The Comparison of Nervous Systems in Humans, Cnidarians, Flatworms, and Annelids
Biology II
30 March 2012
The Comparison of Nervous Systems in Humans, Cnidarians, Flatworms, and Annelids The nervous system is one of the most important organ systems in the body. It is in charge of all of the things that happen within the body. Being responsible for receiving sensory input from internal and external stimuli, integrating and processing information, and generating output, it would be hard to survive without a nervous system; however, there are different types of nervous systems in various organisms. Humans, cnidarians, flatworms, and annelids all have very diverse nervous systems. There are similarities and differences in each of these beings. Of the fours organisms listed, the nervous systems in humans in the most complex. Their nervous system is divided into two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which is protected by bone and guarded by cerebrospinal fluid to help prevent injury. The brain is separated into four different parts: the cerebrum, the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata. The cerebrum is the biggest section of the brain (Understanding the Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body). There are two sections of the cerebrum, the right and left hemispheres. The right side controls the left side of the body and the left side controls the right side of the body. As well as being the center for thought and intelligence, the cerebrum also contains control of sensory and motor areas. The cerebral cortex is on the outside of the cerebrum, and it is responsible for learning, language, memory, and reasoning. The cerebellum is at the rear of the skull beneath the cerebrum, and it controls voluntary muscle, balance, and muscle tone. Finally, the medulla oblongata is in control of heart rate, breathing, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, and all other involuntary muscle functions. Also, the medulla oblongata forms the brainstem needed to connect the cerebrum to
30 March 2012
The Comparison of Nervous Systems in Humans, Cnidarians, Flatworms, and Annelids The nervous system is one of the most important organ systems in the body. It is in charge of all of the things that happen within the body. Being responsible for receiving sensory input from internal and external stimuli, integrating and processing information, and generating output, it would be hard to survive without a nervous system; however, there are different types of nervous systems in various organisms. Humans, cnidarians, flatworms, and annelids all have very diverse nervous systems. There are similarities and differences in each of these beings. Of the fours organisms listed, the nervous systems in humans in the most complex. Their nervous system is divided into two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which is protected by bone and guarded by cerebrospinal fluid to help prevent injury. The brain is separated into four different parts: the cerebrum, the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata. The cerebrum is the biggest section of the brain (Understanding the Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body). There are two sections of the cerebrum, the right and left hemispheres. The right side controls the left side of the body and the left side controls the right side of the body. As well as being the center for thought and intelligence, the cerebrum also contains control of sensory and motor areas. The cerebral cortex is on the outside of the cerebrum, and it is responsible for learning, language, memory, and reasoning. The cerebellum is at the rear of the skull beneath the cerebrum, and it controls voluntary muscle, balance, and muscle tone. Finally, the medulla oblongata is in control of heart rate, breathing, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, and all other involuntary muscle functions. Also, the medulla oblongata forms the brainstem needed to connect the cerebrum to
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