Video Transcript
Which of the following diagrams
correctly outlines the functioning of the human nervous system? (A), which shows a diagram that
starts with receiving information from external or internal stimuli then processing
information then coordinating a response and ends with maintaining homeostasis. (B), which shows a diagram that
starts with receiving information from external stimuli then receiving information
from internal stimuli then coordinating a response and ends with processing
information. (C), which shows a diagram that
starts with receiving information from external or internal stimuli then
coordinating a response then processing information and ends with maintaining
homeostasis. (D), which shows a diagram that
starts with disrupting homeostasis then processing information then coordinating a
response and ends with receiving information from external or internal stimuli.
This question is asking us to
recall the function of the human nervous system and use the recalled information to
identify the diagram that correctly demonstrates how information flows through the
nervous system. The human nervous system is
responsible for our abilities to sense and respond to the environments both
externally and internally.
To efficiently sense, process, and
then respond to internal and external environments, the human nervous system can be
divided into subdivisions, each with their own specific structural and functional
characteristics. The human nervous system is
composed of two main divisions: the central nervous system and the peripheral
nervous system. Use of the root word “periphery” in
the peripheral nervous system is to describe the nervous system structures that are
beyond the brain and the spinal cord. This describes one of the main
functions of the peripheral system, which is to collect sensory information from
internal and external environments.
The function of collecting sensory
information is carried out by the afferent nerves of the peripheral nervous
system. The collected sensory information
then travels to the central nervous system which comprises the brain and the spinal
cord. Within the central nervous system,
the brain processes and coordinates a response to the collected sensory
information. Then the motor commands from the
brain are sent to the efferent nerves of the peripheral nervous system to carry out
the motor response.
Together, these subdivisions of the
nervous system maintain a fairly stable environment internally, which is called
homeostasis and is very important to maintaining the biological functions of the
human body. So the correct diagram will list
the functions of the human nervous system as first collecting sensory information,
which is performed by the peripheral nervous system, then processing and
coordinating a response, which is performed by the central nervous system, and ends
with the goal of maintaining homeostasis.
Now that we have reviewed how
signals are received, processed, and responded to in the human nervous system, we
are able to answer our question correctly. The diagram that correctly outlines
the function of the human nervous system starts with receiving information from
external or internal stimuli then processing information then coordinating responses
and ends with maintaining homeostasis.
