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Functions of the nervous system | Organ Systems | MCAT | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine・2 minutes read

The nervous system carries out basic functions like motor, sensory, and automatic processes, while higher functions such as cognition, emotions, and consciousness are performed by parts of the brain that researchers are actively studying. Dysfunction in the nervous system can lead to various abnormalities known as syndromes.

Insights

  • The nervous system is responsible for basic functions (motor, sensory, automatic) and higher functions (cognition, emotions, consciousness), with dysfunction leading to specific syndromes.
  • Motor functions control skeletal muscles, sensory functions extend beyond the traditional senses to include touch, pain, and temperature, while automatic functions regulate bodily processes without conscious involvement.

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Recent questions

  • What are the basic functions of the nervous system?

    The basic functions of the nervous system are motor functions, sensory functions, and automatic functions. Motor functions involve controlling skeletal muscles, sensory functions encompass various senses like touch and pain, and automatic functions manage bodily processes without conscious involvement.

  • What are higher functions of the nervous system?

    Higher functions of the nervous system include cognition (thinking functions), emotions, and consciousness. These functions are performed by parts of the brain and play a crucial role in human behavior and decision-making processes.

  • What happens when the nervous system dysfunction occurs?

    Dysfunction in the nervous system can lead to different patterns of abnormalities known as syndromes. These abnormalities can manifest in various ways, affecting motor control, sensory perception, and automatic bodily processes, highlighting the importance of a healthy nervous system for overall well-being.

  • How does the nervous system control bodily processes?

    The nervous system controls bodily processes through automatic functions, which do not require conscious involvement. These functions include regulating systems like circulation, respiration, and digestion, ensuring that essential bodily functions are maintained without the need for conscious effort.

  • What are the least understood functions of the nervous system?

    Consciousness is considered one of the least understood functions of the nervous system, with researchers actively studying this phenomenon. Understanding consciousness is a complex and ongoing area of research, as it plays a fundamental role in human experience and perception.

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Summary

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Nervous System: Basic and Higher Functions

  • The nervous system performs various functions that can be categorized into basic functions and higher functions, with dysfunction leading to different patterns of abnormalities known as syndromes.
  • The basic functions of the nervous system are divided into motor functions, sensory functions, and automatic functions, each serving different purposes such as controlling skeletal muscles, detecting senses, and managing automatic bodily processes.
  • Motor functions involve the control of skeletal muscles, while sensory functions encompass various senses beyond the traditional five, including touch, pain, and temperature.
  • Automatic functions are those that do not require conscious involvement, such as reflexes and the regulation of bodily systems like circulation, respiration, and digestion.
  • Higher functions of the nervous system, performed by parts of the brain, are categorized into cognition (thinking functions), emotions, and consciousness, with consciousness being the least understood phenomenon that researchers are actively studying.
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