Coordination and control - The nervous system - AQA Homeostasis
The nervous system enables humans to react to their surroundings and to coordinate their behaviour. It comprises millions of neurones and uses electrical impulses to communicate very quickly.
homeostasisThe maintenance of steady conditions. The ability of the body to maintain a constant internal environment, eg temperature and blood glucose concentration. maintains optimal conditions for enzymeA protein which catalyses or speeds up a chemical reaction. action throughout the body, as well as all cell functions.
In the human body, these include the control of:
glucoseA simple sugar used by cells for respiration. concentration
body temperature
water levels
These automatic control systems may involve nervous responses (nervous systemBody system that includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves.) or chemical responses (endocrine system).
Nervous system
The human nervous system consists of:
the central nervous system (CNS)The part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord. – the brain and spinal cord
the peripheral nervous system – nerve cells that carry information to or from the CNS