypothalamus monitors pituitary gland and other endocrine glands.

6. Stimulus to Response
A nerve impulse travels throughout your body from stimulus to response. First, a receptor turns a stimulus into a nerve impulse, and travels to the central nervous system through a sensory neuron. Relay neurons then transport the impulse to the brain, where the information is computed. Finally, the resulting nerve impulse is transmitted through the motor neuron from the central nervous system to the corresponding organ or muscle.

7. Fun Facts
There are more cells in our brains than stars in the Milky Way!
A newborn baby loses half it’s nerve cells before it is born!
A male’s brain has 6.5 times more gray matter, while a woman’s has 10 times more white matter than a man’s.
The left side of the human brain controls the right side of the body, while the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body.
Your nervous system cannot function properly if there are no potassium and sodium ions.

8. Sources