Nervous System, Essay Example

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. Both the spine and brain work together to produce and move nerve signals throughout the body. While the brain is protected within the skull the central nervous system allows the brain to control the body. The peripheral nervous system is broken down into two parts; the somatic and autonomic system. The somatic system is responsible for sending sensory information to the central nervous system. The sensory information that is sent is related to all five senses; touch, vision and so on. The autonomic system is responsible for the control of necessities such as breathing and digestion.

According to Rutkowski et al, the central nervous system is largely responsible for cell migration, and cell regeneration (2010). Diseases such as Parkinson’s that create difficulty with the Central Nervous System make it possible to understand the regeneration and repair process. In a study conducted by Rutkowski et al, suggests that C1q levels of the nervous system are very important in the synaptic pruning and its importance in various diseases, like Parkinson’s. C1q is a protein that has been named in cellular functions and immune regulation. Markiewski et al, also notes the importance of the CNS complement in other organs such as its role in liver disease and the functioning of the human immune system (2009).

While the importance of the central and peripheral nervous system is apparent, the study suggests that it is more involved in a variety of other bodily functions. Along with sending messages it also plays an active role in the immune system, prevention of disease and repair cellular function in the body. The two systems work together and are dependent upon each other, however have very different roles in the human body and its efficiency.

References

Markiewski, MM, et al. (2009). The regulation of liver cell survival by complement. Journal of Immunology; 182:5412-5418

Rutkowski, M. J., Sughrue, M. E., Kane, A. J., Mills, S. A., Fang, S., & Parsa, A. T. (2010).

Complement and the central nervous system: emerging roles in development, protection and regeneration. Immunology & Cell Biology, 88(8), 781-786.