Coordination and Control - Essay Example

In addition, it is responsible for processing sensory information from external stimuli, such as sight. This system is responsible for the regulation of such involuntary functions of the body as digestion, blood flow, and heartbeat. The autonomic nervous system is most essential for two functions, which are during emergencies that lead to stress and need the individual to either take flight or fight and during non-emergencies, allowing the individual to digest and rest (Mai & Paxinos, 2012: p55), which are under the sympathetic or parasympathetic system respectively.

This system is responsible for the regulation of bodily functions like digestion, sweating, and heart rate. The sympathetic system provides for fast responses required for immediate needs, for example in response to present threats. The SNS is responsible for the regulation of many processes of homeostasis in the human body at a basic level, as well as in mobilization of the flight or fight response (Mai & Paxinos, 2012: p56). This is the second part of the autonomic system that opposes the sympathetic system, for example by dilating blood vessels and slowing the heartbeat down.

This system serves to relax sphincter muscles, increase glandular and intestinal activity, and slow heart rate, thus conserving energy and this is the reason why it is also referred to as the rest and digest system (Mai & Paxinos, 2012: p56). Sensory neurons transmit signals from peripheral body parts to the CNS, including such sensory information as sound and sight. The neurons undergo activation by sensory input before projecting this information to other nervous system elements (Widmaier et al, 2011: p27).

They are afferent neurons, only transmitting signals towards the CNS. Relay neurons conduct information from one part of the CNS to another, forming connections between other neurons. The term relay neurons also refer to