Electrical impulses are used by the nervous system to gather, process, and respond to information about the environment. Neurons are used for receiving and sending electrical impulses among the body due to their unique structure. Glial cells, which surround, shield, and insulate neurons, provide support. The endocrine system, like the nervous system, also acts like a regulating mechanism. It maintains and uses chemical messages known hormones, that can pass through the circulation and maintain the actions of cells and organs, rather than electrical impulses for transmission.
The nervous system
- The nervous system’s many activities can be categorised into three general overlapping functions: Sensory, Integrative, Motor. Stimuli are changes in the body’s surroundings that are registered by millions of sensory receptors
- The outside world’s temperature, light, and sound are all examined . Pressure, pH, and carbon dioxide concentration are all sensed by receptors and the quantities of various electrolytes inside the body, or the internal environment. Sensory input refers to all of the information acquired
- Nerve impulses are electrical signals that are delivered to the brain from sensory input. There, the signals are combined to produce sensations, ideas, or memories; decisions are made in real time based on the sensory input
- In response to sensory input and integration, the nervous system sends messages to muscles, causing them to contract, or glands, causing them to secrete. Effectors are muscles and glands that produce an effect in response to commands from the neurological system. This is the motor function or output
The Central Nervous System
- The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are the two main parts of the nervous system. The brain and spinal cord create the CNS, which is the body’s processing centre. Three layers of membranes called meninges protect both of these organs.
- The third type of protection is cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a buffer among the brain and the skull for further protection, the brain is contained within the hard bones of the skull, while the spinal cord is protected by the bony vertebrae of our backbones. ll, as well as between the spinal cord and the vertebrae
- Despite significant research by anatomists and physiologists, the central nervous system still holds many secrets; it controls our thoughts, movements, emotions, and desires. It also controls our breathing, heart rate, hormone release, and body temperature, among other things
- Along with the brain and spinal cord, the retina, optic nerve, olfactory nerves, and olfactory epithelium are sometimes considered to be part of the CNS. This is due to the fact that they connect directly to brain tissue, bypassing intermediate nerve fibres.
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a group of glands in your body that produce hormones that allow cells to communicate with one another. Almost every cell, organ, and function in your body is controlled by them.
You can have trouble developing during puberty, becoming pregnant, or managing stress if your endocrine system isn’t in good shape. Because too much sugar lingers in your blood instead of going into your cells where it’s needed for energy, you may gain weight easily, have weak bones, or lack energy.
A gland is an organ that produces and secretes hormones that perform certain functions in the body. The compounds produced by your endocrine and exocrine glands are released into your bloodstream.
Parts of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system is made up of many glands. Your brain contains the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland. In your neck are the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The thymus is located between the lungs, the adrenals are located on top of the kidneys, and the pancreas is located behind the stomach. Your ovaries or testes (if you’re a male) are located in your pelvic region.
- Hypothalamus: Your endocrine system and neurological system are linked by this organ. Its primary function is to instruct your pituitary gland to begin or stop producing hormones.
- Pituitary gland: This is the main gland of your endocrine system. It uses information from your brain to direct the actions of other glands in your body. It produces a variety of hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin, which aids breastfeeding mothers in producing milk, antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), which regulates blood pressure and helps control body water balance through its effect on the kidney, corticotropin /ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce certain hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones
- Thyroid gland: Thyroid hormone regulates your growth and metabolism and is produced by this gland. Everything moves more slowly if this gland does not produce enough (a condition known as hypothyroidism). Your heart rate may begin to slow. You can become constipated. You may also gain weight. Everything speeds up if it produces too much (hyperthyroidism). Your pulse may quicken. You might get diarrhoea. You may also lose weight without even trying. The thyroid gland also generates the hormone calcitonin, which may help calcium be integrated into bone and hence contribute to bone strength
- Parathyroid: A group of four tiny glands located behind your thyroid. They contribute to bone health. Calcium and phosphorus levels are controlled by the glands
- Thymus: T-lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight infection and are important as a child’s immune system develops. After puberty, the thymus begins to shrink
- Adrenals: These two glands are well recognised for producing the “fight or flight” hormone adrenaline (also known as epinephrine), but they also produce corticosteroids. They have an impact on your metabolism, blood flow, and sexual function, among other things
- Pancreas: Both your digestive and endocrine systems are served by this organ. It produces digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion of meals. It also produces insulin and glucagon hormones. These ensure that the proper quantity of sugar is present in your bloodstream and cells
Difference between nervous system and endocrine system
The endocrine and neurological systems are the two systems that work together to coordinate the body’s functioning. To maintain the body in a state of homeostasis, both the endocrine and neurological systems transfer signals to the effector organs, tissues, and glands. Endocrine glands create the endocrine system. The brain, spinal cord, and various peripheral nerves make up the nervous system. The major distinction between the endocrine and neurological systems is that the endocrine system delivers electrical impulses to the effector organ through neurons, while the nervous system delivers chemical substances known as hormones through the blood to the effector organ. The body will take time to respond to the endocrine system’s signals. The nervous system’s responses, on the other hand, happen in a relatively short time.
Composition
Endocrine System: Glands create the endocrine system.
Nervous System: Nerve cells are present in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves to make the nervous system.
Types of Signals
Endocrine System: Hormones are chemical molecules that are used by the endocrine system to deliver signals to the effector organs.
The nervous system transmits signals to the effector organs through electric impulses and chemical molecules called neurotransmitters.
Signals Transmission
Endocrine System: The signals in the endocrine system are conveyed through the blood.
Nervous System: Signals are transferred by nerve cells in the nervous system.
Conclusion
Both the endocrine and neurological systems work together to keep the body in a state of homeostasis in response to internal and external stimuli. The endocrine system consists of glands that create hormones and regulate bodily functions such as growth, development, and reproduction. Nerve cells form the nervous system, which is organised into the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are the two major parts of the nervous system. The nervous system uses receptors to keep us in contact with our surroundings, both external and internal.