The nervous system has four major functions: 1. Somatic function allows for voluntary movement through electrical signals that cause muscle contraction. 2. Sensory function involves sense organs picking up external and internal stimuli which the brain interprets. 3. Autonomic function involuntarily controls internal organs like the heart and lungs without conscious thought. 4. Cognitive function enables problem-solving and learning through mental processing, distinguishing humans from animals. The document provides examples of how these functions interact in the nervous system to allow Jose to avoid an oncoming car through sensory perception, involuntary heart rate increase, cognitive processing, and voluntary movement.

1. FUNCTIONS OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
MODULE 16

3. FOUR MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Somatic or voluntary function
Sensory function
Autonomic or involuntary function
Cognitive function

4. 1. SOMATIC OR VOLUNTARY FUNCTION
(The nervous system makes your body move)
Electrical impulses from the nervous system make
muscles contract.
This is called the somatic or voluntary motor function of
the nervous system.
Example: (When you run, your nervous system commands your leg muscles
to contract and move)
 Your nervous system also helps you choose the speed at which to run.

5. 2. SENSORY FUNCTION
(The nervous system picks up stimuli)
Stimuli are signals from the environment or within your
body that you respond to. Sense organs like the eyes
pick up stimuli from the environment and the brain
gives meaning and reacts to these information
External Stimuli- signals from the outside of the body.
Internal Stimuli- signals from the inside of the body.

7. 3. AUTONOMIC OR INVOLUNTARY FUNCTION
(COMMANDS OTHER ORGANS LIKE THE LUNGS TO FUNCTION WITHOUT YOUR BEING AWARE OF IT)
 The nervous system helps keep the
heart beating by constantly
transmitting signals to it.
 When you are angry, your heart
automatically pumps faster because
of the signal sent by the nervous
system.
 You breathe without being aware of
it.

8. 4. COGNITIVE FUNCTION
(NERVOUS SYSTEM ENABLES US TO ADAPT TO OUR ENVIRONMENT)
 Cognitive functioning refers to a
person's ability to process
thoughts. It is defined as "the
ability of an individual to perform
the various mental activities most
closely associated with learning
and problem solving.
 This special ability makes us different
from animals.

9. HOW NERVOUS SYSTEM INTERACTS
Jose is crossing the street when he sees a
car approaching very fast (sensory
function). His heart starts pounding fast
(autonomic function).Seeing the car tells
him that danger is coming (cognitive
function). His nervous system then
directs the rest of his body to move for
him to avoid the car (somatic function).

10. 2
1
1
3
4
2
1
2
4
3

11. Brain
Balance
Two
Peripheral
Covering
Spinal Cord
Cerebral cortex
Medulla
Gyri
Convolutions
Two
Brain
Spinal Cord
Peripheral
Brain
Cerebral cortex
Covering
Gyri
Convolutions
Brain
Balance
medulla

12. Voluntary body activity
TYPES OF BODILY ACTIVITIES
Voluntary action is an action that is
thought of and consciously performed
by the person.
walking
talking
picking up things
Running
Jumping
Eating
Bathing
Involuntary body activity
Involuntary movements cannot be controlled
by organism will.
Heartbeat
Digestion
Peristalsis (wavelike movement of the GI
tract that serves to propel the food mass )
Secretion of hormones
Defecation ( removal of metabolic waste
product via anus)
Urination
Respiration

14. END OF DISCUSSION