The Nervous System: Main
Features and Their Functions
Biology Presentation
Adama Dieng
July 2025
What is the Nervous System?
• - Controls and coordinates all body activities
• - Allows us to perceive, interpret, and respond
to the environment
• - Composed of the central and peripheral
nervous systems
Main Divisions of the Nervous
System
• - Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain + Spinal
Cord
• - Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Connects
CNS to the body
The Brain
• - Controls thought, memory, emotion, vision,
etc.
• - Cerebrum: Thinking and movement
• - Cerebellum: Coordination and balance
• - Brainstem: Involuntary functions like
heartbeat and breathing
The Spinal Cord
• - Connects brain to the rest of the body
• - Transmits nerve signals
• - Controls reflexes
Neurons – The Basic Units
• - Specialized cells transmitting electrical
signals
• - Main parts: Cell body, Dendrites, Axon
Types of Neurons
• - Sensory Neurons: Body to CNS
• - Motor Neurons: CNS to muscles
• - Interneurons: Connect neurons within the
CNS
The Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS)
• - Connects CNS to limbs and organs
• - Somatic Nervous System: Voluntary
movements
• - Autonomic Nervous System: Involuntary
functions
• - Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic systems
Main Functions
• - Sensory Input: Detects changes
• - Integration: Processes input
• - Motor Output: Responds to stimuli
Conclusion
• - Essential for life and interaction with the
world
• - Coordinates body activities and maintains
homeostasis
• - Damage can cause serious conditions like
paralysis or Alzheimer's