The human nervous system is broken down into two major divisions, the central nervous .
system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the.
brain and spinal cord. The brain serves as regulatory center through which the activities .
of the whole body are integrated and controlled. The brain receives sensory impulses that .
provide information about the body's internal and external state. In response the brain .
sends out messages to enable the appropriate response. (Gerrig 216) .
The brain is also a center of sensations. .
• The brain interprets how perceptions of the environment are received from sensory organs and generates sensations such sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. .
• The brain is the seed of consciousness. That is the state of awareness of oneself and one's surroundings. .
• The brain is also the source of voluntary acts. .
• The brain is the seat of the emotions. It is the brain that decides whether we feel happiness, sadness, rage, and all other emotions that affect our behavior. .
• The brain is the source of higher mental process including thought, reasoning, judgment, memory and learning. (Caroline 300).
The nervous system monitors the internal and external environments. Integrates sensory .
information and coordinates voluntary and involuntary responses of many organ systems. .
These functions are performed by neurons supported and protected by neuroglia. The .
major divisions of the nervous system are shown in the diagram below.
.
The central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord integrates and .
coordinates sensory data and motor commands. The CNS is also the seat of higher .
functions such as intelligence, memory and emotion. All communication between the .
CNS and the rest of the body occur through the peripheral nervous system or the PNS. .
The peripheral nervous system includes all nerve tissue outside the CNS.
